Walter Egan Wrote ‘Magnet and Steel’ ‘To Express My Infatuation for Stevie Nicks’
‘100 Greatest 70s Pop Songs’ Book Excerpt
Enjoy this excerpt from our new book, 100 Greatest 70s Pop Songs.
Singer-songwriter Walter Egan recorded “Magnet and Steel” for his 1978 second album, Not Shy. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac performed background vocals. Egan told Rock Cellar that Nicks was his inspiration for the song.
“My intention in writing ‘Magnet’ was to express my infatuation for Stevie Nicks,” Egan told Rock Cellar. “I believe that the record was made that much more special when she sang on it with me.”
Nicks and Buckingham also assisted on Egan’s 1977 debut album, Fundamental Roll. Egan said in Classic Bands that “Magnet and Steel” was born out of one of the album’s recording sessions.
“The chrysalis of that song happened one night when Stevie was singing the background vocals on my first song called ‘Tunnel of Love,’ where she does her wild Banshee wail on the background of it. For whatever reason, it stirred some things in me that night.
“I was living out in Pomona at the time, and on my way home, I got on the 101 Freeway, and this car got in front of me. It was just one of those completely customized Continentals with the lights under it and the diamond window. I couldn’t help but notice the license plate said Not Shy and for whatever reason, I took that as a message and I ran with it.
“In the 30 to 40-minute drive to Pomona, I had put the rest of the song together. So ultimately it took me about half an hour once I sat down with a pen to write out those lyrics.”
“Magnet and Steel” was Egan’s first and only hit, reaching №8 in 1978.
“No artist sets out to be a one-hit wonder, and the phrase itself implies a flash in the pan, someone who just got lucky through situation and circumstance,” said Egan.
“Yes, I am a one-hit wonder. I, of course, feel it’s a wonder that I only had one hit. By the way, Jimi Hendrix is also a one-hit wonder. That said, I am not defined by that status.”
Frank Mastropolo is the author of 100 Greatest 70s Pop Songs, part of the Greatest Performances series. For more on our books and mini books, visit Edgar Street Books.
