January 1, 2021

The Truth About Rumours, by Fleetwood Mac

By Melody Leibner

Music has always been imperative to my productivity, confidence, and personality. It is rooted much deeper than my name; music flows through my veins just as my blood does. My heart pumps music through my body and I can feel harmonies through every part of me: it knows who I am and can tell me how I am feeling before even my brain knows. I have come across one album in my life that suits my every mood: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. The combination of rhythm and wisdom within each song motivates me to be the best version of myself. 

At the time the 1977 album was written, the band’s five members were doomed. Two couples within the band were on the outs, while sleeping with the other members, all while high on cocaine more often than they were sober. Barely even able to look one another in the eye, the band channeled their messy relationships into their music; they created one of the most intimate, personal, and emotional albums I have ever listened to. 

Filled with edgy rock songs, piano ballads, and pop-like hits, their music is an explosion of heartbreak, love, pain, fuck you’s, and hope for the future. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to “Never Going Back Again” to stop myself from texting the ex I know I shouldn’t, and proceeded to listen to “You Can Go Your Own Way” to feel better. These songs are there for me in a way not even my therapist can be. Sometimes I shut off my lights, let out a good cry, and listen to “Don’t Stop” to give me hope for my future and for humanity. 

The world is a scary place, and I can’t stress enough how much looking to music has changed my perspective on life. It helps me to take a step back, realize that I was put on this Earth for a reason, and allows me to bask in my own existence. Although I love the whole album from start to finish, my clear favorite is “The Chain.” To quote the song, the “chain keeps us together…” At the end of the day, the only people we can truly rely on are one another. Even if your life is in shambles, those who love you will always be there for you, even when you push them away: that is what this album is all about. 

In my life, everything comes back to the melodies in my head, and reminds me of the love in my heart. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac has saved my life, and pointed me in the right direction. It reminds me of my past, makes me appreciate the joy in my life, and keeps me in touch with who I am, and how far I have come. If you ever feel lost, in need of blowing off steam, cursing at the world, or anything in between, drop what you are doing: put in earbuds, turn the volume ALL THE WAY UP, and play this album from start to finish. I know it is an old record, but Rumours is so much more than an album, it is the soundtrack of my life.