I am sure you’re all devastated to know that this is the last edition of Sara’s Seventies Playlist that you will be getting to read as a part of RCL, but don’t worry, you can always reach out to me for more groovy recommendations and Fleetwood Mac-heavy playlists.
I had to really think about what song was worthy of being the last recommendation I give to you all and of course, I knew it had to be from Fleetwood Mac. For this week’s edition, I decided on “Dreams,” one of the most famous Fleetwood Mac tunes, written by the queen of rock and roll herself, Stevie Nicks.
Stevie Nicks wrote most of the hits for Fleetwood Mac and “Dreams” was no different. Most of these hits were also fueled by the intensity of the bandmembers going through breakups and two divorces–all at the same time–with two out of the three of those relationships exclusively involving band members. If you think back to my previous blog posts, you will remember that two of the members were married and divorcing, Christine and John McVie, and that Stevie Nicks had been in a long term relationship with the other frontman and guitarist for the band, Lindsey Buckingham.
Nearing the end of their turbulent relationship, Stevie wrote “Dreams” for Lindsey as a way to release him from their toxic relationship, telling him that he is free to go and that she feels as if she wants to, too.
Well who am I to keep you down
It’s only right that you should
Play the way you feel it
Stevie is speaking to Lindsey in a kind and understanding way, relaying the message that she feels as if their romantic relationship has run its course, too. If you listen to “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac, you can hear Lindsey’s rebuttal.
Stevie knows Lindsey is afraid to be alone and clings to their expired romance. She can sense that they are both waiting to be free:
Dreams of loneliness,
Like a heartbeat, drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering, what you had,
And what you lost and what you had and what you lost
Their relationship isn’t what it used to be and they both know it, yet they’re afraid to let go of what has been for so long. The fact that this song is called “Dreams” speaks volumes to the overarching message that Stevie is presenting. Sometimes, we put everything into a dream, a career, or in her case, a relationship, and it just isn’t meant to be. We tirelessly fight with ourselves trying to make an unrealistic dream a reality because the fear of letting go of something that has become part of oneself is terrifying. There is a fear that having no “dream” (or relationship or career) at all may be even more painful than pursuing one that will never be. Stevie uses her experience with Lindsey to describe a feeling that we all must face at some point in our lives.
Stevie brings up another important point when she says reflecting on what you lost will drive you mad. I believe this is the truth. What was may never be again and she is realizing that. I believe we all struggle with this, as it is much easier to remember a relationship or a dream fondly than it is to accept that it has turned sour. Things can’t “be” forever (or at least they usually can’t). People change, their dreams change, their goals change, their hearts change. Looking back on what once was will never make it what is… “Nothing gold can stay.”
😢
I’m sure you all think my seventies playlist is “gold” (LOL) and it can’t stay forever, either. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing about my endless love of seventies music and reading all about your passions. I hope you all continue to be passionate individuals and that anytime you hear one of the songs I decided to analyze, you’ll think of me!
The images you incorporated really made this last blog pop. I will miss reading about your song recommendations every week! I am now much more interested in Fleetwood Mac and some other artists – like Stevie Nicks, as mentioned in this blog. In regards to the song, I am a very nostalgic and sentimental person, so I can totally relate to the feeling of being upset over things that have changed/things that I have lost. Great job!
I love the way you concluded your post, it felt like the end of an era for some reason haha. All your recommendations have been thoroughly appreciated, and all the drama and stories behind these songs have been truly entertaining to read about. Inter-band relationships do not sound like the move at all, it could get messy. Very interesting to think that they sang about their own relationships, sort of like a conversation with each other, how cool.
This was such a good way to wrap up this blog. I have loved reading your blogs each time because of the content you add-in and the way you go about each song/ band. I am very emotional and these songs would definitely hit hard and I am continuing to add these to my Corona playlist each week. So thank you for your amazing posts, and you will be missed!
As soon as I saw you were talking about Dreams as your last blog, I immediately started playing it for some background musiccccc. I have said before on your previous blogs how much I love love Fleetwood Mac. I love Stevie so much I feel like we have a connection just her vibe and energy. Maybe it is because she is a gemini and so am I. I loved learning more about great 70s tunes. Sometimes I wish I was apart of this culture, but your blogs successfully brought this culture into my everyday life. Long live the 70s. Thanks so much for your great posts. I will hit you up if I need an update to my 70s playlist.
bro tell me why I legit teared up reading this post aha. i absolutely LOVE this song, me and my dad bought this album in a record shop one day and we always play it. It brings back a lot of memories. I didn’t know the whole meaning of the song, but now that you explained it and gave your insight i love it even more. This is a message a lot of people need to hear I feel like. Thanks for sharing all your awesome songs, I’m truly going to miss this blog:( stay safe lyyy.