Leather and Lace (with Don Henley)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the Zoo Crew as we spin the dreamy duet "Leather and Lace" by Stevie Nicks featuring Don Henley from her iconic 1981 solo debut, Bella Donna. This soft rock ballad, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, was originally penned by Nicks for country legends Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. In a revealing interview, Nicks shared that Jennings personally requested a song titled "Leather and Lace" for a duet with his wife, Colter. She wrote the chorus under pressure and sent it to Jennings, who urged her to finish it. However, when Jennings and Colter’s collaboration fell through, Nicks reclaimed the song, transforming it into a heartfelt duet with Henley, her then-romantic partner. The lyrics, with lines like “Give me your leather / Take from me my lace,” capture the push-and-pull of two opposites in love, reflecting the complex dynamics Nicks observed in Jennings and Colter’s relationship, as well as her own with Henley.

The creation of "Leather and Lace" was steeped in rock ‘n’ roll romance and tension. Nicks and Henley, who dated from 1977 to 1978, brought their chemistry into the studio, though not without challenges. Henley played the role of a tough critic during songwriting sessions, pushing Nicks to refine her work, sometimes bluntly telling her it wasn’t good enough. This dynamic, described in a Medium article, shaped the song’s emotional depth. Recorded live with minimal production gloss, the track features Nicks’ emotive vocals blending with Henley’s smooth delivery, backed by a simple piano and guitar arrangement. A 2019 post on X by @ThatEricAlper highlighted the song’s origin story, noting how Nicks’ pivot to Henley made it one of her signature hits. Fans on Songfacts also adore its timeless appeal, with one calling it “the best duet of all time” for its perfect vocal harmony.

Stevie Nicks’ journey to stardom began long before Bella Donna. Born Stephanie Lynn Nicks on May 26, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, she was drawn to music early, inspired by her grandfather, a country singer. As a teenager, she joined her first band, The Changing Times, while attending high school in California. Her big break came when she met Lindsey Buckingham at a school event, harmonizing with him on a song. The two became a romantic and musical duo, forming the band Fritz and later recording as Buckingham Nicks in 1973. Though their album flopped, it caught the ear of Mick Fleetwood, leading to their recruitment into Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Nicks’ mystical stage presence and songs like “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” helped propel the band to global fame with albums like Rumours. Her solo career kicked off with Bella Donna, a bold move to establish her own voice outside Fleetwood Mac, cementing her as a rock legend.

Stay connected with Stevie Nicks through her official website, where you can find tour dates and merch. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and personal reflections—she’s known for sharing journal excerpts, like one in 2021 celebrating Bella Donna’s 40th anniversary. Fans can dive deeper at Stevie Nicks Info, a comprehensive fan site with discography and news, or join the vibrant Stevie Nicks Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow devotees. Another great resource is Nicks Fix, a fan-run site with concert reviews and rare photos. Zoo Freaks, keep the love for Stevie’s witchy vibes alive!