While it is no easy task,some musicians have managed to create incredible covers of Fleetwood Mac’s most iconic songs. From their hits that have become part ofclassic rock karaoke favoritesto others that evoke emotional responses, these covers represent a wide range. For some, they chose to attempt whatother legendary covershave done, keeping it close to the original.
However, others tried to make these Fleetwood Mac songs entirely their own. While this can be a challenge, many artists in the past have successfully pulled offcovers that sound nothing like the original. Whatever approach they chose, they were able to achieve it. From the earliest days of the band to their most popular hits,these covers encompass them all.
Some of these acts truly made these songs into hits of their own, while others have simply performed them in live settings, creating memorable moments.They all have their own stories, but in the end, they all return to the originators, Fleetwood Mac, and each tremendous musician who played in the group throughout their time together.
10Haim - Hold Me
It Was An Honor To Be On This Album
Every so often, special tribute albums are made to honor specific artists. In 2012, one was created for Fleetwood Mac, titled Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. It features 19 tracks by various artists. One act that contributed was Haim, as theycreated a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s 1982 song, “Hold Me.”
Haim was a great choice for this record, as the three sisters' music has been compared to Fleetwood Mac’s in the past. With the opportunity to sing one of their songs, they were able to shine. Haim doesn’t change the tune much, keeping the feel the same as when it debuted. Although this was in 2012,they managed to maintain the ’80s vibe.
9Smashing Pumpkins - Landslide
This Cover Was Unexpected
During the early ’90s, the Smashing Pumpkins achieved tremendous success. Their second album,Siamese Dream, released in 1993, and their third album,Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, released in 1995, became two of their biggest records.Between them was a compilation releasethat did just as well, becoming platinum-certified and reaching the Top 5 on theBillboard200.
The compilation featured various recordings, including a cover of “Landslide.” Of course, there have been other artists who have pulled off great renditions of this song, including The Chicks, but it was unexpected from the Smashing Pumpkins. However,the band did a phenomenal job, with many loving their version. They even received the approval of the song’s writer, Stevie Nicks.
8Augustana - Dreams
Billboard Captured A Special Performance
Throughout their discography, “Dreams” has become one of Fleetwood Mac’s most revered songs. Not only did it go viral on TikTok, but it has also been covered by many top artists, including Justin Timberlake. While some of these versions are well-known, there is an excellent rendition of the song that doesn’t get as much attention as it should, which is Augustana’s.
During a visit withBillboard, Augustana performed “Dreams,” putting a lot of thought into it rather than just stepping up to the microphone and singing. Lead singer Dan Layus commented on this, saying, “We found a key that makes sense and can be versatile for a man’s voice.” This demonstrated insightful thinking from the band andshowed the effort they made to give this classic tune the respect it deserves.
7Waylon Jennings - Rhiannon
Outlaw Country Fit Well With This Song
When it comes to the outlaw country genre,there are not many names bigger than Waylon Jennings. For decades, he performed alongside the likes of Willie Nelson, delivering his unique style. For his 1985 record,Turn the Page, Jennings was in a good place in life, excited to continue his career. One song he decided to sing for this was “Rhiannon”.
The hit song “Rhiannon” comes from Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled record, which was released in 1975. Since the song had become so big, Jennings had a lot of expectations to meet, but he did it well.The outlaw country star delivered an authentic performance, giving his own spin on the classic tune and making it one of the most memorable parts of this record.
6Best Coast - Storms
It’s Surprising This Wasn’t On The Standard Edition
After the success of their debut studio album,Crazy for You,Best Coast shifted their attention to new ideas for their follow-up. Two major inspirations they used for this release were 1960s country and Fleetwood Mac. In fact, they even recorded a Fleetwood Mac cover for their record, giving their rendition of “Storms.”
Although their version of the 1979 song was only available on a special release, it has still become well-known. They rearranged it slightly regarding the instrumental, but it worked. Some expected they would’ve covered one of Fleetwood Mac’s most popular songs, but by not doing that,they made their rendition stand out instead of competing with many others.
5Harry Styles - The Chain
The Song Was The Right Choice
Over the course of his career, Harry Styles has turned into one of the most popular music artists. This is not only for his solo work, but also for his time as a member of the popular group One Direction. Everything that he does becomes well-known, soit was no surprise that his cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” would be highly acclaimed.
“The Chain” comes from Fleetwood Mac’s biggest record,Rumours, which was released in 1977. This song has become one of their greatest hits, making it a popular cover for many.According to Setlist.fm, Styles has covered the song nearly 90 times, showing the artist’s true appreciation for it.One of his best performances came on BBC Radio, where Styles delivered a masterful rendition.
4The Cranberries - Go Your Own Way
The Complete Sessions Wouldn’t Be Complete Without This
Led by singer Dolores O’Riordan, The Cranberries stood out with hits such as “Zombie.” O’Riordan had a unique voicethat made the tracks she performed on immediately capture attention. This was no different when the band decided to cover one of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic songs, “Go Your Own Way,” another tune from their hitRumoursalbum.
Their version was part of a re-release of their third record, titledTo the Faithful Departed (The Complete Sessions 1996-1997). The cover has been praised for its emotional authenticity. The band was able to get to the root of this tune byextracting every ounce of the rawness it possesses, making it a true gem in their catalog of songs.
3Judas Priest - The Green Manalishi
The Song Was A Well-Known Part Of Their Early Days
At the beginning of their career, it took Judas Priest some time to perfect their sound. Throughout the ’70s, they worked tirelessly to shape their iconic metal persona. They were able to showcase their abilities whenthey covered Fleetwood Mac’s song “The Green Manalishi.“This tune was originally released by Fleetwood Mac as a single in 1970.
Judas Priest covered it eight years later, including it in their 1978 record. Known for its dueling guitar solos, their rendition of the song became a sensation, with many still debating which version is better.One of Judas Priest’s most famous performances of it came at the 1985 Live Aid event, as they were one of many acts to perform.
2Santana - Black Magic Woman
This Version Became A Sensation
Shortly after Fleetwood Mac first released “Black Magic Woman,“Santana covered the tune for their 1970 record,Abraxas. This album was huge for the band as it charted at number one. “Black Magic Woman” was a significant part of that success as it was released as the first single, providing some of the record’s biggest promotion.
Santana covering this song was a big deal, as Carlos Santana himself enjoyed Peter Green’s work. It is often debated which version of the song is better, butthe most important thing is that it was a success for both. Now, this tune that was first showcased in 1968 continues to be revered decades later, thanks to two incredible performances.
1Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Oh Well
For A Few Years This Was A Staple Of Their Live Performances
During their legendary career, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers became one of the most popular touring rock bands. Of course, they had plenty of their own hits, but there were a few years when they played the Fleetwood Mac song “Oh Well.” This tune was from the earliest days of the band, butit has become a favorite for many to cover.
According to Setlist.fm,Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed this tune over 100 times. The band perfected this song and played it as closely to the original as they could. They were able to capture the original essence of the song each time they performed it, from the memorable guitar riff to the smallest details that made it shine.
