“Gold Dust Woman“ is a song from the best-selling Fleetwood Mac album Rumours….which was written and sung by Stevie Nicks….and released as a B-side to the “Don’t Stop” single in the UK….and the “You Make Loving Fun” single in the US…..whereas, the 2004 two-disc special edition release of Rumours includes two demos of “Gold Dust Woman”…..with one demo featuring vocal melody and lyrics in the coda which would later be developed into the stand-alone single “If You Ever Did Believe” in 1997….in which Nicks recorded with Sheryl Crow as part of the early sessions for her Trouble in Shangri-La album. The track was instead chosen as the theme song for the 1998 Warner Bros. film Practical Magic….and is only available on the film’s soundtrack album.
The take chosen for release on the 1977 Rumours album was reportedly recorded at 4 a.m…..after a long night of attempts in the studio….when just before and during that final take….Stevie Nicks had wrapped her head except for her mouth with a black scarf….which was veiling her senses and tapping genuine memories and emotions. Many unusual instruments were used in the recording….including an electric harpsichord with a jet phaser….which was marked with tape so Mick Fleetwood could play the right notes. To accentuate Stevie’s vocals, Mick broke sheets of glass…..and according to producer Ken Caillat “He was wearing goggles and coveralls — it was pretty funny. He just went mad, bashing glass with this big hammer. He tried to do it on cue, but it was difficult. Eventually, we said, ‘Just break the glass,’ and we fit it all in.”
