Christine's Tusk Songs

[Netter75]

(Hopefully this hasn't been done already)

I've noticed over the years in reviews and retrospectives for Tusk the authors usually (and rightly) gush about Stevie and Lindsey's songs on Tusk but Christine's output rarely gets the same sort of attention. In my readings she is normally acknowledged as buffering the other two vocalists.

So what do you guys think about that? Do Christine's Tusk songs not hold up on their own merits? Are they underrated and overshadowed by the songs of her two band-mates? They're not often discussed in much depth so I'm curious what people's opinions are on each of them:

Over and Over
Think About Me
Brown Eyes
Never Make Me Cry
Honey Hi
Never Forget

I'm not entirely sure what my opinion is of this set of songs. They're certainly not her usual output of hits. The only ones that are in heavy rotation with me are Never Forget and that awesome alternate version of Brown Eyes with Peter Green.

[24karatstevie]

I love love LOVE Chris's Tusk songs! Think About Me is a super catchy pop single that still sounds fresh in my opinion. Honey Hi and Never Forget are great and have probably Fleetwood Mac's best three-part harmonies. Over & Over is absolute pure BLISS; the perfect album opener. Brown Eyes is very atmospheric which I love. While Never Make Me Cry is not one of my favorites, I can still appreciate it. I really think Christine went pretty mellow with her Tusk songs (less lovey dovey pop). I think it really helped even out the whole album.

[BLY]

I love love LOVE Chris's Tusk songs! Think About Me is a super catchy pop single that still sounds fresh in my opinion. Honey Hi and Never Forget are great and have probably Fleetwood Mac's best three-part harmonies. Over & Over is absolute pure BLISS; the perfect album opener. Brown Eyes is very atmospheric which I love. While Never Make Me Cry is not one of my favorites, I can still appreciate it. I really think Christine went pretty mellow with her Tusk songs (less lovey dovey pop). I think it really helped even out the whole album.


I couldn't have articulated my thoughts on Christine's Tusk songs any better.😎

[On Ice]

I love Christine's Tusk songs, although a little spare in spots production wise, they're all great! I think Over and Over is her best song atmosphere wise and her voice is so dreamy, it just takes you to a different place.

Now, that alternate version of Brown Eyes- Yesterday's Tears- blows me away it's so damn good and way better than the final version. Puzzling that they didn't recognize the greatness of this song back in '79. I also really like the piano parts on Never Make Me Cry and Honey Hi- wish they would have used those a bit more in the final mixes.

I agree with the 3-part harmonies on Honey Hi and Never Forget- doesn't get much better before or since Tusk.

I've always thought had Think About Me been the first single, the album would've fared better on the charts- a catchy and well written song.

The one thing I can say about Christine vs Stevie and Lindsey is that she has been consistently great throughout her career with very few missteps. These 6-songs are lock step among her best- and with Over and Over- her best work.

[SisterNightroad]

Brown Eyes, Think About Me and Honey Hi are among my favourite tunes by Christine, lately I've also been getting more into Never Forget.
Actually I've always preferred the ladies' songs for this album with a few exceptions, because in my opinion some of Lindsey's Tusk songs feel somewhat cold while Stevie and Christine add a balancing warmth in the whole.

[BLY]

I've always thought had Think About Me been the first single, the album would've fared better on the charts- a catchy and well written song.

[/QUOTE]


Yes it would have been but that's exactly why Tusk was released first. I so couldn't wait for the follow up to Rumours. Even though there was no internet and we relied entirely on Hit Parade, Rolling Stone and Cream magazine for our updates, I was so thrilled with my first listens to the song Tusk. To this day it's my favorite MAC song. Getting back to the thread....... Think About Me was pure classic Fleewood Mac.

[Wdm6789]

Christine's Tusk songs are weird, for lack of a better word, weird and underproduced. They're all too laid back and folky and acoustic-y. Christine is supposed to have the catchy poppy songs. Lindsey did not produce Christine's Tusk songs to their full potential. Over & Over is her best song on the album, but only because it was so awesome live, the album version should have been more like the live versions. Think About Me is okay, very forgettable, a different instrumental and vocal arrangement is in order here. I don't like that Lindsey just steals the lead, it should have been Christine on lead with Lindsey and Stevie on chorus. Brown Eyes sounds really cool, but I hate the clicking and it's too simple, it needs more catchy and poppy added to it. Never Make Me Cry is a good slow Christine song, although not as good as Songbird, Oh Daddy, Only Over You and Mystified. And Never Make Me Cry is also too short and simple. Honey Hi and Never Forget are also too short and simple, and too weird and folky. Overall, Christine's songs on Tusk are just missing her signature Fleetwood Mac pop sound that she provided on every other Rumours era album. For example, Say You Love Me, Don't Stop, You Make Loving Fun, Hold Me, Everywhere, and Little Lies.

[aleuzzi]

Love her Tusk songs, primarily because her voice was in such good form. The production method was largely spare, and that helped Honey Hi, Think About Me, and Over and Over.

But I have a few thoughts:

1. The Tusk Deluxe reissue shows what Christine sounded like singing Think About Me all by herself. The song sounds better, imo. She delivers a tougher, more assertive vocal, without the double-tracking and Lindsey hogging the mic.

2. Never Forget should have gotten a touch more production, perhaps an acoustic guitar layer (like the one on Silver Springs) added.

3. Brown Eyes is fantastic as it is. And I understand why the band worked toward the final version of it. But the Deluxe early version really shows off her incredible voice.

4. The biggest flaw of Tusk is no Christine track on side two. She should have contributed one more song.

[Say You Will]

[/QUOTE]
I so couldn't wait for the follow up to Rumours. Even though there was no internet and we relied entirely on Hit Parade, Rolling Stone and Cream magazine for our updates, I was so thrilled with my first listens to the song Tusk.



Amazing what we got by with then. :)

I'm the opposite, felt very disoriented by Tusk. Would have liked Think About Me to be the first. Felt Chris' songs were probably the closest to Rumours.
My Father loved Tusk though.:shrug:

[ViscountViktor]

I love all the songs on Tusk minus some Lindsey ones, all of Christine's are great, smooth vocals.

[secondhandchain]

I love every song on the album except What makes you think you're the one and Save me a place has grown on me.

[michelej1]

Think About Me is okay, very forgettable, a different instrumental and vocal arrangement is in order here. I don't like that Lindsey just steals the lead, it should have been Christine on lead with Lindsey and Stevie on chorus.

I think what they were doing with TAM, Hold Me and When I See You Again is using Lindsey to make the song between two lovers, since he was the only male in the band. Stevie said that's why she put him on the end of WISYA and she said that he never would have chosen to close the song himself. She put his voice on at the end, because she wanted it to be a conversation between lovers.

During the limousine ride, when Stevie is complaining to Christine about Hold Me, I think Christine is trying to explain to her that Lindsey is on the song instead of Stevie, because they want that male, female dynamic.

I think that's what they wanted on Think About Me and the contrast between their styles works well for me. He's demanding think about me and she's pleading. I like the Ying and Yang.

To me, I don't think Lindsey and Christine needed to trade verses on Don't Stop and that could have used more of Stevie, but I don't think that about TAM or Hold Me.

Michele

[Macfan4life]

I would have to completely disagree with the premise that Christine's Tusk songs are overshadowed, overlooked, or not as good as the other's songs. IMHO, Christine's songs save Tusk. Its Lindsey's songs that were described as quirky and that was what Lindsey was going for. Christine definitely experimented too and her songs are even more raw and even more from the heart. Her songs are the icing on the Tusk cake. Her songs add the depth that Tusk needed.
Her song "Think about me" is the only song on the album that sounds like the Rumours band. Rewind time and imagine it is October 1979. The Iranian hostage crisis had not even begun. Someone gives you an advance copy of Tusk before the world hears it. If you listened to it and they asked you what should be the lead single....I think 9 out of 10 people would have said "Think About Me." Its so radio friendly and you can tell its a hit from the first time you hear it. Sara is great but its different and could take a few times listening to it to imagine it as a single. Its beautiful but is it too beautiful as a radio single?
Tusk's ingredients are impossible to toy with. However IMHO Chris adds the most flavor and consistency.

[KenB]

Christine's "Tusk" songs are her best on any Mac album. They're perfect in Lindsey's production and in Chris' vocals, and nothing about them should be changed. Where Lindsey's "Tusk" songs explore the beauty in ugliness, Christine's explore the beauty in beauty. In that way they provide a perfect balance to the album.

[pattyfan]

...are all sublime masterpieces which showcase everything good about Fleetwood Mac pop. I can say nothing but wonderful things about all those songs. I also love the alternate Tusk takes of those songs. And the live versions. And probably Chris singing them with a head cold and laryngitis. :)

Kevin

[secondhandchain]

Christine's Tusk songs are weird, for lack of a better word, weird and underproduced. They're all too laid back and folky and acoustic-y. Christine is supposed to have the catchy poppy songs. Lindsey did not produce Christine's Tusk songs to their full potential. Over & Over is her best song on the album, but only because it was so awesome live, the album version should have been more like the live versions. Think About Me is okay, very forgettable, a different instrumental and vocal arrangement is in order here. I don't like that Lindsey just steals the lead, it should have been Christine on lead with Lindsey and Stevie on chorus. Brown Eyes sounds really cool, but I hate the clicking and it's too simple, it needs more catchy and poppy added to it. Never Make Me Cry is a good slow Christine song, although not as good as Songbird, Oh Daddy, Only Over You and Mystified. And Never Make Me Cry is also too short and simple. Honey Hi and Never Forget are also too short and simple, and too weird and folky. Overall, Christine's songs on Tusk are just missing her signature Fleetwood Mac pop sound that she provided on every other Rumours era album. For example, Say You Love Me, Don't Stop, You Make Loving Fun, Hold Me, Everywhere, and Little Lies.
Everything you said I feel the exact opposite. They were beautifully produced, gorgeous songs. Were they the signature sound? No but wasn't that the whole point? When I first heard the album I was blown the f away. Loved it from the start and love it today.

[pattyfan]

Everything you said I feel the exact opposite. They were beautifully produced, gorgeous songs. Were they the signature sound? No but wasn't that the whole point? When I first heard the album I was blown the f away. Loved it from the start and love it today.

Word.


Kevin

[BLY]

Word.


Kevin


Ahhhh.yep!

[BombaySapphire3]

Everything you said I feel the exact opposite. They were beautifully produced, gorgeous songs. Were they the signature sound? No but wasn't that the whole point? When I first heard the album I was blown the f away. Loved it from the start and love it today.

Yipppee we agree on something:blob1::blob1:

[dreamsunwind]

Everything you said I feel the exact opposite. They were beautifully produced, gorgeous songs. Were they the signature sound? No but wasn't that the whole point? When I first heard the album I was blown the f away. Loved it from the start and love it today.

ITA! I just love Tusk so much for this reason. People always think of Lindsey's songs as being the 'different' sound, which no doubt they were the most different, but I think both Christine and Stevie's songs just had something done in their production that gave them that little hint of something different as well. That's why I think the album still ties so well all together, even if all the songs have a very different flavor.

[jbrownsjr]

Everything you said I feel the exact opposite. They were beautifully produced, gorgeous songs. Were they the signature sound? No but wasn't that the whole point? When I first heard the album I was blown the f away. Loved it from the start and love it today.

Yes to all of this!!!

[HomerMcvie]

Stevie said that's why she put him on the end of WISYA and she said that he never would have chosen to close the song himself. She put his voice on at the end, because she wanted it to be a conversation between lovers.



Michele
Do you really think SHE had the say of who was going to close the song? I think appeasing her with a nod and a grin is probably the most control she ever had.

No wonder she doesn't want to record with them. :lol:

[aleuzzi]

...When I See You Again is using Lindsey to make the song between two lovers, since he was the only male in the band. Stevie said that's why she put him on the end of WISYA and she said that he never would have chosen to close the song himself. She put his voice on at the end, because she wanted it to be a conversation between lovers.



Michele

I remember reading Stevie saying something like this when the album first came out. I think it was in CREEM magazine or something like that. She said the original was her harmonizing with Lindsey on that last verse and then, when he wasn't at the controls, she erased her own voice and featured his because it was so vulnerable--I think that was her word. Can't recall exactly. Anyway, at the time, I remember thinking, "When would Lindsey ever let you make a decision like that without his knowing about it?" Then, reading Stevie's contributions to the Tango reissue liner notes, where she says LB removed some of her vocals because she was out of tune, I'm guessing the reason only he is singing in the last verse is because of the latter, not the former. But who knows?

[HomerMcvie]

I remember reading Stevie saying something like this when the album first came out. I think it was in CREEM magazine or something like that. She said the original was her harmonizing with Lindsey on that last verse and then, when he wasn't at the controls, she erased her own voice and featured his because it was so vulnerable--I think that was her word. Can't recall exactly. Anyway, at the time, I remember thinking, "When would Lindsey ever let you make a decision like that without his knowing about it?" Then, reading Stevie's contributions to the Tango reissue liner notes, where she says LB removed some of her vocals because she was out of tune, I'm guessing the reason only he is singing in the last verse is because of the latter, not the former. But who knows?
Stevie? Having a CLUE about how to erase a vocal in a huge studio. She's always been delusional, and lies(IMO) like this prove it.

She erased it? Hahahahaha...I might never stop laughing. Thanks!

[secondhandchain]

Yipppee we agree on something:blob1::blob1:

Yes and I also think Stevie's songs were phenomenal. How about that?

[secondhandchain]

Stevie? Having a CLUE about how to erase a vocal in a huge studio. She's always been delusional, and lies(IMO) like this prove it.

She erased it? Hahahahaha...I might never stop laughing. Thanks!

I remember her telling that story too and I smelled BS big time. She sneaked in and took herself off. Please!

[BombaySapphire3]

Yes and I also think Stevie's songs were phenomenal. How about that?

They are .her greatest set of songs on any album IMHO.. her artistic peak.

[dontlookdown]

For me Tusk has always been the creative peak of Fleetwood Mac.
I love all of Christine's songs on Tusk -- especially Over and Over, Brown Eyes and Honey Hi.
The version of Brown Eyes (Yesterday's Tears) on the alternate Tusk disc is quite possibly her finest moment in all the years of Fleetwood Mac.

The harmonies and guitar on Over and Over, the harmonies on Honey Hi are just about as stellar as it gets for this band. Song for song, it might be her strongest collection of songs on any FM album - but I think because Lindsey was so heavily weighted on the album, her songs got a little lost for the media and radio.

Tusk is the equivalent to Pet Sounds for the Beach Boys and The White Album for the Beatles. I bought it when it came out in 1979 and I've never stopped listening to it since then.
For me it's what gave Fleetwood Mac it's timelessness and ongoing credibility.

[lennonfan]

ok, critic hat on...:)
I love Over and Over, Think About Me and Brown Eyes, all some of the best she ever wrote.
Honey Hi ok but just ok to me.
Never Make Me Cry is like Songbird pt.2 but not as good as Songbird.
Never Forget to me is forgettable:)

I'm one of those people who like Tusk, hated it when it came out and then came to love it a few years later...so, kudos to an artistic act that challenges its audience...
however....
to me the '75 album will always be the peak of this band, it's darker than Rumours but it has a togetherness vibe that is lacking in all subsequent albums...darker in sound, that is, but brighter in its outlook. again, MHO...

[button-lip]

ok, critic hat on...:)
I love Over and Over, Think About Me and Brown Eyes, all some of the best she ever wrote.
Honey Hi ok but just ok to me.
Never Make Me Cry is like Songbird pt.2 but not as good as Songbird.
Never Forget to me is forgettable:)

I'm one of those people who like Tusk, hated it when it came out and then came to love it a few years later...so, kudos to an artistic act that challenges its audience...


My favorites Christine's Tusk songs are Over and Over, Think About Me and Never Make Me Cry. I find so many emotion in Never Make Me Cry. To me, it's one of her best songs.
I think that those feelings about Tusk were shared by many fans. Hate or dislike first and love much, much later. Love at first sight was not an option. :lol:

Kudos to Lindsey and his idea of not delivering Rumours 2. :)

[jbrownsjr]

I really think Over and Over is one of her best tunes ever. It's so damn good.

[lennonfan]

I really think Over and Over is one of her best tunes ever. It's so damn good.

it is. Understated and ethereal.

[SisterNightroad]

to me the '75 album will always be the peak of this band, it's darker than Rumours but it has a togetherness vibe that is lacking in all subsequent albums...darker in sound, that is, but brighter in its outlook. again, MHO...
Actually I love the white album too, to me it's their best one after Rumours also for the reasons you listed. It takes the best from the Buckingham Nicks Bob Welch era developing something new.

[michelej1]

Do you really think SHE had the say of who was going to close the song? I think appeasing her with a nod and a grin is probably the most control she ever had.

No wonder she doesn't want to record with them. :lol:

All I can go by is what Stevie said. She said she put Lindsey's voice on in the end because he was to shy (?) to do it. Would Stevie lie to you?

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

All I can go by is what Stevie said. She said she put Lindsey's voice on in the end because he was to shy (?) to do it. Would Stevie lie to you?

Michele

She lies to herself, so yes, she'd lie to me, too. And I think she believes the crap that comes out of her own mouth!

She's as full of sh*t as a Christmas goose!

[michelej1]

I remember reading Stevie saying something like this when the album first came out. I think it was in CREEM magazine or something like that. She said the original was her harmonizing with Lindsey on that last verse and then, when he wasn't at the controls, she erased her own voice and featured his because it was so vulnerable--I think that was her word. Can't recall exactly. Anyway, at the time, I remember thinking, "When would Lindsey ever let you make a decision like that without his knowing about it?" Then, reading Stevie's contributions to the Tango reissue liner notes, where she says LB removed some of her vocals because she was out of tune, I'm guessing the reason only he is singing in the last verse is because of the latter, not the former. But who knows?

Yes, it was in Creem. Here's the excerpt from 1987:

"How do you like my slow song with Lindsey singing at the end (‘When I See You Again’)? That’s one of my favorite things…I made him sing with me; I said, ‘Lindsey, you’re gonna sing on all my songs whether you like it or not-you have to sing this with me.’ So we went out and sang ‘If I see you again, will it be over?’ - we sang it in unison, then I snuck in and took my voice off. Otherwise, I’d have never gotten him to do it - see, Lindsey’s pretty shy and he’s singing differently there than he is on anything else on the record. He wouldn’t think to do that: to sing on my song at the end. He would think to sing with me, but he wouldn’t want to end it. But that’s what I wanted, to leave people feeling they are really talking to each other." 

[button-lip]

She lies to herself, so yes, she'd lie to me, too. And I think she believes the crap that comes out of her own mouth!

She's as full of sh*t as a Christmas goose!

There's one thing that's crystal clear here: she has no clue about how to manipulate a console. If that were the case, she would have contributed A LOT to any FM project and she would have let everybody know on every possible occasion.

Plus, we would have seen her doing it like we have seen the rest of the band many times on many documentaries.

[Dreamz19]

I absolutely love Christine's songs on Tusk. Her songs are a huge part of what made me love the album in the first place. Never Make Me Cry is my least favorite, but I still think its good. Brown Eyes is probably my favorite by Christine. Its one of the most gorgeous songs I've ever heard.

[McLamb]

Not only is "Over & Over" my favorite Fleetwood Mac song; it's my favorite song of all-time. Would have loved for them to play it during the "On With The Show" tour.

"Over & Over" was deserving of a spot on both "25 Years - The Chain" and "The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac". Should have replaced "Storms" on both packages.

Also love Christine's "Honey Hi" from "Tusk"!!!