The romantic involvement between Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and Don Henley of the Eagles was a fleeting chapter in rock history. Post her split from Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks and Henley briefly connected. Lasting around two years, their on-and-off relationship was marked by Henley’s intriguing assertion regarding their affair.
Henley claimed in a 1991 GQ interview that Nicks’ 1979 song ‘Sara’ was influenced by an alleged pregnancy and abortion resulting from their relationship.
He believed Nicks named the unborn child Sara and immortalized the experience in her song. However, Nicks clarified that while she did experience a pregnancy, Henley’s version of events was not accurate. She revealed the true inspiration behind ‘Sara’ years later, countering other speculations as well.
Contrary to popular belief, ‘Sara’ wasn’t about Mick Fleetwood’s ex-wife, Nicks clarified to Leah Greenblatt in 2009. The song reflected the dynamics within Fleetwood Mac and Nicks’ subsequent personal relationships. Nicks’ songwriting often weaves together life events into an emotional narrative, creating music that resonates broadly yet remains enigmatic.
Regarding ‘Sara’, Nicks stated that some of its lyrics, like ‘When you build your house’, symbolized a readiness for commitment. She humorously dismissed Henley’s claim that he inspired the track, acknowledging him as a close friend but denying any songwriting influence. Henley’s belief that ‘Sara’ was about him was, in Nicks’ words, completely baseless.
