Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is undeniably one of the greatest albums of all time, but beyond the classic hits and the well-documented drama surrounding its creation, there are some lesser-known details that might surprise even die-hard fans. Here are five fun facts about the making of Rumours that add even more depth to its legendary status:
- The Working Title Was Almost Completely Different Before the band settled on Rumours as the album’s title, it was originally going to be called Yesterday’s Gone. This title came from the chorus of “Don’t Stop,” Christine McVie’s optimistic anthem about moving forward. However, John McVie suggested Rumours because the songs felt like the band members were telling tales about each other through their music, a fitting title given the personal turmoil that inspired many of the tracks.
- “The Chain” Was Born Out of Several Songs “The Chain,” the only song credited to all five members of Fleetwood Mac, wasn’t written in one cohesive sitting. It was pieced together from different song fragments. Christine McVie’s “Keep Me There” and Stevie Nicks’ demos were edited and combined, creating the haunting final track. The signature bass line, played by John McVie, wasn’t added until the final stages of production, giving the song its famous build-up.
- A Chair Was Used for Percussion While experimenting with different sounds for “Second Hand News,” Lindsey Buckingham used an unusual instrument—his chair. He would smack the seat in time with the beat, adding a subtle but distinctive percussive element to the track. This DIY approach to instrumentation helped give the song its lively, folksy energy.
- The Secret Behind the Songbird Session Christine McVie’s beautiful ballad “Songbird” was recorded in an unusual setting. Producer Ken Caillat felt the track needed a large, open space to capture its delicate acoustics. The band moved from their recording studio to the Zellerbach Auditorium in Berkeley, where McVie played the song late at night on a nine-foot Steinway piano, filling the hall with its raw emotion.
- Cocaine and Heartbreak Fueled the Album’s Production It’s no secret that Rumours was recorded amid intense personal strife. What’s lesser known is the extent to which drugs and emotional pain shaped the process. Cocaine use was rampant during the sessions, and the band members were often recording while processing their breakups with each other. Stevie Nicks famously said that the best music they ever made was when they were at their worst, and Rumours stands as a testament to that idea—great art born from chaos.
With Rumours, Fleetwood Mac captured lightning in a bottle, and these behind-the-scenes facts only add to the mystique of an album that has resonated across generations. From the creative recording techniques to the emotional and physical tolls, the making of Rumours is just as legendary as the music itself.
