Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

In 1977, Fleetwood Mac was rock’s greatest soap opera. Both of the couples within the band—singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks; and bassist John McVie and singer/keyboardist Christine McVie—broke up during the making of Rumours.

Not to be outdone, drummer Mick Fleetwood broke up with his non-bandmember wife. The band’s three songwriters didn’t even try to avoid the topic on Rumours, which may be the definitive breakup album. The first single, “Go Your Own Way” was one of Buckingham’s contributions, and he and Nicks share the vocals as only ex-lovers can. The album became one of the biggest sellers in history, and the romantic tensions would turn up in nearly everything Fleetwood Mac did for years afterward.

An early lineup of Fleetwood Mac recorded the original version of “Black Magic Woman,” later a hit for Santana.

Drummer Mick Fleetwood was strongly influenced by African rhythms, and you can hear that in the drum part to “Go Your Own Way,” which doesn’t have a straightforward downbeat and keeps you busy with a lot of unexpected accents. Give the record a listen to prepare.

If you’re singing, it probably helps to have your ex standing next to you onstage.

Fleetwood Mac last toured in 2004, without Christine McVie who made a solo album instead.