There are two points of inspiration behind "Gypsy", as stated by Stevie Nicks, the first of which is a point of nostalgia for her: her life before Fleetwood Mac. Before joining them, Nicks lived with Lindsey Buckingham, who would also join Fleetwood Mac. Nicks and Buckingham were partners in both the musical and romantic sense; however, only their musical partnership has survived. Nicks met Buckingham at a high school party, where he was singing "California Dreaming" by the Mamas and the Papas. Nicks joined in with perfect harmony, then they introduced themselves. They did not see each other again until college, where they started a relationship and started a duo called Buckingham Nicks. They barely got by with the income from Nicks' work as a waitress and cleaning lady.