Behind the Meaning of Stevie Nicks’ Movie-Inspired “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream)”

The book-turned-movie, Twilight, seems to provide an endless source of inspiration. The novel has inspired other books, movies, and even songs. Stevie Nicks penned one of the most memorable Twilight offshoots, “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream).” Uncover the meaning behind this tangled love story, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Stevie Nicks’ Movie-Inspired “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream)”

After watching Twilight, Nicks was reminded of her own complicated love story with Lindsey Buckingham. Though nothing supernatural was at play with the Fleetwood Mac members, they feel just as star-crossed as Stephenie Meyer’s characters. Nicks thought so anyway.

“This really is an ancient song that encompasses my strange and everlasting relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, and Bella and Edward, all mixed into one,” Nicks once said of “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream).”

Some call her strange
Lady from the mountains
And others say she’s not really real
Like a candle burns bright
Wants to burn faster
But maybe then at least
She really feels
Burning like the candle in the middle

The song has references to both relationships. The opening verse seems to be an obvious reference to herself. While the second seems to be heavily Bella coded. The same can be said of the subsequent verses describing Buckingham and Edward.

Nicks and Buckingham spent albums bashing each other following their messy breakup. Bella and Edward had a much better outcome…somehow. The overarching sentiment, however, is about a love that feels so strong that you nearly forget why you’re all wrong for one another.

Nicks isn’t a stranger to off-kilter songwriting. Moreover, she’s not a stranger to the supernatural. Many have dubbed her a witch in the past. Nevertheless, this song feels particularly whimsical. It’s a strange mix of fanfic and familiar Nicks vernacular. If you haven’t given this song a listen, check out some of the lyrics, below.

She’s lonely, lost
She’s disconnected
She finds no comfort
In her surroundings
Beautiful, insecure
She has nothing

Strange
She runs with the one she can’t keep up with
Ooh, it’s so strange
He slows down
He’s so desperate to stop her
Meet her in the middle

He loves her
But he needs his life alone as well
But does he know
The road or the reasons why
If he leaves her
He’ll be losing the chance
To stay alive

Strange
She’s laid on the floor in silent pain
Strange
He sat in a chair from months just staring
Strange
She knows too much to walk away
Strange
She couldn’t do it anyway

Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock