When I first bought Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album - back in 1977, I went home and put it on my small record player and listened to the whole thing, non-stop. And ever since then I've thought two things:
- It is one of the very few absolutely PERFECT albums in rock history. Every. Single. Song. Is. Awesome. I seriously believe it is one of the best albums ever made.
and 2. The Christine McVie is the unsung hero of that band.
I'm not saying Lindsey Buckingham isn't great, because clearly he is. I'm also not saying that Stevie Nicks is a major reason for the bands success, because she clearly is. What I am saying - is that quietly, often in the background - there is one of the most beautiful voices in music, Christine McVie. And what she brought to FM was absolutely crucial in filling in gaps that - without her- would have made for a lesser album.
And even though every song on that album became an FM radio staple for the most part - NONE is more beautiful than this one....
For me, "Songbird" made that album whole. It brought you to a place that no other song on the album did. Lyrically, and vocally - it is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.
It's one of the few songs that- when it comes on, anywhere I am - I want it quiet just so I can listen to it fully.
And she brought it on so many other Mac his - like "Little Lies", "Over My Head", "Hold Me", "You Make Loving Fun", "Say You Love Me", and "Don't Stop".
Yeah, Lindsey and Stevie got all the attention - but for me - the best part of Fleetwood Mac, was Christine McVie.
I was lucky enough to see the full lineup (not the last tour with the substitutes for Buckingham) twice and both shows were excellent. But the highlight of both shows- was when Christine sat at the piano alone and sang the song she wrote in the middle of the night about sacrifice and true love. "Songbird". It made the evenings.
I was very saddened to hear of her passing, but man - she gave us all a great gift.
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