Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks has revealed that a Taylor Swift song from Midnights struck her on a deeply personal level—so much so that it helped her cope with the devastating loss of her bandmate and best friend Christine McVie.
In an interview with Louder, Nicks explained that the track “You’re On Your Own Kid” perfectly encapsulated her emotional state following McVie’s passing in November 2022. The two women had been inseparable for decades, sharing the stage through Fleetwood Mac’s dizzying highs and turbulent lows.
“When it was the two of us, the two of us were on our own, kids, we always were,” Nicks said. “And now, I’m having to learn to be on my own, kid, by myself. So, you help me to do that. Thank you.”
The Song That Resonated Through Grief
Released in October 2022, Midnights found Swift reflecting on fame, self-doubt, and personal transformation. While much of the album explores themes of vulnerability and self-awareness, “You’re On Your Own Kid” stands out as one of its most emotionally raw moments.
The song captures the bittersweet transition from youthful hope to adult reality, carrying an undercurrent of solitude and acceptance. For Nicks, the lyrics became a mirror of her own journey—facing life without the one person who had been her creative anchor for nearly half a century.
McVie’s death left Nicks with not just the loss of a friend, but the dismantling of a musical partnership that had endured Fleetwood Mac’s infamous interpersonal chaos. Through breakups, reconciliations, and decades of tours, Nicks and McVie remained a united front—the steady heart at the center of the band.
A Bridge Between Generations
Nicks has never shied away from expressing admiration for younger songwriters, but her connection to Swift seems particularly heartfelt. In a 2023 interview with TIME, she said:
“Taylor reminds me of myself in her determination and her childlike nature. It’s an innocence that’s so special and so rare.”
Both artists share a penchant for autobiographical storytelling, weaving deeply personal narratives into songs that still feel universal. Nicks sees in Swift the same blend of vulnerability and steeliness that helped her survive the male-dominated rock world of the 1970s.
Why the Song Endures
What makes “You’re On Your Own Kid” so powerful—both for Nicks and for millions of fans—is its quiet honesty. It doesn’t offer platitudes or easy resolutions; instead, it acknowledges the truth that some roads must be walked alone, no matter how much love surrounds you.
For Nicks, hearing Swift articulate that feeling offered comfort in the midst of grief, a reminder that even in solitude, shared human experiences can still bridge the gap between generations and genres.
Swift, in turn, continues a lineage of emotionally resonant songwriting that artists like Nicks and McVie helped define—a tradition where personal pain transforms into something lasting, beautiful, and communal.
