Weekly Dig Interview

michelej1 · #1 10-15-2008, 04:03 PM

Weekly Dig
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM, By CARRIGAN DENNY-BROWN

http://www.weeklydig.com/arts-entert...sey-buckingham

It's easy to forget that Fleetwood Mac's self-titled 1975 album, the one with "Rhiannon" and "Say You Love Me," wasn't their first—it was their 15th. The reason for the band's commercial breakthrough is largely attributed to the introduction of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to the lineup. But this was one ****ed up Brady Bunch, and it wasn't long before Buckingham decided to "go his own way."

SO YOU WERE BORN IN PALO ALTO AND WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH STEVIE NICKS? I AM FROM THERE, TOO!

Oh really? So we're a couple of rich kids, huh? I had an idyllic childhood. Then Stevie and I moved down to LA to pursue a career in music with the band we were with at the time. It's a city that doesn't inherently make sense, you know. LA is kind of a mess.

YOU ARE SELF-TAUGHT AND DON'T READ MUSIC. HOW ELSE IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH MUSIC IS SPECIAL?

My first instrument was the ukulele. And I would say that music has defined me rather than changed me. I was part of a time. You know, Elvis and what was going on at Haight and Ashbury. Rock and roll. I would be in my room plucking along to records for hours at a time. I think my parents were wondering: "What is wrong with Lindsey?"

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR COMPOSITIONAL PROCESS.

I don't think of myself as a writer of songs, but as a stylist. Like a painter painting, I go into a sort of meditative place. In my solo productions, I am playing multiple instruments. So I am working with a blank canvas. If you allow yourself to be an antenna, the work just comes to you.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR SONGS ARE AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL?

Well, I think it's impossible as an artist not to infuse your work with your own experience and point of view. For example, when we made Rumours, Christine and John were going through divorce and Stevie and I were breaking up. Even if we thought the songs we were making were generic, years later we realized what they were all about.

WHAT IS "BLEED TO LOVE HER" ABOUT?

It was about someone I knew a long time ago, who was very elusive with her emotions. I felt like I was bleeding all over the place. But you can't force someone to take emotional risks, it just didn't happen.

WHAT WAS "GO YOUR OWN WAY" ABOUT? JUST KIDDING. WHERE DID THE MATERIAL FOR THE NEW CD, GIFT OF SCREWS, COME FROM?

There's been sort of a pattern that, as I'm poised to release solo work or in the process, the band will come in and "intervene." This is more experimental and less acoustic than my solo album from last year. There are a few songs that are older that were stragglers, waiting to find a home.

GoS · #2 10-15-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Like a painter painting, I go into a sort of meditative place. In my solo productions, I am playing multiple instruments. So I am working with a blank canvas. If you allow yourself to be an antenna, the work just comes to you.

WHAT IS "BLEED TO LOVE HER" ABOUT?

It was about someone I knew a long time ago, who was very elusive with her emotions. I felt like I was bleeding all over the place. But you can't force someone to take emotional risks, it just didn't happen.

He said it again!!!!!

But anyway, I have never heard the BTLH meaning before. I really like it, thanks for posting!

njova · #3 10-15-2008, 06:34 PM

I thought BTLH was about his wife.

Nico · #4 10-15-2008, 09:30 PM

I am fairly sure that Bleed to Love Her is about his significant ex-girlfriend after Carol Ann. I don't remember her name. All I know is she was some blond chick and he was with her for quite some time. Like during the entire creation of Out of the Cradle. Lucky bitch. Just for that.

CADreaming · #5 10-15-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

I am fairly sure that Bleed to Love Her is about his significant ex-girlfriend after Carol Ann. I don't remember her name. All I know is she was some blond chick and he was with her for quite some time. Like during the entire creation of Out of the Cradle. Lucky bitch. Just for that.

Cheri Caspari is who you are referring to, but he's never named the woman the song is about, so who knows?

michelej1 · #6 10-15-2008, 09:58 PM

Lindsey,

Please compare your solo work to golf and your Fleetwood Mac work to bowling on a league.

Thank you.

Nico · #7 10-15-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CADreaming

Cheri Caspari is who you are referring to, but he's never named the woman the song is about, so who knows?

No, but he's quite vague with references anyway. You have to infer, from his description where he states he was with the woman for awhile and it was more recent. Honestly, I don't even care. It could be about Margaret Thatcher or some groupie...it's simply a gorgeous song and possibly one of the very best love songs by him- and imo by many others. I never grow tired of it. It's my favorite on "The Dance" album and my favorite on SYW, followed by Red Rover. It's perfect.

CADreaming · #8 10-15-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

No, but he's quite vague with references anyway. You have to infer, from his description where he states he was with the woman for awhile and it was more recent. Honestly, I don't even care. It could be about Margaret Thatcher or some groupie...it's simply a gorgeous song and possibly one of the very best love songs by him- and imo by many others. I never grow tired of it. It's my favorite on "The Dance" album and my favorite on SYW, followed by Red Rover. It's perfect.

LOL about Maggie Thatcher. Now, there's a visual for ya!

But, I agree, the song is gorgeous.

Nico · #9 10-15-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CADreaming

LOL about Maggie Thatcher. Now, there's a visual for ya!

But, I agree, the song is gorgeous.

For Marg...with all my love...LB

Once again she steals away
Then she reaches out to kiss me
And how she takes my breath away
Pretending that she don't miss me

Oh...i would bleed to love her
Ooooh...bleed to love her
Whoa...i would bleed to love her

And once again she calls to me
Then she vanishes in thin air
And how she takes my breath away
Pretending that she don't care

Oh...i would bleed to love her
Ooooh...bleed to love her
Whoa...i would bleed to love her

Somebody's got to see this through
All the world is laughing at you
Somebody's got to sacrifice
If this whole thing's gonna turn out right

Oh...i would bleed to love her
Ooooh...bleed to love her
Whoa...i would bleed to love her

CADreaming · #10 10-15-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

For Marg...with all my love...LB

Once again she steals away
Then she reaches out to kiss me
And how she takes my breath away
Pretending that she don't miss me

Oh...i would bleed to love her
Ooooh...bleed to love her
Whoa...i would bleed to love her

And once again she calls to me
Then she vanishes in thin air
And how she takes my breath away
Pretending that she don't care

Oh...i would bleed to love her
Ooooh...bleed to love her
Whoa...i would bleed to love her

Somebody's got to see this through
All the world is laughing at you
Somebody's got to sacrifice
If this whole thing's gonna turn out right

Oh...i would bleed to love her
Ooooh...bleed to love her
Whoa...i would bleed to love her

ROFLOL!!! I like the way you roll...