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.
Not That Funny
Fleetwood Mac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you don't know what it is
But you can't get enough of it
It's not that funny is it?
Don't blame me
Please, please, please
I didn't wanna bleed so
So don't make me wait
It's not that funny is it?
No one to turn you on
All your hope is gone
It's not that funny is it? Yeah
So don't blame me
Please, please, please
You're here 'cause I say so
Didn't wanna be this late
So don't make me, don't make me wait
Here comes the night time
Looking for a little more
Working on and checking out
Somebody outside the door, yeah
Uh huh, yeah, yeah
Yeah, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
It's not that funny is it?
But you can't get enough of it
It's not that funny is it?
Umm huh huh that funny
Not funny, umm huh
But you can't get enough
It's not that funny is it?
It's not that funny is it?
Not too funny, no
It's not that funny, not too
Yeah, I said yeah
The lyrics of Fleetwood Mac's song "Not That Funny" seem to be describing a situation where the singer or the person being addressed is in a state of confusion or uncertainty. The repetition of the refrain "It's not that funny" suggests that the situation is not amusing or lighthearted. The first verse explains that although the situation is not funny, the person involved is still drawn to it and can't get enough of it. The second verse shifts the focus to a plea from the singer not to be blamed for any consequences, as they did not want to be involved in whatever situation has arisen. The final verse mentions "here comes the night time" which can be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of a time of change or transformation. The person involved seems to be seeking something more or someone else outside. The song ends with a repetition of the refrain, "It's not that funny" which underscores the serious tone of the song.
Overall, the song seems to be highlighting the human inclination to be drawn to situations that are not ideal or amusing. The singer is aware that the situation is not right but is powerless in their attraction to it. They are also aware that they may be blamed for getting involved in the situation. The final verse is positive in a sense, as it suggests that change is possible and that the person involved has the opportunity to explore other options.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not that funny is it?
Life is not that amusing, is it?
When you don't know what it is
It's difficult to enjoy life when you're unaware of what you want.
But you can't get enough of it
Yet, despite that, you want more.
Don't blame me
I should not be held responsible.
Please, please, please
But please, just be patient with me.
I didn't wanna bleed so
I didn't want to go through the pain.
I didn't wanna be this late
I wanted to be on time, but I couldn't.
So don't make me wait
So pardon me, don't make me wait any longer.
No one to turn you on
It's impossible to get excited without help.
All your hope is gone
When hope is lost, life becomes hopeless.
You're here 'cause I say so
You're here at my request.
Here comes the night time
The dark period of the day is approaching.
Looking for a little more
Desiring something new and exciting.
Working on and checking out
Evaluating and improving oneself.
Somebody outside the door, yeah
Someone is knocking on the door.
It's not that funny is it?
Life is not that amusing, is it?
Umm huh huh that funny
Actually, it's not funny at all.
Not funny, umm huh
It's far from being amusing, actually.
It's not that funny is it?
Life is not that amusing, is it?
Not too funny, no
The situation is not even slightly funny.
It's not that funny, not too
Overall, the situation is serious and not amusing.
Yeah, I said yeah
Yes, I agree.
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lindsey Buckingham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oamdlc4329
It's not that funny is it
When you don't know what it is
But you can't get enough of it
If's not that funny is it?
Don't blame me!
Please, please, please!
I didn't wanna bleed so
I didn't wanna be this late
So don't make me wait!
It's not that funny is it
No one to turn you on
All your hope is gone
It's not that funny is it?
Don't blame me!
Please, please, please!
You're here cause I say so
Didn't wanna be this late
So don't make me
Don't make me wait!
Here comes the nightime looking for a little more
Waiting on the right time somebody outside the door.
@skylerjean3024
Lindsey at his best. He couldn't sing while doing push-ups like in the studio, so the manic energy is turned up to the max- and manic looks good on him. Loving how obviously Mick is in his own little world. He says drumming always puts him in that state and here is a fine example. Fucking iconic performance. 💛
@basieldewilde3754
Really curious about what you mean with singing while doing push-ups in the studio haha
@spartansfan1026
@@basieldewilde3754 I believe the story is that the frantic, breathy singing by Buckingham was a creative choice, induced by doing push-ups while recording -- in a replica of his bathroom he had put together in the studio, no less!
@Flochavira
Every time I listen to Lindsey he blows me away.....Greatest entertainer ever... in my estimation he was the heart and soul of Fleetwood Mac... I cannot attend a concert without him.... sorry Stevie.....
@josephdefilippis07
As great as Neil Finn and MIke Campbell is, Lindsey's in another category
@Johann-AG
I agree about the heart and soul. He as well as Mick, Christine and John (in that order). Sorry Steve.
@aracelymoran2504
@Joseph DeFilippis Couldnt agree more. This versio does the song justice as a jam. And jamming they are. Dont get that in the studio version, as nice as it is.
@curtisthedrummer6200
I actually quite like this song, it’s very different from a lot of their other material and I like how it stands out
@TerryZzzzz
This sure brings back the memories and all good! ….. grad school. All of Tusk is wonderful! Love the edgy sound of this lineup on this cut. Lindsey is crisp. John on bass wow, Christine on the keyboard pristine. And Mick darn near a metronome on drums. Lovely!
@geedavey66
My favorite live performance of Not That Funny. Hope Lindsey plays this on his upcoming solo tour!