Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks is discussing the message behind her new single, “The Lighthouse.” The song was written two years ago after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. “I find it very sad, at 76 years old, I had to see Roe v. Wade taken away. Two years ago, when I realized the consequences of women’s rights that are vanishing, I watched a lot of news, and I was like a sponge — it just went into me,” she told People. She detailed the process of making the song, waking up one morning with the urge to write, something unusual for her, until she had drafted a long-form poem. Later adding in some instrumentals, she would eventually come upon the song. “I never redid the vocal — it’s an original vocal — and it’s taken me two years,” she said. During those two years, the song was passed around by trusted friends and polished while Nicks kept up with a heavy touring schedule.

Nicks herself has admitted to having an abortion in 1979, stating she would have had to leave the band if she hadn’t had an abortion at the time. Her song, “Sara” may be inspired after the daughter she believes she might have had had she never had the abortion. There have also been implications that Nicks has had as many as four abortions throughout her career. “All the stories that we tell about the necessity for women’s healthcare and the necessity for a safe and legal abortion option for women is absolutely necessary,” she said. She sees herself as a vital part of what she calls women’s reproductive rights. “I have often said to myself, ‘This may be the most important thing I ever do.’ To stand up for the women of the United States and their daughters and granddaughters — and the men that love them. This is an anthem,” she said. The song warns women about losing their power and challenges them to take it back.

Pro-life advocates took aim at Nicks on X. Conservative outlet Breitbart called the song “An ‘anthem’ to child sacrifice.” The Blaze’s Steve Deace shared an article from The Christian Post about the song and wrote, “Don’t ever again question why a loving God permits a Hell.” “Every part of this story is tragic,” wrote CBN’s Billy Hallowell, “but, in particular, the lies she decided to believe about abortion — and that music and people’s happiness are somehow more important than preserving life.” In a 1990 article with The Tampa Bay Times, Nicks noted regretting she didn’t have any children. “I’d like to be sharing all these experiences, and that makes me really sad,” she said. “But I figure God has a plan, and if I’m meant to have that baby, I’ll have her.”