So I just listened to Why for the first time.

[Wdm6789]

I think it might be the most beautiful Fleetwood Mac song. Even more than Sara.
Although, I would have rather them have a minute and a half instrumental at the end of the song than the intro they had.

I think the "Rumours five" should have covered this song. I know they played it live, but I think they should have recorded a cover of Why on either Fleetwood Mac or Rumours or Tusk.

[BLY]

I think it might be the most beautiful Fleetwood Mac song. Even more than Sara.
Although, I would have rather them have a minute and a half instrumental at the end of the song than the intro they had.

I think the "Rumours five" should have covered this song. I know they played it live, but I think they should have recorded a cover of Why on either Fleetwood Mac or Rumours or Tusk.


It is one of my farorites..... I do love the live versions that the " 5" did in the 1976 tour. A studio version with the 5 would have been great!

[HomerMcvie]

It is one of my farorites..... I do love the live versions that the " 5" did in the 1976 tour. A studio version with the 5 would have been great!

And they raised the key a whole step!

These days, the keys are dropping like Stevie's wig hair!:lol:

[FuzzyPlum]

The intro is very laboured but it's part of what makes the song so good. By the time Christine's voice kicks in the anticipation has built up so much it gives a sense of euphoria. A gem of a song thats ulikely to be played by FM again but I'd love to see a major artist cover it.

[FuzzyPlum]

I think it might be the most beautiful Fleetwood Mac song. Even more than Sara.
Although, I would have rather them have a minute and a half instrumental at the end of the song than the intro they had.

I think the "Rumours five" should have covered this song. I know they played it live, but I think they should have recorded a cover of Why on either Fleetwood Mac or Rumours or Tusk.

I urge you to check out the rest of the great 'lost' music from the 'Middle Ages'. Show Me a Smile, Come a Little Bit Closer, Spare Me a Little of Your Love etc, as well as Bob Welch's & Danny Kirwan's songs.

[PenguinHead]

The intro is very labored but it's part of what makes the song so good. By the time Christine's voice kicks in the anticipation has built up so much it gives a sense of euphoria. A gem of a song that's unlikely to be played by FM again but I'd love to see a major artist cover it.

Your description is so accurate and eloquently written.

I agree that the guitar solo proceeding the piano intro from the album version is a great set up, providing striking drama to the song. It's great that we have a recording of the band performing the song in 1975-76, when they were still mining songs from Fleetwood Mac back catalog.

Most of those songs were dropped from their sets when Rumours came out; they now had enough material representing the new band configuration to fill their show. Oh Well was the only song that lingered around for a while. Why should have lingered longer; its power is similar to that of Songbird.

The middle, transitional period of Fleetwood Mac circa 1970-1974 (Kiln House, Future Games, Bare Trees, Penguin, Mystery to Me and Heroes are Hard to Find) is so fascinating and beguiling. Each album has its own unique dimensions, containing lots of unsung sonic treasures.

I wish Christine would have revisited some of those songs, and Stevie and Lindsey revisit a few Buckingham Nicks songs (Don't Let Me Down Again on the Live album is such an a anomaly!) They seem to ignore those older songs, but have been holding tight to old songs, circa 1975-1987, which they are still performing now.

[Danielle]

The intro is very laboured but it's part of what makes the song so good. By the time Christine's voice kicks in the anticipation has built up so much it gives a sense of euphoria. A gem of a song thats ulikely to be played by FM again but I'd love to see a major artist cover it.

I agree. The intro is as beautiful as the rest of the song. :nod:

[Macfan4life]

Why live during 1976 is a deeply powerful song. The harmonies are the best ever.
I wish they would have time to play it live on this tour. But look at some of the comments on this board bashing the Mac for playing "I know Im not wrong." and say people walk out and just because people don't recognize it, it should not be played.
I suspect many would feel the same way and want the hits.
I would prefer to hear Why than Songbird at the end.

[Mr Scarrott]

When I met Mick at a book-signing recently I asked him about Why and if they might perform it again. I'll never forget his incredulous reaction when I told him there was a video on youtube of them doing it in 1976. A studio re-working would be great, too.

It's just a sublime track. The crazy thing about the studio verstion is that only about a minute and a half of it is taken up by vocals, but somehow you don't notice this.

It's all too late now, and the music industry has moved on, but I so wish there had been a compilation album in the 80s and 90s of the best of the Bob Welch years. It might have opened the doors to this era for so many people. It's always annoyed me that this period has either been ignored (the Very Best of Fleetwood Mac) or under-represnented (the Chain-25 years) on official compilations. I suppose we can only blame the label and Stevie, Lindsey and Chris for this (unless Clifford Davis has some kind of unseen legal influence).

Induct Bob! Play Why!

[FuzzyPlum]

When I met Mick at a book-signing recently I asked him about Why and if they might perform it again. I'll never forget his incredulous reaction when I told him there was a video on youtube of them doing it in 1976. A studio re-working would be great, too.

It's just a sublime track. The crazy thing about the studio verstion is that only about a minute and a half of it is taken up by vocals, but somehow you don't notice this.

It's all too late now, and the music industry has moved on, but I so wish there had been a compilation album in the 80s and 90s of the best of the Bob Welch years. It might have opened the doors to this era for so many people. It's always annoyed me that this period has either been ignored (the Very Best of Fleetwood Mac) or under-represnented (the Chain-25 years) on official compilations. I suppose we can only blame the label and Stevie, Lindsey and Chris for this (unless Clifford Davis has some kind of unseen legal influence).

Induct Bob! Play Why!

I just checked out that 1976 performance and I have to say (though its still great) it actually suffers from Lindsey's intro. Its too short and what Lindsey plays sounds a lot like Never Going Back Again. Its great to see all three singing together though.

[bethelblues]

^^^ Agreed completely! You can hear so much of Never Going Back Again throughout the song...in that recording and in the bootlegs from 75-76.

[jbrownsjr]

It's such a beautiful song. Like many songs before Lindsey and Stevie joined, Christine wrote some really amazing tunes.

I like the studio version the best. It's simply majestic.
I don't like the live version with SN and LB very much. This tune definitely calls for a Welch touch!

Great post.

[sorcerer999]

And they raised the key a whole step!

These days, the keys are dropping like Stevie's wig hair!:lol:

I'm baffled as to why you ALWAYS have to insult or make a jab at Stevie on thread topics that have nothing to do with her. ALWAYS. It's getting pretty old.

[chiliD]

I think Bob Weston's bluesy slide guitar intro is essential to the song...when they played it in '75 & '76 without that, the song just didn't have the impact of the studio version (for me, anyway)...the vocal harmonies, while much improved over the studio version, were chilling, they didn't make up for the missing intro.


But look at some of the comments on this board bashing the Mac for playing "I know Im not wrong." and say people walk out and just because people don't recognize it, it should not be played.

It was my experience (Forum, 11/28) that there were people walking in & out throughout the concert. About 3 or 4 just in my row alone. JEEEZ, people...do you have THAT bad of bladder control? Do you really need TWO MORE beers before the next song? Sit your a$$es down, watch & listen...is it really THAT much to ask? After all, you paid through the nose for your tickets. :mad:

[ViscountViktor]

I love Mystery to Me. Favourite Mac album.

[jbrownsjr]

And they raised the key a whole step!

These days, the keys are dropping like Stevie's wig hair!:lol:

Hey now! She did a dance during GDW during the 12/6/14 Forum concert. I swear it looked like she was having a seizure, it was so weird. But I have to hand it to her, not one strand of hair fell out.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[KarmaContestant]

I think it might be the most beautiful Fleetwood Mac song. Even more than Sara.
Although, I would have rather them have a minute and a half instrumental at the end of the song than the intro they had.



I love that intro, and I love your post!

[bethelblues]

And they raised the key a whole step!

These days, the keys are dropping like Stevie's wig hair!:lol:

Stevie wears a wig? That's news to me.

[gssmith]

I'm baffled as to why you ALWAYS have to insult or make a jab at Stevie on thread topics that have nothing to do with her. ALWAYS. It's getting pretty old.

Oh come on. Why let it bother you? Don't be like that. Homer is like the Homer from the Simpsons- a character you roll you eyes at. (No comedian has not been the clown. Haha sorry) I think he or she is funny. For example, just look at its profile picture. I think it tried to choose a pic that wasn't flattering to Stevie, but that pic is hilarious! The only reason why the pic seems to me to be an attempt to mock Stevie in a negative way is because the posts are usually negative. Homer is actually one of my favorite people to post. I really mean that. It's important to have diversity anyway! Yea I know Homer has some crazy ideas about why Stevie is this or that, but every now and then it does a good job of calling her out.
Also you have to sympathize with Homer. It is one of those Mac fans that try to claim they don't like Stevie because she has annoying die hard fans. That is a ridiculous reason to not like a star because A) what star doesn't have die hard fans? Even a commoner like myself has a few. Maybe Homer is a Lindsey die hard? B) I'm can almost guarantee Stevie thinks some of those die yards are nut jobs. The guys chasing me around are crazy because no matter how I try to tell them to F off, they still want the D. It's not my fault or Stevie's that people are crazy. If I was a really big Lindsey fan (I'm a fan, just not his number 1) I'd be a little jealous by the attention Stevie gets too. Jealousy is an extremely negative emotion that blinds people.
So don't hate on Homer! You have to be more understanding and relax.

P.S. Elle tends to be similar to Homer but Elle is not as funny.

[chiliD]

Yep...we've never met in person, but just from some of the interaction both here on The Ledge & FB, I think Homer & I'd be "peas from the same pod" (as how Christine once described John McVie & Eric Clapton). Which could possibly be hazardous to both of our healths.

And, as the long-time Ledgies can attest, I've had my time as the resident "Stevie basher" around these here parts...I've just seemed to have passed the torch on to the more astute & comedic parties.

[SteveMacD]

I think fans of the band's overall career get annoyed by the overly self-important comments Stevie, and to a lesser extent Lindsey, make on a fairly frequent basis, and get equally annoyed when the band's history that didn't involve Stevie and Lindsey is so quickly dismissed by Stevie and/or Lindsey fans.

[chiliD]

I think fans of the band's overall career get annoyed by the overly self-important comments Stevie, and to a lesser extent Lindsey, make on a fairly frequent basis, and get equally annoyed when the band's history that didn't involve Stevie and Lindsey is so quickly dismissed by Stevie and/or Lindsey fans.

:nod: Right on, brother!

(although, I wouldn't really say "lesser extent" regarding Lindsey. He's almost been MORE dismissive than Stevie of anything Fleetwood Mac related that didn't involve him.)

[bethelblues]

He's just passive-agressive since Peter Green especially has a sterling guitar god reputation that's really picked up in the years following the 60s and early 70s. And arguably, Green is the best guitar player the band has had. Certainly contributed incredible material.

How can you not poke fun at Stevie and Lindsey? They are such characters. Even diehard fans must recognize that they say some pretty laughable things...and repeat themselves and contradict themselves. "Lindsey's an artist...I did the cleaning and cooking," yeah ok nods head haven't heard that before lol.

[sasja]

Yep...we've never met in person, but just from some of the interaction both here on The Ledge & FB, I think Homer & I'd be "peas from the same pod" (as how Christine once described John McVie & Eric Clapton). Which could possibly be hazardous to both of our healths.

And, as the long-time Ledgies can attest, I've had my time as the resident "Stevie basher" around these here parts...I've just seemed to have passed the torch on to the more astute & comedic parties.

Count me in with ChiliD's and Homer 's astute observations :]

Keep the snark coming, you guys!!:xoxo::xoxo:

[Dreamz19]

The middle, transitional period of Fleetwood Mac circa 1970-1974 (Kiln House, Future Games, Bare Trees, Penguin, Mystery to Me and Heroes are Hard to Find) is so fascinating and beguiling. Each album has its own unique dimensions, containing lots of unsung sonic treasures.

When I first got into FM (through Stevie), FM quickly became one of my favorite bands. However, the middle period really helped in cementing them as my favorite band of all-time. A treasure is a great way to describe it. I felt like I was unlocking a lost treasure the first time I heard Bob Welch singing Hypnotized.

[Dreamz19]

When I met Mick at a book-signing recently I asked him about Why and if they might perform it again. I'll never forget his incredulous reaction when I told him there was a video on youtube of them doing it in 1976. A studio re-working would be great, too.

It's just a sublime track. The crazy thing about the studio verstion is that only about a minute and a half of it is taken up by vocals, but somehow you don't notice this.

It's all too late now, and the music industry has moved on, but I so wish there had been a compilation album in the 80s and 90s of the best of the Bob Welch years. It might have opened the doors to this era for so many people. It's always annoyed me that this period has either been ignored (the Very Best of Fleetwood Mac) or under-represnented (the Chain-25 years) on official compilations. I suppose we can only blame the label and Stevie, Lindsey and Chris for this (unless Clifford Davis has some kind of unseen legal influence).

Induct Bob! Play Why!

I agree. This period of the band is so criminally underrated, but its one of my favorite eras of FM. Such a shame that Bob Welch did not get the credit he deserved. His one of my favorite members of FM.

[Dreamz19]

It was my experience (Forum, 11/28) that there were people walking in & out throughout the concert. About 3 or 4 just in my row alone. JEEEZ, people...do you have THAT bad of bladder control? Do you really need TWO MORE beers before the next song? Sit your a$$es down, watch & listen...is it really THAT much to ask? After all, you paid through the nose for your tickets. :mad:

I saw the same in D.C. Constantly seeing people getting up and leaving for drinks and whatever else. A group behind me sent someone to get beers during every song it seemed. They got so hammered and then almost got into a fist fight with a guy behind them.

[gssmith]

People getting up and down, up and down is so much worse at sport games then concerts. I never really noticed it too much at concerts maybe because I'm always so focused on the live show.

Christine is the reason why I explored the pre Rumours era and that is some of the best music nobody has ever heard. Too bad classic rock radio only plays the same old hits over and over.

[aleuzzi]

The Sausalito version of Why from the 1974 soundboard/radio show is incredible, not least of all because of Welch's incredible electric guitar work throughout. He really understood the song and maneuvered very well through it. Obviously the album version will always be associated with Weston, who did a great job with it, but Welch's version shows him to be a very deft guitar player with considerable range. He could go from the Peter Green-influenced solos on the cover songs to some really incredible jazz chording and atmospherics on his own tunes. But then you hear him ripping away through Why and Believe Me and you realize he possesed many sounds and had an enormous, criminally-underrated talent. John McVie in particular was fond of his playing, and even spoke highly of it in an interview in 77 or 78.

[HomerMcvie]

Yep...we've never met in person, but just from some of the interaction both here on The Ledge & FB, I think Homer & I'd be "peas from the same pod" (as how Christine once described John McVie & Eric Clapton). Which could possibly be hazardous to both of our healths.

And, as the long-time Ledgies can attest, I've had my time as the resident "Stevie basher" around these here parts...I've just seemed to have passed the torch on to the more astute & comedic parties.

Yeah Steve, we are peas from the same pod.

And I HONESTLY feel badly when sensitive Stevie lovers get upset with my comedic bashing. I really do(that's why I hadn't responded to the above complaint). I do think that she's a joke, but I respect others willingness to worship her. I wish I could make my jokes without others getting offended, but alas...:shocked:

[HomerMcvie]

Count me in with ChiliD's and Homer 's astute observations :]

Keep the snark coming, you guys!!:xoxo::xoxo:

I don't wanna upset others. I think I'm going to take a hiatus... Pick up my slack!

[Wdm6789]

I like the intro and it is definitely necessary in the song, but an instrumental at the end would have been nice too. Like we have all that amazingness in our ears then pretty quickly after the last verse the song ends. An instrumental at the end would have made the end less of a jolt. Like when you get a massage and massage therapist let you lay on the table for a few minutes after they're done.

[SteveMacD]

I like the intro and it is definitely necessary in the song, but an instrumental at the end would have been nice too. Like we have all that amazingness in our ears then pretty quickly after the last verse the song ends. An instrumental at the end would have made the end less of a jolt. Like when you get a massage and massage therapist let you lay on the table for a few minutes after they're done.
Huh? There IS a 44 second instrumental outro, and a pretty sweet one at that.

[louielouie2000]

Huh? There IS an instrumental outro, and a pretty sweet one at that.

Yeah, it's more than 40 seconds long. Pretty long for an outro on a pop song. And I agree... that guitar work and strings at the end is just sublime. Gives me chills every time.

[SteveMacD]

Yeah, it's more than 40 seconds long. Pretty long for an outro on a pop song. And I agree... that guitar work and strings at the end is just sublime. Gives me chills every time.
It's my favorite part of the song.

[Wdm6789]

Yeah, it's more than 40 seconds long. Pretty long for an outro on a pop song. And I agree... that guitar work and strings at the end is just sublime. Gives me chills every time.



You're right. The 40-50 seconds seems short to me I guess.

[jbrownsjr]

It's my favorite part of the song.

Kind of like Everywhere (live)... ahhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

sometimes Stevie and Lindsey don't know how to do good backing vocals.

Don't like their instrumentation on this post 1975 or the backing vocals..

[PenguinHead]

Why live during 1976 is a deeply powerful song. The harmonies are the best ever.
I wish they would have time to play it live on this tour. But look at some of the comments on this board bashing the Mac for playing "I know Im not wrong." and say people walk out and just because people don't recognize it, it should not be played.
I suspect many would feel the same way and want the hits.
I would prefer to hear Why than Songbird at the end.

Let reason prevail. No one typically walks out of a show just because the they don't recognize a song! If they feel such overwrought offense and righteous indignation they are more of a dickhead than a fan of Fleetwood Mac and music in general.

A concert is a show; it's entertainment. Do people walk out of a movie or play because it's not familiar? Is it possible to go to a show and see a band you don't know playing songs you never heard before, yet still enjoy the show?

Just like Fleetwood Mac, massive bands/artists like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Bob Dylan etc...all have signature songs among huge back catalog of songs. Some artists, more than others, take liberties with their ever-changing set lists, performing deep album tracks, b-sides, and covers among a gathering of hits. Some big hit songs are performed; some are not. A show shouldn't just be judged by that.

Fleetwood Mac has always been tight and conservative with their set lists, more than not. Rumours's songs dominate, along with a number of songs from Fleetwood Mac and Tusk, a few from Mirage and Tango. Newer songs generally come and then go away.

I Know I'm Not Wrong is a great, upbeat song from their classic era. Just because it wasn't a hit song doesn't detract from the how because some light-weight fans aren't familiar with it; it actually adds depth to the show. A great band can play anything and be entertaining.

If Fleetwood Mac announced they were going to tour and perform only cover songs of sixties bands, I'd be there, as I would if Stevie wanted to tour solo, and decided to sing the phone book in place of her lyrics! But why Fleetwood Mac doesn't spare me a little love and perform a few of the great songs just prior to 1975 is a mystery to me. Believe me, they sounded great and got me hypnotized when they performed them early on. Oh Well. I guess they'll never get like they used to be.

[bethelblues]

Oh, I want to play too!! It's the big Albatross in the room isn't it? Why they don't [Rattlesnake] Shake up their setlist. Fleetwood Mac, "don't turn your back on me baby," "stop messin' around with your tricks."

[michelej1]

Let reason prevail. No one typically walks out of a show just because the they don't recognize a song!

People do it all of the time. In the middle of the show, they run for the bathroom or drinks when an unfamiliar song comes on and at the end, if the song isn't one they know, they had to the parking lot. I think it's stupid, but that's how some are.

Michele

[chiliD]

People do it all of the time. In the middle of the show, they run for the bathroom or drinks when an unfamiliar song comes on and at the end, if the song isn't one they know, they head to the parking lot. I think it's stupid, but that's how some are.

Michele

Just wish they'd do that earlier in the set so I'm not constantly distracted by them...or, if they'd offer to switch seats (since 98% of the time, I have an aisle seat), I'd gladly switch, since I'm velcro'd to my seat throughout the show (except to stand for an ovation)...unless I have floor seats, then I'm standing through most of the show.

[Macfan4life]

Surprised no one ever posted the song we are talking about. Love the melody and the lyrics and the harmonies at the end!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xers9rrhosQ&index=157&list=FL6I68YU_gCCnh-QoFo9eUVw
You don't have to give up
WHY is it all wrong?
WHY don't you love me?
WHY don't you just be strong?

Makes me almost cry :(

[aleuzzi]

You're right Macfan4life.

Here's the version I love, from 1974--where Christine introduces the song with the piano riff from "Come a Little Bit Closer" and Welch rips through the guitar solo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JIsyNGwWVc

[FuzzyPlum]

You're right Macfan4life.

Here's the version I love, from 1974--where Christine introduces the song with the piano riff from "Come a Little Bit Closer" and Welch rips through the guitar solo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JIsyNGwWVc

In retrospect that Buckingham & Nicks version is actually pretty horrible really.
This version still misses Bob Weston's guitar playing but Bob Welch captures the emotion of the song much, much better than Lindsey Buckingham in my opinion.
A pretty intense last ten seconds or so.

[jbrownsjr]

In retrospect that Buckingham & Nicks version is actually pretty horrible really.
This version still misses Bob Weston's guitar playing but Bob Welch captures the emotion of the song much, much better than Lindsey Buckingham in my opinion.
A pretty intense last ten seconds or so.

THat's exactly how I feel.

[Montclare]

In retrospect that Buckingham & Nicks version is actually pretty horrible really.
This version still misses Bob Weston's guitar playing but Bob Welch captures the emotion of the song much, much better than Lindsey Buckingham in my opinion.
A pretty intense last ten seconds or so.

Odd, I feel the exact opposite. I feel Lindsey's slower guitar captures the emotion better; Bob's feels more like going through the motions to me. And I love the harmonies with Lindsey and Stevie. Count me as a fan of the Rumours band version of this one.

[Macfan4life]

Ahhhh the original. It makes me cry. Is this the most beautiful song ever?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xJF-x9XJio

[Wdm6789]

I meant to ask this in my original post but does anyone know if Why is hidden on iTunes anywhere? I have to go to YouTube every time I want to listen to it but I want to be able to continue with looking at my phone and not being stuck on YouTube.