Songbird

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning the sweet sounds of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” from their 1977 album Rumours—not Mirage, as that’s a different vibe from 1982! This piano ballad, penned by the incredible Christine McVie, is a heart-melter, and we’ve got some juicy trivia to share. Christine wrote “Songbird” in just 30 minutes, waking up around midnight with the chords, lyrics, and melody fully formed in her head, like a gift from the cosmos. She played it on her bedroom piano but had no way to record it, so she stayed awake all night to keep it locked in her memory until she could get to the studio. Talk about dedication! She later told The Guardian it felt like a “spiritual thing,” as if she’d been “visited” by the song, possibly tied to her mother Beatrice, a psychic medium whose mystical influence Christine believed in deeply.

Another cool tidbit: “Songbird” wasn’t recorded in a typical studio but at the Zellerbach Auditorium in Berkeley, California, to capture its intimate, concert-like essence. Christine played a nine-foot Steinway piano with 15 microphones set up around the auditorium, while Lindsey Buckingham strummed acoustic guitar offstage to keep the tempo. Producer Ken Caillat wanted it to sound like Christine was performing alone after a show, and boy, did they nail that vibe. Her ex-husband, John McVie, said in interviews that when Christine played “Songbird” live, “grown men would weep,” including himself every night. Mick Fleetwood echoed this in an NME interview, saying he’d pick “Songbird” for his funeral to send him “fluttering” off. The song’s universal appeal shines through—Christine told Uncut it’s not about anyone specific but “relates to everybody,” making it a go-to for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and even pet funerals.

Social media and recent tributes keep “Songbird” soaring. In 2023, Mick Fleetwood teamed up with ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro for an instrumental cover, released on what would’ve been Christine’s 80th birthday, recorded in Mick’s Maui studio. Mick shared on Instagram that it felt like the perfect tribute to Christine’s legacy, calling it “hallowed ground.” Fans on Reddit and X have raved about the song’s emotional depth, with one X user calling it “the purest expression of love in music.” Covers abound, from Willie Nelson’s 2006 album named Songbird to Eva Cassidy’s posthumous chart-topping version in the UK. Even Glee’s Naya Rivera sang it in the “Rumours” episode, and in 2023, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and Mick performed it at the Grammys to honor Christine after her passing in 2022.

Now, let’s rewind to how Fleetwood Mac got their start, a wild ride from London’s blues scene to global stardom. Formed in 1967 by guitarist Peter Green, drummer Mick Fleetwood, and guitarist Jeremy Spencer, the band emerged from the ashes of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Bassist John McVie joined soon after, completing the lineup for their self-titled debut album, a gritty British blues record. Named after Mick and John, the band was rooted in blues, scoring a UK number one with “Albatross” in 1968. Keyboardist Christine Perfect (later McVie) contributed as a session musician for their second album, married John, and joined full-time in 1970 after Danny Kirwan came on as a third guitarist. The early ‘70s were turbulent, with Green, Spencer, and Kirwan leaving due to personal struggles, replaced by Bob Welch, Bob Weston, and Dave Walker. By 1974, the band was in flux, without a male lead vocalist or guitarist.

Everything changed in late 1974 when Mick, scouting studios in Los Angeles, met Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Lindsey joined as lead guitarist on the condition that Stevie, his musical and romantic partner, come aboard too. This classic lineup—Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Buckingham, and Nicks—catapulted Fleetwood Mac to superstardom with their 1975 self-titled album, which hit number one in the US. Rumours followed, born from personal turmoil like Christine and John’s divorce and Stevie and Lindsey’s breakup, yet it became one of the best-selling albums ever, with over 40 million copies sold. The band’s chemistry, fueled by drama and talent, made them legends, earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1979, a 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Despite lineup changes, including Lindsey’s 2018 exit and additions like Mike Campbell and Neil Finn, their music remains timeless.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Fleetwood Mac on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, though their Instagram is currently private with limited followers, including Stevie and Mick. Their official website offers a mailing list for updates. Fans are buzzing on Reddit’s r/FleetwoodMac and sites like Fleetwood Mac News and Fleetwood Mac UK, which share tour dates, chart rankings, and articles. Join the Fleetwood Mac Fans Facebook group or check out Fleetwood Mac BR for Brazilian devotees. The Zoo Crew’s got more vinyl to spin, so stay tuned for the next track!