Hypnotized

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the hypnotic grooves of Fleetwood Mac's "Hypnotized" from their 1973 album Mystery to Me, spinning on THE ZOO with your favorite hippie DJs, the Zoo Crew! This track, penned by guitarist Bob Welch, is a dreamy, jazz-inflected gem that captures the band’s transitional era. Originally written as a blues rocker for singer Dave Walker, Welch reworked the lyrics in Christine McVie’s upstairs living room at Benifold, the band’s spooky 20-room mansion in Hampshire, England. The song’s eerie vibe was inspired by the mansion’s tennis court, which Welch imagined as a UFO landing spot after a vivid dream about a Navajo shaman. He incorporated his fascination with the paranormal, UFOs, and Carlos Castaneda’s books about the Yaqui sorcerer Don Juan, with lyrics referencing a strange pond in North Carolina and a mystical place in Mexico where a man can fly without an engine. The song also nods to a 1973 UFO sighting in Pascagoula, Mississippi, reported by Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, which was all over the news during the recording sessions.

The instrumentation on "Hypnotized" is pure magic, with Mick Fleetwood’s triple-time drum rhythm—played straight through without overdubs—creating a trance-like pulse, paired with Bob Weston’s octave-spanning guitar solo and Christine McVie’s ethereal backing vocals. Welch himself called it his favorite song from his Fleetwood Mac days, noting its “magic” in a 1999 fan Q&A on fleetwoodmac.net. Despite being released as the B-side to "For Your Love," "Hypnotized" became a staple on American FM radio, earning Welch an ASCAP award in 1999 for 25 years of consecutive airplay. Fans on Songfacts rave about its haunting quality, with one calling it “one of Fleetwood Mac’s most underrated gems” and another tying its eerie mood to the Mothman legend. David Fricke of Rolling Stone described it as “urgent noir,” propelled by a shuffling mix of guitars and McVie’s understated electric piano, likening Welch’s vocals to a Raymond Chandler detective musing in the rain.

Fleetwood Mac began in London in 1967 as a blues rock outfit, founded by drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie, and guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer. Named after Fleetwood and McVie, the band drew from the British blues revival, with Green’s soulful songwriting and guitar work driving early hits like "Albatross" and "Black Magic Woman." Their debut album, Fleetwood Mac (1968), established them as a force in the UK blues scene, recorded at CBS Studios with producer Mike Vernon. Green’s departure in 1970 due to mental health struggles and drug issues marked the start of a turbulent period, with multiple lineup changes. Bob Welch joined in 1971, steering the band toward a poppier, harmony-driven sound, as heard on albums like Future Games and Mystery to Me. The arrival of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 1975 catapulted them to global fame with the iconic Rumours album, but the Welch era remains a beloved chapter for fans of their eclectic evolution.

Connect with Fleetwood Mac on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates and throwbacks to their legendary career. Fans can dive deeper at fleetwoodmac.net, a hub for news, discographies, and fan discussions. Join the community on Fleetwood Mac Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for "Hypnotized" and other classics. For tribute band vibes, check out Hypnotized by Mac, a Wisconsin-based group evoking the spirit of Fleetwood Mac’s 70s sound. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew, and let the mystic vibes of "Hypnotized" take you to another plane!