Fleetwood Mac's 10 lost gems

[FuzzyPlum]

They have a string of hits....maybe not as many as they should have.
Along the way there have been some greats that have been buried away on B sides, compilation albums or even unreleased.
For me these are the 10 great (largely) unheralded lost gems....



1) I loved Another Woman
A superb blues number. I've got a feeling this might be an almost direct rip off of another, earlier blues tune. Whatever.... its just great. Black Magic Woman is always seen as Peter's greatest creation...but this too is blues perfection.
Never appeared on one of the original LP's.

2) Like it This Way
Buried away on Blues Jam at Chess/Boston Live. Perhaps Danny's finest moment. Should have been a hit single (selected this just ahead of what I think of as its companion piece, Only You)

3) The Purple Dancer
Unfortunate to be released as the B side to Dragonfly. Probably deserved to be an A side. TPD is awesome....has a truly epic feel to it. Love it!

4) Sentimental Lady
Sentimental Lady later received some love as a BW solo release. For me the original Fleetwood Mac version was better. Whichever, it deserves to be considered an all time great. This should have been the big break-through hit for the BW incarnation of the band. Why it wasnt a hit...who knows...I guess sometimes it just comes down to a bit of luck, or lack of it.

5) Why
For many Fleetwood Mac fans, this is the ultimate fan fave. Never released as a single. Maybe the original intro was too long for radio. Perhaps my favourite FM song of the lot. I like what Stevie and Lindsey did....but you can never beat the original with Weston's sublime playing. Why doesnt this get covered by other famous artists?....Why?

6) Silver Springs
Such a shame. If there had been some way for it to have appeared on the original Rumours release, it would now be considered a standard. As it is, its still a relatively obscure track outside of the Fleetwood Mac world.

7) As Long As You Follow
Should have been a hit. Why wasnt it? Perhaps Rick and Billy's finest moment in Fleetwood Mac (but on a Chris song). Really brilliant video. Had it appeared on a hit album other than a compilation I'm sure it would be a famous song. But coming from a Greatest Hits release, it just never quite got traction at the time of its release. Such a shame.

8) Bleed To Love Her
Lindsey has had relatively few hits. If this had been recorded in the early days it would have been a hit record. If they had released this to support The Dance, maybe it would have been a hit. I consider it one of his finest works with the band.

9) Sad Angel
What a waste of a killer tune. I love this song. Really doesn't deserve to be buried on an obscure EP that nobody ever heard. Shame.

10) Carnival Begin
Chris has written so many great songs. This deserves to be considered amongst Fleetwood Mac's finest songs. Probably the stand out track on Buckingham/McVie. Had it been on an official Fleetwood Mac release I have no doubt it would now have massive widespread recognition.


So there you go. What am I missing? Anything you'd swap out?

[Macfan4life]

Wow this is an explosive question for this band since some of their best work are the songs that are not hits.

I always thought Come A Little Bit Closer should have been re-recorded with the harmonies of Stevie and Lindsey and have Lindsey work it up. So that song has always been a song I love for what it is but it could have been a huge hit IMHO if re-recorded post Welch.

Sugar Daddy - Its so bluesy and could have appeared on Heroes or Mystery To me.

Brown Eyes - one of the best songs on Tusk that reminds me of a romantic themed dark restaurant playing

That's Alright - its a polished and harmonized Buckingham Nicks classic that sounds so good on Mirage. Its almost a full country song.

Never Forget - It sometimes gets forgotten as Tusk's closer but its a hidden gem

Warm Ways - so many hate it on this board. I used to hear it on Sirus Bridge all the time. Its so romantic even for Chris and the harmonies are so good. Lindsey plays great acoustic guitar on it too. Actually first single of the Buck/Nicks Fleetwood Mac - released before Over My Head in England

Why - Why has to go on every list

Silver Heels - One of Bob's best Mac tunes

Station Man - Its everything early Fleetwood Mac IMHO

[jbrownsjr]

I love both of your lists!! Sentimental Lady is wonderful.

[bwboy]

Crystal- Stevie’s ethereal lyrics and Lindsey’s masculine voice make an intriguing combination. Beautiful.

Warm Ways- a beautiful, soothing song.

Blue Letter- another example that shows how great this incarnation of the band could perform other people’s songs just as well as their own material.

I Don’t Want to Know- the harmonies are spot on here. The only song that hasn’t been performed to death and yet everyone knows it because it’s on Rumours.

Brown Eyes- when Christine goes dark, she goes really deep and really dark.

Book of Love- every time I hear this song, I want to hug Lindsey and tell him it’ll all be ok! Love it when he shows his vulnerability.

As Long As You Follow- beautiful harmonies, Rick Vito’s guitar playing, oh and did I mention those harmonies? I love that Christine wrote a thank you note with this song to the fans.

Save Me- I guess radio had changed too much to fully embrace this song, but it is a strong song with beautiful harmonies and again, Rick’s hard driving guitar. Christine sounded so confident on this song and the BTM album in general.

Love Shines- if the incarnation of FM that recorded this song as well as Heart of Stone (Mick, John, Christine, and Billy) had continued on, I would have believed the band still had vitality. Unfortunately, they chose another direction with Bekka and Dave.

Thrown Down- the first Stevie song since 1989 that blew me away. Just love this song.

Carnival Begin- or as I call it, Brown Eyes Part II. Dark and mysterious, and so damn haunting.

Oops, I didn’t realize I had 11. Oh well.

[bwboy]

They have a string of hits....maybe not as many as they should have.

7) As Long As You Follow
Should have been a hit. Why wasnt it? Perhaps Rick and Billy's finest moment in Fleetwood Mac (but on a Chris song). Really brilliant video. Had it appeared on a hit album other than a compilation I'm sure it would be a famous song. But coming from a Greatest Hits release, it just never quite got traction at the time of its release. Such a shame.

I agree, plus I wanted to add I recently watched the videos for Got a Hold On Me, Love Will Show Us How, Little Lies, As Long As You Follow, Save Me, and Skies the Limit, and Christine looks so beautiful in the last 4 videos. I mean, really beautiful, with softer makeup, which gave her a softer appearance into the face. The whole band looks so classy in those 4 FM videos, but Christine is exceptionally beautiful.

[aleuzzi]

Well, if we’re going for lost gems, I’m going to name a few wonderful tunes that are a) comparatively rare or b) only available as demos or outtakes.

1. “Dragonfly” (1971 single + FM’s 1971 Greatest Hits)

2. “Trinity” (Bare Trees Outtake)

3. “Crazy ‘Bout You Baby” (1970 Live-In-Studio version on Madison Blues)

4. “Bermuda Triangle” (Sausalito Soundboard 1974, full version WITH the piano solo, often omitted from existing recordings)

5. “Start Again” (early—and vocally superior—take of “Morning Rain” only available on BBC tapes)

6. “Never Make Me Cry” (1978 version with full band presence, piano, and—I think—arp string ensemble)

7. “At Last” (1998 live, Stevie belting out this torch song like nobody’s business!)

8. “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You” (1998, Storytellers version—a revelation)

9. “Friend” (2004 acoustic, electric keyboard, percussion version)

10. “Goodbye Angel” (1982, Mirage Outtake)

[Macfan4life]

I would add one more:

Everybody Finds Out
I put it on the list not to annoy bwboy but its Fleetwood Mac on fire and the best song on Say You Will. It should have been the lead single.

[UnwindedDreams]

I would add one more:

Everybody Finds Out
I put it on the list not to annoy bwboy but its Fleetwood Mac on fire and the best song on Say You Will. It should have been the lead single.

Should've been done on the tour. That keyboard at the end is KILLER. Don't you Knnnooooowwww...

[moon]

Probably I would repeat a little the same list of the "Top 10 all time Fleetwood Mac songs" written on another thread, because I think they are lost gems of the Mac, just not to say that they're very not well valorated songs!

- Earl Gray (Danny Kirwan)
- Future Games (Bob Welch)
- Sands Of Time (Danny Kirwan)
- Sunny Side Of Heaven (Danny Kirwan)
- Caught In The Rain (Bob Weston)
- Brown Eyes (Christine McVie)
- I'm So Afraid (from Live) (Lindsey Buckingham)
- Book Of Love (Lindsey Buckingham)
- You & I, Part I (Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie)
- Sooner Or Later (Christine McVie)

And once again, my special mentions go to:
- Coming Home (Bob Welch)
- Emerald Eyes (Bob Welch)
- Forever (Bob Weston, John McVie, Bob Welch)
- Love In Store (Christine McVie)
- Wish You Were Here (Christine McVie)

[moon]

Wow this is an explosive question for this band since some of their best work are the songs that are not hits.

Never Forget - It sometimes gets forgotten as Tusk's closer but its a hidden gem

Warm Ways - so many hate it on this board. I used to hear it on Sirus Bridge all the time. Its so romantic even for Chris and the harmonies are so good. Lindsey plays great acoustic guitar on it too. Actually first single of the Buck/Nicks Fleetwood Mac - released before Over My Head in England



I'm totally with you with these two! I love them!! Never Forget is a very sweet song, Lindsey's backing vocals gave a good touch to Chris' classical and beautiful voice...it's short, but it's good
Warm Ways is sooooo romantic! I learned to play Lindsey's guitar part and I enjoy every time I do it, because it's easy and you just follow the rythm of the song, like a wind repeating the melody...

[On Ice]

Did I ever mention I love lists!
Before delving into this amazing treasure chest, I will say off the top, virtually anything Danny Kirwan did, is a lost gem. Not the best lyricist to be sure, but musically, nobody went to the places he did (even Peter who is great in his own way)...

Dust- an early 70's gem would've sounded totally at home with anything Simon and Garfunkel or Bob Dylan were doing at the time.

Woman of a Thousand Years- a sonic adventure like hiking through the jungle or watching the waves roll in- a masterpiece of music along with the rest of Future Games.

Spare Me a Little- Christine's first amazing radio hit (although it was never a radio hit) it damn well should've been. Along with Sentimental Lady, also on this list, two killer singles on Bare Trees.

The Green Manalishi- Green's finest moment and a true hard rock classic- should be played along side anything Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin ever did.

Sentimental Lady- I feel is Bob Welch's best moment, (he had many) and should've been a massive hit in 1972.

Station Man- Early 70's ear candy- a perfectly written performed and sounding gem.

Crystal- As good, or better in spots than Landslide- I'm still confused to this day why this was not part of the concert set, at least until the early 80's. The Buckingham Nicks live versions are amazing.

I Don't Want to Know- Certainly a top ten of Stevie's stellar early song writing- the one forgotten gem on the original Rumours- I never understood why- except for that other song of hers that makes this list :o

Miles Away- that guitar riff- one of the best of all time in rock music and one of the many amazing Bob Welch songs that should've been killer hits in the early 70's.

OVer and OVer- I love Brown Eyes, especially the Yesterday's Tears version, but this song is just perfect- some find it boring but I think it's brilliant in every which way- and it was wonderful live. Should've been a tour staple for decades after Tusk.

Silver Springs- Stevie Nicks best written song of her career. I will admit, a little extra studio polishing would've taken it a slight notch higher, but released as a single in 1976 I would say this would've been most likely even bigger than Dreams. It was great to see it given its due in the Dance era too, and she pulled in off perfectly.

[On Ice]

I agree with all the comments on As Long As You Follow and Carnival Begin- These are definitely Christine's best of her late career amazingly viable product.

[FuzzyPlum]

Well, if we’re going for lost gems, I’m going to name a few wonderful tunes that are a) comparatively rare or b) only available as demos or outtakes.

1. “Dragonfly” (1971 single + FM’s 1971 Greatest Hits)

2. “Trinity” (Bare Trees Outtake)

3. “Crazy ‘Bout You Baby” (1970 Live-In-Studio version on Madison Blues)

4. “Bermuda Triangle” (Sausalito Soundboard 1974, full version WITH the piano solo, often omitted from existing recordings)

5. “Start Again” (early—and vocally superior—take of “Morning Rain” only available on BBC tapes)

6. “Never Make Me Cry” (1978 version with full band presence, piano, and—I think—arp strong ensemble)

7. “At Last” (1998 live, Stevie belting out this torch song like nobody’s business!)

8. “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You” (1998, Storytellers version—a revelation)

9. “Friend” (2004 acoustic, electric keyboard, percussion version)

10. “Goodbye Angel” (1982, Mirage Outtake)



Yeah, I was considering including Trinity. I really love it. The atmosphere and general vibe of the song is amazing...love the conga drums. Criminal it never got included on an album, for whatever reason. But I didn't include it though, as no matter how bad Danny's lyrics can be, I thought they're particularly flimsy on this song.

[Villavic]

As long as you follow
Warm ways
Over & over
Never make me cry
Thrown down
Say goodbye (but just in the live way L&S sang it)

[aleuzzi]

Yeah, I was considering including Trinity. I really love it. The atmosphere and general vibe of the song is amazing...love the conga drums. Criminal it never got included on an album, for whatever reason. But I didn't include it though, as no matter how bad Danny's lyrics can be, I thought they're particularly flimsy on this song.

The lyrics are quite spare—but I like the image they conjure; a boy on his way to realizing his musical dream. The music helps paint that euphoric feeling, too.

[FuzzyPlum]

The lyrics are quite spare—but I like the image they conjure; a boy on his way to realizing his musical dream. The music helps paint that euphoric feeling, too.

Oh, where did you get this from? Is this a known thing???
I've never really considered what the song was all about.
For some reason I've only ever thought about it in a literal sense and thought maybe he was talking about Trinity College, Cambridge University.
I think there are a few US towns called Trinity.

Are the lyrics taken from another poem????

[aleuzzi]

Oh, where did you get this from? Is this a known thing???
I've never really considered what the song was all about.
For some reason I've only ever thought about it in a literal sense and thought maybe he was talking about Trinity College, Cambridge University.
I think there are a few US towns called Trinity.

Are the lyrics taken from another poem????

No, I just sussed out (correctly or incorrectly) that this “small town boy from home” was “walking miles before / and dreaming of his thirst…” The entire song feels and sounds like an anthem to a young man awakening to the possibilities ahead of him—and I interpreted this as musical ones.

Some of my favorite Danny songs have the barest lyrics—“Coming Your Way,” “Tell Me All the Things You Do,” “Child of Mine,” and “Bare Trees.” In all cases, the mood of the music helps create a context for those threadbare lyrics. As rock-n-roll, it’s arguably MORE effective to be terse with words and let the guitar do the talking. Through clever song construction, Danny turned his weakness (lyric writing) into an asset. I wouldn’t want additional lyrics in any of the songs I listed above. Same with “Trinity.”

[SteveMacD]

My list is weirdly dominated by Danny Kirwan.

1. Only You
2. Loving Kind
3. World In Harmony
4. Dragonfly
5. The Purple Dancer
6. Trinity
7. Fireflies
8. Roll With Me Henry
9. Love Shines
10. Goodbye Angel

[jmn3]

Should've been done on the tour. That keyboard at the end is KILLER. Don't you Knnnooooowwww...

They should have played the hell out of that song on the Say You Will tour. Everybody Finds Out could have replaced Stand Back in that second to last slot in my opinion. It’s the best song on SYW and a total shame that it was immediately forgotten by everyone including the band as soon as the album was released.

[jbrownsjr]

1. Heart of Stone - What a beautiful arrangement. Especially, the middle break with fantastic vocal blend. Another point where Stevie Nicks as a band member shines through with amazing backing vocals. Seems to me, it was too good to last! eh Stevie?

2. Crystal - I adore the FM version. Where the B/N version lacks character, the Brits bring this treasure to life. Christine's keys at the end will never stop haunting me. And don't forget John's walking bass to round it all out.

3. Sugar Daddy - I've been listening to the early take wondering, why oh why, didn't they use this take? The keyboard work is stellar.

4. Bermuda Triangle - This is pure bliss for me. Live and studio, it's a great jam.

5. Book of Love - This song early in my FMac days was so intense and compelling. It has a fantastic arrangement as well.

6. Isn't It Midnight - The lead vocal by Christine is one of the best. Thank you for that solo Lindsey. It's the great long exclamation point of the song.

7. Woman of 1000 Years. Love in Store and Over and Over are great, too. But, this might be my favorite opening of a FM studio album.

8. Wish You Were Here. Having heard the way she sings it with conviction and acting out the lyric with BuckVie Milwaukee. I have come to really love this as a masterful ode to DW. And Milwaukee is on Halloween and she wears a broach that knocks my socks off!! Look it up, its a beautiful spider.

9. Behind The Mask. Another song where it haunts me long after it's over. I've always hated the album cover, but glad they chose this as the title track. In hindsight, this album should have been called. "Save Me". :lol:

10. Carnival Begin. I didn't realize so many others loved this tune by Christine. It's stunning in so many ways, and Lindsey gives her sentiments re: Living life again to the fullest, another long exclamation point!

[BLY]

Carnival Begin- A Fleetwood Mac masterpiece if only…….
The Chain- I never get sick of hearing this song
Eyes of the World- post tusk track that has an amazing SS 5.1 version
Silver Springs- A Classic Rumors track that is way better then the 1997 release.
Hypnotized- Bob at his best with the band.
Dust- Danny and Christine great blend.
Everywhere- Pop genius
Walk a Thin Line- only wished it had a bit more of Stevie and Chris in the mix.
As Long As You Follow - the best track from this era
The Famers Daughter- too bad we didn’t get more of this 3 part harmonies on more tracks.

[SteveMacD]

Carnival Begin- A Fleetwood Mac masterpiece if only…….

It IS a Fleetwood Mac masterpiece.

[jbrownsjr]

It IS a Fleetwood Mac masterpiece.

It sure is! Just like the Bengals 2021.

[SteveMacD]

it sure is! Just like the bengals 2021.

who dey!!!

[aleuzzi]

7. Woman of 1000 Years. Love in Store and Over and Over are great, too. But, this might be my favorite opening of a FM studio album.

Re: #7--WOATY is in my top three favorite openings of any FM record. The other two are "Remember Me" and "Child of Mine." In each case, those three lead tracks define the sound of their respective albums.

"Second Hand News" and "Love In Store" are wonderful, too, but those top three slay me.

Interesting idea: what is the worst opening track on any FM record? For me, the worst opening ever is "Skies the Limit," but "What's the World Coming To" is a close second.

Effective, unlikely opening tracks: "This is the Rock"; "Emerald Eyes"; "Over and Over."

"Heroes are Hard to Find" initially shocked me--yikes, that blast of horns!--but very quickly all of it fell into place, and even the initial horn part made sense on the second listen.

"Monday Morning" is, imo, the most overrated opening on any FM album. "Big Love" is the most underrated opening on any FM album.

"Coming Your Way" may be the sexiest opening track.

"Talking to My Heart" among the most infectious.

"Stop Messing Around" certainly the drunkest.

[SteveMacD]

Interesting idea: what is the worst opening track on any FM record?
Either "My Heart Beat Like A Hammer" or "Coming Your Way." MHBLAH isn't bad, but "Shake Your Moneymaker" would have been a way better opening track. CYW doesn't really say anything or go anywhere. It's just kind of there.

ETA: I kept this strictly to studio albums. However, “Paper Doll” was the absolute worst opening song on a Fleetwood Mac release ever. BY FAR!

"Talking to My Heart" among the most infectious.
I'd also add "Sleeping Around The Corner" to that.

[jbrownsjr]

Strangely, I love Talking to My Heart, as well... Especially when you can hear all 3 singers, Billy, Bekka and Christine. I thought, wow what a killer song.

Worst? WTWCT... Just utter garbage. Stop using that generic drum machine. I hate the production of that song as much as the melody.

[jbrownsjr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2iIsWN6H1U

I went and listened to it again. It's a really lovely song.
One of those song where I can feel all singers paying attention to what they are actually singing and having the "doing and sentiments" really come through.
Great drum shuffles by Mick, and of course when Christine comes in.. It's an entrance of delight.

SteveMac/Tony: Who's playing the gentle ac. guitar? Dave?

[lbfan]

The most obvious lost gems:
1- Sleeping Around The Corner

2- Feel About You

3- In My World

4- Red Sun

5- Love Is Here To Stay

6- Too Far Gone

7- Lay Down For Free

8- Game Of Pretend

9- On With The Show

10- Carnival Begin

[jbrownsjr]

The most obvious lost gems:
1- Sleeping Around The Corner

2- Feel About You

3- In My World

4- Red Sun

5- Love Is Here To Stay

6- Too Far Gone

7- Lay Down For Free

8- Game Of Pretend

9- On With The Show

10- Carnival Begin

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[HomerMcvie]

The most obvious lost gems:
1- Sleeping Around The Corner

2- Feel About You

3- In My World

4- Red Sun

5- Love Is Here To Stay

6- Too Far Gone

7- Lay Down For Free

8- Game Of Pretend

9- On With The Show

10- Carnival Begin

Fantastic list, and a great swan song for FM. I LOVE IT!

[BLY]

Fantastic list, and a great swan song for FM. I LOVE IT!

This set should be re released with the other tracks that were held back under the Fleetwood Mac name.

[jbrownsjr]

Fantastic list, and a great swan song for FM. I LOVE IT!

Seriously, it's such a wonderful album. Purposeful throwbacks, and natural chemistry. The tour was such a treat.

[SteveMacD]

This set should be re released with the other tracks that were held back under the Fleetwood Mac name.

Really, that’s only the Jeremy Spencer solo album, Can’t Help Falling In Love, and Roll With Me Henry.

Arguments could also be made for the pre-Mac Bluesbreakers songs with Peter, Mick, and John, Christine’s version of When You Say, Bob’s solo Sentimental Lady, Twisted, the solo songs Lindsey did with Mick and John, and Find Your Way Back Home.

[aleuzzi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2iIsWN6H1U

I went and listened to it again. It's a really lovely song.
One of those song where I can feel all singers paying attention to what they are actually singing and having the "doing and sentiments" really come through.
Great drum shuffles by Mick, and of course when Christine comes in.. It's an entrance of delight.

SteveMac/Tony: Who's playing the gentle ac. guitar? Dave?

Probably Billy? Doesn’t Billy play the opening acoustic passage on “Love Shines,” too?

I’ve always like TTMH.

[jbrownsjr]

Probably Billy? Doesn’t Billy play the opening acoustic passage on “Love Shines,” too?

I’ve always like TTMH.

I don't know. But, he's the only guitarist in that video, no?

[SteveMacD]

I don't know. But, he's the only guitarist in that video, no?

Mick and Christine play guitar :p

[michelej1]

Sleeping Around the Corner

Lay Down for Free

Too Far Gone

All 3 exceptional songs

[Macfan4life]

If we are including Buck/Vie songs
Dont forget Red Sun. This is the song some of us can almost hear Stevie singing back up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8_pBog0nVo