Last summer, while riding in my car, the radio waves gifted me with a blast from the past – Walter Egan’s captivating tune, “Magnet and Steel.” This earworm, hailing from his “Not Shy” album, wasn’t just a fleeting summer hit back in the day. It impressively climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and #9 in Canada, holding a chart presence in America for a remarkable 22 weeks. Beyond its chart success, the “Magnet And Steel Song” also resonated with filmmakers, landing spots in popular movies like Boogie Nights (1997), Overnight Delivery (1998), and Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), further cementing its place in pop culture.
One aspect that always intrigues me about certain albums is when the album title subtly hides within the lyrics of one of its tracks. Think of Nirvana’s iconic album Nevermind, which features the anthemic “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” where the word “Nevermind” is casually dropped into the lyrical mix.
Similarly, the “magnet and steel song” cleverly incorporates the album title, “Not Shy,” within its heartfelt lyrics:
With you I’m not shy, to show the way I feel
With you I might try, my secrets to reveal
For you are a magnet and I am steel…
But like many songs linked to the Fleetwood Mac orbit, the story behind “Magnet and Steel” is layered and fascinating. Walter Egan himself, in an explanation shared by Songfacts and on his website, unravels the song’s origins:
“Back in 1976, I was living in Pomona, California, and I was playing around with the idea of writing a song with a ‘stroll’ rhythm… and that’s how the initial framework of a song tentatively titled ‘Don’t Turn Away Now’ began to take shape. This was also during the time when I was putting together my debut album, Fundamental Roll, and I had the good fortune of working with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, who became my friends and producers as we started the recording process.”
Walter Egan with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 1977, during the era of his hit song 'Magnet and Steel'
Egan continues, detailing the specific moment of inspiration: “On the night Stevie contributed background vocals to my song ‘Tunnel o’ Love,’ my budding romantic feelings for her sharpened into clear focus – I was, as they say, smitten. Later, driving home at 3 AM from Van Nuys to Pomona, I found myself behind a striking metal flake blue Continental, complete with ground effects and a diamond window in the back. What really caught my eye was the car’s license plate: ‘Not Shy.’ “
“By the time I reached my driveway, the lyrics had crystallized in my mind, and the ‘magnet’ metaphor had emerged. From that point, the ‘magnet and steel song’ practically wrote itself in just about 15 minutes.”
The connection goes deeper: Egan and Nicks shared a brief romantic interlude during a break in Nicks’ relationship with Buckingham. As Egan recounts, “It was especially rewarding to have Stevie sing on ‘Magnet,’ particularly since the song was, in essence, about her (and my feelings at the time).”
Want to experience the magic of “Magnet and Steel” for yourself? Take a listen:
- Walter Egan’s original version here or here
- Matthew Sweet’s rendition featuring Buckingham on guitar here
- Third World’s reggae-infused cover here
“Magnet and Steel” remains a testament to the power of catchy melodies and intriguing backstories in creating truly memorable songs.
