"Over My Head" appreciation thread...

[Brwn_eyes0511]

I was going through www.allmusic.com and reading some of their individual song reviews, and this is what they had to say about "Over My Head"...

The first in an incredible series of huge hits for the newly California-based Fleetwood Mac, "Over My Head" is another great example of Christine McVie's restrained craftsmanship. Always an excellent musical chameleon, McVie easily absorbed the cool, artless pop style of '70s Southern California, and with this song, she does it without compromising her English pop roots. A beautiful, almost jazzy melody is surrounded by a series of almost Burt Bacharach-inspired chord changes, and this is lifted to even greater heights by the rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. The lyrics are a simple but eloquent reflection of being lost in love, and McVie captures it all in her simple and literate style.

-----by Matthew Greenwald

I thought this was such a wonderful description of this breezy, fun song that IMO is one of Chris' best!

Let's hear the love for OMH...;)

[Gailh]

I was going through www.allmusic.com and reading some of their individual song reviews, and this is what they had to say about "Over My Head"...



I thought this was such a wonderful description of this breezy, fun song that IMO is one of Chris' best!

Let's hear the love for OMH...;)

I couldn't have put it better myself!

Gail

[macfan 57]

That's a great review of a great song. "Over My Head" was my introduction to Christine McVie & eventually to Fleetwood Mac as well. That's the first time I ever heard her voice on the radio & the first time I knew that she even existed.:cool:

[golden braid]

I love OMH. The harmonies are great and I especially love the live versions from the Rumours days.

[HomerMcvie]

The rockin' version on Live kicks ass!:]

[chiliD]

The song that started the "explosion of fame".

[strandinthewind]

The song that started the "explosion of fame".

It did - or at least a newer era of it than before. I often wonder what Green or Welch could have done to the song with their guitars.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

The rockin' version on Live kicks ass!:]

Yes it does!!!!

"AUUUUUUUOKHHHHHHHHHHHFDA...........This is the first single we ever had from the...um...white Fleetwood Mac album..."

:blob1:

[GypsySongbird]

The rockin' version on Live kicks ass!:]

i love the live version!!!!!!!!!!!! this song is beautiful!!! her vocal is lovely!

[SteveMacD]

It did - or at least a newer era of it than before. I often wonder what Green or Welch could have done to the song with their guitars.
To my ears, there's not a great bit of difference between Bob's playing on the song "Heroes Are Hard To Find" and Lindsey's on "Over My Head," save that Bob is playing an electric, and Lindsey is playing a Dobro on the main guitar part.

[strandinthewind]

To my ears, there's not a great bit of difference between Bob's playing on the song "Heroes Are Hard To Find" and Lindsey's on "Over My Head," save that Bob is playing an electric, and Lindsey is playing a Dobro on the main guitar part.

I'll have to check that out when I get home :cool:

[ontheEdgeof17]

The Live version is the superior version of the song. It was lackluster on The Dance. I give the song A-/B+

[strandinthewind]

Actually, the live one in the Disney doc. (it is outdoors and La Nicks is in red boots and at 90 pounds) is pretty fab as well :cool:

[Brwn_eyes0511]

The Live version is the superior version of the song. It was lackluster on The Dance. I give the song A-/B+

I think that is part of the reason she decided to switch it out with "Oh Daddy" for the tour...

HOWEVER! If they would have let her do "Just Crazy Love" like she had originally wanted to.......

:mad:

[Jyqm]

I think that is part of the reason she decided to switch it out with "Oh Daddy" for the tour...

HOWEVER! If they would have let her do "Just Crazy Love" like she had originally wanted to.......

:mad:

What's the news on this, Brown Eyes? I hadn't heard about this before.

[Villavic]

The rockin' version on Live kicks ass!:]
YES!!!
Isn't that intro the greatest!!???

[aleuzzi]

The rockin' version on Live kicks ass!:]


I agree. Though I love the lp version (which sounds amazing on a good stereo) the live version is so damn spirited with a good deal more kick.

[aleuzzi]

To my ears, there's not a great bit of difference between Bob's playing on the song "Heroes Are Hard To Find" and Lindsey's on "Over My Head," save that Bob is playing an electric, and Lindsey is playing a Dobro on the main guitar part.


This is interesting! You're right, by gum. Hadn't thought of this before. You know, Bob's guitar playing is so underrated. He was/is a lot more versatile and innovative than he's given credit for. I always knew he could do jazzy, atmospheric stuff, but I listen with admiration to his assertive, well-executed guitar solos and fills on the 74 Sausalito show. He's playiing a wiide range of stuff on there and always with a mastery the critics usually reserve for Kirwan or Buckingham.

[DavidMn]

Brandon, you carry the Christine torch very well my friend. Great song!:)

[Brwn_eyes0511]

I agree. Though I love the lp version (which sounds amazing on a good stereo) the live version is so damn spirited with a good deal more kick.

I actually LOVE the LP version...even more than I do the single version, which is quite different.

[macfan 57]

What's the news on this, Brown Eyes? I hadn't heard about this before.

There is a Dance era interview where Christine is quoted as saying that she would have loved to have done "Just Crazy Love" on the Dance tour, but couldn't since they were only doing songs that were originally done by the Rumours line-up.

I think that's what Brown Eyes was referring to.:)

[macfan 57]

I actually LOVE the LP version...even more than I do the single version, which is quite different.

Me too. Although I still like the single version, I prefer the White Album version.

[Jyqm]

There is a Dance era interview where Christine is quoted as saying that she would have loved to have done "Just Crazy Love" on the Dance tour, but couldn't since they were only doing songs that were originally done by the Rumours line-up.

Gahh, the stupid bastards.

I mean, "Just Crazy Love" is far from my favorite Chris song, but it's the principle of thing.

These people infuriate me. Why am I a fan of this band?

[DavidMn]

Me too. Although I still like the single version, I prefer the White Album version.I actually like the single version more. More up-tempo.:thumbsup:

[chiliD]

There is a Dance era interview where Christine is quoted as saying that she would have loved to have done "Just Crazy Love" on the Dance tour, but couldn't since they were only doing songs that were originally done by the Rumours line-up.

I think that's what Brown Eyes was referring to.:)

Which apparently is the reason they didn't do "Oh Well", too. (the bastards)

[DavidMn]

Which apparently is the reason they didn't do "Oh Well", too. (the bastards)Amen to that. I've never seen that song performed live.:distress:

[SortaSavageLike]

It's nice.

The single version is nicer. :p

[Jyqm]

Which apparently is the reason they didn't do "Oh Well", too. (the bastards)

Also must have been the reason they decided to include "Stand Back." Man, I just love the original Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac recording of that song.

[stevierocks87]

I agree the Live album version is great, as well as the one from the Going Home doc. with Stevie trying her best to out-sing Chris during the chorus. One of Christine's best :) ~

:wavey: adam :wavey:

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Also must have been the reason they decided to include "Stand Back." Man, I just love the original Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac recording of that song.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

And why is it that they wouldn't "give" Chris that one song?

Lindsey got to do his damned "Go Insane" and Stevie got to do "Stand Back" (Cause no fan ever got to hear that live...:rolleyes: )...Yet poor Chris doesn't get anything. :(

[macfan 57]

Also must have been the reason they decided to include "Stand Back." Man, I just love the original Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac recording of that song.

Or, "Go Insane". Now that was a real classic from the Rumours line-up.;)

Edit: Brandon, you beat me to it.:laugh:

[ontheEdgeof17]

Yet poor Chris doesn't get anything. :(


Well, she probably didn't want to be there anyway.

[Jyqm]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

And why is it that they wouldn't "give" Chris that one song?

Lindsey got to do his damned "Go Insane" and Stevie got to do "Stand Back" (Cause no fan ever got to hear that live...:rolleyes: )...Yet poor Chris doesn't get anything. :(

Actually, the more I think about it, I wonder how honest Chris' claim is, that she wanted to do "Just Crazy Love" but wasn't allowed. Certainly, she'd have no reason to lie about such a thing, but her reasoning that they were only performing Rumours line-up songs obviously doesn't stand, as evidenced by Stevie and Lindsey's solo turns, and the four new songs that they did. I wonder if maybe she suggested "Just Crazy Love," and they rehearsed it but it just didn't turn out well or something. Anybody want to ask John if he remembers anything about this? I've already submitted a question.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Well, she probably didn't want to be there anyway.

Well that's probably half true...but at least let the woman do the songs she wants to do. I think they all had a feeling that this would be her last tour with them (:distress: )

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Edit: Brandon, you beat me to it.:laugh:

You know what they say...

great minds and all! ;)

[SteveMacD]

Wouldn't it have been hilarious, though, if EACH member got to pick a song from a solo album? Lindsey might have been safe as far as Mick was concerned, as they could have done "Walk A Thin Line," but you know John's pick would have been "The Bigger The Love," and Lindsey would have HAD to play a Billy Burnette song!

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Wouldn't it have been hilarious, though, if EACH member got to pick a song from a solo album? Lindsey might have been safe as far as Mick was concerned, as they could have done "Walk A Thin Line," but you know John's pick would have been "The Bigger The Love," and Lindsey would have HAD to play a Billy Burnette song!

BWAHAH! :lol:

I say next tour Chris has to come back...and they should let the fans pick the set list!!!! :woohoo:

Can you imagine the poor "casual" fans that would show up...there would probably be no "hits" picked to play...:laugh:

[GypsySorcerer]

I love "Over My Head." Very sensual and has a nice, laid-back vibe.

[David]

Actually, the more I think about it, I wonder how honest Chris' claim is, that she wanted to do "Just Crazy Love" but wasn't allowed.I don't buy her statement at all.

There was probably a general sense around the entire organization at that point for that project of adhering to hits & recognizable material from the 1977 lineup. But the idea that a specific song that Christine wanted to play was scotched is just bunk.

[Jyqm]

BWAHAH! :lol:

I say next tour Chris has to come back...and they should let the fans pick the set list!!!! :woohoo:

Can you imagine the poor "casual" fans that would show up...there would probably be no "hits" picked to play...:laugh:

Are you kidding? Have you seen some of the "I just can't get enough 'Go Your Own Way'!" apologists who populate this place?

"Well they've just got to do 'Stand Back!' What else would Stevie twirl to? And we should choose 'Dreams,' too; Stevie wouldn't feel right not doing it..."

[aleuzzi]

There is a Dance era interview where Christine is quoted as saying that she would have loved to have done "Just Crazy Love" on the Dance tour, but couldn't since they were only doing songs that were originally done by the Rumours line-up.

I think that's what Brown Eyes was referring to.:)


This is frustrating! "Just Crazy Love" is catchy and would have gone down just as easily as "Over My Head." I was wondering if anyone from FM had considered doing "Spare Me," too? THAT would have been incredible on "The Dance"--and, if FM were smart about such things, a sure-fire way to rekindle/ignite public interest/cd sales in the pre BN work as well.

[Alexbt]

I wish they'd done Why on The Dance. That would have been nice.
Races are Run would be a nice BN song for FM to do.

[Jyqm]

I wish they'd done Why on The Dance. That would have been nice.

Agreed, although I would like to see Lindsey attempt Weston's intro, or come up with a new one of his own more in that spirit.

[welcomechris]

I think Over my head is awesome live on this tour!

They need to keep this

[PenguinHead]

I think Over my head is awesome live on this tour!

They need to keep this

I don't any reason it shouldn't be in the set. It's classic Christine. It's hardly boring, as some proclaim. It's a nice chill pace setter in the set. Not every song has to blow you away; that would get monotonous.

[welcomechris]

I don't any reason it shouldn't be in the set. It's classic Christine. It's hardly boring, as some proclaim. It's a nice chill pace setter in the set. Not every song has to blow you away; that would get monotonous.

Exactly.

She does the vocals amazingly on this! Not bad for 71 Years Old! :thumbsup:

[bethelblues]

Isn't it something that Stevie used to be the one to take the high harmony on "Your mood is like a circus wheel"? Now she's still doing the harmony, taking it down from Christine. I still love the sounds of their voices together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvPQBe61caQ

[michelej1]

I love the song and think she sounds vulnerable and ethereal when singing it.

The vocals float so you hear both joy and anticipated sadness, side by side, because of the circus wheel that lifts, but must come down.

Michele

[secondhandchain]

The harmonic guitar riffs are sheer genius.

[PenguinHead]

Isn't it something that Stevie used to be the one to take the high harmony on "Your mood is like a circus wheel"? Now she's still doing the harmony, taking it down from Christine. I still love the sounds of their voices together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvPQBe61caQ
In the early years Stevie initially used to sing the high harmony parts of the studio versions in live performances. But within a few short years, she often didn't sing them in songss like Oh Daddy and Over My Head, mostly leaving Christine to sing them solo without her vocal embellishments.

[Macfan4life]

Isn't it something that Stevie used to be the one to take the high harmony on "Your mood is like a circus wheel"? Now she's still doing the harmony, taking it down from Christine. I still love the sounds of their voices together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvPQBe61caQ
Ha! In 1987 Stevie never was even on stage during Over My Head and left her back up singers to sing with Chris.

[Keith]

I'm glad it's in the set list and can't wait to hear it on Halloween..

First Fleetwood Mac song I remember hearing. :nod:

[DMBfan]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Midnight Special version oif OMH~ or maybe I just missed it.

I never even paid much attention to that song til I came across the midnight special version on youtube. Lindsey and the rythym section really propel the song along and stevie's harmonies are stellar. plus you get the bonus of the moon/tree backdrop!

have come to love all variations of that song now

[He's So Unusual]

It's OK, but it's never been one of my favourite Christine songs, it just plods along without leaving much of an impression, same goes for Sugar Daddy and Warm Ways.