Behind the Mask: Side 1 or Side 2?

[On Ice]

Side one is the strongest run of songs overall, but not including the title track and Freedom seems awkward, but even a few weaknesses are there on side one. That's why BTM is a glass half full album, even some great moments and weak moments on good to great songs. Stand on the Rock, Hard Feelings, When it comes to Love, Second Time and most of Affairs of the Heart are forgettable.

[FuzzyPlum]

Side 1

Overall I think the album has a bad running order. The idea of placing In the Back of My Mind in the middle of side 1 is crazy. Just as the album gets going its curtailed for several minutes while this song has the ridiculous intro. It means you cant properly get into the music. They'd have been better off putting that song as the side 2 opener.
Also, as somebody else said, Behind the Mask should have been on side 1...maybe even opening with it.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

Side 1

Overall I think the album has a bad running order. The idea of placing In the Back of My Mind in the middle of side 1 is crazy. Just as the album gets going its curtailed for several minutes while this song has the ridiculous intro. It means you cant properly get into the music. They'd have been better off putting that song as the side 2 opener.
Also, as somebody else said, Behind the Mask should have been on side 1...maybe even opening with it.

Behind the Mask was the original opener but after the album was finished the band felt the music was too dark. Christine usually writes lovey and peppy songs and the album opener Behind the Mask was dark then followed by in the Back of My Mind, etc. That forced Christine to write a very quick peppy song Skies the Limit and they slapped it first track on side one. It was an attempt to change the mood of the album by having a classic McVie peppy love song open the album.

IMHO In the Back of My Mind is fine at track 3 because its so unconventional. When I first played the album, I was like WTF is this? But of course it was so interesting and different and its one of the better songs on the album IMHO>

BTW, I also vote side 1 Its the full monty of Fleetwood Mac

[FuzzyPlum]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Behind the Mask was the original opener but after the album was finished the band felt the music was too dark. Christine usually writes lovey and peppy songs and the album opener Behind the Mask was dark then followed by in the Back of My Mind, etc. That forced Christine to write a very quick peppy song Skies the Limit and they slapped it first track on side one. It was an attempt to change the mood of the album by having a classic McVie peppy love song open the album.

IMHO In the Back of My Mind is fine at track 3 because its so unconventional. When I first played the album, I was like WTF is this? But of course it was so interesting and different and its one of the better songs on the album IMHO>

BTW, I also vote side 1 Its the full monty of Fleetwood Mac

I recall Chris quickly wrote Skies the Limit as they felt they needed something a bit lighter. I didn't know Behind The Mask had already been slated as the opening track though. By the way, I do like In The Back of My Mind. For me its probably the best song on the album. I personally just don't get putting that ridiculous intro right in the middle of side 1....it just stops the flow of the album.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

I recall Chris quickly wrote Skies the Limit as they felt they needed something a bit lighter. I didn't know Behind The Mask had already been slated as the opening track though. By the way, I do like In The Back of My Mind. For me its probably the best song on the album. I personally just don't get putting that ridiculous intro right in the middle of side 1....it just stops the flow of the album.

Besides Tusk, the Rumours line up always opened their albums with an peppy song.
Monday Morning
Second Hand News
Over and Over - a bit somber but still a love song
Love In Store
Big Love
Skies the Limit

A few other tid bits that are interesting is that Stevie never had a song on track one on any album except for Angel on one of the Tusk sides. Stevie also was never given a lead off single either. The elephant in the room is that band/record company saw Stevie's star power and went out of their way to not promote the idea she was the lead singer of the band.

[moon]

I think When It Comes To Love is really good to be on Side 2. That song is simply great!! But it was not well accompanied, especially by that creepy final song closing the album...

[Neal]

The only songs I like on side 2 are "Behind The Mask" and "Freedom", the rest are just meh. Side 1 wins for me.