Most Underrated & Overrated Mac Songs

[bsavi4]

Hi everyone! With all of this talk about the worst songs by each writer, I'd like to shift focus to something a little less critical and with a little more diversity in opinion (I hope).

I think the most underrated song has to be "Crystal". I love it on Buckingham Nicks, and it's even better on the White Album. The harmonies by Lindsay and Stevie are perfect; you can really hear the love in their voices. So few new Mac fans know this song, but IMO it shows Stevie and Lindsey's musical partnership at its best.

I'd go with "Everywhere" as the most overrated. It's pretty catchy, but it's just so bland and a bit too lightweight for me. It sounds like Chris just going through the motions without putting much feeling in the song. It's often considered an 80's classic and is a frequent starting point for new Mac fans, but IMO it just doesn't deserve all the praise it gets.

[MikeInNV]

I think this is a great way to build on the more basic best/worst threads, and maybe we could even do most overrated and underrated for each writer.

Hmmm, going to have to go think on that.

[Macfan4life]

Wow this is an impossible thread because the Mac has so many underrated songs. Just every song on Tusk is underrated. The entire Mirage album is underrated. Even worse, many Christine McVie songs are underrated especially prior to Buckingham/Nicks.
Say You Will is also full of underrated songs. Too many to list.

I cant think of an overrated song because I don't think the Mac was an overrated band. They earned success the hard way and then surprised everyone with Tusk. For a song to be overrated it has to be successful commercially where everyone knows it.
I would say the song Tusk is overrated. Its a great jam but not much of a song. It was commercially successful but only because it was the first single on a new album after Rumours. I don't think it would have charted if it was the 3rd single release. Its a good song and I enjoy it live but definitely overrated IMHO.
I forced myself to pick one so don't yell at me. I could not come up with an underrated song so forced my hand on this one. :eek:

[KenshiMaster16]

It's way too hard to pick two from their entire catalog so I'll limit mine to singles;

- Most overrated? Don't Stop. It's good but it's not amazing.
- Most underrated? A lot of people I know always forget about As Long As You Follow and I think it's a gem of a tune.

[KenB]

Overrated: Sara, Sisters of the Moon, Everywhere.

Underrated: most of Mirage, Honey Hi, Blue Letter, Seven Wonders.

[KarmaContestant]

Great topic! I totally agree with the OP on this:


I'd go with "Everywhere" as the most overrated. It's pretty catchy, but it's just so bland and a bit too lightweight for me. It sounds like Chris just going through the motions without putting much feeling in the song. It's often considered an 80's classic and is a frequent starting point for new Mac fans, but IMO it just doesn't deserve all the praise it gets.

For most underrated....I'll stick with another single and pick Think About Me. It's really a great, great song and I've never understood why it wasn't every bit as popular as Sara or Tusk.

[KarmaContestant]

- Most underrated? A lot of people I know always forget about As Long As You Follow and I think it's a gem of a tune.


oooooh that's a good one!

[bombaysaffires]

most overrated: Love in Store... zzzzzzz. Dirge. long gaps between interesting bits.

Blue Letter.

I'm So Afraid. Compelling live, but the lyrics.. oy. THey're like bad Stevie lyrics.


Most underrated:
Sugar Daddy. Great story, fun piano riff. Not her best vocal maybe but still.

Think About Me. For the reasons others have said. Should have been a better single.

Tango in the Night. epic. Love most of his stuff on Tango. [His Mirage stuff not so much.]

Not That Funny.

[elle]

most overrated: Sara

most underrated - majority of Tusk and many SYW songs.

[On Ice]

Going back a little further into Mac history.

Most underrated: Danny Kirwan's contribution to the Fleetwood Mac sound. His amazing guitar playing, arrangements and singing, is tragically over looked by both fans and the band alike. Top Song Pick: Sands of Time. Same can be said for Bob Welch but I'll leave it at one.

Most over rated: Dreams. While I love the song and it deserved to go to #1, it carries little pizazz live, Stevie seems bored with it and the band plays it way too fast, even back in the day. But most notably, the song falls apart without the high notes. We need to remember Dreams the way it was recorded and not ever hear it live again.

[michelej1]

I agree with Blue Letter being overrated. I mean, it had its place in the sun and in the early years it really was that good. But I have no nostalgia for it now. I know people will say it isn't the song that is bad just because their last live arrangement of it was lackluster. But, for me, even if they did it perfectly today, it's still not great anymore. It didn't travel well.

Michele

[KenB]

Dreams. While I love the song and it deserved to go to #1, it carries little pizazz live, Stevie seems bored with it and the band plays it way too fast, even back in the day. But most notably, the song falls apart without the high notes.

-------------^ This.

[He's So Unusual]

Overrated:

Everywhere
Don't Stop
Over My Head
Silver Springs (studio version)

Underrated:

Illume
Family Man
Isn't It Midnight
Seven Wonders
Steal Your Heart Away
Crystal
Honey Hi
Brown Eyes
That's Alright
Caroline
Heart of Stone
Tango in the Night
Save Me a Place



I'd go with "Everywhere" as the most overrated. It's pretty catchy, but it's just so bland and a bit too lightweight for me. It sounds like Chris just going through the motions without putting much feeling in the song. It's often considered an 80's classic and is a frequent starting point for new Mac fans, but IMO it just doesn't deserve all the praise it gets.

I agree with this. Isn't It Midnight is much better.

[Wdm6789]

Most overrated: Go Your Own Way. It's a great song and I love it and it deserves all the praise and esteem it gets, but there are much better songs by this band.

Most underrated: Hold Me, duh lol how has no one said this yet? Another underrated song is Why. It's such a beautiful song, one of Christine's best actually. This song should still be played on the radio, it should have been a single back in the day too.


I don't think Everywhere is overrated at all. I agree with what the OP said about the song, but it's one of my favorite songs and a great comeback tune for Christine.

[The Highwayman]

That's Alright and Fireflies are, to me, hugely underrated, not talked about that much in the discussion about Stevie's best songs, which they ARE. As Long As You Follow I agree is a ridiculously underrated tune as is Sweet Girl (though I prefer Stevie's demo on Enchanted) and the entire Say You Will album is undervalued a lot too.

Though I am not about to admit that When I See You Again is a truly great song, I still like it a hell of a lot, though. Certainly it could have been better of course.

Overrated? I do think Don't Stop is slightly, but I still love it and I never have really ever gotten sick of it. You Make Loving Fun is still Chris's best song on Rumours though.

[landslide95]

One of my favourite songs from the Mac is That's Alright. Absolutely fantastic tune and surprised it's largely forgotten. I wish the Mac would bring it back, I can't even find any live performances of it. Storms is very underrated at time as well, wish that was sung live too. Tango in the Night (song) is also a lost gem. As Long As You Follow too.

Overrated: Over My Head, Everywhere, Sisters of The Moon, most (not all) of Lindsey's Tusk songs (unfavourable opinion).

[On Ice]

On That's Alright and Fireflies, these are both truly great songs and among Stevie's most creatively constructed and written. I'm more surprised that some of the newer artists haven't covered songs like this, they would sound contemporary done in today's style, they're timeless. Storms is right up there with Landslide in terms of its classicness and the band needs to vamp the song up a bit and promote it for what it is, particularly hearing the stellar acoustic arrangement on the alternate Tusk, the song really shines there.

[FuzzyPlum]

Overrated: Dreams, Don't Stop, Eyes of the World (so many fans seem to really love this. Don't get why).

Underrated: That's Alright, Warm Ways, My Little Demon.

[sadmabelnormand]

Most over rated: Dreams. While I love the song and it deserved to go to #1, it carries little pizazz live, Stevie seems bored with it and the band plays it way too fast, even back in the day. But most notably, the song falls apart without the high notes. We need to remember Dreams the way it was recorded and not ever hear it live again.

I kinda have to agree with you here. While I love the way Dreams was performed in the 1980's on Stevie's solo tours when it faded from Outside The Rain, nowadays it just isn't the song it used to be. The Dance performance was the last really good one IMO.

I think one of the most overrated Mac songs is Everywhere. It is a bop and it's fun to listen to, but it's kind of filled with hot air.

Underrated Mac songs? That's a long list.
-Isn't It Midnight
-Paper Doll (I feel like I'm in the minority here)
-As Long As You Follow
-Illume
-Really anything from Say You Will
-Brown Eyes
-The Ledge
-Thats Alright

[KenB]

-Paper Doll (I feel like I'm in the minority here)


Great one that I forgot about. For me, "Paper Doll" is a top 10 Stevie tune.

[mitzo]

Most overrated: Tusk or Hold Me

Most underrated: Illume or (my all-time favourite) As Long as you Follow

[jbrownsjr]

Under:

Heart of Stone
That's Alright
Crystal (white album)

Over:
Landslide (I can't take it anymore)
Over My Head
Sara

[On Ice]

Most underrated: Illume or (my all-time favourite) As Long as you Follow

Two great choices, Illume is wonderful and they ought to be proud of the results, it's a fantastic song! The arrangement takes it to that place that Stevie hadn't dared touch in a long long time :)


As Long as you Follow: Kind of takes me to the Over and Over place that Christine is so great at doing with her romantic songs. This one is amazing.

[mitzo]

Two great choices, Illume is wonderful and they ought to be proud of the results, it's a fantastic song! The arrangement takes it to that place that Stevie hadn't dared touch in a long long time :)


As Long as you Follow: Kind of takes me to the Over and Over place that Christine is so great at doing with her romantic songs. This one is amazing.

Yes. Illume is so rich and ominous and dark and you can picture the 9 11 events. As Long as you Follow has that like 100 part harmony and a new nuance in every listen!

[GypsySorcerer]

Overrated: "Don't Stop," "Seven Wonders" (I've never understood the appeal)

Underrated: Most of Christine's Tusk Material; "Straight Back" and "That's Alright" (they're overshadowed by "Gypsy," which is no doubt one of FM's greatest songs, but on any other album they'd be standouts)

[Artemis]

Overrated: Don't Stop.

Underrated: Destiny Rules - Thrown Down (understandably!) gets all the love from Stevie's SYW songs, but Destiny Rules is just so freakin' good!

[bombaysaffires]

I wonder if some of these "overrated" songs are really overrated, or just overplayed, over exposed so that there's nothing new or fresh left in them and so they become kinda boring.
Whereas part of the appeal of all these other songs is that we haven't heard them to death.

[michelej1]

I think Everybody Finds Out is underrated. I wonder if it would have been a hit if it was released in the eighties.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

This is an interesting thread. I do think there are a number of underrated Mac songs, including Oh Daddy and I Don't Wanna Know, but THE most underrated song is Red Rover, which I think is excellent, among the best songs in the band's enormous and diverse catalogue.

The most overrated song: Monday Morning or I'm So Afraid or Never Going Back Again. Take your pick.

[aleuzzi]

Under:

Heart of Stone
That's Alright
Crystal (white album)

Over:
Landslide (I can't take it anymore)
Over My Head
Sara

I love Heart of Stone!

[Macfan4life]

I think Everybody Finds Out is underrated. I wonder if it would have been a hit if it was released in the eighties.

Michele
That should have been the first single from Say You Will. Everything about that song is perfection...lyrics, music, arrangements, production, singing, background vocals, etc. It shows that Lindsey and the Mac still have some magic beans left which really makes me look forward to the new record. I hope they take their time on it too.

[jbrownsjr]

I love Heart of Stone!

The first time I heard it, I was in a meeting with a very mean boss. She was talking and all I could think was, "Is this Christine McVie??????"

"It is!!" OMG what is that?? It was playing over the office intercom.

[aleuzzi]

The first time I heard it, I was in a meeting with a very mean boss. She was talking and all I could think was, "Is this Christine McVie??????"

"It is!!" OMG what is that?? It was playing over the office intercom.

She was your spirit animal that day!

[jbrownsjr]

She was your spirit animal that day!

It was so blissful because I didn't expect any new music from them. I didn't know that the box set would have new songs.

[FuzzyPlum]

I wonder if some of these "overrated" songs are really overrated, or just overplayed, over exposed so that there's nothing new or fresh left in them and so they become kinda boring.
Whereas part of the appeal of all these other songs is that we haven't heard them to death.

You're probably right. I think Dreams is overrated- to the point I hate listening to it. When I think about it though, I have to admit its really very nice. Its so simple and yet its quite possibly Lindsey Buckinghams finest ever moment. He did a 'Big Bang' and made something out of nothing. If I was to think about what it would sound like if I was hearing it for the very first time I'm sure I'd think it was brilliant...

...and yet, I've heard it a thousand and something times. It bores me absolutely sh!tless

[AncientQueen]

Underrated:
Hold Me: A fantastic song, but noone, not even the Macs themselves seem to appreciate it like it should be.

Bermuda Triangle: (and many other songs Bob Welch did with FM), the Live version from the Bermuda Triangle Bootleg is fantastic, a musical treasure imho. Same is true for Hypnotized.

Sugar Daddy: I will never get the amount of dislike this song gets, it's just a good old blues song, fun and light, builds a bridge from the old days to the Rumours five and is totally catchy. What's not to love about it?

Save Me: A real smasher, does not get the credit it deserves. While mourning the abcense of LB, people did not really listen to that little masterpiece.

Illume: Fantastic, one of the best songs Stevie wrote in the last 15 years.


Overrated:
Mystified - I'm still mystified how FM overrated it enough to put it on TiTN in the first place. The worst FM song ever to my ears. Christines voice is terrible, the sugar coated, dated 80's production kills the already weak composition- there is no redeeming quality of any kind in this song.

Sisters of the Moon: a lesser GDW, especially the single versions production was quite tacky in an overly dramatic way. I do love it live.

[Vanessa]

I really think GYOW is overrated. It's not awful but just over played.
On the other hand, I believe many pre BN stuff is underrated. Heroes are Hard To Find, Bob's Angel, Bad Loser, Silver Heels, Emerald Eyes,Hypnotized and Why are some of my favourites.

[KarmaContestant]

Overrated doesn't equal over-exposed. Think of overrated as overhyped, not as good as people say it is, lower quality than advertised.

I see a lot of songs listed here that are clearly not overrated - Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Landslide - these are some of the best pop songs ever crafted and recorded to tape in the history of popular music. You might be tired of hearing them, but they are not overhyped, or lower quality than advertised, so to speak.

o·ver·rate
/ˌōvərˈrāt/

verb
past tense: overrated; past participle: overrated

have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved.

[bombaysaffires]

Overrated doesn't equal over-exposed. Think of overrated as overhyped, not as good as people say it is, lower quality than advertised.

I see a lot of songs listed here that are clearly not overrated - Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Landslide - these are some of the best pop songs ever crafted and recorded to tape in the history of popular music. You might be tired of hearing them, but they are not overhyped, or lower quality than advertised, so to speak.

right on, and that was my point in asking the question. Some of the songs people are mentioning are really good songs, and if they weren't so over played we'd see it still. Dreams is perfection!

[jbrownsjr]

right on, and that was my point in asking the question. Some of the songs people are mentioning are really good songs, and if they weren't so over played we'd see it still. Dreams is perfection!

I don't like Dreams live. But, the other day I put in on in my car (studio). It's 5 people making magic. I love that song.

[aleuzzi]

Underrated:
Hold Me: A fantastic song, but noone, not even the Macs themselves seem to appreciate it like it should be.

Bermuda Triangle: (and many other songs Bob Welch did with FM), the Live version from the Bermuda Triangle Bootleg is fantastic, a musical treasure imho. Same is true for Hypnotized.

Sugar Daddy: I will never get the amount of dislike this song gets, it's just a good old blues song, fun and light, builds a bridge from the old days to the Rumours five and is totally catchy. What's not to love about it?

Save Me: A real smasher, does not get the credit it deserves. While mourning the abcense of LB, people did not really listen to that little masterpiece.

Illume: Fantastic, one of the best songs Stevie wrote in the last 15 years.


Overrated:
Mystified - I'm still mystified how FM overrated it enough to put it on TiTN in the first place. The worst FM song ever to my ears. Christines voice is terrible, the sugar coated, dated 80's production kills the already weak composition- there is no redeeming quality of any kind in this song.

Sisters of the Moon: a lesser GDW, especially the single versions production was quite tacky in an overly dramatic way. I do love it live.

I agree with all of this. You might dislike Mystified a tad more than I, but I'm with you in every point.

[michelej1]

The first time I heard it, I was in a meeting with a very mean boss. She was talking and all I could think was, "Is this Christine McVie??????"

"It is!!" OMG what is that?? It was playing over the office intercom.

Both Heart of Stone and Behind the Mask have a darker tone and I like them from Christine.

Michele

[michelej1]

Underrated:
Hold Me: A fantastic song, but noone, not even the Macs themselves seem to appreciate it like it should be.



I think it's one of their top 5 songs. I think they like it. I mean, I don't know if Christine thinks its one of her bests, but I think Lindsey feels pretty satisfied about its production. But he likes its layers and since they can't recreate that in concert, they eschew it live.

Michele

[AncientQueen]

I think it's one of their top 5 songs. I think they like it. I mean, I don't know if Christine thinks its one of her bests, but I think Lindsey feels pretty satisfied about its production. But he likes its layers and since they can't recreate that in concert, they eschew it live.

Michele
It's just a feeling I get because the song is on the big Box Set and not on the Very Best Of, as far as I remember and it has not been played live. Lindseys reasoning with the "Layers" sounds pretty shady to me, they play Everywhere, Big Love and Tusk live, all pretty layered in the studio versions, too.

[Dreamz19]

Under:

Heart of Stone
That's Alright
Crystal (white album)

Over:
Landslide (I can't take it anymore)
Over My Head
Sara

I agree about Landslide. I'm beyond tired of that song. Its not a bad song by any means, but I've never loved it as much as casual and die hard fans do.

As for underrated, off the top of my head I would say

Crystal
Straight Back
That's Alright
Prove Your Love
The Bob Welch years in general

[MikeInNV]

For me, no song better illustrates the difference between overrated and overexposed than Landslide. It's simple, sweet, and straightforward, and it's themes are timeless and universal, giving it a broad appeal that stretches across generations and genres. It is without question one of her most crowning achievements, and history will always remember it that way. Yes, we have all heard it a million times, but there's a reason for that.

[MikeInNV]

Overrated: Hold Me (let the stoning begin)
Underrated: Think About Me

[mitzo]

Overrated: Hold Me (let the stoning begin)
Underrated: Think About Me

Fully agree about Hold Me. I don't mind it but am not especially attracted. People here seem to love their FM to be somehow rockin' and guitar-driven or whatever. But Hold Me is really poppy. Isn't it "overproduced" or whatever the kiss of death usually seems to be?

[michelej1]

It's just a feeling I get because the song is on the big Box Set and not on the Very Best Of, as far as I remember and it has not been played live. Lindseys reasoning with the "Layers" sounds pretty shady to me, they play Everywhere, Big Love and Tusk live, all pretty layered in the studio versions, too.

It's been played live. I liked it. I guess they didn't like it live.

Michele

[AncientQueen]

^^^I liked it, too.

[KarmaContestant]

Hold Me is great - a stellar track, for sure.

It doesn't translate to stage very well, though. The harmonies need to be so tight, and the live versions I've heard are all over the place.

Totally off topic, but I feel the same way about Stevie's Moonlight; it's too "produced" to reproduce on stage.

I wonder if Hold Me could be stripped down to one piano, one guitar, and just Lindsey and Chris.

[elle]

Hold Me is great - a stellar track, for sure.

It doesn't translate to stage very well, though. The harmonies need to be so tight, and the live versions I've heard are all over the place.

Totally off topic, but I feel the same way about Stevie's Moonlight; it's too "produced" to reproduce on stage.

I wonder if Hold Me could be stripped down to one piano, one guitar, and just Lindsey and Chris.

there was a version on Hold Me on youtube that was Christine's original demo i think. pretty stripped down from what it became.

[~*BellaDonna*~]

Overrated: Everywhere, Don't Stop. Underrated: Beautiful Child, I'm So Afraid.

[Wdm6789]

Underrated: Over & Over

This could have been a big hit from Tusk if the album version was more similar to the live versions. The album version is a little too timid, like most of Christine's songs on that album. Over & Over also could have been a big live hit if they played it on more than just the Tusk tour. They should have played it on the Mirage tour and The Dance tour. Then it might have became more popular like Silver Springs did and they would have played it on the 2014-2015 tour.

[secondhandchain]

"Overrated:
Mystified - I'm still mystified how FM overrated it enough to put it on TiTN in the first place. The worst FM song ever to my ears. Christines voice is terrible, the sugar coated, dated 80's production kills the already weak composition- there is no redeeming quality of any kind in this song."/


First of all the song is beautiful. Secondly you call it "dated" as if they should have not recorded it in 80's production back in....well...oh yeah the 80s.

Beautiful GORGEOUS harmonies and a very melodic LB solo at they end. NOT overrated as it is highly under rated on this board.

[secondhandchain]

Overrated doesn't equal over-exposed. Think of overrated as overhyped, not as good as people say it is, lower quality than advertised.

I see a lot of songs listed here that are clearly not overrated - Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Landslide - these are some of the best pop songs ever crafted and recorded to tape in the history of popular music. You might be tired of hearing them, but they are not overhyped, or lower quality than advertised, so to speak.

EXACTLY. This is overrated not overplayed.

[pryderi]

Does anyone think that "Think About Me" would have been a better choice as a first single? "Tusk" single did hit the top 10. Yet "Think about Me" sounded more like what people were expecting.

[KenB]

Does anyone think that "Think About Me" would have been a better choice as a first single? "Tusk" single did hit the top 10. Yet "Think about Me" sounded more like what people were expecting.

No doubt about it, Think About Me would have done even better on the charts than the title track did had it come first. But if Lindsey had any pull with Warner in deciding on singles, I'll bet he wouldn't have wanted the first single to sound like "what people were expecting," since that was pretty much the whole point of doing the Tusk album.

He may also have thought Think About Me didn't seem representative of the album as a whole, and didn't want a ton of disappointed fans who bought the album thinking it would be as poppy as Rumours. (Although in reality, there are about as many catchy pop-rock songs on Tusk as there are quirky experiments: Think About Me, Sara, Over & Over, Save Me a Place, Sisters of the Moon, Walk a Thin Line, Angel, Honey Hi, and Never Forget are all fairly mainstream in their own way.)

[SisterNightroad]

10 Underrated Fleetwood Mac Songs
From Rumours to Tusk, Mirage and more, we have found the top 10 underrated Fleetwood Mac tracks for your essential listening.

The American sweethearts with a reckless, exciting and troubled past; things have never been linear for Fleetwood Mac. They have formed, split, fired, relight flames and vanquished them repeatedly over their long and fruitful careers but, while their relationships might harbour cracks, their tracks shall live on forever. Below are the 10 most underrated tracks the band have ever produced.

Caroline, Tango In The Night, (1987)
Despite Tango In The Night being Mick Fleetwood’s “worst recording experience”, the album has spawned some mega hits; such as ‘Everywhere’ from ~ that ~ advert with the pony, ‘Little Lies’ and the ridiculously underrated ‘Caroline’. Simple yet effective with a tropical tinge; ‘Caroline’ is the ultimate ear-worm. Mark your bingo cards, we are onto a winner.

Book Of Love, Mirage, (1982)

A stadium-sized anthem which has you begging to know ‘right, what is the ‘Book Of Love’ and how can we get our mitts on it?’. Perfect harmonies, a stunning lead vocal and a sublime crescendo, we are marking this as the definitive best track on Mirage. Our opinion might not be fact, but it should be.

Sisters Of The Moon, Tusk, (1979)

An ethereal Nicks vocal, a killer electric guitar solo and an atmosphere of mystery; could ‘Sisters Of The Moon’ be the most underrated Fleetwood Mac track of the lot? Bathe in the beauty of this stellar composition and do not let it slip through your net for any longer. You were warned.

Woman Of 1000 Years, Future Games, (1971)

Written by Danny Kirwan, ‘Woman Of 1000 Years’ is soft, rhythmic and somewhat sensual. It does not carry the same power, pizzaz or energy that Fleetwood Mac’s later material does, but this 1971 slow-burner is sacredly sweet.

The Second Time, Behind The Mask, (1990)

‘The Second Time’ was written by Billy Burnette and Rick Vito; artists drafted in to replace the gaping hold Lindsay Buckingham left in the band, after his 1987 departure. The track sees Nicks laying down a thick vocal accompanied by a spindly, delicate acoustic guitar; producing this heartfelt lullaby. Behind The Mask gets a bad reputation, but ‘The Second Time’ makes the album worth every moment.

Welcome To The Room… Sara, Tango In The Night (1987)

It took ‘Sara’ (thought to be Stevie Nicks’ alter-ego) eight years, two live records and a studio album to make an official reappearance in a song title. The second outing of ‘Sara’ (the first being featured on 1979’s Tusk) was written shortly after a Nicks rehab stint, and features obscure yet indulgent lyrics from the goddess herself.

Empire State, Mirage, (1982)

“If I can make it there… I can make it anywhere” was a lyric featured on ‘Empire State’ regarding Buckingham’s desire to quit the drug-fulled disaster train, known as Fleetwood Mac, and set-up shop in New York. A track addressing themes of escapism, success and hopelessness ‘Empire State’ is as honestly as raw as Fleetwood Mac get.

Running Through The Garden, Say You Will, (2003)

Despite not being penned during the bands ‘golden era’ Say You Will features some of the collective’s most progressive tracks to date. One of the often-overlooked numbers, ‘Running Through The Garden’ is an instant sing-along, matching the likes of their super-hits with the same energy, professionalism and producing that gooey ‘I-love-Fleetwood-Mac’ feeling we all adore.

Wish You Were Here, Mirage, (1982)

Released as a single in April 1983, the Christine McVie lead vocal and hillbilly-rock tinged guitar makes ‘Wish You Were Here’ an underrated classic. The track was ahead of its time and,’The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac tracklisters? it deserved a place on that compilation! McVie was robbed.

Never Going Back Again, Rumours, (1977)

Being sandwiched between ‘Dreams’ and ‘Don’t Stop’ on a tracklist is a hard fret, but ‘Never Going Back Again’ still defies odds as being one of Rumours’ hidden gems. Played solely on the acoustic guitar using the Travis plucking technique, the heartbreaking track is utterly gorgeous… It is just a shame it took Buckingham/Nicks breaking-up in order for it to be crafted.


http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Music/2018-07-02/10_underrated_fleetwood_mac_songs.html

[mitzo]

10 Underrated Fleetwood Mac Songs
From Rumours to Tusk, Mirage and more, we have found the top 10 underrated Fleetwood Mac tracks for your essential listening.

The American sweethearts with a reckless, exciting and troubled past; things have never been linear for Fleetwood Mac. They have formed, split, fired, relight flames and vanquished them repeatedly over their long and fruitful careers but, while their relationships might harbour cracks, their tracks shall live on forever. Below are the 10 most underrated tracks the band have ever produced.

Caroline, Tango In The Night, (1987)
Despite Tango In The Night being Mick Fleetwood’s “worst recording experience”, the album has spawned some mega hits; such as ‘Everywhere’ from ~ that ~ advert with the pony, ‘Little Lies’ and the ridiculously underrated ‘Caroline’. Simple yet effective with a tropical tinge; ‘Caroline’ is the ultimate ear-worm. Mark your bingo cards, we are onto a winner.

Book Of Love, Mirage, (1982)

A stadium-sized anthem which has you begging to know ‘right, what is the ‘Book Of Love’ and how can we get our mitts on it?’. Perfect harmonies, a stunning lead vocal and a sublime crescendo, we are marking this as the definitive best track on Mirage. Our opinion might not be fact, but it should be.

Sisters Of The Moon, Tusk, (1979)

An ethereal Nicks vocal, a killer electric guitar solo and an atmosphere of mystery; could ‘Sisters Of The Moon’ be the most underrated Fleetwood Mac track of the lot? Bathe in the beauty of this stellar composition and do not let it slip through your net for any longer. You were warned.

Woman Of 1000 Years, Future Games, (1971)

Written by Danny Kirwan, ‘Woman Of 1000 Years’ is soft, rhythmic and somewhat sensual. It does not carry the same power, pizzaz or energy that Fleetwood Mac’s later material does, but this 1971 slow-burner is sacredly sweet.

The Second Time, Behind The Mask, (1990)

‘The Second Time’ was written by Billy Burnette and Rick Vito; artists drafted in to replace the gaping hold Lindsay Buckingham left in the band, after his 1987 departure. The track sees Nicks laying down a thick vocal accompanied by a spindly, delicate acoustic guitar; producing this heartfelt lullaby. Behind The Mask gets a bad reputation, but ‘The Second Time’ makes the album worth every moment.

Welcome To The Room… Sara, Tango In The Night (1987)

It took ‘Sara’ (thought to be Stevie Nicks’ alter-ego) eight years, two live records and a studio album to make an official reappearance in a song title. The second outing of ‘Sara’ (the first being featured on 1979’s Tusk) was written shortly after a Nicks rehab stint, and features obscure yet indulgent lyrics from the goddess herself.

Empire State, Mirage, (1982)

“If I can make it there… I can make it anywhere” was a lyric featured on ‘Empire State’ regarding Buckingham’s desire to quit the drug-fulled disaster train, known as Fleetwood Mac, and set-up shop in New York. A track addressing themes of escapism, success and hopelessness ‘Empire State’ is as honestly as raw as Fleetwood Mac get.

Running Through The Garden, Say You Will, (2003)

Despite not being penned during the bands ‘golden era’ Say You Will features some of the collective’s most progressive tracks to date. One of the often-overlooked numbers, ‘Running Through The Garden’ is an instant sing-along, matching the likes of their super-hits with the same energy, professionalism and producing that gooey ‘I-love-Fleetwood-Mac’ feeling we all adore.

Wish You Were Here, Mirage, (1982)

Released as a single in April 1983, the Christine McVie lead vocal and hillbilly-rock tinged guitar makes ‘Wish You Were Here’ an underrated classic. The track was ahead of its time and,’The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac tracklisters? it deserved a place on that compilation! McVie was robbed.

Never Going Back Again, Rumours, (1977)

Being sandwiched between ‘Dreams’ and ‘Don’t Stop’ on a tracklist is a hard fret, but ‘Never Going Back Again’ still defies odds as being one of Rumours’ hidden gems. Played solely on the acoustic guitar using the Travis plucking technique, the heartbreaking track is utterly gorgeous… It is just a shame it took Buckingham/Nicks breaking-up in order for it to be crafted.


http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Music/2018-07-02/10_underrated_fleetwood_mac_songs.html

Fully agreed on Second Time, Sisters of the Moon, Running through the Garden, and Wish You Were Here!

[sodascouts]

10 Underrated Fleetwood Mac Songs

Caroline, Tango In The Night, (1987)
Agreed!

Book Of Love, Mirage, (1982)
Nope. This song is crap.

Sisters Of The Moon, Tusk, (1979)
I thought everybody loved this sexy song with hits hot guitar!

Woman Of 1000 Years, Future Games, (1971)
Agreed.

The Second Time, Behind The Mask, (1990)
Agreed.

Welcome To The Room… Sara, Tango In The Night (1987)
Ugh. No. Also crap.

Empire State, Mirage, (1982)
More crap.

Running Through The Garden, Say You Will, (2003)
LOVE this song. Agree!

Wish You Were Here, Mirage, (1982)
Snooze. Don't hate it, but can't agree.

Never Going Back Again, Rumours, (1977)
Underrated? Everybody loves this song!

[jbrownsjr]

Caroline, Tango In The Night, (1987)
Agreed!!!!

Book Of Love, Mirage, (1982)
Yes, Love this!!

Sisters Of The Moon, Tusk, (1979)
Who doesn't like this?

Woman Of 1000 Years, Future Games, (1971)
Pure Treasure. Love this so much!

The Second Time, Behind The Mask, (1990)
Huh??? Nails on a chalkboard!! Yuck..

Welcome To The Room… Sara, Tango In The Night (1987)
I'm one of the few that like this tune. I like the arrangement. And the LB and CM vocals.

Empire State, Mirage, (1982)
Love this song. It sparkles.

Running Through The Garden, Say You Will, (2003)
Great tune!

Wish You Were Here, Mirage, (1982)
Wonderful sentiment. Piano and guitar jam at the end is amazing.

Never Going Back Again, Rumours, (1977)
Sick of it.. but never skip it.

[McLamb]

Great topic!

UNDER-RATED
Over & Over
Fireflies
Emerald Eyes
That's Alright
Remember Me
Sunny Side Of Heaven
I Don't Want To Know

OVER-RATED
Landslide
Never Going Back Again
Rhiannon
Tusk
Gold Dust Woman
I'm So Afraid
Sisters Of The Moon

Many thanks for coming up with this!

[FuzzyPlum]

Under rated:
Tango in the Night
I Don't Want to Know
Never Forget
In the Back of My Mind
Red Rover
Oh Diane


Over rated:
Hold Me
Dreams
Crystal
Nothing else

[Macfan4life]

Under rated:
Most anything from Behind the Mask and Say You Will
Sugar Daddy
Only Over You
Never Forget Tonight
Nights in Estoril
Silver Heels
Prove your love


Over Rated:
Seven Wonders
Big Love
Tusk

[StevieandChris]

Under-rated

ONLY OVER YOU IS A GREAT SONG.

:laugh::laugh::wavey:

[DownOnRodeo]

Caroline, Tango In The Night, (1987)
Agreed!

Book Of Love, Mirage, (1982)
Nope. This song is crap.

Book of Love grew on me. One of the few LB-written tracks from the early 80s that I really like. And I much prefer it to Can't Go Back.

Caroline, on the other hand, can go spin on the mountain top for all I care. "ine-ine-ine-ine-ine-ine-ine"? "She's so crazy, she's so lazy"?? Lindsey could have done with some help from Stevie in fleshing out the lyrics here.

[sodascouts]

Caroline, on the other hand, can go spin on the mountain top for all I care. "ine-ine-ine-ine-ine-ine-ine"? "She's so crazy, she's so lazy"?? Lindsey could have done with some help from Stevie in fleshing out the lyrics here.

Well, the same song also contains the following poetic lyric: "Time recedes with a fatal drop - dusty fury on the mountaintop." I loved the latter lyric so much I used "dustyfury" for my email!

[sasja]

Underrated: The Ledge. Just a seriously clever and awesome ditty! Always have loved it.

Overrated, many, overplayed, even more. And so many hidden gems that I wish would have gotten more attention in the world at large, these past decades. Oh, well.:]

[mitzo]

Overrated:

Big love
Hold Me
Angel

Underrated:

Steal Your Heart Away
Mystified
The Second time

[David]

Underrated:

Steal Your Heart Away
Mystified
The Second time Three of my favorites, certainly.

[Netter75]

Overrated (though great songs):
1. Everywhere: Nice but bland. Love the version from The Dance though.
2. Big Love: In any of its forms
3. Dreams: Great song, but their only #1? I'd take any of her witchy material over this one.
4. Second Hand News- Just never got the fuss over this one when Monday Morning and Blue Letter are similar but better in every way
5. Hold Me: Not a bad song at all, but it never grabbed me the way it does for others. Not too crazy about the lyrics (slip inside my glove) or their vocal blend :shrug:. Controversially, I'd rather listen to the rougher '82 live version with the obnoxious "Holllllld meeee YEAH"s.

Underrated:
1. Isn't It Midnight: Should be a staple Christine song. Scorching guitar solo, strong vocals, great arrangement both live and in the studio. God knows why this wasn't put ahead of Family Man as a single.
2. Any of Stevie's non-Landslide 70s ballads: Storms, Beautiful Child, and Crystal are all beautiful in every possible way. They get praised around here for sure but nothing is enough.
3. Never Forget: Just a really nice song that nobody seems to mention. Those harmonies man. Honey Hi can get lumped in here as well for the same reasons.
4. Warm Ways: WHY does everyone hate this song?! It's sooooo mid-70's. The production is so lush and soothing and her vocal is natural and perfect. It doesn't have a ton of meat to it but the same can be said to other songs of hers like Only Over You. I may use it to go to sleep to, but its a beautiful sleeping aid if nothing else.
5. Caroline and Tango in the Night. They both have problems, especially in the lyrics department, but the music for them is awesome. Very different arrangements and dark tones helps diversifies the Fleetwood Mac sound in a good way.
6. [Bonus] Any of Christine's TIME songs. Sooner or Later, All Over Again, and especially Nights in Estoril are some of my favorites by her OVERALL.

[dreamsunwind]

Overrated:
Don't Stop
-I just don't think this song is all that good. It's catchy and everything but it's probably the weakest on Rumours if you ask me.
Big Love
-This is a great song and I can see why it was popular at the time it was released but I'm tired of the way he performs it live. Yes it's really cool and guitar-y and shows his skills but I would've liked to hear a full band version of it.
Landslide
-Let me make one thing clear, the version of this on the 1975 album will forever be one of my favorite things ever and I will never skip it or say a bad word about it. BUT I would be thrilled if I never have to hear it sung live ever again or hear anyone cover it ever again.

Underrated:
Beautiful Child
-When it comes to Stevie's Tusk songs I feel like people always talk about Sara or Storms or Sisters of the Moon. But I think Beautiful Child might be the best of them all. The lyrics are stunning and the plodding melody really help to convey that haunting quality.
That's Enough For Me
-I feel like a lot of people don't like this song and I don't really understand why. It's sort of just like Second Hand News on steroids. I love how fast and crazy it is while still being quite catchy, and yet it manages to sound very happy, contrasting the rather sad lyrics.
I'm So Afraid
-I know a lot of people would never call this song underrated but I honestly think it doesn't talked about like it should. It's one of their best songs if you ask me and I personally really prefer the album version of it over most live versions. It's more hard rock than anything else they've done and the lyrics are some of the best (and most discussion-worthy) that Lindsey ever wrote.
That's Alright
- I LOOOOVE this song. I love the intentionally exaggerated country vibe. I love her voice and the production. In general I think so much of Mirage is underrated.

[Netter75]

Great topic!

UNDER-RATED
Over & Over
Fireflies
Emerald Eyes
That's Alright
Remember Me
Sunny Side Of Heaven
I Don't Want To Know


Love your underrated list. No one ever talks about Remember Me but its a punchy, catchy Christine song and my favorite of her pre-Mystery to Me work. Love the live version at the Roxy. "Let's hope it turns out alright" lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiGAT0srXpY

[jbrownsjr]

Love your underrated list. No one ever talks about Remember Me but its a punchy, catchy Christine song and my favorite of her pre-Mystery to Me work. Love the live version at the Roxy. "Let's hope it turns out alright" lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiGAT0srXpY

ditto........

[Angel75]

Overrated:
Don't Stop
-I just don't think this song is all that good. It's catchy and everything but it's probably the weakest on Rumours if you ask me.
Big Love
-This is a great song and I can see why it was popular at the time it was released but I'm tired of the way he performs it live. Yes it's really cool and guitar-y and shows his skills but I would've liked to hear a full band version of it.


Underrated:
Beautiful Child
-When it comes to Stevie's Tusk songs I feel like people always talk about Sara or Storms or Sisters of the Moon. But I think Beautiful Child might be the best of them all. The lyrics are stunning and the plodding melody really help to convey that haunting quality.
That's Enough For Me
-I feel like a lot of people don't like this song and I don't really understand why. It's sort of just like Second Hand News on steroids. I love how fast and crazy it is while still being quite catchy, and yet it manages to sound very happy, contrasting the rather sad lyrics.
That's Alright
- I LOOOOVE this song. I love the intentionally exaggerated country vibe. I love her voice and the production. In general I think so much of Mirage is underrated.

THIS LIST :xoxo:
I've removed Landslide and I'm so afraid as I don't feel they are particularly under OR overrated.....but everything above is bang on point in my opinion too.
Beautiful Child is probably my fav SN FM song ever....its sublime....and Dont get me started on Don't Stop and Big Love, especially live... :distress:

[aleuzzi]

I weighed in on this years ago, but I’m doing it afresh...

1975-present:

Most underrated: Sugar Daddy
Most overrated: Dreams

1970-74:

Most underrated: Dragonfly
Most overrated: Sentimental Lady


1967-1970:

Most underrated: Before the Beginning
Most overrated: Rattlesnake Shake

[Murrow]

Hi everyone! With all of this talk about the worst songs by each writer, I'd like to shift focus to something a little less critical and with a little more diversity in opinion (I hope).

I think the most underrated song has to be "Crystal". I love it on Buckingham Nicks, and it's even better on the White Album. The harmonies by Lindsay and Stevie are perfect; you can really hear the love in their voices. So few new Mac fans know this song, but IMO it shows Stevie and Lindsey's musical partnership at its best.

I'd go with "Everywhere" as the most overrated. It's pretty catchy, but it's just so bland and a bit too lightweight for me. It sounds like Chris just going through the motions without putting much feeling in the song. It's often considered an 80's classic and is a frequent starting point for new Mac fans, but IMO it just doesn't deserve all the praise it gets.

I totally agree with you and I'd put Dreams a close second for most overrated.