Go Your Own Way

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac from their legendary album Rumours, and Zoo Freaks, you're in for some juicy trivia about this song! Written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham, the song was the first single from Rumours, released in December 1976 in the US, and it became the band's first top-ten hit in the States. The lyrics are a raw reflection of Buckingham's breakup with bandmate Stevie Nicks, with whom he had a tumultuous relationship since their teens. Nicks was particularly stung by the line "Packing up, shacking up is all you wanna do," which she disputed and demanded be removed, but Buckingham kept it, knowing it would provoke her. She once told Q magazine in 2009, "Every time those words would come onstage, I wanted to go over and kill him. He knew it, so he really pushed my buttons." This tension fueled the song's emotional intensity, making it a standout track.

Another fascinating tidbit is the song's production process, which was anything but straightforward. Recorded across three studios over four months, "Go Your Own Way" was built through meticulous overdubs, with no instruments recorded live together, a hallmark of Rumours's polished sound. Buckingham drew inspiration from the Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man" for the drum pattern, working with drummer Mick Fleetwood to create a unique beat that shifted from snare to tom. Fleetwood, who is dyslexic, admitted to Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro that he couldn't replicate drum parts precisely, leading to what he called "funny random stuff" that gave the song its distinctive energy. Porcaro was so impressed by Fleetwood's live performance of the track that he studied it from the side of the stage during shows. The song's critical acclaim has endured, landing at number 120 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs list in 2010 (later re-ranked at 401 in 2021) and number one on their list of Fleetwood Mac's 50 Greatest Songs.

The emotional weight of "Go Your Own Way" didn't stop at the studio. Christine McVie recalled in a 2023 post on X that the final mix was so intense it left the band "nearly deaf." Meanwhile, Nicks has reflected on the song's deeper meaning, noting in a 2023 X post that she believed Buckingham didn't truly mean the harsh words, suggesting a layer of regret beneath the defiance. The song's legacy has grown, inspiring covers by artists like The Cranberries, Wilson Phillips, and Lea Michele for Glee's "Rumours" episode, and it remains a stadium singalong staple, even after Buckingham's departure from the band in 2018. Its raw honesty and infectious rhythm make it a timeless anthem for Zoo Freaks everywhere.

Fleetwood Mac began as a British blues band formed in London in 1967 by guitarist and singer Peter Green. Named after drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie, the band initially included guitarist Jeremy Spencer and later Danny Kirwan. Their early years were marked by UK hits like "Albatross" and "Man of the World," establishing them as a force in the blues scene. Green left in 1970, and after a period of lineup changes, Christine McVie (John's wife at the time) joined as a vocalist and keyboardist. The band's pivotal moment came in 1974 when Fleetwood, searching for new talent, invited American guitarist Lindsey Buckingham to join, on the condition that his musical and romantic partner Stevie Nicks come along. This lineup—Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Buckingham, and Nicks—released their self-titled album in 1975, which hit number one in the US and set the stage for Rumours. Despite personal turmoil, including divorces and breakups, their chemistry produced some of rock's most enduring music.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Fleetwood Mac through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, though activity has slowed since Christine McVie's passing in 2022 and Nicks' statement that the band won't continue without her. Fans can dive deeper into the Mac's world through dedicated fan sites like Fleetwood Mac News, which tracks chart performances and band updates, or join vibrant communities like the Fleetwood Mac Fan Group on Facebook, where fans share memories and discuss the band's legacy. For those craving live tributes, check out Rumours of Fleetwood Mac or Fleetwood Bac, both celebrated for their authentic performances of classics like "Go Your Own Way."