Here’s a bold statement: my favorite Fleetwood Mac song isn’t even on their legendary Rumours album. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not even from Rumours itself, which feels almost heretical in today’s music discourse. But let me explain: I’m convinced their 1975 self-titled album, the one that introduced the iconic lineup we all know and love, is their true masterpiece.
This record marked Stevie Nicks’ debut as a songwriter, and while no one saw it coming, her contributions were nothing short of revolutionary. Recruited alongside Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks quickly proved she was far more than a supporting act, delivering timeless tracks like Rhiannon and Landslide. The latter, in particular, has become a cherished anthem in music history.
But here’s where it gets controversial—this album wasn’t just another Fleetwood Mac release; it was Fleetwood Mac 2.0. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie were taking their second shot at chart dominance after nearly making it with Peter Green as their frontman. Before Buckingham and Nicks transformed them into a dream-rock juggernaut, the band was a blues powerhouse, cutting their teeth in London’s vibrant music scene. Peter Green’s songwriting and guitar prowess earned them a stellar reputation, with tracks like Oh Well from Then Play On becoming fan favorites.
Christine McVie once said, “Awestruck—everybody was awestruck by Peter. Except for Eric [Clapton], there was only Peter. We all thought he was a superlative genius.” Yet, just as the band was on the brink of greatness, Green’s drug-induced struggles led him to leave, leaving behind a legacy that haunted the band—until Buckingham and Nicks arrived to breathe new life into their sound.
One song, however, lingered from Green’s era and evolved into a defining hit for this new Fleetwood Mac: World Turning. This track is a mesmerizing showcase of the band’s three-part harmonies, layered over a brooding rock arrangement that feels like the band reinventing itself in real time. “Lindsey had this lick and didn’t know what to do with it. We knocked around some vocal ideas, and it happened very quickly—about half an hour,” McVie recalled.
The lick builds with each verse, pushing the rhythm section to grow bolder until the song erupts into a full-throttle rock anthem that fulfills the band’s untapped potential. But here’s the twist: the song’s origins trace back to Peter Green’s The World Keeps on Turning, a bluesy reflection on longing for a lover. McVie and Buckingham reimagined it, flipping the meaning into an anthem of resilience and motivation—a perfect fit for Fleetwood Mac’s bold new era.
And this is where I’ll leave you with a thought-provoking question: Is World Turning a testament to the band’s evolution, or a subtle nod to the genius of Peter Green? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your take on this underrated gem!
