We crack the Top 40, and after this batch, with the exception of some co-writers and non-Fleetwood Mac songwriters, we’re down to the Mac triumvirate of Buckingham/McVie/Nicks. Still, coming it at #36 Danny Kirwan’s sole Top 50 entry (although he has 4 total in the Top 70). This batch also includes the highest ranking songs from the albums Bare Trees and Future Games.
#40 – I Know I’m Not Wrong (Buckingham) – Tusk 1979
One of five Buckingham-penned songs on Tusk, “I Know I’m Not Wrong” is a quirky, high-energy song that was emblematic of the post-punk inspired sounds he was playing with on this album. As usual, it’s hard not to think he’s still writing about his break-up with Nicks with lyrics like,
“Her lips were waitin’
Her eyes looked sad
The dreams of a lifetime
A year gone bad”
That break-up certainly provided lots of fodder for some great songwriting. This punchy number has a catchy melody and is one of several tracks where Buckingham really stretches into the upper register of his vocal range. He also notoriously overlaid Fleetwood’s drum part using Kleenex boxes. The band rehearsed this song for the Tusk tour, but wasn’t until the Say You Will tour in the 2000’s that they performed it live. I’ve included the studio version, which is essentially Buckingham solo number as he played most of the instruments, and a clip from a 2015 performance to hear the whole band perform it.
#39 – Little Lies (McVie, C.; Quintela, E.) – Tango in the Night 1987
I remember when Tango in the Night was released in 1987, I felt it captured the warmth that Mirage, which in retrospect seemed a little sterile, lacked. Now when I listen back to Tango, some 30+ years later, it seems, dare I say it, over produced. Of the Buckingham/Nicks line-up albums, it fares the worst, with only 2 songs in the Top 50. Here we have one of them.
“Little Lies” is a song penned by Christine McVie and her then husband, Eddy Quintela. It’s a very solid song, great pop hook, and nice interplay between McVie, Nicks and Buckingham’s vocals on the chorus. It was the third single off Tango, and did really well, climbing all the way to #4 on the U.S. Billboard charts. It’s actually the last Mac single to hit the Top 10 to date. I’m not sure why “Little Lies” hasn’t aged better with me. I think it has to do with all those synthesizers. Christine on the electric or acoustic piano, or the organ was enough for dozens of hits… it just seems a little like overkill as I look back. Still the bones of the song are great, and it’s very catchy, so it just squeaks in my Top 40 Mac tracks. It’s got a pretty video too, but I’m sorry, Lindsey and Stevie just loo so out of place on a farm.
#38 – What Makes You Think You’re the One (Buckingham, L.) Tusk (1979)
Back to Tusk and another sparse rocker from Lindsey Buckingham. This one’s kind of fun because unlike most of Lindsey’s songs, this one’s driven by the piano. The studio track from the album was recorded very late one night with just Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood in the studio. Lindsey played the piano, and they mic’d Micks drums through a boombox. So the rhythmic pounding on the piano is augmented by Fleetwood’s bashing away at the drums. The music fits the scathing commentary of the lyrics, which sure sound like they’re directed at an ex (re: Stevie) but Buckingham commented in the liner notes of the Tusk reissue that it’s a “fuck you” attitude, not directed at anyone in particular, but more at the industry itself, and a reaction to the label’s desire for a Rumours II and commercial hit. Buckingham in a rebellious phase for sure.
I’ve included a video of the band rehearsing this song for the Tusk tour so you can also hear the song performed by the band, adding the McVie’s. You’ve gotta love the brash, punk attitude of Lindsey’s Tusk contributions. They really added an energy to the band that was a little wild and untamed compared to their fine pop constructions. Although it also made the album feel a little bit like a Lindsey solo album with some Christine and Stevie songs thrown in to appeal to the masses.
#37 – Morning Rain (McVie, C.) Future Games (1971)
Coming in at #37, we’ve got the earliest song offered from Christine McVie, way back in 1971 on the Future Games album. I love this little rocker powered by Christine’s awesome piano playing and enhanced by Danny Kirwan’s bluesy guitar. And Christine’s powerful voice in a deep register is filled with soul as she tells her lover that the past is over, doesn’t matter the troubles they’ve had, it’s time to look forward and start over for a brighter future (a precursor to “Don’t Stop” perhaps?)
I love the way this song chugs along, with Bob Welch’s rhythm guitar and the bass and drums working in concert while McVie and Kirwan keep things soaring. It just makes you want to boogie. It’s a simple song structurally, but a great song instrumentally. Lots going on there. I wonder if the song developed as a jam session, because they layered parts just seem spontaneous and fresh. Really shows-off Christine’s musicianship, and how this early Mac really knew how to jam. Christine only contributed two songs to Future Games, the other track, “Show Me a Smile” coming in at #65 on this list.
#36 – Dust (Kirwan) Bare Trees (1972)
Danny Kirwan’s sole entry in the Top 50 (he’s got 4 total in the Top 70) is a beautiful and haunting meditation about death lifted from the Bare Trees album. The lyrics for “Dust” were taken from a poem about death written by Rupert Brooke in 1910. Kirwan, while an accomplished musician and songwriter lacked confidence in his lyric writing, and borrowed an excerpt from the poem.
Kirwan’s gentle, melodic voice spins a lovely tune over several layers of electric and acoustic guitars, as well as McVie’s piano. It really shows how this version of the band, featuring Kirwan, McVie, McVie, Welch and Fleetwood deserve more praise and attention. The songwriting, and musicianship during this period is truly outstanding. Kirwasn was known to be shy, sensitive, nervous and withdrawn. Christine McVie said aid in 2018, “Danny was a troubled man and a difficult person to get to know. He was a loner.” He struggled with drugs and alcohol and even struggled with homelessness during the 80s and 90s. He died in 2018 after a struggle with pneumonia. His legacy with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist are a testament to his talent.