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Fleetwood Mac — The Chain
Album: Rumours
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3071









Released: 1977
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Listen to the wind blow
Watch the sun rise
Running in the shadows
Damn your love, damn your lies

And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
We would never break the chain
And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
We would never break the chain

Listen to the wind blow
Down comes the night
Running in the shadows
Damn your love, damn your lies
Break the silence
Damn the dark, damn the light

And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
We would never break the chain
And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
We would never break the chain
And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
We would never break the chain

Chain, keep us together (Running in the shadows)
Chain, keep us together (Running in the shadows)
Chain, keep us together (Running in the shadows)
Chain, keep us together (Running in the shadows)
Chain, keep us together...
Comments (137)add comment
 1badford wrote:


It is definitely worthy of RP


You are absolutely right. While this song had abundant air play. It's still great and is why RP plays it!
Posted 3 weeks ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
And then there's this. I'm on the fence but I like the songs and happy that the actors sing and play their own instruments.

Daisy Jones & The Six - Regret Me (Official Audio)
Posted 1 year ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
What happened to the instrumental?! As an 90's F1 fan based in the UK, this is my favourite part!
Posted 1 year ago by matthew_payne    [ Reply ]
Still got this Album on vinyl from AMIGA Records. East German Record Factory  (GDR). Good condition, brilliant sound. Like to listen to the whole album 2 or 3 times a year. This is one of the best pop albums (particulary by an old blues rock group) ever made. I love it!






Posted 1 year ago by philonair    [ Reply ]
Heartbreaking news about the passing of Christine,thank you for the music and the beautiful memories,RIP❤️
Posted 1 year ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
that instrumental break in the 2nd half is so damn brilliant. The song is credited to all 5 of them but my feeling is that this is more Buckingham than anyone else.
Posted 1 year ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
That memory. That base. All such a wonderful flash-back. Thanks Bill & Rebecca. XX
Posted 2 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
I test drove a Jaguar F-Type and this came on the radio, didn't help me stay within the speed limit 
Posted 2 years ago by eamon3    [ Reply ]
Ok - I admit I'm a pre-Buckingham-Nicks Fleetwood Mac fan and I have let my prejudice keep me from appreciated the 'newer' stuff. I'm starting to take favor to this later incarnation.
Posted 2 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Always reminds me of "Guardians of the galaxy"  
I have the multich-version of it, also a gem
Posted 2 years ago by guterthorsten    [ Reply ]
Such an iconic bassline
Posted 2 years ago by rhlrstn    [ Reply ]

They *always* say we'll never break the chain... 
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 tompoll wrote:

Listen to a hi-res version of this on a nice set of headphones through a good headphone amp. The drums will blow the back of your head off!




Yep! In FLAC w/ K701 studio phones, a great amp & DAC! ...you got it!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Such a classic album
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Listen to a hi-res version of this on a nice set of headphones through a good headphone amp. The drums will blow the back of your head off!
Posted 3 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
Love Fleetwood Mac

Tony Jory
London, England
Posted 3 years ago by tonyjory    [ Reply ]
The songwriting and production on this track is beyond a "10."  And the bridge solo in the middle; incredible.
Posted 3 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Greatest bass line ever written.
Posted 3 years ago by lewisv66    [ Reply ]
Why I play bass.
Posted 3 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
This cover art! Adorable
Posted 3 years ago by sumanera    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Reco: "Making Rumors" by Ken Caillat, who started as the sound engineer and ended up a co-producer of this classic album. Great read.
Posted 3 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Went to rate this a 9.  Saw that I already had.  At least I'm consistent!

And somehow I missed this on classic rock stations back in the day.  My only memories of this are from borrowing my brother's vinyl copy and cranking it up on my little stereo set.  The guitar and bass lines in this are crazy haunting.
Posted 3 years ago by bitterdave    [ Reply ]
For a great analysis of the music behind this as well as 'Dreams', listen to:

Stong Songs - Chain and Dreams (updated link)
Posted 3 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Crank up the volume and the rating to an awesome 10 plus😎
Posted 4 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
The pinnacle for this incarnation of the band. Fittingly, all 5 were listed as songwriters though I think it's probably Lindsey's at heart.
Posted 4 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
Even as overplayed as this was - It's still a great song.
Posted 5 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:


I can understand your comment.  Most of the smart ass comments here miss the point.  This cut is kind of overplayed on Classic Rock stations so it can be argued that it should not be here, but it's a great tune from a great, classic release so I like hearing it here.  
 
Yeah.  Easy solution.  Don't listen to those *** stations.  Stay right here.
Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Is this a remixed/remastered version or am I just hearing different things because I'm listening with Apple earbuds?

One of those songs that defines the 70s for me. It got endless airplay back in the day but it's still awesome. When Fleetwood Mac was on they were incredible. 
 
Sounds the same to me.
Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by michel_zws    [ Reply ]
Is this a remixed/remastered version or am I just hearing different things because I'm listening with Apple earbuds?

One of those songs that defines the 70s for me. It got endless airplay back in the day but it's still awesome. When Fleetwood Mac was on they were incredible. 
Posted 5 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by Caqueron    [ Reply ]
It was such a joyful discovery, when I realized that the intro of Radcliffe and Maconie's "The Chain" segment on BBC Radio 6 comes from this song.
Unfortunately, I am no longer able to listen to this song without hearing the voiceover ("the longest listener-generated thematically linked sequence of musically based items on the radio") in my head. 
Posted 5 years ago by majdnemkocka    [ Reply ]
Gotta give this one a 9 for being one of the strangest songs ever... for a f-ed up 16 year old. 
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
This was SO well picked as the score for the final fightscene in Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2.Still kinda gives me them 'gerseberhmps' :-)


Posted 5 years ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
 Tomasni wrote:

I think   Fleetwood Mac

The Chain
is 8 - Most Excellent



 
I concur. Tack.
Posted 6 years ago by jab49    [ Reply ]

I think   Fleetwood Mac

The Chain
is 8 - Most Excellent


Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
I was a big fan of theirs in mid career, roomie in college 76 had a turntable and 3 albums and was so excited that they were teaming with B&N. a year later they just exploded onto the airwaves.  Some people didn't know the band had a very long history. Peter Green and mid career is still my favorite period tho FM and Rumors were spectacular albums.

Oh an my roomie in Denver hung out at a bar  because he was tall, tho under age, he helped Fleetwood Mac unload their equipment and set up 3 times when they came thru town.  They thanked him by getting him loaded.  But he sure had a smile on his face, tho playing everything straight by that time.  I myself had never had a puff. Straight laced family and all, I just didn't get the stoner humor at the time.
 

Posted 6 years ago by LAwolf8    [ Reply ]
That base line, motoGP at 7am on a Sunday morning in front of the telly in my pyjamas back in the 80s. Who else was there?
Posted 7 years ago by Motolorax    [ Reply ]
I'm always going to think of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 whenever I hear this song.
Posted 7 years ago by Seanovan    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my hotel room loves this groovy song from an absolutely incredible album...  we be dancing like happy hippies...  love Radio Paradise...
Posted 7 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
At the time this was all over the radio, I was working at a Japanese restaurant, and I always loved the koto-sounding strings in this one!
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I think I only ever listened to this whole album on an 8-track, with a couple of high school friends on a car-camping trip, just left it on to loop and loop, and it changed tracks during this song... so we'd wind up skipping it altogether. So decades later I finally heard the 1-note solo.
Posted 8 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 dwhayslett wrote:

No, it can't, for several reasons.

 
Rightly left unsaid, lest an argument develops.
Posted 8 years ago by owchita    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:


... so it can be argued that it should not be here ...

 
No, it can't, for several reasons.
Posted 8 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 grant wrote:
There's a great VH1 "Classic Albums" program on Rumors . . . where they dissect each track and explain how the song was recorded and assembled.  It's clear from that show, which features interviews with members of the band, that this was the product of some very creative, but tortured souls.  It seems that the demise of personal relationships, alcohol and drugs played a significant role in not only the lyrics, but the very musical fabric of the album.

 
This segment is also available streaming on Netflix.
Posted 10 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Amazing how many "American Idol Syndrome"  critics have to blather on about their dislikes.

meanwhile, pretty good song from a great band 
Posted 10 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
 1977  michaelc wrote:
make it stop please, please make it stop.

I get nightmares of this song being played over and over again.
wait that's not a nightmare that was 1978.

 


Posted 10 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
make it stop please, please make it stop.

I get nightmares of this song being played over and over again.
wait that's not a nightmare that was 1978.
Posted 10 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
 Nala wrote:
This is not very RP

 

I can understand your comment.  Most of the smart ass comments here miss the point.  This cut is kind of overplayed on Classic Rock stations so it can be argued that it should not be here, but it's a great tune from a great, classic release so I like hearing it here.  
Posted 11 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Just a great album from beginning to end.
Posted 11 years ago by howardzb    [ Reply ]
 grant wrote:
There's a great VH1 "Classic Albums" program on Rumors . . . where they dissect each track and explain how the song was recorded and assembled.  It's clear from that show, which features interviews with members of the band, that this was the product of some very creative, but tortured souls.  It seems that the demise of personal relationships, alcohol and drugs played a significant role in not only the lyrics, but the very musical fabric of the album.

 
I really enjoy that show. Fun to find out all the technical and personal details about what was going on for albums like "Night at the Opera" and "Who's Next".

And this one too.
Posted 11 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 grant wrote:
There's a great VH1 "Classic Albums" program on Rumors . . . where they dissect each track and explain how the song was recorded and assembled.  It's clear from that show, which features interviews with members of the band, that this was the product of some very creative, but tortured souls.  It seems that the demise of personal relationships, alcohol and drugs played a significant role in not only the lyrics, but the very musical fabric of the album.

 
The recipe for many a rock and roll album and band: the heights of creativity, the depths of it, and the end of it. See Layla, Abbey Road, et al. 
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Nala, you must be new here. This is very RP and why most of us love it.

Nala wrote:
This is not very RP

 



Posted 11 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
There's a great VH1 "Classic Albums" program on Rumors . . . where they dissect each track and explain how the song was recorded and assembled.  It's clear from that show, which features interviews with members of the band, that this was the product of some very creative, but tortured souls.  It seems that the demise of personal relationships, alcohol and drugs played a significant role in not only the lyrics, but the very musical fabric of the album.
Posted 11 years ago by grant    [ Reply ]
And F1 started this weekend.
Posted 11 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
Song brings back good memories of seeing them on tour for this album at Mile High Stadium - Denver
They rocked it that day!!! 
Posted 11 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
 Nala wrote:
This is not very RP
 
You've somehow gotten the wrong impression of the neighborhood.

Magnificent song that absolutely belongs here.


Posted 12 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Liked most of FM's output.  In all its iterations.
Posted 12 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
 Nala wrote:
This is not very RP
 

It is definitely worthy of RP
Posted 12 years ago by 1badford    [ Reply ]
This is not very RP
Posted 12 years ago by Nala    [ Reply ]
Even though he wasn't in the band at this time,,,,,,RIP Bob Welch 
Posted 12 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 phlattop wrote:
Amazing how this band changed so much over the years. Best song this particular lineup did.
 
Agreed! Always loved this song
Posted 12 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
Turn up the pot, bill..
Posted 12 years ago by rtree    [ Reply ]
https://www.fleetwoodmac.net/fwm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=47

 Is just a great and very interesting history of the connections in and to F.M.  From the Bluesbreakers/Clapton
to Green and Savoy Brown "Black Magic Woman" on to Buckingham and all before 1975. Great music/band history.
Posted 12 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
Wow— Gillian Welch "Scarlet Town" lead into this one beautifully!  Way to go, Bill.
Posted 12 years ago by jameyp    [ Reply ]
 mandolin wrote:
"This...is Formula One."


 



Another season in the books. March can't come soon enough.
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
"...approaching the corner at th-AND JAMES. HUNT. HAS. SPUN. OFF!!!"
 



Yeah!
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
This song will always mean Formula 1 on the BBC for me.
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
Naboo!  NABOO!

What?!

Were you in a shamanic trance?

No...just listening to Fleetwood Mac...
Posted 12 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
Amazing how this band changed so much over the years. Best song this particular lineup did.
Posted 13 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
 vluvlu wrote:
I cannot tell you how much I hate this group.  They stink....always have, always will.
 
They were actually quite good before Bob Welch left, and SHE and HE (names unmentionable in my home) ruined the band.
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Now this is rich, well produced, and still soulfully crafted music. Never tire of some F.M.
Posted 13 years ago by BikeCoachDave    [ Reply ]

Bill should follow this with Hey by Pixies.


Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
 PeeBee wrote:
Listen to the bass! {#Bananajam}
 
And Mick on the drums!  It might be just a 4 or 5 today, but at the time......

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
I have tried to learn to like Fleetwood Mac, but failed. Some good things going on, but some bad things ruining it. Rated a 4 for Acceptable (no need to shut it off at least). :)

And it's over now. :P
Posted 14 years ago by ellet    [ Reply ]
 vluvlu wrote:

I'm with you!

 
Finally, people with taste who understand.

Posted 14 years ago by HudValGal    [ Reply ]
 bbHappy wrote:
{#Rolleyes} Quick, turn the volume down! Somebody tell me when it's over.
 
I'm with you!

Posted 14 years ago by vluvlu    [ Reply ]
I cannot tell you how much I hate this group.  They stink....always have, always will.
Posted 14 years ago by vluvlu    [ Reply ]
Still holds up very well IMHO
Posted 14 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
I love this song so much
Posted 14 years ago by lsfeder    [ Reply ]
Listen to the bass! {#Bananajam}
Posted 14 years ago by PeeBee    [ Reply ]
 ortallcowgirl wrote:

I am only 28 and I am thoroughly in love with Fleetwood mac!  I have been listening to this song since I was a kiddy!  Memories of listening to the tape in my mom's car and singing really loud!


 

I am 57 and play this and other Fleetwood Mac tunes for my daughter...memories of my youth also growing up in New Mexico.
Posted 14 years ago by emsbob    [ Reply ]

I am only 28 and I am thoroughly in love with Fleetwood mac!  I have been listening to this song since I was a kiddy!  Memories of listening to the tape in my mom's car and singing really loud!


Posted 14 years ago by ortallcowgirl    [ Reply ]
...woohoo montreal qualifying tomorrow!..

Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Very far from my usual taste but so extremely well carried out and consequent that it cannot be ignored :) (8)
Posted 14 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
{#Rolleyes} Quick, turn the volume down! Somebody tell me when it's over.
Posted 14 years ago by bbHappy    [ Reply ]

Soooo damn good, the song and the album, start to finish.{#Whistle}


Posted 14 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]

And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
you would never break the chain


Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
"...approaching the corner at th-AND JAMES. HUNT. HAS. SPUN. OFF!!!"
Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
Look out the F1 coverage just started
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 E_A_D_G wrote:
As perfect a pop tune as was ever created. Palpable tension. Bass bridge intro nails it.
 

Well said.

A desert island tune if there ever was one.

10.

Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]

I LOVE listening to this song loud {#Yell}or through headphones{#Music}, because you can hear Lindsey keeping time during some of the quiter places when the instruments stop. You'd never get that nowadays, everythings cleaned up so much and perfect that you lose the little human touches that make them warm. I usually don't pay much attention to base playing through out a song, but John's here kicks you in the teeth and says listen to me bub!{#Bananajam} I love it. Excellent album! Rock on F.M.!!




Posted 15 years ago by wolverine    [ Reply ]
I just saw Fleetwood Mac in Phoenix this last Sunday. They still rock! Lindsay Buckingham's guitar work has gotten better, if you can believe that. And John McVie' bass line in this song reverberated both the stadium and Soul.


Posted 15 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
"This...is Formula One."


Posted 15 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
I had a pal in the military. He was moody, violent when drunk, and unpredictable. But the moment this album would come on he'd go into a trance and purr like a cat.
Posted 15 years ago by wycado    [ Reply ]
What an excellent album this is!
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
It must have been such a great party, hanging out with this band in their prime.
Posted 15 years ago by joshfm    [ Reply ]
Brings back memories of high school.
Posted 15 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
What a catharsis this must have been for them, in the midst of all the emotional turmoil created by 2 breakups among band members. That they used those swirling emotions to create this wonderful album is a testament to the power of art and that, when it is at its zenith, it emanates from a place  deep inside.    

Posted 15 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
 inindian wrote:


Balls, of course!
 
And why do think Stevie is crawling all over him.....hint, hint.

Posted 15 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
 bookishbitty wrote:
what are those little bally things hanging on Mick's pants on the cover? i've always wondered...
 

Balls, of course!
Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
E_A_D_G wrote:
As perfect a pop tune as was ever created. Palpable tension. Bass bridge intro nails it.
Couldn't have said it better.
Posted 16 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
I fail to understand how two people could have rated this a 1.
Posted 16 years ago by exeter    [ Reply ]
apd wrote:
Say what you like about Rumours, and the whole MOR horridness that it spawned, but Buckingham is a demon-god guitar player. Good singer, too. And the chicks dig him. Sunnuva..
Not my Ex:
"He looks like he sucks his socks. Yep. Definately a sock-sucker, that one."
The musical stuff yeah. He's almost discouragingly good...
Posted 16 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
Great Song...Great Album...and one of the best album covers of all time!
Posted 16 years ago by Kornmann    [ Reply ]
Say what you like about Rumours, and the whole MOR horridness that it spawned, but Buckingham is a demon-god guitar player. Good singer, too. And the chicks dig him. Sunnuva..
Posted 16 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
As perfect a pop tune as was ever created. Palpable tension. Bass bridge intro nails it.
Posted 16 years ago by E_A_D_G    [ Reply ]
keller1 wrote:
Still wish the alpha descriptor for 10 was something other than "godlike", but no question this tune is a 10.
how about perfect? i gave a 10 yesterday because I felt the track was perfect
Posted 17 years ago by tobstar    [ Reply ]
Still wish the alpha descriptor for 10 was something other than "godlike", but no question this tune is a 10.
Posted 17 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Break the chain..... please
Posted 17 years ago by kanabal    [ Reply ]
More Cowbell!
Posted 17 years ago by meurglys3    [ Reply ]
Pazzat wrote:
The association with Top Gear and all that car porno has almost ruined this song for me.
Treehuggers, who'd have them?
Posted 17 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
Wolfette wrote:
And if you ever saw BBC1's Formula One grand prix coverage in the 80's & 90's, you'll understand why I associate the bass line with fast cars!
The association with Top Gear and all that car porno has almost ruined this song for me. I'll try to get over it, becuase it's a gorgeous bassline - simple enough to imitate, impossible to emulate.
Posted 17 years ago by Pazzat    [ Reply ]
Thanks for the insight into this classic song, Wolfette. The version on 'Dance' is killer, LB is on fire.
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Amazing song. Reminds me of a drive back home from Shreveport in May '85.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
Epic, Iconic. As good as it got during the B/N era.
Posted 17 years ago by E_A_D_G    [ Reply ]
I always found the potential interplay between this song and Nicks' and Buckingham's real-life relationship to be most intriguing. There was some good amount of bitterness between the two of them at one point after their falied on-again off-again romance/sexual relationship/whatever, wasn't there?
Posted 17 years ago by tapatia    [ Reply ]
what are those little bally things hanging on Mick's pants on the cover? i've always wondered...
Posted 17 years ago by bookishbitty    [ Reply ]