At a Glance
- Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 original recording of “Landslide” debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 41
- The surge follows the song’s placement in the Dec. 31 series finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things
- The track earned 7 million U.S. streams, 888,000 radio audience impressions and 1,000 paid downloads in the tracking week
- Why it matters: A 50-year-old song can still top charts when paired with the right cultural moment, proving streaming-era audiences will discover classics through TV syncs
Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 ballad “Landslide” has entered the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, propelled by its emotional appearance in the final episode of Netflix’s Stranger Things.
The original recording, led by Stevie Nicks on vocals and Lindsey Buckingham on guitar, lands at No. 41 on the chart dated Jan. 17. According to data firm Luminate, the song collected 7 million on-demand U.S. streams, 888,000 radio audience impressions and 1,000 paid downloads in the week ending Jan. 9.
Song’s Long Journey to the Chart
Although “Landslide” has been a fan favorite for decades, it never charted in its initial release. The track first appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled 1975 album, which launched the band’s most famous lineup: Nicks, Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.
The Recording Industry Association of America has certified the studio version two-times platinum for more than 2 million units sold in the United States.
A live rendition captured on 1997’s The Dance became the first official single release of the song. That version peaked at No. 51 on the Hot 100 the same year.
Nicks Thanks Stranger Things
Nicks acknowledged the show’s role in the song’s resurgence via Fleetwood Mac’s Instagram grid on Tuesday, Jan. 20. She posted an Instagram Stories caption that read:
“Thanks for including us in such an incredible series.”
The sync occurs during a pivotal scene in the Dec. 31 finale, matching the nostalgic tone the Duffer Brothers often weave into the sci-fi drama.
Chart History Repeats
Stranger Things has previously revived older hits. In 2022, Kate Bush’s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill” re-entered the Hot 100 after appearing in season four and ultimately reached a new peak of No. 3.
Past Covers Kept the Song Alive
Country trio The Chicks recorded their own take on “Landslide” for the 2002 album Home. Their rendition climbed to No. 7 on the Hot 100 in early 2003 and introduced the track to a younger audience.
Since then, The Chicks have performed the song live with Nicks multiple times. Lead singer Natalie Maines expressed their admiration on Watch What Happens Live in July 2020:
“We love her.”
The Story Behind the Lyrics
Nicks crafted “Landslide” in 1973 at age 27 while questioning her future in music. In a 2014 interview with The New York Times, she recalled:
“I wrote ‘Landslide’ in 1973, when I was 27, and I did already feel old in a lot of ways. I’d been working as a waitress and a cleaning lady for years. I was tired.”
The song’s themes of aging and self-reflection have resonated with successive generations, helping it remain a staple of Nicks’ solo concerts. She most recently sang it on Dec. 10 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.
Key Takeaways
- A 1975 recording can still earn a first-time Hot 100 entry nearly 50 years later
- Streaming totals now outweigh radio play; 7 million streams drove the debut
- Sync placements in globally watched series can outperform traditional promotion
- The original “Landslide” joins a small group of classics that found fresh chart life through Stranger Things
