The Hidden Musical Magic: How Prince and Stevie Nicks Secretly Inspired Each Other’s Iconic Hits

When you think of iconic musical collaborations, Prince and Stevie Nicks might not immediately come to mind, but their musical relationship is a perfect example of how two artists, seemingly worlds apart, can inspire each other in ways that result in legendary hits. Behind the scenes of their careers, Prince and Nicks shared a creative bond that led to some of the most memorable songs of the 1980s, with each artist unknowingly playing a pivotal role in shaping the other’s music.

While on the surface, the high-energy funk of Prince and the mystical rock vibes of Nicks seem like polar opposites, a closer look reveals striking similarities between the two. Both were masters of self-reinvention, blending personal image with a dose of theatricality, and both approached their music with an unapologetic sense of individuality. They also shared an innate understanding of blending femininity (or even androgyny) with musical innovation, creating styles that resonated with audiences for decades. But the real magic lies in how they directly influenced each other’s songwriting, leading to the creation of some of their most iconic tracks.

Stevie Nicks and the Birth of ‘Stand Back’

The story begins in 1983, when Stevie Nicks was riding in a car with her then-husband, Kim Anderson, and overheard Prince’s Little Red Corvette on the radio. The song’s unmistakable groove sparked something inside Nicks, and she found herself singing along to its melody. As she recalled, “All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I’m singing along, going, ‘Stand back!’ I’m like, ‘Kim, pull over! We need to buy a tape recorder because I need to record this.’”

Her enthusiasm led them to stop at a store to buy a tape recorder, and Nicks began to work on what would become Stand Back. Using the instrumental melody of Little Red Corvette as her foundation, she added her own unique vocals and lyrics, resulting in a song that would quickly become a staple in her solo career. Nicks explained how she was essentially “singing in and out of all of the holes” left by Prince’s melody, creating a sound entirely her own, but undeniably influenced by Prince’s music.

So, how did Prince feel about this unintentional collaboration? It turns out, he was more than supportive. When Nicks reached out to him for help finishing the song, Prince didn’t hesitate. He arrived at Sunset Sound Studio in Los Angeles in a mere 20 minutes, and his contributions helped elevate the track to another level. As Nicks later said, “He spoiled me for every band I’ve ever had because nobody can exactly re-create — not even with two piano players — what Prince did all by his little self.” Nicks even confessed that she saw Stand Back as belonging to Prince in her eyes.

Prince and the Inspiration Behind ‘When Doves Cry’

It wasn’t just Nicks who drew inspiration from Prince. In fact, the reverse happened when Prince was struck by a similar creative spark after hearing Nicks’ Edge of Seventeen. According to Nicks, When Doves Cry was directly inspired by her song, and it marked the beginning of a deep musical respect between the two artists.

As Nicks recalled, after hearing Edge of Seventeen, Prince said, “That’s really when he and I started to sort of be friends.” The defining moment came at the end of Edge of Seventeen, when Nicks sings the iconic line, “I know what it sounds like, I know what it sounds like when doves cry. It sounds like you.” The profound impact of this moment was not lost on Prince, who immediately felt a connection to the phrase and began working on When Doves Cry shortly afterward.

Like Nicks, Prince didn’t waste any time. He dove into the creative process, recording every instrumental part of the track himself, from the haunting synthesizers to the groundbreaking bassline that would ultimately be stripped from the final mix. Prince famously explained, “Sometimes your brain kind of splits in two – your ego tells you one thing, and the rest of you says something else. You have to go with what you know is right.” And what he knew was that When Doves Cry needed to be unlike anything anyone had heard before.

A Mutual Artistic Admiration

Despite the unique circumstances of their respective inspirations, what’s clear is that Prince and Stevie Nicks had a deep, mutual respect for each other’s artistry. The influence they had on one another was not just a fleeting moment, but a testament to the power of creative minds coming together — even from a distance. Each artist took what they heard, internalized it, and turned it into something entirely new, contributing to the cultural tapestry of the 1980s in ways that continue to resonate today.

As we reflect on the music they created, we can’t help but marvel at the secret musical magic that happened between Prince and Stevie Nicks. Two legends, unknowingly pushing each other to create some of the most iconic songs of their careers, proving that sometimes, inspiration comes in the most unexpected ways.