Primarily a British blues band, Fleetwood Mac scored a UK number one with "Albatross", and had other hits such as the singles "Oh Well" and "Man of the World". All three guitarists left in succession during the early 1970s, to be replaced by guitarists Bob Welch and Bob Weston and vocalist Dave Walker. By 1974, all three of them had either departed or been dismissed, leaving the band without a male lead vocalist or guitarist. In late 1974, while Fleetwood was scouting studios in Los Angeles, he was introduced to American folk-rock duo Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Fleetwood Mac soon asked Buckingham to be their new lead guitarist, and Buckingham agreed on condition that Nicks would also join the band.
The addition of Buckingham and Nicks gave the band a more pop rock sound, and their 1975 self-titled album, Fleetwood Mac, reached No. 1 in the United States. Rumours (1977), Fleetwood Mac's second album after the arrival of Buckingham and Nicks, produced four U.S. Top 10 singles and remained at number one on the American albums chart for 31 weeks. It also reached the top spot in various countries around the world and won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978. Rumours has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in history. The band went through personal turmoil while recording the album, as both the romantic partnerships in the band (one being John and Christine McVie, and the other being Buckingham and Nicks) separated while continuing to make music together.
The band's personnel remained stable through three more studio albums, but by the late 1980s began to disintegrate. After Buckingham and Nicks each left the band, they were replaced by a number of other guitarists and vocalists. A 1993 one-off performance for the first inauguration of Bill Clinton featured the lineup of Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Nicks, and Buckingham back together for the first time in six years. A full reunion occurred four years later, and the group released their fourth U.S. No. 1 album, The Dance (1997), a live compilation of their hits, also marking the 20th anniversary of Rumours. Christine McVie left the band in 1998, but continued to work with the band in a session capacity. Meanwhile, the group remained together as a four-piece, releasing their most recent studio album, Say You Will, in 2003. Christine McVie rejoined the band full-time in 2014. In 2018, Buckingham was fired from the band and was replaced by Mike Campbell, formerly of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House.
Fleetwood Mac has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling bands. In 1979, the group was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1998 the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
Danny Kirwan, guitarist, songwriter and early member of Fleetwood Mac (1968–1972) died in London, England, on 8 June 2018, aged 68. An obituary in The New York Times said he had died in his sleep after contracting pneumonia earlier in the year. The British music magazine Mojo quoted Christine McVie as saying: "Danny Kirwan was the white English blues guy. Nobody else could play like him. He was a one-off ... Danny and Peter [Green] gelled so well together. Danny had a very precise, piercing vibrato – a unique sound ... He was a perfectionist; a fantastic musician and a fantastic writer." One of Kirwan's songs, "Tell Me All the Things You Do" from the 1970 album Kiln House, was included in the set of the 2018–19 An Evening with Fleetwood Mac tour.
On 28 May 2020 Neil Finn, featuring Nicks and McVie, with Campbell on guitar, released the song “Find Your Way Back Home” for the Auckland, New Zealand homeless shelter Auckland City Mission.
Founding member Peter Green died on 25 July 2020 at the age of 73. In October 2020, Rumours again entered the Billboard top 10. The album received 30.6 million plays on streaming platforms the week of October 15, after a TikTok video of the song "Dreams" went viral.
On 30 November 2022, it was announced that band member Christine McVie died at the age of 79, after a short illness.
First Train Home
Fleetwood Mac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna catch the first train home
I don't know what I come here for
Yeah, first train home
I don't know what I come here for
'cause for nine long years I couldn't even walk out of my door
Break:
I'm gonna catch the first train home
I don't know what I come here for
The first train, the first train home
I don't know what I come here for
'cause for nine long years, I couldn't even walk out of my door
The lyrics of Fleetwood Mac's song "First Train Home" are quite straightforward and mostly tell a story of someone who is determined to leave a place and head back home. The lyrics start with the singer announcing their intention to catch the first train home, but they don't know why they came in the first place. This suggests that they've been away for a while, and perhaps they've outstayed their welcome or have grown restless being away from home for so long. The repetition of these lines further emphasizes the urgency to leave and the feeling of being lost, unsure of how to proceed.
However, the most significant line in the song is "Cause for nine long years I couldn't even walk out of my door." This line is pivotal in understanding the song's overall meaning. It suggests that the singer has been dealing with some significant life event or trauma that has affected them for a long time. They've been unable to leave their house and engage with the outside world due to this issue. This line establishes the motivation behind their desire to leave and head back home, where they might feel more comfortable or find some solace.
Overall, "First Train Home" tells a story of someone who's been struggling for a long time, possibly with a mental health issue, and has decided that it's time to leave a place that's been holding them back. The repetition of certain lines adds to the urgency of the message, while the revelation in the final line provides a sense of clarity and understanding for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna catch the first train home
I am determined to leave this place as soon as possible
I don't know what I come here for
I am uncertain about the purpose and value of my current presence
Yeah, first train home
I am emphasizing the urgency of my desire to depart
I don't know what I come here for
Once again, I am expressing my confusion about being in this location
'Cause for nine long years I couldn't even walk out of my door
I have been struggling with a personal issue for nearly a decade, which has restricted my ability to leave my home
Here's what I say
I am about to make a statement or declaration
I'm gonna catch the first train home
Reiterating my intention to leave immediately
I don't know what I come here for
Still feeling uncertain about the reason for my visit
The first train, the first train home
Emphasizing the importance and significance of taking the initial train back home
I don't know what I come here for
Continuing to express my confusion and lack of purpose in being in this location
'Cause for nine long years, I couldn't even walk out of my door
Repeating the underlying struggle and challenge I have faced for a prolonged period
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billslinkard4127
Words are inadequate to describe Peter Green's style, creative ability and impact on the Blues, and the soul of mankind!
@stoffe2
In my opinion the most sensitive blues guitarist this world have ever seen!
@EliRecordsUK
This is one my favourite tracks of all time - a 3-piece band cutting the mustard - sounds like it's recorded live. The guitar sound and phrasing is utterly magnificent.
@krahsnif
Peter Green was the first guitarist in the sixties that really got me listening to the blues.He had that little bit of magic in his fingers that made him special.
@bendbadgersteve
When Pete was on his game there was nobody better. That's saying a lot when you consider Clapton, Duane Allman, Beck, Mick Taylor even Hendrix. The man had such incredible tone and feel. He flashes here yet everything fits and doesn't make you feel at all like he's showing off. Effortless and graceful, the licks just drip off like rain falling from a roof.
@ryanodonnell4184
Well said. Hendrix is the only other electric blues guitarist post BB King generation that you can compare to green. He had something no one else had.
@huzzer060883
sickest tone i ever heard
@michaelaitchison
Peter....you are the Master......so gifted.......so very very Special....no one can play guitar like you...you sing Blues from the Soul...like you..or phrase Blues....the same way as you. do...I miss you Peter....God Bless.it is time.the..Queen...Knighted you...Sir Peter......You are held in the highest regard..as a World Class Guitarist along with Eric..... Buddy..BB..Freddie..Albert..SRV...Gary Moore...............
@MorroccoM13
I could tell from the first 3 notes that this was going to be a great blues tune. Cant get enuff Peter Green BLUES!
@IronMonkee
This tone and the one in "Worried Dream" studio take, have to be my favorites... there just so touching!