A collection of Mick Fleetwood’s favourite songs
Fleetwood Mac have no shortage of songs worthy of a place on your favourite songs playlist. From the sparkling soundscape of ‘Everywhere’ to the sprawling progression of ‘The Chain’, from the dramatic ‘Go Your Own Way’ to the softly vengeful ‘Silver Springs’, their soft rock stylings have maintained their place on radio stations and best of lists for decades. The band have even found their way onto the list of favourite songs of their founder and namesake, Mick Fleetwood.
The drummer formed the band in the late 1960s, recruiting long-standing collaborators John and Christine McVie and, later, stumbling upon the talents of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The music and relationship dramas that ensued would become some of the most celebrated in rock.
Fleetwood divulged a collection of his own favourite songs during an appearance on iTunes’ Celebrity Playlist Podcast, including two songs from his time with Fleetwood Mac. The first was ‘Love That Burns’, which he deemed his “most favourite song of Peter’s”. Penned by Peter Green, the track featured on one of the band’s earliest records, Mr. Wonderful.
Fleetwood also picked out the band’s 1969 track ‘Man of the World’, another of Green’s early efforts. But the drummer’s picks didn’t all spawn from his own projects. He takes the time to shout out some classics, including Bob Dylan and the Beatles, though the latter he credits more for their solo work than their time as a band.
Picking out John Lennon’s solo track ‘Jealous Guy’, Fleetwood commented, “When he left the ranks of the Beatles, [he] continued just to do the greatest stuff. Probably more poignant, for sure, even than the stuff he did with the Beatles.” He also shared his love for his dear friend and brother-in-law George Harrison, picking out ‘All Things Must Pass’.
The Fleetwood Mac founder also shared his love for jazz icon Nina Simone, acknowledging how his early musical collaborator Peter Bardens introduced him to her music. “The mournful tone of her voice,” he enthused, “the way she delivers her tongues, and, very often, a poignant, passionate, sad vibe that only she could really nail.”
One of the drummer’s more surprising choices comes from a more classical realm, as he shares his love for Vaughan Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’. A song based on a poem from the 1880s, Fleetwood was stunned by Williams’ command of dynamics.
Between picks from Buddy Holly and James Brown, Bo Diddley and B.B. King, the list is varied but filled to the brim with classics, a demonstration of Fleetwood’s well-honed taste. Find the full collection of songs below.
Mick Fleetwood’s favourite songs
- Buddy Holly – ‘Peggy Sue’
- Sandy Nelson – ‘Let There Be Drums’
- The Surfaris – ‘Wipe Out’
- Jimmy Reed – ‘Bright Lights, Big City’
- B.B. King – ‘Sweet Sixteen’
- Bo Diddley – ‘Hey! Bo Diddley’
- Nina Simone – ‘Rags and Old Iron’
- Vaughan Williams – ‘The Lark Ascending’
- John Lennon – ‘Jealous Guy’
- George Harrison – ‘All Things Must Pass’
- Marvin Gaye – ‘What’s Going On’
- James Brown – ‘It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World’
- Bob Dylan – ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’’
- Fleetwood Mac – ‘Love That Burns’
- Fleetwood Mac – ‘Man of the World’
- Elmore James – ‘Dust My Broom’
- Howlin’ Wolf – ‘Back Door Man’
