The Wide World of Web is buzzing today with talk about Gwyneth Paltrow’s version of Fleetwood Mac’s classic 1975 ballad “Landslide,” from her second guest spot on Glee last night.
Even those who think Gwyneth should have been headed off at the pass before making Country Strong were knocked out by the Oscar-winning actress’ quiet, subdued version of the Stevie Nicks ballad.
Like a great many songs from the classic rock era, “Landslide” has been covered countless times—by the Dixie Chicks, the Smashing Pumpkins, Stacey Kent, and now Glee—but in a strange turn of fate, none of these versions suck. In fact, most of them are quite good: not necessarily inventive, but they all successfully capture the solitary wistfulness in the White-Winged Dove’s original.
Which cover of Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide” makes your eyes the mistiest? Listen to them here and take our poll at the bottom!
(And to read the story of Stevie’s original inspiration for the song, check out her 2009 interview with EW).
Glee Cast featuring Gwyneth Paltrow performs “Landslide”:
Dixie Chicks perform “Landslide”:
Smashing Pumpkins perform “Landslide”:
Stacey Kent performs “Landslide”:
More on EW.com:
Ken Tucker’s review of Gwyneth on ‘Glee’
Adele spends second week atop Billboard albums chart
Kid Rock’s NAACP Award leads to protests
Lady Gaga ends exclusive partnership with Target, reportedly over co.’s anti-gay PAC spending
It’s one of my favorite songs. Gwynnie did a very respectable job.
It’s a horsesh** song and should not be listened to by anyone.
Why is that? Or are you referring to Gwyneth’s version?
Wow what an intelligent comment.
I love this show and BillionaireMatchmakers was amazing
Thanks for stopping by. You do rliaeze this was shot live with a digital camera right? You’re also the first person to complain about the audio. It’s not a studio recording. I bet you complain a lot in general.
Love the PS22 chorus’ version!!
What about the version on this year’s The Sing Off?? The Backbeats totally moved me to tears! (Definitely much better than Glee’s version – IMO)
agreed. PS22 brought a tear to my eye with their cover.
I feel that Gwyneth did a cover more in line with the Dixie Chicks cover than Stevie Nicks’ original, but it still sounded great.
THANK you!
I totally agree. This was a cover of the Dixie Chicks, not Fleetwood Mac.
Disagree. That had to be one of the most tedious hours of television for the year. But the performance of Landslide was lovely.
Is it just me or did the version in glee sound more like the Dixie Chick version than the stevie Nicks version. that’s why there were the singers and the harmonies.
That’s pretty much what I thought — they basically recreated the arrangement and harmonies from the Chicks’ version.
Does it matter?
Wow, maybe I’m just dating myself, but I expected Smashing Pumpkins to get the most votes. I see that I am in the minority
I loved the Smashing Pumpkins version of the song!
Maybe because their version was awful. Billy’s voice is whiny and nasal (not that GP’s isn’t), and he ruined it.
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That’s the secret–take a song sung by a really BAD singer and almost any cover sounds good! We’re discussing the song styling of Stevie Nicks? Seriously?
She has one of the best voices in rock history; that’s why we’re discussing it. Go hate somewhere else…
Wow! Stevie Nicks is one of the best and most original singers out there. Really strange comment, ‘anybody but!’.
I’m sorry, but no one but Stevie can sing that song the way it is supposed to be sung. The other versions may be respectable, but they will always pale in comparison to the raw emotion that Stevie brings to the song.
I like Glee and everything but Stevie is one artist that shouldn’t be covered.
I totally agree.
I love me some Stevie – seen her with Fleetwood Mac or solo seven times – but her recent vocals have been hideous. She’s lost her timber and the shadings. Now it’s nasal honking.
The only covers of Landslide that are acceptable are Stevie’s own re-do’s.
Most of those covers didn’t drive. The only one that really hit the home run was The Dixie Chicks cover. That was a beautiful rendition.
The song really proves Stevie’s ability as a songwriter. It latches onto everyone’s heart and won’t let go. Landslide really is one of the best songs about change ever written. I’d also mention the acapella cover the Backbeats did on the Singoff! But truly, all the covers are gorgeous.
Why don’t you put a link to the original on here with the covers?
I agree with a couple of the other comments. My first thought was that it was the Dixie Chicks version last night, not the Fleetwood Mac version. There were harmonies and a banjo. The original is one of my favorite songs and I’m not a fan of any covers.
Yes – it definitely was the Chicks’ version of the song (I am a huge Chicks fan). I thought she did great.
My only problem with it was…would Brittany really be able to say to Santana “That’s how you feel?” Because the song’s message is not completely obvious.
Not the point of your post, I know.
You forgot to include the Backbeats’ a cappella version from The Sing-Off Season 2! That one gets my vote.
THIS x 1000
Stevie looks a lot more comfortable than she shluod. It looks like she has learned to make herself right at home. What a relaxed face. I love the colour of your chairs, by the way. So cheerful! They fit right in with Stevie’s mood.
One of my favorite covers of this song for sure, and the first one I thought of!
Backbeats FTW!