How Joe Walsh Inspired Stevie Nicks’ Most Vulnerable Songwriting Moments

When Stevie Nicks first met Joe Walsh in 1983, she described the moment as love at first sight. The two musicians, already legends in their own right, connected instantly during a chance meeting at the Mansions Hotel in Dallas. What followed was a passionate relationship that, while tumultuous, left a lasting mark on Nicks’ heart and songwriting.

Their relationship lasted only a few years, but the creative and emotional bond between them lingered far longer. Walsh’s influence seeped into Nicks’ music, inspiring some of her most vulnerable and heartfelt compositions. For Nicks, Walsh wasn’t just another chapter in her love life—he was the defining love story that bled into her lyrics.

The songs born from their time together remain some of her most personal. Through her music, Nicks revealed both the beauty and the pain of their connection, solidifying Walsh’s role as not just the love of her life, but also one of her greatest muses.

Writing From the Heart

During their relationship, Nicks penned what she later called her most committed song: “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You.” Released as the closing track on her 1985 solo album Rock a Little, the ballad was a direct reflection of the deep emotional bond she shared with Walsh. The song was also tied to Walsh’s grief over the loss of his daughter, making it even more poignant.

For Nicks, this wasn’t just another track in her repertoire. It was an intimate gift, a musical letter that carried her deepest affection and understanding. The lyrics resonated with the vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to show in public, revealing the fragile side of a woman often celebrated for her strength and mystique.

The collaboration between the two also extended to Walsh’s 1985 album The Confessor. While the relationship may have eventually unraveled, the songs from this period stand as a testament to the connection they shared, blending love, loss, and artistry into something timeless.

A Song Locked Away

Beyond her official releases, Nicks also wrote another deeply personal piece during her time with Walsh: “She Loves Him Still.” Co-written with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, the song tells the story of a love that endured despite obstacles. Though intended for Rock a Little, it remained unreleased until nearly 30 years later, when Nicks included it on 24 Karat Gold — Songs from the Vault in 2014.

The song captures the essence of longing and devotion, even when a relationship is no longer sustainable. With lyrics that express a love others cannot understand, it echoes Nicks’ own admission that Walsh was the one man she could never truly move on from. The rawness of the ballad reflects a truth she carried quietly for decades.

By finally releasing the track years later, Nicks allowed listeners a glimpse into the private wounds of her past. It was not only a rediscovered piece of music but also a confession of enduring love, still resonant long after the relationship had ended.

The Love of Her Life

In interviews, Nicks has been candid about how deeply Walsh shaped her life. When asked in 2008 who the love of her life was, she answered without hesitation: Joe Walsh. She described their relationship as wild, passionate, and even dangerous—so much so that Walsh eventually distanced himself, fearing their substance abuse would lead to tragedy.

Despite the breakup, Nicks admitted that she would have been willing to change her entire life for him. She even envisioned marriage, something she rarely entertained seriously. His departure devastated her, and though she went on to live a full and celebrated life, she confessed that she never truly got over losing him.

Through songs like “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You” and “She Loves Him Still,” Nicks immortalized her feelings for Walsh. More than just fleeting romance, their love became the foundation for some of her most vulnerable and enduring songwriting moments, forever binding her legacy to the man she called the love of her life.