The Beats Don’t Stop
Music never sleeps, and neither do Fleetwood Mac's chart-toppers. Each melody carries something special that refuses to fade away. So, here are a couple of brilliant compositions that people can't seem to get enough of.
“The Chain”
This is one of Fleetwood Mac's most iconic songs, featured on their critically acclaimed 1977 album Rumours. The track stands out as the only song from the album credited to all five members of the band: Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood.
“The Chain” (Cont.)
It is said that Nicks wrote the lyrics during a time when her relationship with Buckingham was deteriorating. Maybe that’s why the words reflect themes of heartbreak and resilience. Besides, the song features a distinctive bass line created by John McVie.
How Fleetwood Mac Wrote The Chain by Polyphonic
“Dreams”
As Fleetwood Mac's only song to hit number one in the US, this track showcases Stevie Nicks' amazing vocals. In recent years, it has made a comeback, especially on TikTok. It is rich in metaphor, with phrases such as “Thunder only happens when it’s raining”.
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Official Music Video) [4K Remaster] by Fleetwood Mac
“Dreams” (Cont.)
"Dreams" was written in early 1976 during the recording sessions for Rumours at the Record Plant studio in Sausalito, California. It was rightly ranked number nine on Rolling Stone's record of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2021.
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Official Music Video) [4K Remaster] by Fleetwood Mac
“Go Your Own Way”
In December 1976, the song was released in the United States as the album's first single. Interestingly, “Go Your Own Way” was conceived at a rented house in Florida during the band's tour. And was recorded over four months in three different studios.
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster] by Fleetwood Mac
“Go Your Own Way” (Cont.)
Written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham, it became Fleetwood Mac's first top-ten hit in the US. The song also reached number 1 in Belgium and the Netherlands and number 11 in Canada and Germany.
Raphael Pour-Hashemi on Wikimedia
“Rhiannon”
Here’s something interesting. Apparently, Nicks discovered the character Rhiannon through the novel Triad by Mary Bartlet Leader. It features a woman possessed by a witch named Rhiannon. The character draws from Welsh mythology, where Rhiannon is associated with horses and the moon.
Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster] by Fleetwood Mac
“Rhiannon” (Cont.)
This hit touches upon themes of femininity, independence, and mystique. In 1976, the song was made available as a single under the name “Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win)”. Producer Keith Olsen noted that it took over a day to get just the basic track right.
Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster] by Fleetwood Mac
“Landslide”
Here comes a beautiful acoustic piece that has resonated with listeners for decades. A live version from the 1997 reunion album The Dance peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Similarly, the song also reached number 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Fleetwood Mac - Landslide (Official Music Video) [HD] by Fleetwood Mac
“Landslide” (Cont.)
In October 2009, “Landslide” was certified gold for sales, crossing around 500,000 copies in the United States. The track was said to be inspired by a visit to Aspen, Colorado, where Nicks reflected on her life while looking at the Rocky Mountains.
Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) - Landslide by SidsCardShop
“Tusk”
During sound checks, Buckingham used a rehearsal riff that ultimately became the basis for the hit. The idea of turning this riff into a complete song came from Mick Fleetwood. One of the creative methods used in the creation was the circular tape loop.
“Tusk” (Cont.)
It was made from a slower tempo piece that was accelerated for “Tusk”. You get to hear unconventional percussion elements, including sounds from a Kleenex box. Notably, the USC Trojan Marching Band was also incorporated into the recording, which added a catchy brass feel.
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk (Official Live Video) [HD] by Fleetwood Mac
“Little Lies”
According to Cash Box, “McVie's songwriting ability combined with Lindsey Buckingham's production assistance provides an extremely likable hit-to-be”. A pop hit from the Tango in the Night album, this song brings together catchy melodies with Christine McVie’s emotive vocals.
Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies (Official Music Video) by Fleetwood Mac
“Little Lies” (Cont.)
It included an extended dance version, a dub version, and "Ricky" as a B-side, a non-album track by McVie and Buckingham. The song was Fleetwood Mac's last top-ten hit in the U.S. “Little Lies” even achieved number five on the UK Singles Chart with 2x Platinum status.
Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies (Official Music Video) by Fleetwood Mac
“Gypsy”
So, the first demo recordings of this song were done in early 1980. It started with Tom Moncrieff thinking about using it for her first solo album, Bella Donna. In the end, though, Nicks decided to keep it for Fleetwood Mac’s album, Mirage.
Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy (Official Music Video) by Fleetwood Mac
“Gypsy” (Cont.)
Lyrically, “Gypsy” focuses on Nicks' early adulthood and bygone, carefree lifestyle. The singer stated that the song was inspired by nostalgia for her life when she and Buckingham were struggling musicians. “Gypsy” soon climbed to the number 12 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy (Official Music Video) by Fleetwood Mac
“Everywhere”
Another hit from Tango in the Night, this one is known for its infectious chorus and McVie’s uplifting and mesmerizing vocals. Upon release, the track topped the Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks and peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (Official Music Video) by Fleetwood Mac
“Everywhere” (Cont.)
When played at the proper speed, Buckingham's slowing down of the recording produced an "amazing" sound, according to McVie. "Everywhere" expresses a deep longing for companionship and love. In a review from American Songwriter, it was noted that the song remains a "sparkling pop gem".
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (Live) (Official Video) [HD] by Fleetwood Mac
“Seven Wonders”
Even seeing the Seven Wonders of the World would not be as beautiful as the beauty of the singer's previous romantic relationship. This is the “wonderful” subject of the track. "Seven Wonders" was written by Sandy Stewart, who had previously collaborated with Stevie Nicks on The Wild Heart.
Fleetwood Mac - Seven Wonders (Official Music Video) by Fleetwood Mac
“Seven Wonders” (Cont.)
The Guardian and Paste ranked it among Fleetwood Mac's greatest songs. It actually gained renewed popularity after being featured in American Horror Story: Coven in 2014. This further allowed “Seven Wonders” to reach the 18th position on the Billboard Rock Digital Songs chart.
“Storms”
Many listeners find comfort in this song's exploration of heartbreak and change. Often read as a commentary on her affair with bandmate Mick Fleetwood, "Storms" was composed by Stevie Nicks. It was initially met with criticism from Lindsey Buckingham, so they revisited the song in 1978.
Fleetwood Mac - Storms - Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI - 10/08/18 by Haunted Song
“Storms” (Cont.)
Rolling Stone described it as a "lovely ballad," while GQ labeled it one of Fleetwood Mac's best post-Rumours songs. The poignant lyrics express a sense of longing and emotional struggle. You will find lines like “Every night that goes between / I feel a little less”.
Weatherman90 at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
“Say You Love Me”
McVie came up with the famous “Say You Love Me” after her fifth year in the band while married to bassist John McVie. The song was one of the first rehearsed during the making of the self-titled album. In the US, it landed at number 11 for weeks.
Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me (Live) [HD Remaster] by Fleetwood Mac
“Say You Love Me” (Cont.)
It remains one of their most recognizable songs and has appeared on compilation albums like Greatest Hits, The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac, and 50 Years—Don't Stop. Shirley Eikhard did a cover of the song in 1976, after which it really took off in Canada.
Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me - The Dance -1997 by CroNix99
