01	Second hand news						02:54
	02	Dreams						04:18
	03	Never going back again						02:16
	04	Don't stop						03:15
	05	Go your own way						03:41
	06	Songbird						03:23
	07	The chain						04:32
	08	You make loving fun						03:34
	09	I don't want to know						03:16
	10	Oh dady						03:59
	11	Gold dust woman						05:04
	12	Rhiannon *						04:11
	13	Gypsy *						04:25
	14	Everywhere *						03:43
	15	Big love *						03:41
	16	As long as you follow *						04:13
	17	Little lies *						03:37

Rumours
Date of Release Feb 4, 1977
Charts Peak : US #1 (Apr 1977), UK #1 (Jan 1978)
RIAA Certification : Album - Multi-Platinum (18 million, 4/06/98)
Third-highest certified single-disc U.S. album.
This album has also been released on DVD-Audio format.


Lindsey Buckingham
Mick Fleetwood
Christine McVie
John McVie
Stevie Nicks


The new lineup that Fleetwood Mac successfully unveiled with their eponymous 1975 album became even more successful with the multi-platinum Rumours, which became the band's most celebrated album and one of the best-selling albums of all time. To be sure, this was a very different sounding Fleetwood Mac than the blues-rock outfit of the late '60s. This edition of the band generally wasn't well received by rock critics (who tend to be critical of all things commercial). But as commercial and slick as Rumours is, the music has a lot of heart and never comes across as insincere. From Christine McVie's optimistic "Don't Stop" (which President Bill Clinton used as his campaign theme song in 1992) to Lindsey Buckingham's remorseful "Go Your Own Way," Rumours is consistently memorable. And the folkish "Gold Dust Woman" (covered by Courtney Love and Hole in 1996) and the melancholy hit "Dreams" made it quite clear just how much depth and substance Stevie Nicks was capable of. - Alex Henderson

1. Second Hand News (Buckingham) - 2:43
2. Dreams (Nicks) - 4:14
3. Never Going Back Again (Buckingham) - 2:02
4. Don't Stop (McVie) - 3:11
5. Go Your Own Way (Buckingham) - 3:38
6. Songbird (McVie) - 3:20
7. The Chain (Buckingham/Fleetwood/McVie/McVie/Nicks) - 4:28
8. You Make Loving Fun (McVie) - 3:31
9. I Don't Want to Know (Nicks) - 3:11
10. Oh Daddy (McVie) - 3:54
11. Gold Dust Woman (Nicks) - 4:51


Lindsey Buckingham - Guitar, Vocals
Fleetwood Mac - Producer, Concept
Stevie Nicks - Vocals
Mick Fleetwood - Percussion, Drums
Christine McVie - Synthesizer, Keyboards, Vocals
John McVie - Bass
Ken Perry - Mastering
Ken Caillat - Producer, Engineer, Mastering
Richard Dashut - Producer, Engineer
Larry Vigon - Hand Lettering
Desmond Strobel - Design

1977 CD Reprise 3010
1980 LP Nautilus NR-8
Reprise PRO-652
1990 CS Reprise 3010



Dreams
Composed By Stevie Nicks

AMG REVIEW: The appeal of Stevie Nicks' songs in the Fleetwood Mac catalog is somewhat elusive. The melodies and rhythms are bit vague at times, but in the case of "Dreams," she put it all together. A simple yet somewhat innovative melody is combined with an almost funk groove, which is outlined by an interesting, almost Joni Mitchell-inspired chord progression. The lyrics are a typically delightful Nicks flight of introspection, and coupled with the fine arrangement, the song became one of the band's biggest hits, and helped elevate her (and the band) to stardom. - Matthew Greenwald


Don't Stop
Composed By Christine McVie

AMG REVIEW: Possibly Fleetwood Mac's crowning achievement of their 1970s incarnation, "Don't Stop" was a huge worldwide hit and solidified their reputations as record makers. The song itself is deceptively simple. Based on a simple, two-chord blues pattern, it's a great example of Christine McVie's talent for songwriting economy. The melody is elegant and accessible, but the main hook is the groove, particularly Mick Fleetwood's great drumming. Beach Boys-style harmonies are married with a positive, life-affirming lyric, which is sung as a duet by McVie and Lindsay Buckingham. One of the great moments of the song (and the band's career, of that matter) is the great stop-start turnaround that occurs near the end of the song. This is true arranging genius and sucks the listener into a final, beautifully long chorus fadeout. - Matthew Greenwald


Go Your Own Way
Composed By Lindsey Buckingham

AMG REVIEW: The drama of the colliding relationships of the Fleetwood Mac members was often alluded to in song, but probably never with more candor. The crumbling union of Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham was laid out for all to see here, and Buckingham does all but name the two of them in the song. Built on a simple yet very energetic series of folk-country-inspired chord changes, the melody has an almost Everly Brothers vibe to it, reflecting Buckingham's affinity for pre- Beatles pop. The chorus is absolutely devastating, and explodes from the mix on the record. All of these factors, plus a great performance from the band (especially Buckingham's exquisite guitar solo) helped make the song one of the band's biggest and most timeless hits, ever. - Matthew Greenwald


You Make Loving Fun
Composed By Christine McVie

AMG REVIEW: A truly delicious slice of Southern California pop, "You Make Loving Fun" was one of the initial songs from the Fleetwood Mac album of 1975 to show the pop world a "new" version of the recently relocated band. Utilizing the new harmonic blend within the group (particularly Lindsay Buckingham's voice), McVie's crafty and joyous pop statement literally sails off of the record. Counterpoint voicing, a slightly funky clavinet (played by McVie herself) and a tremendous rhythm section all combine to create one of the '70s finest pieces of pop. - Matthew Greenwald


Gold Dust Woman
Composed By Stevie Nicks

AMG REVIEW: A true autobiographical song for Stevie Nicks, "Gold Dust Woman" foreshadowed her substance abuse problems in a poetic and somewhat biting manner. References to cocaine and depression abound, yet Nicks couches them in her own unique, individualistic style. Musically, there is a strong element of blues in the song's fine minor-key melody, which, in retrospect, is easily one of Nicks' strongest. Although not a single, the tune is one of the band's '70s incarnations most beloved by fans. - Matthew Greenwald




The interpretation to this album was compiled after a two week long discussion on the message board of the Penguin, The Ledge, with input from the interpretations from all of the individual songs contained on this album.

This interpretation was written by Lauren Leichter. Special thanks are also extended to Silver, Stewy, Becky, Villavic, Joanne, Calamity and especially to BN for the musical section - I couldn't have said it any better myself, so I didn't!. Special thanks to Becky for her continued support! This interp went thru a lot of changes as to who was moderating it so that is why it's been delayed for so long. I have to say, what a project. Think this will be my only album interp! haha! I hope you like it :-) (June 27, 1999)


"And if you don't love me now, you will never love me again... "
The resounding pain and anger within the lyrics and music of "The Chain" is the never ending tie that bound Fleetwood Mac together in the past and binds them together now. It was the showpiece for the classic album, "Rumours", an album that will never be forgotten and remains a true classic in all of our hearts.

1977 saw a huge change in the music industry. Disco was evolving, the acid rock and war driven music of the 60s was now over, and music, like the times, were changing. It was a time of having fun, experimentation, and trying to return to a somewhat simplistic world that was disengaged by the horror of the Vietnam War. "Annie Hall" won the Academy Award, "The Goodbye Girl" and "Saturday Night Fever" were big on the movie screen. Such shows as "The Love Boat," "Mork and Mindy" and "Fantasy Island" were popular. And Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" was climbing up the musical charts.

"Rumours," the number three most successful album of all time, to date, has sold over 15 million copies. It won the "Album of the Year" at the 20th annual Grammy Awards in 1978. It is considered to be one of the "100 Greatest Albums in the Universe" (Q Magazine," 1998), one of the "Top 100 Greatest Rock and Roll Moments" in history ("ET Weekly," 1999), and put Fleetwood Mac on top of the charts as one of the greatest rock n' roll bands in the millennium.

"Rumours" was and still is the romantic "reality-check" of the 1970s. Recorded in 1976, and released in 1977, "Rumours" rose to #1 and stayed there for 31 weeks. It remained on the U.S. charts for 134 weeks and 443 weeks in the UK (a nominal feat!). "Rumours" went platinum within a month of release and all four singles from the album would go on to break the top 10: Go Your Own Way" (#10) Dreams" (#1)" Don't Stop" (#3) and You Make Loving Fun" (#9).

The album's multimillion dollar success was surrounded by several factors: The fascination with the individual band members private lives (and how this compared to our real lives); the drama and intimacy of the songs as seen through the lyrics, (with three very different song writers tackling the same subject matter); and finally, the music. "Rumours" is proof that multi-platinum sales can be achieved without compromising integrity in place of real emotion.


Individual Band Member's Private Lives
A large part of what made "Rumours" so successful was the raw emotion that was and still is a very large part of the album. Although there is a processed studio-quality to the album, the turmoil happening between all the players shines through.

Coated on top of the rawness of the emotions expressed through the lyrics of the songs on "Rumours," comes a clean, pop inspired musical polish that only Fleetwood Mac could pull off. "That such sublime music was borne out of songs chronicling the despair of lovers falling apart remains one of rock's great paradoxes." It is this essence that put "Rumours" and Fleetwood Mac on the top of the charts and eventually into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The members of Fleetwood Mac, separately and collectively, have shown that between the sheets of such emotions as love, anger and bitterness, came the creation of a masterpiece they could only call Rumours.

The album "Rumours" is comprised of 11 songs all written by Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie - with one exception. The Chain," which was credited to the entire band, including John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. "The Chain' itself become the intangible thread that wove itself into the very fabric of Fleetwood Mac, allowing them to group and regroup over the next 20 years." (Q Magazine," 1998)

"Rumours" can be read as the unfolding diary of a string of acrimonious break-ups, all taking place just as the band was poised to really take off. Stevie was breaking up with Lindsey, Christine and John were divorcing, Mick and his first wife, Jenny Boyd, were separating, and it all went haywire from there, helped along by liberal doses of libations and cocaine. It was the stuff of tattle tale tabloid dreams, and of course the media would make the most of it. Perhaps that is why Rumours. was so damned good." (Goldmine Magazine," 1997).

Obviously, the emotions between these five members, collectively and individually, had a large impact on their musical influence. This impact fascinated much of young America as they listened to the soundtrack of their own lives played out on vinyl. Songwriting is an effective means of dealing with a broken relationship - much like writing a poem or writing in a journal. Add music to that and you have emotions that stem from the soul. Fleetwood Mac wrote the lyrics and America listened.

Singer Meredith Brooks stated on the "100 Greatest Artists of Rock and Roll, 1998" that "Fleetwood Mac was the first band that "I was really into and all the drama, whatever I was feeling, I could relate to their music, because it was real." In that same segment, musical artist Sarah McLachlan talks about Fleetwood Mac's "click" and their chemistry. "I really think that is what makes Fleetwood Mac so outstanding, the way they 'click.'"


Drama and Intimacy Through the Lyrics
Since most of the songs on "Rumours" were written during the break-ups that evolved through the various members, you can see each writer's different perspective on what is feels like to break-up with someone you love by listening to the words of the songs. It is also interesting to note the differences in the way men and women express these feelings. Lindsey Buckingham was the only male on the album that really got to express his feelings both in his lyrics and his music. John and Mick had only their music to display whatever emotions they were feeling at the time.

The idea that even though the songs are extremely emotional and deal with love or dependence on someone else, there is still this overall feeling of hope that stems from the core. This sense of hope can be seen in each member's lyrical style, even through the drama and pain of the surrounding lyrics.

Musically, the songs of Lindsey Buckingham have a very upbeat tempo, tricking the listener into feelings of happiness and security. However, at close listen to the lyrics, you see the darkness and pain he must have been feeling at this time. Lindsey has often said he writes the music for his songs first and then follows with the lyrics. It is because of this that the power in his songs comes mainly from the music. The softness of his acoustic - to the rawness of his electric. His music comes from his soul and you can feel it in his songs. From the initial reactions of Second Hand News" (the album's front runner, with it's joyful chorus that "turns average voices into timeless pop harmony" ), to the bitter Go Your Own Way" ("shacking up is all you wanna do") to the resigned Never Going Back Again." His acoustic work is a constant joy, as the music-box picking of Never Going Back Again" attests.

On the opposite spectrum is the mystical and poetic quality of Stevie Nicks' delicate lyrics. Stevie has acknowledged that she does not play or write music. Therefore, all her emotions stem from her words. The power of these words is extremely evident on Rumours. Stevie's haunting Dreams" was Fleetwood Mac's only number one hit. The poetic lyrics are beautifully arranged to make this song a true gem in Fleetwood Mac's song writing history and is forever a memory of the reality of our own dreams. I Don't Want to Know" is one of Stevie's fun, Country-ish, upbeat songs, reminiscent of her beginnings with Lindsey Buckingham as a duo. "Though the lyrics could be easily interpreted as a Stevie gripe session about Lindsey, the fresh sound turns this song into an optimistic statement of understanding and the hope that they find what they are looking for in a relationship whether they are together or not." Gold Dust Woman," is a very haunting, crimonious song about bitterness toward a lover and feelings of their power. Stevie's lyrics are arranged beautifully by Lindsey, who has an incredible knack, and was part of their magic and what they brought to Fleetwood Mac. Lindsey knows how to interpret her, without taking something that's precious to her away. And her songs are extremely precious, sometimes almost to the point of she can't let go of them. Especially her words.

Christine McVie's songs are probably the most upbeat and pop-oriented on the album Rumours. Christine McVie, having once been the only female in the group, now leads a classic vocal group working out of the oldest popular tradition, love songs. Christine writes her songs for others more than herself and her feelings are often feelings of those around her and she gives a very unselfish feel to her songs This is very strongly reflected in her songs on Rumours. Don't Stop," seems to talk to John McVie about their break-up and how she would like to see him happy and move on with his life. This song went on to become President Bill Clinton's Democratic party and inauguration theme in 1992 and the Fleetwood Mac reunited briefly to perform it at the Inauguration. You Make Loving Fun" is about Christine's new boyfriend at the time who was shedding a new light on love. Oh Daddy," often assumed to be for Mick Fleetwood, seems to show almost a question in confidence in Christine, probably because of all the fighting and uses of illicit materials in the studio. Songbird" became Christine's gem and one of Fleetwood Mac's anthems and seems to be the song of hope on the album, how everyone would go on despite the fact that no one was getting along with anyone. She has said this song is for everyone. Christine's lyrics seem to balance out those of both Stevie's and Lindsey's. This balance is part of what makes "Rumours" such a classic.

The Chain" is the band effort and was written by all five members. As previously stated, '"It is the never ending tie that bound the band together in the past and binds them together now and, hopefully, well into the future. Undoubtedly this song speaks volumes about bitter feelings, a wavering relationship, and the need to keep the links in the chain together." ("The Chain" lyric interpretation).


Of important mention is Stevie Nicks' Silver Springs," which was the "b-side" for the single Go Your Own Way." "The song was originally written for the "Rumours" album, but was dumped for a number of reasons for the song I Don't Want to Know." This event proved to be a sensitive issue among the band members, especially Stevie." ("Silver Springs" lyric interpretation) The song meant a lot to her, but she was told "it was too long" for the album. Silver Springs" was a song that did get some airplay, yet not often. Only some classic rock stations would play this eerie flip side of Go Your Own Way." The song was almost forgotten, but not by Stevie. Even though it appeared on the 25 Years - The Chain the band's four disc compilation in 1992, Stevie performed this treasure, live at The Dance reunion concert in May, 1997. She sang it as if it would be the last time she would be able to perform it live. She didn't want anyone to forget this song this time, especially Lindsey Buckingham, whom the song was initially written about. When she warned him in the song years ago that she would "follow him down until the sound of her voice would haunt him" she surely didn't let him forget it when it was performed live that night. The live version of the song went on to be a huge Top 40 hit and was nominated for a Grammy the following year. Rumours were still flying, 20 years later.


The Music
What was it musically about "Rumours" that made it such a big hit? What is it musically that makes it one of the foremost classics of all time? While the lyrics to the album are of utmost important, the lyrics cannot be discussed or interpreted without the music.

Generally, the music of the album is quite simplistic. It is this simplicity that gives "Rumours" it's appeal. Nevertheless, over-riding this simplicity is a certain "gel," as if everything came together all at the same time in spite of the real life conflicts that were occurring between bandmates. The creativity of the melodies, the top vocal form and blend of the three vocalists, the ingenuity of the rhythms, the magnificent behind-the-scenes production efforts of Lindsey Buckingham, and the keen and precise mixing by Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut, all came together to set this "gel" in sound.

Take the haunting, bewitching, "stressed out" over-dubbed guitar sounds during Stevie's Gold Dust Woman." Without those simple little "noises" the song loses something. They are not so much intended to be heard individually but rather to enhance the melodic and harmonic mood so splendidly performed by Stevie.

Try to picture Don't Stop" without that shuffle rhythm. It's not the first time Christine used a shuffle (usually set to blues), but here the shuffle sets it off from the other songs on the album providing a necessary variety. That's one of the great aspects of this album--its variety--from the solo sounds of Songbird" and Never Going Back Again" to the collaborative effort of The Chain."

Lindsey's "bams" during the usual place for a guitar ride on the peppy Second Hand News" hit the nail on the head. And those "doot doodely doot's," fit in perfectly with the lyrics and style of this piece. It was no accident this became the forerunner for the album, as Lindsey stated on the Rumours Classic Albums" show. It's upbeat tempo set the stage musically for much of the album.

The change from the syncopated drums of the verse to the solid rock beat of the chorus on Go Your Own Way" was masterful. Had one or the other of the rhythms continued throughout, the piece would have lost it's strength.

Last but not least the rhythm stop in the middle of The Chain," provides John an opportunity for a tasty little bass solo, dramatically setting up the hard driving rhythm to follow during Lindsey's guitar ride.

In the interest of length, the precision and blend of the mixing coupled with the ideas and the performance seems to have stuck a chord. The six-month sacrifice of the lives of the members of Fleetwood Mac cooped up in the recording studio certainly paid off. The music is a testament to this.

And it was. A classic album in it's right. A definitely hard-worked album that proves that people can put their personal lives aside and work on the business. How people can take their emotions and put them into hit songs that millions of people hear and love. Rumours is a masterpiece.


"I can still hear you saying you will never break the chain..."
Fleetwood Mac never did.