Rhiannon is a song written by Stevie Nicks and recorded by her with Fleetwood Mac for their self-titled 1975 album. The song was inspired by the novel Triad by Mary Bartlet Leader in which a woman called Branwen is possessed by the spirit of another woman called Rhiannon. Nicks would often introduce the song in concert with the phrase "This is a song about a Welsh witch."
The song was released as a single on February 4th 1976. It became the group's second US Top 40 hit, reaching #11. It also charted successfully in other territories including Canada where it peaked at #4.
In concert the song features a second chorus ("Once in a million years...") not featured on the studio recording and additional closing lines which invite frequent audience participation. This version had its first commercial release on Live in 1980. The live reunion album The Dance (1997) featured a new slow introduction with further additional lines.
Bob Welch, who had left Fleetwood Mac shortly prior to Nicks joining, recorded his own version of the song on His Fleetwood Mac Years and Beyond Two (2006).
Personnel[]
Stevie Nicks - lead vocal
Lindsey Buckingham - guitars, vocals
Christine McVie - keyboards, vocals
John McVie - bass
Mick Fleetwood - drums