Various different forms of media can contribute to a viewer’s thoughts, and ultimately, leave an individual pondering of his or her past experiences. Music videos, especially, offer aesthetic for the viewer to analyze and interpret subjectively. Visual aspects can often be emphasized upon during times of cultural inconsistencies. For example, social injustices in the 1980’s correlatively took place as Fleetwood Mac wrote and produced the song, “Gypsy,” providing an evident resource for creating intrinsic connections to express through the visual. One visual motif which is almost always present in a work is theme, and in this case, can be determined throughout countless observations. Predominantly, by observing Nicks’ various stances and the overall atmosphere of the setting, a theme of nostalgia is evident and important in its productions time period of social distraught.

Within the first few scenes, countless identifiable features exist in the film’s setting that connect directly to general childhood memories. The first scene where Stevie Nicks is apparent to the viewer, she can be observed sitting in a split, unbothered, and soon after can be seen twirling in the mirror wearing a large wedding-like dress. The split-stance can be interpreted as childish and energetic, something atypical that adults tend to lack as they age and mature. The twirling in the mirror can incite the audience of memories of dressing up and living in a pretend world where happiness overrides all. The implication of the bride’s dress may reflect reminiscence of similar themes in past generations, encouraged for generations to come. Later in the video, Nicks is attending a party at a ballroom full of ladies dressed in elegant gowns and endless pearls, and men seen in the most luxurious of tuxedos. Not too long after, Stevie leaves the event to run outside and dance in the rain, another action adults in this day and age wouldn’t typically do, as it is bold and adventurous. These scenes in the video are evidently significant, but even more so as Nicks lost a lifelong friend to cancer shortly before the song was written. With this in mind, the theme of serendipity and nostalgia has a stronger meaning for the viewer to never take anything for granted, and to exploit everything one can, while he or she has the capability to do so. This emphasizes to the audience how important it is for everyone, no matter how old, to take note of how things could be if all thought through a child’s innocent imagination  of a perfect world.

Another significant fact of the film is the overarching mystical presentation of the setting in which the primary scenes of the video were filmed. The first few scenes open to a foggy, poorly-lit room of mostly warm hues, accompanied by youthful antiques. One of the first objects that is zeroed-in on is a crystal ball, which, itself, is a conspicuous symbol of seeing through to a whimsical, utopic world. In this case, the blissful world is remembered as the past (although often symbolic of a futuristic world) and recalls of how great life truly is when the mind purifies the pointless distresses. The presence of dolls in petty coats and berets with perfectly curled hair in this scene resembles the quintessential childhood of a little girl with not a single worry in the world. This reference can immediately encourage a viewer to connect to his or her past, where the most difficult part of the day was deciding what outfit the mini-me would be sporting next. The second most recurrent scene throughout the video is an enchanted forest of floral lily pads and cotton candy skies, encompassed by trees of astounding vibrancy. This gypsy lair and mythical fairyland remind viewers of the escape one always has, no matter the reality or one’s age. This scene further reinforces how important one’s imagination is to one’s ultimate happiness, or, serendipity. The setting throughout the film is a direct correlation to this persistent theme, even for adults, because Nicks is physically representative of an adult in all of these scenes. 

During the time of the song’s development, social injustice such as the difficult familiarizing society with AIDS in regards to the expatriation of the LGBT community, the pro-choice debate, and the anti-nuke movements all took place. At the same time, Nicks produced this song to encourage the detachment of individuals from the struggles of society, and remind others of the significances of acknowledging all the good life has, and always has had, to offer.

Media in today’s day and age has a myriad of lessons, themes, and overarching messages which are all relevant to their audiences. In this particular case, media in even the early days of the 80’s has the capability to portray how inaccurately people tend to lead their lives. When societal indifferences come about, culture tends to wrap itself around the drama, neglecting all of the other beautiful, intangible aspects of life. Among these aspects are gratitude, love, peace, and ultimately, happiness. Stevie Nicks wrote this song influenced by a dear friend who passed far too soon. There is no coincidence that the message of this song is that individuals should emotionally escape, at least for a while to absorb the more important things that life can bring.  Fundamentally, it is up to the individual to ponder his or her imagination in order to experience life’s greatest offerings.
