You Make Loving Fun (Live 1997)

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic for you today with Fleetwood Mac's "You Make Loving Fun (Live 1997)" from their iconic live album The Dance. This track, written and sung by Christine McVie, has a juicy backstory. Originally from the 1977 album Rumours, the song was inspired by Christine's affair with the band's lighting director, Curry Grant. To keep the peace with her then-husband and bandmate John McVie, she cheekily told him it was about her dog! In a 2009 chat with Q magazine, drummer Mick Fleetwood quipped that John probably believed it was about a pooch. Christine herself shared in a New York Post interview that she wanted this groovy tune as the third single from Rumours, but "Don't Stop" got the nod instead. Posts on X have echoed the fun trivia, with fans loving how Christine spun a personal tale into a universal banger. The 1997 live version we’re playing captures the band’s reunited magic, with that rhythm section—Mick and John—making it feel like a warm hug from the '70s.

Another tidbit that makes this song sparkle is its creation process. Christine revealed in Q magazine that she was panicking while working on Rumours at The Record Plant in Sausalito, feeling her creative well was dry. Then, one day, she sat at the piano, and boom—four and a half songs, including "You Make Loving Fun," poured out. The live 1997 performance, recorded during their comeback concert at Warner Bros. in Burbank, shows off the band's chemistry, which Lindsey Buckingham called "very present" in a Mojo interview. Fans on Reddit have pointed out the hilarity of John facing away from Christine during some live shows, maybe hinting at the song’s real muse. It’s a concert staple, played at every gig with Christine from 1976 until her brief exit in 1998, and revived when she rejoined in 2014. Oh, and fun fact: Cyndi Lauper covered it in 1984 for a Japan-only single!

Now, let’s rewind to how Fleetwood Mac kicked things off. Formed in London in 1967, the band was the brainchild of guitarist Peter Green, who named it after drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie. They started as a British blues outfit, with Peter’s soulful riffs leading the charge. Their early days saw hits like "Albatross," a UK number-one instrumental in 1968. Christine Perfect (later McVie) joined in 1970 after marrying John, bringing her smoky vocals and keyboard magic from her time with Chicken Shack, where she was voted female artist of the year by Melody Maker in 1969 and 1970. The band’s big shift came in 1974 when Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks hopped aboard in Los Angeles, turning their bluesy roots into the pop-rock sound that made them legends. They’ve sold over 120 million records, blending drama, talent, and those killer hooks we all love.

Want to keep up with Fleetwood Mac? Check out their official website for news and tour archives. They’re on Facebook, sharing throwbacks and updates, and their Instagram is a treasure trove of vintage pics and recent tributes to Christine McVie. Follow them on X for fan chatter and band tidbits. Fans are all over the place too—join the Fleetwood Mac Fan Club on Facebook for some serious Zoo Freak vibes. For deep dives, fleetwoodmac.net is a fan-run gem with forums and rare photos. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep loving fun!