Mick Fleetwood names his favorite song by Christine McVie
(Source: Far Out / Raph Pour-Hashemi)
Fleetwood Mac was not lacking in songwriting talent. Stevie Nicks enchanted with sound on songs like “Dreams” and “Silver Springs,” adding a captivating touch to their lyrics and melodies. Lindsey Buckingham was equally adept with the guitar, turning his romantic frustrations into a mix of catchy melodies and experimental works. And while the two former lovers wrote snappy songs about each other, Christine McVie showed off her own songwriting talent with keys and enchanting melodies.
The full-time keyboardist and occasional singer had a real gift for melody, a talent she used to write some of Fleetwood Mac’s most entertaining and emotional songs. She showed her ability to write a dazzling pop song with “Everywhere,” but she was equally capable of moving listeners to tears with songs like “Songbird.”
McVie’s talent as a songwriter knew no bounds, which is why it’s quite difficult to pick a favorite from her repertoire. There are so many classics to choose from – perhaps the incredibly catchy “Don’t Stop”? Or the smooth grooves of “You Make Loving Fun”? But what about the hypnotic “Little Lies”? Every single contribution she made to her catalog is a worthy contender.
But for McVie’s bandmate and drummer Mick Fleetwood, it was “Oh Daddy” that made the biggest impression. A documentary about the making of Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 masterpiece states: RumorsFleetwood described “Oh Daddy” as “one of his favourite songs” recorded by McVie and called it “fantastic”. The somber piece was the penultimate track on Rumorsand it was also released as the last single from the album.
Unlike sing-along hits like “Everywhere” and “Don’t Stop,” “Oh Daddy” shows McVie’s ability to write something a little darker and more downtempo. She uses organs and synths to create a moody atmosphere, backed up with sparse percussion while her vocals soar high. “Why are you right when I’m so wrong?” she asks. “I’m so weak, but you’re so strong.”
That “Oh Daddy” is Fleetwood’s favorite McVie song is no surprise, considering he provided the inspiration for the theme. “I think it’s about me, ‘Oh Daddy’…” he explained, “and I was the only dad in the band at that point.” The lyrics may allude to Fleetwood’s literal fatherhood, but could also refer to his position as the band’s fatherly leader, guiding them through the turmoil of the late 1970s.
But the beauty of “Oh Daddy” also lies in its ambiguity. Although McVie may have written the lyrics with Fleetwood in mind, her words can be interpreted in a variety of other ways. We could interpret the song as being about an insecure relationship, romantic or familial. McVie’s feelings of foolishness and lack of self-esteem in the song certainly support this interpretation.
By combining dark twang with lyrics full of real emotions, McVie created one of the most devastating and at the same time beautiful songs not only on Rumors but in Fleetwood Mac’s entire catalog. It proves that their talent goes beyond catchy keys to include truly emotionally stirring pieces. It’s easy to see why “Oh Daddy” is Fleetwood’s favorite McVie song.
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