Rooms on Fire

The Zoo Crew is spinning the mystical vibes of "Rooms on Fire" by Stevie Nicks, the lead single from her 1989 album The Other Side of the Mirror, and Zoo Freaks, this track is packed with enchanting stories. In a 1989 interview, Stevie shared that the song reflects her acceptance of a life devoted to her career, acknowledging she might never have marriage or children, a poignant theme for the rock icon. The song was inspired by her brief but intense connection with producer Rupert Hine, whom she described in the Timespace liner notes as sparking a magical energy that set "rooms on fire" whenever he entered. Their chemistry was so palpable that those around them respected their space, sensing a "spiritual agreement" to create a "magic album" in a Dutch castle.

Lyrically, Stevie wove in literary flair, adapting lines from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, like “And he hated to be separated from that picture,” to mirror her feelings of longing and connection. The music video, directed by Marty Callner, draws from the 1947 film The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, with Stevie recreating its haunting seaside romance, complete with her holding her goddaughter dressed in white. Released on April 24, 1989, the single climbed to No. 16 on both the US and UK charts, topping the US Mainstream Rock chart, and was a staple in her live sets until 1999. Posts on X from fans like @Nickslive celebrate its chart debut at No. 85 on May 6, 1989, highlighting its enduring fan love.

Stevie Nicks, born Stephanie Lynn Nicks on May 26, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, began her musical journey influenced by her grandfather, a country singer who taught her to sing duets. Her family’s frequent moves across the Southwest kept music as her constant, and by 16, she received a guitar, writing her first song, “I’ve Loved and I’ve Lost.” At Menlo-Atherton High School in California, she joined the folk-rock band Changing Times, honing her craft. While at San Jose State University, she met Lindsey Buckingham, forming the duo Buckingham Nicks. Their 1973 album flopped, but their raw talent caught the ear of Fleetwood Mac, who invited them to join in 1975, launching Stevie into stardom with hits like “Rhiannon.”

Stevie’s solo career took off in 1981 with Bella Donna, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, cementing her as a solo powerhouse. Her mystical, shawl-draped persona—crafted to embody a “haute fortune teller” vibe, as she told Interview magazine—became iconic, influencing generations of fans. Despite personal struggles, including a battle with addiction, her resilience shone through, earning her two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions: with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019. Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into her world via her official website, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or connect with fans on sites like Stevie Nicks Info and the Stevie Nicks Fans Facebook group.