Every Stevie Nicks Solo Album — Ranked!

Stevie Nicks is a rock ‘n’ roll legend. She’s been a shining light in the industry for more than 50 years, and at 77 years old, she’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Perhaps best known as the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac, penning and singing iconic songs like “Rhiannon,” “Gold Dust Woman,” and “Gypsy,” Nicks’ solo career is just as impressive. She’s still touring, and it even looks like a potential reconciliation with her former romantic and musical partner, Lindsey Buckingham, is finally happening. It was even announced earlier this year that she has a new album in the works.

As we look forward to any new projects from the queen of rock, let’s dig into her current eight studio albums, with releases ranging from the early 1980s to the mid-2010s. It’s definitely time for Ms. Nicks to grace our ears with some new material!

Here’s our ranking of every Stevie Nicks solo album:

8. Street Angel

No stranger to sharing her personal life, 1994, the year Street Angel was released was difficult for the singer-songwriter. Nicks was battling substance use disorder and went into rehab the previous year, resulting in subsequent less control of this album. With this context, it could shine a negative light on an otherwise mostly solid album.

Nicks’ voice does seem melancholy, but the musicality of Street Angel is nothing short of rock. “Blue Denim” is the strongest and best song here, but Nicks herself has claimed to be unhappy with the production of the album.

It will remain a solid entry in 90s pop rock and is not a waste of Nicks’ talents and songwriting abilities. As always, something had to come in last! Comparing Street Angel to her early albums is difficult, especially if Nicks did not have as much supervision on the outcome of the album.

When she is most involved and playing off of others who want her to sound her best, it makes the most difference.

7. In Your Dreams

Featuring a more mature Nicks singing, reminiscing, and even romanticizing her life, In Your Dreams yet again transports us to Stevie Nicks’ magical world.

Singing about dynamic love stories and ethereal cities and locales, she also pays tribute to U.S. veterans with the tune “Soldier’s Angel.” Another delight is her very own Twilight-inspired fan-fiction song “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream).” Yes, even Stevie Nicks was not immune to the early 2010s Twilight frenzy. She totally seems team Edward.

Nicks works closely with musician David Stewart on this album. Their collaboration is solid but not as suitable for Nicks as Lindsey Buckingham or even Tom Petty. Her writing and poetry are as refreshing as always, but her vocals are mostly unchallenged and don’t always sound as pleasing as most of her other records.

6. 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault

For 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault, fans were treated with Nicks recording songs she’d written over the course of her career. A set of eclectic songs, this album from 2014 is like a time machine. It’s full of rerecorded demos that Nicks wrote as early as 1967. Her mature voice adds an almost melancholy element to these songs, which reflect different moments and romances from her life.

It’s an introspective album, but the music and instrumentation — brought wonderfully to life as always — are another highlight. Put this record on and twirl around; you can dance and have fun or sit and reflect while an album like 24 Karat Gold plays in the background.

Experimenting with some new and different sounds, like a bluesy tune and even a cover of a Vanessa Carlton track, this album delights die-hard fans, but isn’t as strong as some previous releases.

One of the strengths on this, and indeed, all of her albums, is the guitar work of studio musician Waddy Wachtel. It’s almost worth listening to simply for his master guitar playing. He has played on all of Nicks’ albums and deserves as much adoration and respect as Tom Petty or Lindsey Buckingham with bringing to life Stevie’s songwriting and vision.

5. Rock A Little

Rock A Little, Nicks’ third album, also tends to feel a little dated, not holding up as well as her two earlier records. Released in the middle of the 1980s, it shows. The stereotypical ’80s sounds and heavy use of synths make Nicks sound more mainstream and less unique. Plus, her vocals don’t feel as strong on this album.

The greatest song here is a slow ballad titled “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?” which was inspired by Nicks’ former boyfriend and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.  “Talk To Me” and “I Can’t Wait” were released as singles, allowing Nicks some commercial success and plenty of radio play.

Regardless of the overuse of electronic sounds and often subpar singing on the record, Stevie still proves her songwriting is top-notch, and when she writes for others, trying to help them through her music, it can’t be beat. Walsh and fans alike would surely have found comfort and solace through her words.

Rock A Little does have its softer moments that feel more timeless, but these are overshadowed by questionable vocal choices and uninspired musical elements. While still containing lots of heart, Rock A Little is not the best entry in her solo catalogue.

4. The Other Side of the Mirror

Mystical and solid rock ‘n’ roll can be found on Stevie Nicks’ fourth solo album, The Other Side of the Mirror, released in 1989.

As influential as Stevie Nicks is and has been for decades, she has always been open about her influences and who has inspired her. Sometimes it’s real people, like Old Hollywood actresses or other female rock artists, and other times it’s literary influences, like Alice In Wonderland.

Paying homage to this classic Lewis Carroll novel, The Other Side of the Mirror starts off with vigor, with the commercial and radio-friendly tune “Rooms on Fire” coming in hot. But the real treasures here are the fairy tale-infused songs, like “Juliet,” “Ghosts,” and, of course, “Alice.”

No one can conjure mystical and fairy tale imagery quite like Stevie Nicks. This album in particular has its otherworldly moments, but those typical ’80s sounds make it a little dated and a little less timeless.

3. Trouble In Shangri-La

All of Nicks’ albums transport listeners to another place and time. Trouble In Shangri-La is no different, full of magical and fantastical songs. From the imagery conjured by the album title and cover alone, there is no other record quite as enchanting as this.

“Candlebright,” “Planets of the Universe,” and “Sorcerer” are major standouts, as is the title track. These songs are simply otherworldly! This album is tons of fun, with its more serious, introspective, and modern moments, too. Some of the tunes were originally written in the early days of Nicks’ career, and she breathes new life into them here, especially because her vocals are nearly at their peak thanks to her taking better care of them.

Continuing in her tradition of collaborating with other vocalists, this time Sheryl Crow and Natalie Maynes are brought on board, and it’s obvious each has fun singing with Stevie. Crow even helped produce the album and wrote one of its songs, “It’s Only Love.” Nicks and Crow had previously worked together on some of the Practical Magic soundtrack, and some of that magic still carries over to this standalone album.

Released at the turn of the millennium, Trouble In Shangri-La proves Stevie Nicks is a timeless artist, able to evolve as a musician while sticking to her 70s and 80s roots, and its collaborations are some of the strongest of her career. Everyone who worked on this understood her strengths as an artist and played to them perfectly.

2. Bella Donna

Almost everyone knows “Edge of Seventeen,” even if they can’t name another song by Stevie Nicks. This perennial tune can be found on 1981’s Bella Donna. This is the rock songstress’s debut solo album, proving she can stand on her own separate from Fleetwood Mac.

This album features a real treat that is a major highlight of Nicks’ career: her first duet with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” is a true powerhouse of a song, made all the more infectious with the fusion of Nicks’ and Petty’s voices.

Listeners are also treated to “Leather and Lace,” another duet, this time with The Eagles’ Don Henley, which, surprisingly, was originally written by Nicks for country music icons Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. Another Bella Donna original, “After the Glitter Fades,” was written by Nicks with Dolly Parton in mind. While we would love to hear Dolly record a version, nothing tops Nicks in her prime.

Bella Donna is the perfect mix of magic, independence, and rock and roll. Nicks is finding herself and shines as a solo artist, enhanced by the studio musicians who gave their all here. It’s a sister album to The Wild Heart, and it was a difficult choice for which of these two near-flawless albums would take the number one spot.

1. The Wild Heart

Stevie Nicks’ sophomore album, The Wild Heart, from 1983, is a true gem. Containing commercial hits like “Stand Back” and “If Anyone Falls,” it’s a personal glimpse into the songstress’s life and (wild) heart. Yet its less well-known tunes, such as “Enchanted” and “Nightbird” and even the title track, are the real lifeblood here.

It can’t be overstated how much we love Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty together, and this album delights with “I Will Run To You,” a duet that outshines all of her others but is underappreciated.

This album shows how Nicks grew as an artist, but there’s still a tender vulnerability that keeps listeners returning again and again. Another strength is how Nicks incorporates her backup singers. This album is the first time she worked with Sandy Stewart, and their voices blend as well as hers and Petty’s.

Stevie Nicks has so much depth to her music, and her loyalty to her group of female singers and friends is a very admirable trait. No one tries to outshine anyone else; they all harmonize beautifully. Stevie Nicks and her Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine McVie were the same way, and this concept is explored further on The Wild Heart.

A talented wordsmith, Stevie Nicks is a true poet, and this album captures her singer-songwriter talents, as well as her seamless ability to collaborate well with others, perfectly. Nothing about it feels dated; it’s a classic and a staple of her catalogue. Rock and roll wouldn’t be the same without it.

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Each of Stevie Nicks’ albums has its strong suits, energy, and depth. All of her fans would undoubtedly have favorite songs from each, and their opinions may differ.

Her lyrics and voice shine true and pure on any project she is happy to be part of.  We will be curious to see where her next solo album would rank on this list!

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