Fleetwood Mac has always been a band of contrasts, shifting from gritty blues-rock to ethereal pop melodies. This evolution helped define their sound, taking them from underground icons to global superstars.
With such a vast catalog, it’s no surprise that the band’s music spans multiple genres, from raw blues to radio-friendly hits. The transition between these two distinct phases of the band’s career was influenced by the strong creative personalities of their members.
In a recent interview with Music Radar, Mick Fleetwood shared his personal picks from Fleetwood Mac’s extensive repertoire. Here’s a look at the eight songs he holds closest to his heart.
“Love That Burns”
Fleetwood has often spoken about the deep connection he shares with Peter Green, his friend and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac. In discussing “Love That Burns,” he revealed, “This is probably, almost, my favourite song. It kills me. Peter kills me. He was my friend, remains a friend, and he started Fleetwood Mac with me in 1967.”
The emotional weight of the song is undeniable, but it’s also a challenge to listen to. The track’s deliberate slowness can make it hard to stay alert, as its drawn-out pace seems to lull the listener into a quiet trance.
Despite its somber tone and slow tempo, “Love That Burns” holds a special place in Fleetwood’s heart, offering a raw glimpse into his bond with Green. It’s a song that’s as much about personal reflection as it is about musical achievement.
“Go Your Own Way”
Fleetwood reminisced about the creation of “Go Your Own Way” with a sense of nostalgia, recalling, “Lindsey walked in with a demo, in his wonderfully ordered fashion from the days when he’d just joined Fleetwood Mac until he realised that John and I played in a certain way.” It was a moment where Lindsey Buckingham’s vision clashed yet blended perfectly with the band’s dynamic.
“Go Your Own Way” became one of the standout tracks from Rumours, chosen as the album’s lead single. Its emotional depth is undeniable, with a central instrumental section that amplifies the tension and raw feeling within the song.
The final guitar solo is a powerful release of emotion, described by Fleetwood as a cathartic moment. It strips away any notions of commercial success, showcasing the band’s true artistic expression despite the album’s mainstream appeal.
“Rattlesnake Shake”
Fleetwood describes “Rattlesnake Shake” as a moment of unexpected creativity. “On this song, you hear structure, yes, but you also hear me being incredibly free to break into the shuffle at the end, which was not supposed to happen, but it did and we went, ‘Oh my God, we really like that.’” This spontaneous shift added a unique character to the track.
For Fleetwood, the song was a way to express his own musical freedom. “I really loved that because it was my way of participating in creating the character of the song,” he shared. It was a moment of both personal and collective creativity within the band.
Despite its innovative moments, “Rattlesnake Shake” shares a rhythmic similarity with Fleetwood Mac’s earlier hit, “Black Magic Woman.” While it captures much of the same pulse, the song ultimately loses some of its initial freshness.
“Walk a Thin Line”
Fleetwood reflects on “Walk a Thin Line” as a song that really resonated with him. “This is a Lindsey Buckingham album, written for the Tusk album,” he recalled. “I redid it this for The Visitor, the album I recorded in Africa, and the reason I did so was because I really loved the song and wished that I’d written it.”
Fleetwood’s decision to revisit the track was driven by his admiration for it. He embraced a fresh approach, bringing together a group of African musicians to record it. “As a percussion player, during these recordings, I was, as we say in England, ‘like a pig in shit.’ I had the greatest time playing with these musicians on this rendition of this particular song.”
The song itself is subdued but shines through with rich vocal harmonies. The chorus, with lines like, “I walk a thin line,” takes on new life through vibrant melodies, creating a masterful blend of vocal textures.
“Dreams”
Fleetwood has no hesitation when it comes to the iconic “Dreams.” “Dreams is a given,” he says. “I think it’s the most famous song that Stevie ever wrote.” He credits the song’s infectious intro to the influence of a drummer who played with Al Green and The Staple Singers, reflecting his love for “greasy music” that feels laid-back and effortlessly cool.
Fleetwood goes on to explain the song’s rhythmic magic. “It has a real feel, and it’s lazy, behind the beat – stupidly simple but well-thought-out.” The simplicity of the groove perfectly complements the song’s dreamy atmosphere.
Stevie Nicks’ voice is at the heart of the song’s hypnotic charm. Her delivery pulls listeners into a trance-like state, where the cadence of her vocals conveys warmth and relaxation. It’s a track that allows you to drift along with its dreamlike flow.
“Oh Daddy”
Fleetwood admits his fondness for “Oh Daddy,” saying, “I’m a sucker for this one because it really is a structured song, which is so appealing to me as a player.” The song’s carefully crafted structure stood out to him, especially as a drummer.
The track features a slow blues rhythm, which Fleetwood describes as him “playing a slow blues with Christine.” This simple yet powerful foundation allows for the emotional depth of the song to shine.
In “Oh Daddy,” Christine McVie and Fleetwood create a captivating dynamic. They skillfully use musical pauses and tension, enhancing the song’s beauty with memorable melodies and rich vocal harmonies.
“Oh Well”
Fleetwood describes “Oh Well” as “two minutes of madness that I love.” He enjoys the unpredictability of the song’s structure, saying it’s a stop-and-start track that still gives him “the heebie-jeebies thinking that I’m going to mess it up.” He credits that feeling to the “child in me,” which keeps the energy raw and exciting.
The song stands out in hard rock history, especially in Fleetwood Mac’s early catalog. “Oh Well” alternates between soft, melodic parts sung by Peter Green and explosive instrumental passages, capturing a unique blend of moods and power.
This track became a key influence for other legendary bands, particularly Led Zeppelin. The song’s dramatic shifts in intensity, which Fleetwood describes as “brutal instrumental passages,” served as a clear inspiration for songs like Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” It remains a powerful example of Fleetwood Mac’s early rock prowess.
“Tusk”
Fleetwood describes “Tusk” as a moment where he went “AWOL” creatively. He recalls enjoying working with Lindsey Buckingham, who “put the structure down.” The song had been discarded during the Tusk sessions, but Fleetwood’s energy helped breathe new life into it, particularly with the song’s unique jungle beat.
The track’s distinctive rhythm, which Fleetwood calls “a Mick staple diet,” emerged from their improvisation. The band created a jam, which was initially directionless, but ended up being a defining piece of the album. The spontaneity and freedom in its creation are evident.
“Tusk” stands as a testament to Fleetwood Mac’s creative synergy. The band’s chemistry allowed each member to contribute their part, whether in composition or execution. It’s a song that captured their peak artistic collaboration, producing something truly unique.