Charlie Garner – Staff Writer

avg6206@psu.edu

Fleetwood Mac’s hit album “Rumours” has recently just had its 46th anniversary of its release, which was all the way back in 1977. But, in the year 2023, it’s still very popular and it’s even gained popularity with young people, especially Gen Z. It is still on the charts after 46 years and the song “Dreams” has gained popularity on social platforms (like TikTok) and has reached over one billion streams on Spotify. So, what is so great about Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours?” Why does it still resonate with people today? 

One of the best-selling albums of all time has a compelling backstory that is replete with tales of love, hopelessness, rage, drug use, and revenge. The tumultuous relationships that developed while the album was being recorded are well-known and may have contributed significantly to its eternal appeal. The fact that they were all writing about one another, frequently in a brutally honest, transparent manner, is where the album got its name. 

The potential of pop music was redefined by Fleetwood Mac. With influences from the Eagles, Steely Dan, and Neil Young, it was mainstream music that had been given a folk transformation. 

“Rumours” established a model for pop music with its radiant front masking a complex, hopeless, and melancholy undertone. The listener may tell a lot about their involvement in the experience from the ambience. “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac transforms the epic arrangements and performances into an intimate and individualized experience.“Rumours” is one of those rare exceptional works that has so many legendary tracks back-to-back, with not really any filler pieces. It is the epitome of wonderful pop music, but it also has enough musicianship to appeal to fans of rock, blues, and a variety of other genres. 

“Rumours” is Fleetwood Mac’s masterpiece, however their influence as a band goes much beyond that album. When the band was falling apart, “Rumours” captures the moment when they produced their best songs. The album’s core is timeless and accessible to all. Because the heart never changes, even how much the world may alter, its effect continues to this day. Rumors is a masterwork in fusing the joy of mainstream music with sincere emotion. It doesn’t get tainted or dated as musical fads come and go, and it’s unlikely that we’ll get to a point in our lives where we can’t attribute the record’s influence to a contemporary musician.