“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac is one of the band’s most mysterious and captivating songs. Written by Stevie Nicks and released on their 1975 Fleetwood Mac album, the lyrics to the story of a woman who is elusive, powerful, and impossible to hold onto. The song’s meaning has been linked to mythology, love, and personal freedom.
This article breaks down the lyrics, line by line, to uncover the themes hidden in the words. While interpretations vary, we’ll explore what the lyrics suggest and the emotions they evoke.
“Rhiannon” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: A Woman Who Can’t Be Tamed
Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn’t you love to love her?
Her name isn’t just spoken—it rings like a bell, giving it an almost magical, hypnotic quality.
Right away, the lyrics suggest that she isn’t an ordinary woman. Something is enchanting about her, something that draws people in.
But that second line hints at an unfulfilled longing—loving her isn’t guaranteed.
Takes to the sky like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover?
She’s untethered, always moving, never tied down.
Comparing her to a bird in flight reinforces that she won’t stay in one place, no matter how much someone may want her to.
The question at the end isn’t just about romance—it’s a challenge. Can anyone keep up with her?
Chorus: The Woman Taken by the Wind
All your life you’ve never seen
Woman taken by the wind
This isn’t just any woman—she’s unlike anything the listener has ever known.
The wind is unpredictable, uncontrollable, and impossible to grasp, just like Rhiannon.
She isn’t just moving with the wind; she is the wind, impossible to hold onto.
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?
The promise of heaven is tempting—maybe even manipulative. But can she truly offer it, or is it just an illusion?
The final question suggests that no matter how hard someone tries, they’ll never really win Rhiannon. She’s always out of reach.
Verse 2: Darkness and Power
She is like a cat in the dark
And then she is the darkness
The imagery shifts—Rhiannon isn’t just free and airy; she’s also shadowy and mysterious.
Cats are independent and hard to predict, much like the woman in the song.
But then the metaphor deepens—she becomes the darkness itself, an unstoppable force.
She rules her life like a fine skylark
And when the sky is starless
A skylark is a bird known for its soaring flight and beautiful song, reinforcing Rhiannon’s wild spirit.
Even when the sky is empty and dark, she still rules her own life. Nothing can cage her—not even the night itself.
Post-Chorus: A Name That Lingers
Rhiannon (x4)
The repetition here is almost like a chant, making her name feel more like a legend than a person.
It’s as if she’s haunting the song, lingering in the air even after she’s gone.
Verse 3: A Haunting Refrain
She rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn’t you love to love her?
This line is repeated, driving home the idea that Rhiannon’s presence is unforgettable.
Even if she’s gone, the sound of her still lingers, like an echo in the wind.
She rules her life like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover?
Again, she’s compared to a bird, reinforcing her freedom.
But this time, the line has a sense of inevitability—who will be her lover? It’s as if many have tried, but none have truly succeeded in keeping her.
Bridge: The Power of the Sky
Taken by, taken by the sky (x3)
At this point, Rhiannon has almost transcended human form. She isn’t just influenced by the sky—she’s taken by it. She belongs to something greater than love or relationships.
The repetition makes it feel like she’s slipping further away.
Outro: Love as an Illusion
Dreams unwind
Love’s a state of mind
This final line is a powerful conclusion.
Everything—love, desire, even Rhiannon herself—may not be as real as it seems. Love isn’t a permanent thing; it’s just an idea, something that exists only in the mind.
For someone like Rhiannon, love isn’t something to hold onto—it’s something that fades, just like a dream.
“Rhiannon” Song Meaning: A Woman of Myth and Mystery
Stevie Nicks has said she wrote “Rhiannon” before learning about the Welsh goddess of the same name, but the song fits the mythology perfectly.
The lyrics paint Rhiannon as an untouchable, almost supernatural woman—beautiful, wild, and impossible to pin down. She’s the embodiment of freedom and mystery, someone who exists beyond love’s grasp.
At its core, “Rhiannon” is about desire and the impossibility of fully possessing someone who refuses to be claimed. Whether she represents a real person, a myth, or even Nicks herself, the song captures the feeling of chasing something—or someone—you can never truly have.
Songs Like “Rhiannon”
If you love the mystical, free-spirited energy of “Rhiannon,” these songs capture a similar mood:
1. “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane
Mysterious and hypnotic, “White Rabbit” has the same ethereal quality, drawing on myth and fantasy with a psychedelic twist. Grace Slick’s haunting vocals add to the song’s otherworldly feel, much like Nicks’ performance in “Rhiannon.”
Related: Best Songs with Animals in the Title
2. “Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush
Like “Rhiannon,” “Wuthering Heights” tells the story of a ghostly, untamed woman who seems to exist beyond time. Bush’s high, haunting vocals and poetic lyrics create a sense of longing and supernatural beauty.
3. “Bella Donna” by Stevie Nicks
“Bella Donna” carries the same mystical energy, using witchy imagery and poetic lyrics to evoke themes of fate, love, and power. It’s a spiritual cousin to “Rhiannon.”
4. “The Crystal Ship” by The Doors
Dreamlike and mysterious, “The Crystal Ship” shares “Rhiannon”’s air of longing and the feeling of being swept away by something beyond control. The slow, hypnotic melody adds to its otherworldly vibe.
Conclusion: The Allure of the Unattainable
“Rhiannon” is more than just a song—it’s a spellbinding story of a woman who is both irresistible and untouchable. Whether she’s a goddess, a lover, or a symbol of independence, she leaves those around her chasing a dream they can never catch.
That’s what makes “Rhiannon” so powerful and why it’s a Fleetwood Mac classic. It captures the feeling of longing for something—or someone—you can’t hold onto.
You can listen to “Rhiannon” on Spotify and Amazon.
Find “Rhiannon” and other great tunes on the Best Songs with Female Names in the Title list!
Be sure to check out more of our Song Meanings articles!
