One of the standout tracks on Fleetwood Mac’s critically acclaimed “Rumours” is the iconic “Go Your Own Way”. The song was written by guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham and was released as the album’s first single. The catchy tune is the embodiment of the theme of “Rumours”, an album heavily influenced by the tumultuous personal relationships within the band. In this article, we will delve into the story, meaning, and legacy behind the iconic song!
The Story Behind the Song
In the mid-1970s, the personal lives of the members of Fleetwood Mac were a mess. John and Christine McVie were going through a divorce, and Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s relationship was approaching a hectic end. Despite their indifferences, the members decided to turn their emotions into creating a new album.
Expectedly, the recording sessions of Rumours were beyond eventful, filled with heated fights, big parties, and irritation.
“I was completely devastated when she (Nicks) took off. And yet I had to make hits for her. I had to do a lot of things for her that I really didn’t want to do. And yet I did them.
Lindsey Buckingham in Classic Rock Magazine (2013)
It led Buckingham to write “Go Your Own Way”, a song about his tumultuous relationship with Stevie Nicks. The powerful song delves into the pain and frustration of a failing relationship.
Stevie Nicks was reportedly furious when she heard the song. She perceived the song as a personal and wrongful attack and urged Buckingham to change some of the lyrics. But Buckingham refused to do so. In response, Stevie Nicks wrote the iconic song “Dreams”.
Read more: The Story Behind “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
“Dreams’ and ‘Go Your Own Way’ are what I call the ‘twin songs’. They’re the same song written by two people about the same relationship.”
Stevie Nicks in Mojo Magazine
The differences between the ‘twin songs’ are noteworthy. Buckingham’s “Go Your Own Way” follows a straightforward course, while Nicks’ “Dreams” has a more philosophical approach.
“Go Your Own Way” was released as the album’s first single at the end of 1976, 3 months before the release of “Rumours”. The early release was an attempt to create hype around the album. With success, because the album had close to a million pre-orders. “Rumours” would eventually sell over 10 million copies worldwide in the first month of its release.
The Meaning of the Song
Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” is about the pain and frustration that comes along with a failing relationship. On personal terms, it reflects Lindsey Buckingham’s perspective on his breakup with Stevie Nicks.
Read more: The 10 Best Fleetwood Mac Songs of All Time
The verses delve into Buckingham’s conflicting emotions, explaining a love-hate narrative between him and Nicks. Buckingham wants to give ‘the world’ to Nicks, but she won’t take it from him. Funnily enough, Nicks tells a somewhat similar story from the opposite perspective in the ‘twin song’ “Dreams”.
The chorus of the tune repeats the song’s title. Buckingham tells Nicks to follow her own path, but predicts it’ll be a lonely one. The chorus of “Go Your Own Way” is remarkably similar to the first verse of “Dreams”.
Overall, “Go Your Own Way” perfectly captures the complex emotions that occur with a breakup. Steve Nicks’ response “Dreams”, which tells a similar story from the opposite perspective, only strengthens that complexity.
The Legacy of Go Your Own Way
The song was a commercial success, reaching number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and topping the Dutch and Belgium charts. The album was also a massive success, topping the album charts worldwide. “Rumours” would eventually top the US album charts for 32 weeks and sell over 40 million copies worldwide.
Over the years, “Go Your Own Way” has proven to be a timeless rock classic. The song’s enduring popularity is evidence of the captivating music and the relatable themes of the iconic tune.
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