Music can have a great impact on how you feel by the mood/tone of a song or album. If you are feeling overwhelmed or sad, I highly recommend putting some headphones in and listening to Fleetwood Mac. 

Fleetwood Mac has been one of my favourite bands for a long time. Last year I was able to see them live in Toronto which was an incredible experience that I will never forget. The band has changed throughout their career, but their music is still fantastic. 

I love all of Fleetwood Mac's music equally, but these songs hit differently when I am listening. Here are my top ten along with a small description: 

#10 Don't Stop

This song was released as a single on Rumours and the lyrics represent essentially the experiences of some of the band members. “Don’t you look back,” reminds me to just keep on going after the worst day.

#9 The Chain

With over 400 million listens on Spotify alone, this song is a fan favourite for many. This song is the typical opener to their concerts. The opening bass line involving the kick drum carries throughout the song and is one of my favourite aspects. It is also the only song on Rumours written by every member of the band. 

#8 Go Your Own Way

This gem was on Rumours and was written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham. Though this upbeat percussive song sounds positive and inspiring, the creation was prompted by the breakup of Lindsey and Stevie. Though she backs the vocals I don’t think she was too impressed by some of the lyrics. The instrumentation includes different aspects of percussion, organ, as well as lead guitar which fulfills the aeolian chords. 

#7 Little Lies

 One of Christine McVie's co-writes who also is the lead vocals. Lyrically this song is quite repetitive, though has a mysterious feel with the background vocals during the chorus including Lindsey and Stevie. A major part of this song is the synthesizers being played by Christine herself. This song was after her break-up from her bandmate but unsure as to if it is about him. 

#6 Seven Wonders

The lyrics to this song were not written by Fleetwood Mac but by songwriter Sandy Stewart. On their fourteenth studio album, this title immediately puts a listener into thinking it will be about the seven wonders of the world. Which in a sense it is, but more that if they live to see the seven wonders, the seven wonders' beauty will never compare to the beauty that is in their intimate relationships. 

#5 Everywhere 

The first time I heard this song was from a moonwalking pony video on YouTube. The writer and leading vocals are Christine McVie, and this song was also on their album Tango in the Night. Christine is typically on the side of the stage, backing vocals, and playing the keys, but she deserves much more credit, especially the journey this song takes you on. The steady bass and keys set a magical and happy tone that reflects on the lyrics. This a great upbeat love song that can turn my mood around. 

#4 Landslide

This classic was written and performed by the queen Stevie Nicks herself along with her ex Lindsey Buckingham. It includes only vocals and guitar and has been performed on every Fleetwood Mac tour. Landslide has also been covered by many other bands including The Chicks. The famous guitar picking and melodic buildup is a fan favourite as well as one of their most well-known songs. This is one of my favourites to play and sing on the guitar.

#3 Rhiannon 

The bass line in this song is amazing with consistent guitar soloing throughout. Stevie Nicks got the idea or character Rhiannon from a mystical book. Rhiannon is a spirit, and the band described their performances of this song as being “possessed” by her. The melody exhibits a haunting or ghostly feel through the background vocals and the subtle keyboard additions underneath. 

#2 Dreams

Stevie wrote the lyrics to this song in just ten minutes, and the entire band collaborated and created the music to back the lyrics. The main reason this song is in the top three because of the way the lyrics and music complement one another. This song is in the Top 50 most-streamed songs on Apple Music and Spotify and if you have not heard it yet, go listen now! 

#1 Gypsy

This song has Stevie Nicks written all over it. The band got famous and their career took off rapidly, which brought them a lot of money. Before any of that she and Lindsey were very poor, essentially just moving through life. So, the lyrics in this song especially “back to the gypsy that I was” are a reference to life before Fleetwood Mac. 

These are my top ten Fleetwood Mac songs, and I am sure many others have a completely different top ten. But if you are looking to expand your music library, this is a great band and list to check out. 

Photo: Fleetwood Mac concert in Toronto 2019