Moving on from last week, let’s take a look at some Fleetwood Mac songs from the ‘80s. Again, I’ll stick (mostly) with the most famous line-up: Mick Fleetwood, John and Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks.
The band’s sound evolved somewhat as the members grew a little older. They kept some of what Stevie Nicks later described as the “fluff and flutter” while leaving behind the thumping discordance of “Tusk.” And as the decade went on, Stevie Nicks more often displaced Christine McVie in lead vocals, although Christine still did some wonderful work in songs like “Little Lies” and “Hold Me.” I have a soft spot for both, but when it comes to pure vocals, I think Christine edges Stevie out a little, although they’re both at their best when one is backed up by the other. My choices here probably reflect this.
Here are six Fleetwood tunes from that decade, in no particular order; if you’re like me, these will take you back to many happy days of youth.
Gypsy (1982): This song from the 1982 album “Mirage” especially hits home for me, as it was getting a lot of play on the radio and on MTV at the time when I brought home a beautiful little tricolor English Springer Spaniel puppy, who grew up to become a world-class bird dog. But when she was tiny, I named her “Gypsy,” partly for this song, partly for her particolored coat of liver, white and tan. She died in 1999, and I still miss her - a better dog never lived. And this song still reminds me of her.
See Also: Start Your Weekend Right With 6 Great '70s-Era Fleetwood Mac Songs
Little Lies (1987): This song shows off Christine McVie’s flowing vocals very well. As I noted above, Stevie was taking more of the lead role in this decade, but when Christine McVie did take lead vocals, it was always beautiful. 1987’s album “Tango in the Night” had some great songs, and this was just one of several.
Seven Wonders (1987): Also from “Tango in the Night,” this song touches an almost mystical tone. The song exemplifies, both in the vocals, with Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie providing strong backup, and in Stevie’s outfit in the official video, the “fluff and flutter” that Fleetwood Mac was known for. And yet, somehow, it gave you some examples of what we learned from Stevie’s solo albums; that she could do serious rock & roll, too.Hold Me (1982): Another song from 1982’s “Mirage,” this song has an almost light-hearted feel to it. Christine McVie handled the vocals, and the visuals from the official video, shown here, are very ‘80s and yet tell a story; my favorite parts are Stevie in that great red dress (yowza!) and the joy on the faces of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie when they uncover a trove of old guitars in the desert sand. I’m not sure of the significance of the green spots on the horse, though.
See Also: Start Your Weekend Right With Five Great '80s Music Videos
Everywhere (1987): Another from “Tango in the Night” – that and “Mirage” were, I think their best albums from that decade – this one is again featuring Christine McVie on lead vocals. I know, I said that Stevie Nicks was taking on the front role more often, but I love Christine’s smooth, flowing voice. The video shown here, incidentally, is an abbreviated take on the Alfred Noyes poem “The Highwayman.”
As Long As You Follow (1988): This song is, interestingly, one of two new songs released on the band’s 1988 “Best of” album. One wouldn’t think that a new song on a best-of anthology would be something you’d do, but Fleetwood Mac didn’t mind disregarding norms. This is also the one song that I will break with what I said above, as Lindsey Buckingham was absent from this song, having been replaced by rhythm guitarist Billy Burnette.
Now, after the 2022 death of Christine McVie, we’ll sadly never have another Fleetwood Mac album. At that time, Stevie Nicks wrote:
“A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975 had passed away. I didn't even know she was ill...until late Saturday night. I wanted to be in London; I wanted to get to London—but we were told to wait. So, since Saturday, one song has been swirling around in my head, over and over and over. I thought I might get to sing it to her, and so, I'm singing it to her now. I always knew I would need these words one day, written by the Ladies Haim. It's all I can do now." Stevie follows her words with powerful lyrics from HAIM's song, "Hallelujah.”
I really can’t add anything to that.
I’m sure you all have some favorite Fleetwood Mac tunes from… Well, anytime. The comments are all yours.
