Fleetwood Mac-The Story Behind "Go Your Own Way"

Summary

This episode of Rock Music History Lesson delves into the backstory of Fleetwood Mac's hit 'Go Your Own Way.' Lindsey Buckingham reflects on the song's creation during a tumultuous period with Stevie Nicks, marking the end of their relationship and setting the tone for the 'Rumours' album. The track, inspired by a raw emotional dialogue and influenced by The Rolling Stones' drum patterns, became a symbol of personal and musical liberation. Despite Nicks' objections to certain lyrics, the song showcases Buckingham's emotional resolve and Fleetwood Mac's collaborative spirit, ultimately reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.

Takeaways

• 🎸 Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974, enhancing the band's lineup.
• 📚 The album 'Rumours' released by Fleetwood Mac in 1977 became one of the best-selling albums ever, with over 40 million copies sold.
• 🎧 'Go Your Own Way' was the first song Lindsey Buckingham wrote for the 'Rumours' album, marking the beginning of his dialogue with Stevie Nicks post their split.
• 📝 The song's lyrics, starting with 'Loving you isn't the right thing to do', reflect a raw expression of emotion and a conversational tone with Nicks.
• 🤖 Mick Fleetwood's drum pattern in 'Go Your Own Way' was inspired by 'Street Fighting Man' by The Rolling Stones, showcasing a creative adaptation.
• 🎲 John McVie contributed a memorable bass melody line to the song, while Lindsey Buckingham played all the guitar parts.
• 💃 The chorus of 'Go Your Own Way' reflects Stevie Nicks' childhood of frequent relocations, suggesting a theme of pursuing one's own path despite potential loneliness.
• 😡 Stevie Nicks was unhappy with the lyrics 'Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do', which she felt misrepresented her, but Buckingham refused to remove the line.
• 🎶 'Go Your Own Way' achieved significant success, climbing to number 10 on the Hot 100 Billboard Chart in 1977.
• 💌 The creation of 'Rumours' and 'Go Your Own Way' involved deep personal emotions and relationships within Fleetwood Mac, highlighting the intertwined nature of their music and personal lives.

Q & A

How did Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks join Fleetwood Mac?

Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974, along with his girlfriend at the time, Stevie Nicks. They had previously recorded an album called Buckingham Nicks, which received modest attention. After the band's guitarist Bob Welch decided to leave, Mick Fleetwood approached Lindsey to join the band, but Lindsey insisted that Stevie also come along.

What was the inspiration behind the song "Go Your Own Way"?

The song "Go Your Own Way" was initially written by Lindsey Buckingham as a stream of consciousness, reflecting his on-again, off-again relationship with Stevie Nicks during the recording of the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours. The song was a raw expression of the emotions Lindsey was experiencing due to their breakup.

How did Mick Fleetwood's contribution shape the rhythm of "Go Your Own Way"?

Lindsey Buckingham had a specific drum pattern in mind, inspired by the Rolling Stones' song "Street Fighting Man." However, he couldn't play it himself. Lindsey showed Mick Fleetwood the pattern, but Mick couldn't quite grasp it, so he created his own unique interpretation, which became the signature rhythm for "Go Your Own Way."

What was Stevie Nicks' reaction to the lyrics of "Go Your Own Way"?

Stevie Nicks was unhappy with the lyrics "Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do," which implied that she was unfaithful during their relationship. She asked Lindsey Buckingham to remove the line, as she claimed she never cheated on him, but he declined to take it out.

How did Stevie Nicks' childhood experiences influence the theme of "Go Your Own Way"?

Stevie Nicks experienced multiple relocations throughout her childhood due to her father's job changes, which instilled a sense of rhythm and discomfort with things persisting for too long. This observation is reflected in the chorus of "Go Your Own Way," which suggests pursuing one's own path but acknowledges the potential loneliness that may come with it.

How successful was the song "Go Your Own Way"?

The song "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac climbed to number 10 on the Hot 100 Billboard Chart in 1977, becoming a significant hit for the band.

What was the first song written for the Rumours album during the Florida session?

The very first song that came up during the Florida session, where the band took a break from touring to work on new material for the upcoming album, was "Go Your Own Way." It was the initial track Lindsey Buckingham wrote for the album that eventually became Rumours.

Who played the various instruments on the song "Go Your Own Way"?

Lindsey Buckingham played all the guitars on "Go Your Own Way," while John McVie came up with the great bass melody line, and Mick Fleetwood provided the mutated interpretation of the drum pattern Lindsey had in mind.

What was Lindsey Buckingham's emotional state while recording the lead vocal for "Go Your Own Way"?

Lindsey Buckingham talks about the lead vocal in "Go Your Own Way" as having "a lot of oomph" and "a lot of resolve" behind it, as he was feeling the subject matter of the song, which was a reflection of his personal life at the time. He found the vocal cathartic, as it was a way of exercising certain hurts.

What was the significance of the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours?

The Fleetwood Mac album Rumours, released in 1977, was hugely successful, selling over 40 million copies and becoming one of the best-selling albums ever. It exceeded everyone's expectations regarding success and was a significant milestone in the band's career.