Since 1967, Fleetwood Mac has sold more than 100 million albums, been through 16 different band members, and done a lot of cocaine. The band’s legacy has assured them a place in pop cannon forever, but their rise to popularity was marked by bitter feuds and drug addiction. Female singers Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks faced accusations of divalike actions, promiscuous behavior, and even witchcraft. Despite their internal struggles, Fleetwood Mac’s mysterious sounds and powerful vocals remain some of the best in pop history. So light some candles, brush up on your sorcery, and twirl along to some of the band’s best moments.
- “Seven Wonders”
Stevie Nicks’s rough, warbly vocals mark this single off the band’s 1987 album Tango in the Night (a record whose brilliance often gets lost amongst the Rumours hype). This track is perfect for road trips, dance parties, or plain old shower singing, even if your voice can’t compete with the original White Witch herself.
- “Rhiannon”
This haunting song is based off the Welsh legend of a witch, and Nicks’s impassioned live performances of it coupled with her love of black clothing are what prompted the late 70s theories about Fleetwood Mac’s involvement in witchcraft. The best way to enjoy this track is to listen to it with your eyes closed and a towel or blanket wrapped around your shoulders to emulate Stevie’s iconic shawls. Trust me, I speak from personal experience.
- “Caroline”
As legendary as the women of Fleetwood Mac are, this is one of male band member Lindsey Buckingham’s best performances. Another forgotten banger from the Tango in the Night era, “Caroline” will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day after just one listen.
- “The Chain”
This is the only song on Rumours that all five band members at the time are credited for, and the wonderful, driving vocals coupled with the impressive guitar solo at the end makes it one of the best on the album. If you don’t love it now, you will never love anything good again.
- “Little Lies”
Fleetwood Mac’s most recent top ten hit to date, “Little Lies” is yet another reason why Tango in the Night deserves more credit. McVie, Buckingham, and Nicks all hop in to sing this faster track, and it’s a reminder of just how good Fleetwood Mac could be when everyone worked together.
- “Save Me”
Off Fleetwood Mac’s 1990 album Behind the Mask, “Save Me” deserves to be a top ten hit. Christine McVie sounds angelic, the guitar solo at the end is bangin’, and it’s impossible not to sing along to.
- “You and I, Pt. II”
This is a gem of the band’s that probably gets forgotten because it’s a break from their usual style. “You and I, Pt. II” is a dancing-in-your-pajamas, singing-in-the-shower bop. Who says synthesizers don’t belong in Fleetwood Mac?
- “Dreams”
This classic banger is legally required to be on every Fleetwood Mac playlist for the rest of eternity. With Nicks on lead and McVie backing her up, this song is perfectly reflective of the band’s turmoil during the making of Rumours and will have you bitter about past heartbreaks you haven’t even experienced.
- “Landslide”
One of Fleetwood Mac’s most performed songs, this ballad will make you want to look for your reflection in every snow covered hill while deeply contemplating your future. Nicks is at her best in these intimate tracks, and this is the perfect song to listen to when you want a nice cry.
- “Go Your Own Way”
This song is so recognizable that it’s impossible to not hum along to Buckingham’s legendary vocals. The first big hit off of Rumors, “Go Your Own Way” has definitely been played by every single 70s cover band in North America and the U.K.
Find this week’s Weekly List as a Spotify playlist!
