Credit: Fairchild Archive
Fleetwood Mac’s beloved 1975 studio recording of “Landslide” has achieved a milestone few could have predicted: its first-ever debut on the Billboard Hot 100. The song enters the chart at No. 41 on the Jan. 17–dated ranking, following its emotional placement in the series finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things, released on Dec. 31. It’s a powerful example of how classic songs can find new life through modern pop culture moments.
A Streaming Surge Fueled by Stranger Things
According to data from Luminate, “Landslide” generated 7 million U.S. streams (up 43% week over week), 888,000 radio audience impressions (up 10%), and 1,000 downloads sold (up 15%) during the Jan. 2–8 tracking period. The spike underscores how high-profile TV placements can dramatically boost catalog tracks, introducing decades-old songs to new audiences while re-engaging longtime fans. In today’s chart ecosystem, streaming momentum driven by sync placements often translates directly into Billboard success.
Originally released in July 1975 on Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album—the band’s first featuring Stevie Nicks as a vocalist and Lindsey Buckingham as a guitarist—“Landslide” was written solely by Nicks and never issued as an official single. Still, it became one of the group’s most enduring live staples. A 1997 live version from The Dance reached No. 51 on the Hot 100 in 1998, and the song has continued to chart through popular covers. The Chicks’ rendition climbed to No. 7 in 2003, while the Glee cast version featuring Gwyneth Paltrow peaked at No. 23 in 2011. Additional charting interpretations followed from Smashing Pumpkins, Kat Perkins, and Chloe Kohanski, the latter two after performances on NBC’s The Voice.
Part of a Larger Legacy Resurgence
“Landslide’s” chart debut also fits into a broader pattern of Fleetwood Mac experiencing renewed attention through viral and TV moments. In 2020, “Dreams” surged back to No. 12 after a TikTok video of Nathan Apodaca went viral, sparking recreations from band members including Nicks and Mick Fleetwood. With this latest entry, Fleetwood Mac has now debuted on the Hot 100 in five different decades, joining a short list of groups that includes The Beatles, The Isley Brothers, The Rolling Stones, and Santana.
Nearly 50 years after its release, “Landslide” finally entering the Hot 100 highlights how modern discovery channels—streaming platforms, viral videos, and television placements—can reshape the commercial life of classic songs. For legacy artists, today’s digital ecosystem offers new opportunities for timeless tracks to reach fresh audiences and achieve milestones that once seemed out of reach.
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