The Most Heartbreaking Fleetwood Mac Songs: Behind the Pain and Lyrical Genius

A common piece of writing advice is "write what you know." While this generally refers to stories, novels, and other forms of prose, the lyrics to many memorable songs have been inspired by the author's personal experiences, including Pink Floyd's tribute to their founding band member Syd Barrett, "Wish You Were Here," and Eric Clapton's heartbreaking ode to his lost son, "Tears in Heaven." The use of song lyrics as a tool to express deep emotions can be cathartic for the author and inspiring to audiences.

While no one is a stranger to relationship endings, the band that took breakup songs to a whole new level was Fleetwood Mac. The reason is simple: several members dated each other over the years and decided to continue their professional relationship after splitting up. The result is a very complicated band history — and some raw, emotional, and painfully honest song lyrics. This is the story behind Fleetwood Mac's sad ballads.

By 1977, Fleetwood Mac had significantly evolved from the original band formed 10 years earlier. The departure of Peter Green, founder and lead guitarist, was a pivotal moment that led to Fleetwood Mac's slow transition from a traditional blues band to a more pop-oriented one. Further personnel changes within the band also contributed to its distinct identity. 

Bass player John McVie's wife Christine joined in 1970 to fill the musical void left by Green. Then, a few years later, guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was invited to join the band, but he only agreed on the condition that his girlfriend and musical partner Stevie Nicks be included. Having two couples in the band provided plenty of creative spark and propelled Fleetwood Mac to massive success with both critics and music lovers. However, it was the challenges that came with that achievement that caused both relationships to end, and things got complicated.

By 1976, John and Christine McVie were in the middle of their divorce, and the relationship between Buckingham and Nicks was coming to an end. As if things weren't complicated enough already, drummer Mick Fleetwood was also divorcing his wife and had begun a secret relationship with Nicks. This messy soap opera was emotionally devastating for all band members, but they decided to stay together while using drugs and alcohol to manage their personal tensions. The result was the 1977 album Rumours, which went on to sell over 40 million copies worldwide.

One of the band's biggest hits, "Go Your Own Way," was written by lead guitarist Buckingham spontaneously in what he later described as a "stream of consciousness." He made no effort to conceal the fact that the song's lyrics were inspired by his failed relationship with Nicks, who later revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that she deeply resented the lyrics "Packing up, shacking up's all you want to do," which suggested promiscuity on her part.

"I very much resented him telling the world that 'packing up, shacking up' with different men was all I wanted to do, " Nicks said. "Every time those words would come onstage, I wanted to go over and kill him. He knew it, so he really pushed my buttons through that. It was like, 'I'll make you suffer for leaving me.' And I did," she added.

Nicks had her own perspective on her failed relationship with Buckingham, and she used it as inspiration for the song "Silver Springs." Although initially intended to be included in the Rumours album, the rest of the band eventually decided against it, much to Nicks' anger and frustration. Ironically, it was eventually released as a B-side to the single "Go Your Own Way." 

Years later, in 1997, a live version was released, rekindling public interest in both the song and the band. The most memorable part of the live video is Nicks giving Buckingham the death stare while singing "I'll follow you down 'til the sound of my voice will haunt you."

"Dreams" is not only the band's biggest hit but also another response to the conflict between Nicks and Buckingham. Written by Nicks in about 10 minutes, it initially got a lukewarm reception from the rest of the band, who thought it was kind of boring and simplistic. Nicks insisted that they record it, and Producer Ken Caillat did his magic in the studio to turn it into a catchy, danceable tune. The lyrics aren't as direct and vindictive as the previous two songs, but rather a reflective view on a failed relationship.

Years later, Stevie Nicks told The Daily Mail: "I walked in and handed a cassette of the song to Lindsey. It was a rough take, just me singing solo and playing piano. Even though he was mad with me at the time, Lindsey played it and then looked up at me and smiled. What was going on between us was sad. We were couples who couldn't make it through. But, as musicians, we still respected each other — and we got some brilliant songs out of it." 

Also written by Nicks, "Landslide" is more of an overview of her relationship with Buckingham years before it fell apart. It was written in their pre-Fleetwood Mac days, when things weren't going well for the couple, personally or professionally. The lyrics show Nicks' evolution and newfound maturity. 

"Well, I've been 'fraid of changin'

'Cause I've built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I'm getting older too" 

It's impossible to know how Fleetwood Mac members currently feel about each other. The songs they created almost half a century ago, and the band's influence across generations of music fans is undeniable. Several of Fleetwood Mac's songs have achieved over 1 billion streams. "Dreams" has even surpassed 2 billion. This is both a testament to the timelessness of their music and proof that their breakup stories still resonate with modern audiences.