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.
Twist and Shout
Fleetwood Mac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout (Twist and shout)
C'mon c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)
Well, work it on out, honey (Work it on out)
You know you got me goin', now (Got me goin')
Just like I knew you would
(Like I knew you would)
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout (Twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)
You know you twist your little girl
(Twist, little girl)
You know you twist so fine (Twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now
(Twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine
(Let me know you're mine)
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout (Twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)
You know you twist your little girl
(Twist, little girl)
You know you twist so fine (Twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now
(Twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine
(Let me know you're mine)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
The lyrics to "Twist and Shout" by Fleetwood Mac are an energetic call for the listener to let loose, have fun, and embrace the joy of dancing. The repetition of phrases like "shake it up, baby, now" and "twist and shout" convey a sense of urgency and excitement, urging the listener to join in and participate. The song is characterized by its lively rhythm and catchy melody, which further enhance the invitation to let go and dance.
The lyrics emphasize the physicality and sensuality of dancing, with lines like "You know you twist so fine" and "twist a little closer." The song captures the exuberance and freedom of expression that come with dancing, as well as the connection and intimacy that can be fostered through movement. It's a celebration of the joy and release that can be found on the dance floor.
Overall, the lyrics of "Twist and Shout" convey a sense of infectious energy, urging the listener to let go of inhibitions, embrace the power of dancing, and experience the excitement and connection it can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, shake it up, baby, now
Indicating excitement and urging the listener to move and change their current state
(Shake it up, baby)
Encouraging the listener to bring about a change and create some excitement in their life
Twist and shout (Twist and shout)
Expressing the desire for the listener to let loose and express themselves freely without any reservations
C'mon c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
Urging the listener to join in and participate actively in the experience
(Come on baby)
Inviting the listener to come along and be a part of something exciting
Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)
Encouraging the listener to put in effort and energy in order to achieve something worthwhile
You know you look so good (Look so good)
Acknowledging the listener's attractiveness and appealing to their sense of self-confidence
You know you got me goin', now (Got me goin')
Acknowledging the effect the listener has on the artist, creating excitement and enthusiasm
Just like I knew you would
Expressing the artist's confidence and certainty in the listener's ability to excite and captivate
You know you twist your little girl
Acknowledging the listener's ability to captivate and enthrall the artist
(Twist, little girl)
Endearing term used to express affection towards the listener and their captivating nature
You know you twist so fine (Twist so fine)
Complimenting the listener on the elegance and grace with which they express themselves
Come on and twist a little closer, now
Inviting the listener to come closer and deepen their connection and intimacy
(Twist a little closer)
Encouraging the listener to engage in a more intimate and profound manner
And let me know that you're mine
Expressing the desire for the listener to convey their sense of commitment and exclusivity
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
Reiterating the initial excitement and urging the listener to continue moving and being active
(Shake it up baby)
Encouraging the listener to bring about a change and create some excitement in their life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Russell, Phil Medley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sam rose
This era of Fleetwood was simply outstanding. Such a shame about the outcome, not discredit later incarnations of the group as I'm extemely fond of the kirwan and welch era. Needless to say Peter Green was a valiant axeman who certainly knew how to caress that fingerboard!
JR in the 818
Peter Green is one of the very best. He could do it all. He had a wicked sense of humor as evidenced by the Oh Well Lyrics. Glad we have these recordings.
Ian Woodward
I wonder what the Mythic Being told him when he arrived at the top of the Stairway to Heaven. His legs were proably well-muscled by the time he got up there. lol
M Godwin
Hadn't heard this before! Splendid.
Lumbo1976
McVie is the greatest bassist that ever lived.
Gabriel Rolfo
@stwads John Entwistle
John Holmes
jack bruce to name but one of many better bassists
J. T.
Hardly.
stwads
@68’ Rumble Bee The best bassist was Alan Spenner & there is no "s" in vicious"!
Phil Fletcher
I've never heard this version before, it's better than The Beatles version.