Big Love

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some cosmic trivia about Fleetwood Mac's "Big Love" from their 1987 album Tango in the Night! This track, written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham, was originally meant for his third solo album, but Mick Fleetwood convinced him to bring it to the band, transforming it into Fleetwood Mac's first US Top 10 hit in five years, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Buckingham created the song's iconic "oh-ah" vocals by sampling his own voice using a variable speed oscillator, leading many to mistakenly think Stevie Nicks was duetting with him. In a 2005 interview, Buckingham reflected on the song’s irony, noting it was about a "lonely guy on a hill" looking for love, a theme that evolved as he later settled with a family on that same hill.

The recording of "Big Love" was no mellow trip. Fleetwood Mac was in rough shape during the Tango in the Night sessions, with Buckingham later recalling it as a time when "everybody was at their worst" due to personal struggles. Mick Fleetwood’s cocaine use was so intense that Buckingham set up a Winnebago in his driveway for Fleetwood and friends to keep the studio productive. The band recorded parts of the song at half-speed to achieve its airy, high-end sound, a process engineer Greg Droman described as "brutal" but innovative for the time. Buckingham’s meticulous production, layering harmonics and textures, made "Big Love" a standout, though the band didn’t perform it live as a full group until Buckingham’s return for the 1997 The Dance tour, where his acoustic version became a crowd favorite.

Fleetwood Mac’s journey began in London in 1967, founded by guitarist Peter Green, drummer Mick Fleetwood, and guitarist Jeremy Spencer, with bassist John McVie joining soon after to complete the lineup for their self-titled debut. Initially a British blues band, they scored a UK No. 1 with the instrumental "Albatross" in 1968. The band’s early years were turbulent, with Green’s departure in 1970 and multiple lineup changes. Christine McVie, a keyboardist and vocalist who’d contributed as a session musician, joined officially in 1970 after marrying John McVie. The game-changer came in 1975 when Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, then a romantic and musical duo, joined after their album Buckingham Nicks flopped. This lineup skyrocketed Fleetwood Mac to global fame with their 1975 self-titled album and the 1977 masterpiece Rumours, which sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

Zoo Crew, you can keep up with Fleetwood Mac at their official website, where you’ll find tour updates and merch. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest posts and throwback vibes. Fans are buzzing in communities like the Fleetwood Mac Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the band’s timeless sound. For deeper dives, check out fan sites like BuckinghamNicks.net and StevieNicks.info, packed with song histories and band lore to keep your hippie hearts grooving.