About the song
“Go Your Own Way” is a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac from their eleventh studio album, *Rumours* (1977). Released as the album’s first single in December 1976 in the United States, this track, written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham, became a defining moment for the band, marking their first top-ten hit in the United States. Rolling Stone magazine recognized its enduring appeal, ranking it number 120 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time in 2010 and re-ranking it at number 401 in 2021. Additionally, the song was placed second on their list of the 50 greatest Fleetwood Mac songs.
“Go Your Own Way” was recorded over a period of four months in three different studios, a process typical for the *Rumours* album, where none of the instruments were recorded live together but were completed through a series of overdubs. The song’s lyrical content reflects Buckingham’s raw emotions and personal struggles during his breakup with fellow bandmate Stevie Nicks. Written in a stream of consciousness, Buckingham expressed his pent-up frustration and anger, which he channeled into this powerful song.
Despite initial doubts from producer Ken Caillat, who found Buckingham’s early acoustic version non-musical, the song evolved into one of the band’s most iconic tracks. The line “Packing up, shacking up is all you wanna do” became a point of contention between Buckingham and Nicks, with Nicks demanding its removal due to its personal nature. Nevertheless, Buckingham kept the lyrics, which added to the song’s raw emotional intensity.
Upon its release, “Go Your Own Way” quickly climbed the charts, making its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 71 on January 8, 1977. By March 12, 1977, it had reached its peak at number 10, where it stayed for two weeks. The song spent a total of 11 weeks in the top 40. In the UK, although it initially reached only number 38, it later re-entered the charts as a digital download, accumulating additional weeks on the UK chart.
The song’s impact extended beyond its initial release. It has been a staple in Fleetwood Mac’s live performances, featured in every tour since the *Rumours* Tour. Notable live recordings include the band’s 1979 show in Cleveland and their 1997 live album, *The Dance*. Even after Buckingham’s departure from the band in 1987, “Go Your Own Way” continued to be a central part of their setlist, performed by various lineups over the years.
“Go Your Own Way” has also appeared on numerous Fleetwood Mac compilations, solidifying its status as a timeless classic. It has been included in *Greatest Hits* (1988), *25 Years – The Chain* (1992), *The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac* (2002), *Opus Collection* (2013), and *50 Years – Don’t Stop* (2018).
The song’s legacy was further cemented with a live recording from an August 29, 1977, performance at the Forum in Los Angeles, released in August 2023 as part of the *Rumours Live* album. Through its poignant lyrics and compelling musical arrangement, “Go Your Own Way” continues to resonate with audiences, encapsulating the emotional depth and musical brilliance of Fleetwood Mac.
Video
Lyrics
Loving you
Isn’t the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel?
If I could
Baby, I’d give you my world
How can I
When you won’t take it from me?
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
Tell me why
Everything turned around
Packing up
Shacking up is all you want to do
If I could
Baby, I’d give you my world
Open up
Everything’s waiting for you
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way