The five best uses of Fleetwood Mac in movies
The music of Fleetwood Mac, with their timeless and emotionally evocative themes and melodies, translates well to the big screen. While much of the band’s discography chronicles the personal turbulence the members experienced, the music transforms these events into something universal, adding depth and resonance to anything it comes into contact with.
Fleetwood Mac’s music frequently delves into themes of loss, love, longing, and self-discovery, aligning with the cinematic touchstones found in many stories. Moreover, their chart-topping tracks, spanning from ‘Dreams’ to ‘The Chain’, feature captivating rhythms infused with funk and charm, capable of elevating any scene to new levels of enjoyment.
Beyond this, their instinctive versatility allows filmmakers to seamlessly integrate their music into a wide range of cinematic genres, from romantic dramas to coming-of-age tales to epic blockbusters. Whether it’s a tender moment between lovers or a pulse-pounding action sequence, there’s a Fleetwood Mac song that perfectly captures the mood.
Maybe it’s the ethereal quality of Stevie Nicks’ vocals or Lindsey Buckingham’s talent for effortlessly harmonising while infusing each song with his masterful guitar playing that contributes to the band’s lasting appeal in the realm of cinema. Regardless, their music provides a poignant backdrop, filled with depth and intricacy, introducing new layers of meaning that might have otherwise remained undiscovered.
The five best movie uses of Fleetwood Mac:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (James Gunn, 2017)
James Gunn‘s epic superhero trilogy has potentially become best known for its iconic soundtrack. While the first movie boasted hits like David Bowie’s ‘Moonage Daydream’ and Raspberries’ ‘Go All The Way’, Vol 2 proved it had way more to offer right from its opening sequence, which included beloved main character Groot dancing to ELO’s ‘Mr. Blue Sky’.
The movie’s climax, which involves a showdown between Starlord and his father, Ego, includes Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ clocking in at precisely the moment where our protagonist decides to fight back. It is spinetingling, a reminder of Gunn’s ability to craft perfectly tense moments of salvation.
Almost Famous (Cameron Crowe, 2000)
Cameron Crowe, renowned for his deep musical knowledge and past role as a columnist for Rolling Stone, curated the soundtrack for Almost Famous with meticulous care, showcasing an array of Fleetwood Mac’s repertoire.
The placement of ‘Future Games’ in the film aligns seamlessly with its early 1970s setting, characterised by a shift in Fleetwood Mac’s line-up and overall musical direction. At this time, John and Christine McVie held significant influence within the band, contributing to a sound marked by straight-ahead psychedelic rock—a fitting backdrop for Almost Famous.
Tusk (Kevin Smith, 2014)
Kevin Smith‘s underappreciated horror masterpiece, Tusk, features Justin Long in the role of Wallace, a podcaster whose encounter with the enigmatic Howard takes a dark turn when the latter harbours a bizarre desire to transform a human into a walrus.
During the film’s climactic sequence, the haunting strains of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Tusk’ set the tone as Wallace’s friends embark on a perilous search within Howard’s eerie mansion. This choice of music adds a layer of ominous tension to the scene, heightening the suspense and amplifying the sense of impending dread.
Forrest Gump (Robert Zemeckis, 1994)
Although many aspects of Zemeckis‘ historical epic Forrest Gump might fail to hold up to today’s standards, in its prime, it was the pinnacle of modern cinema. Not only was Tom Hanks praised for his portrayal of the innocent and unassuming titular character, but the soundtrack added to the movie’s depictions of era-specific significance.
One such scene occurred when Forrest “just felt like running”, which made headlines and occupied news channels’ airtime after many wrongly assumed that his choice was connected to a political rallying cry for change. Forrest was seen as a hero whose actions inspired others to follow suit. As others began to join in with his endless run, the sequence was perfectly soundtracked to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own Way’.
Jerry Maguire (Cameron Crow, 1996)
Nowadays, most films enjoy utilising tracks from Fleetwood Mac’s latter years, disregarding some overlooked gems from earlier on in their repertoire. However, Jerry Maguire, which stars Tom Cruise as a sports agent who is fired after experiencing a moral epiphany, has a soundtrack comprising everything you might expect from its director.
On this occasion, Crowe utilises Oh Well (Part 1), a song from the band’s early days. While this iteration of the band predates the iconic additions of Nicks and Buckingham, it highlights their earlier folk-rock roots, laying a significant foundation for their subsequent sonic evolution and enduring legacy.
