When Stevie Nicks Called Prince: The Story Behind “Stand Back”

Few moments in rock history feel as serendipitous as the one that connected Stevie Nicks and Prince in 1983. It began not in a studio, but in a car, with a song on the radio. Nicks, driving along, first heard Prince’s now-iconic “Little Red Corvette.” Something about the pulsing groove and electric sheen of the track struck her. Without hesitation, she pulled over, grabbed a phone, and called Prince. What followed was a collaboration that would forever mark both of their legacies.

Inspiration on the Highway

Stevie Nicks was already a household name by 1983. Having conquered the world with Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and Tusk, she had embarked on a successful solo career that showcased her mystical songwriting and ethereal voice. Prince, meanwhile, was fast becoming one of the most innovative artists of his generation. 1999, the album that featured “Little Red Corvette,” was pushing him into superstardom.

When Nicks heard the song, she later recalled, it unlocked something inside her. She went home, sat down at her piano, and wrote the beginnings of what would become “Stand Back.” But the melody and rhythm she had in mind felt inseparable from the spirit of Prince’s track. She knew she couldn’t finish the song without him.

The Call That Changed Everything

On impulse, Nicks picked up the phone and called Prince. “I told him, ‘I think I’ve written a song that belongs to you,’” she later remembered. To her surprise, Prince was intrigued. Within hours, he drove over to Sunset Sound studio in Los Angeles, where Nicks was recording.

There, with little fanfare and no rehearsal, Prince slipped into the studio and sat down at the keyboard. What happened next felt, to Nicks, like pure magic.

A Single Take of Genius

Prince listened once to what Nicks had written. Then, with a flourish of his fingers, he began playing. The synth line he laid down was so distinct, so powerful, and so effortless, it was as if he had already carried the song inside him before he arrived.

“He did it in one take,” Nicks has often said. “He just played it, like he was sprinkling magic all over the song.” That unforgettable synth riff became the heartbeat of “Stand Back,” giving the track a shimmering, futuristic pulse that elevated it far beyond what Nicks had first imagined.

And then, just as quickly as he had arrived, Prince was gone. He didn’t stay to tweak or polish. He didn’t ask for credit. He simply left the studio, leaving behind a piece of himself in Nicks’ music.

A Timeless Collaboration

Released later in 1983, “Stand Back” became one of Stevie Nicks’ biggest solo hits. Its driving energy, layered vocals, and unmistakable synth line made it a staple of her live shows and a favorite among fans. For Nicks, it was more than just another single — it was a turning point.

“To this day,” she has said in interviews, “I still believe that ‘Stand Back’ wouldn’t exist without Prince. He was the magic in that song.”

Though Prince never took official credit for his contribution, the collaboration between the two artists symbolized something rare: a seamless fusion of two powerful creative forces, each at the height of their powers, coming together for a fleeting but unforgettable moment.

Respect and Reverence

Nicks always spoke of Prince with deep admiration. Their relationship wasn’t built on lengthy collaborations or constant communication, but on mutual respect and a shared sense of artistry. Prince, notoriously selective about who he worked with, seemed to recognize something kindred in Nicks’ voice and vision.

For her part, Nicks cherished the memory of that night in the studio for the rest of her career. Long after Prince’s passing in 2016, she continued to honor his role in shaping “Stand Back,” often dedicating live performances of the song to him.

The Legacy of “Stand Back”

Decades later, “Stand Back” still resonates. It remains a highlight of Nicks’ solo catalog, a track that perfectly blends her mystical rock aesthetic with the sleek, electrified sound Prince embodied in the 1980s. More than that, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable, magical ways in which music can be born.

A chance moment on the radio. A sudden spark of inspiration. A bold phone call. And one of the greatest musicians of all time walking into a studio, sitting down at a keyboard, and — in a single take — transforming a song forever.

For Stevie Nicks, that collaboration was nothing short of miraculous. “It was one of the greatest moments of my life,” she has said. “And every time I sing that song, I think of him.”

In the vast tapestry of rock and pop history, the story of “Stand Back” is a testament to spontaneity, creativity, and the alchemy that can happen when two singular artists meet at just the right moment.