I don't know about you, but I love to dive deeper into the origin and context of some of my favorite songs, movies, performances, etc. My most recent excursion down this rabbit hole occurred after I watched the music video posted above. The song, "Silver Springs", was written by Stevie Nicks, and describes her perspective on the implosion of her romantic relationship with fellow bandmate and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.
The song was intended to be released on the album Rumours. However, for reasons including its length and relatively slow tempo, (and depending on who you ask, perhaps because of the pointed lyrics), the song was excluded from the album, despite strenuous and repeated objections from Nicks. "Silver Springs" was released in late 1976 as the B-side of the "Go Your Own Way" single, a Buckingham-written song which, ironically, was also a narrative, (though much harsher in my opinion), about their breakup. In a 1997 documentary on the making of Rumours, engineer and co-producer Richard Dashut called Silver Springs "the best song that never made it to a record album".
Rolling Stone observed, "Nicks' tender yet vengeful post-mortem on her breakup with Buckingham [became] an emotional lightning rod. The song would have behind-the-scenes repercussions for decades to come – nearly leading to the breakup of the band." Amanda Petrusich of Pitchfork believed that the song epitomised "the story of how Buckingham and Nicks lost each other" more than any other song before the release of Tusk. She also highlighted the dynamics between Nicks and Buckingham on the recording of live performances of the song and described Nicks' voice as "feral" during the "was I just a fool?" lyric. The Guardian and Paste ranked the song number six and number two, respectively, on their lists of the 30 greatest Fleetwood Mac songs.
But see for yourself, now that you have a little more context about this song and it's history, pay attention to all of the spoken and unspoken language between the band members as they perform this song. You've got Mick on drums just splashing in the pool, oblivious to the flames around him. In a different manner, but perhaps, with the same motivation you have John playing bass with his cap down, focusing on the job at hand, praying for the music to continue. Now we look to stage right where Christine is playing with a watchful eye on her "bestie", on high alert for any drama that might erupt. And finally, we have to give major props to the camera and director's work on this video, they are right on top of all of the side eyes, the aggressive closing of the distance between Stevie and Lindsay during the final chorus, and everything in between.
Then you us, the viewer. In some ways we inhabit the most awkward position of anyone in this musical play. It's the equivalent of dropping by to visit some friends and as you approach the house you hear the ominous growing sounds of discontent. The door is ajar and as we gingerly enter with a soft, "Hello?" we are greeted with this spectacle being played out in the living room. Where this analogy starts to break down is that honestly we are seeing and hearing one side of this drama, if you want to get the other side check out the video, "Go Your Own Way" by the same band. Imagine having to stand in front of tens of thousands of people as you and your ex swap narratives about why you are no longer together.
Though, if everything in this band had always been harmonious, we most likely would have been deprived of some of the greatest music of the 70's and 80's.
