After Nearly 50 Years, a Fleetwood Mac Classic Is Back on the Charts
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A Timeless Hit Returns
Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” has climbed back onto Billboard’s Global 200 this week, landing at No. 154, proving that even after nearly five decades, Rumours still keeps fans pressing play. The track’s latest re-entry marks another chapter in the song’s long history of connecting with listeners around the world.
Originally released in February 1977, “The Chain” was never issued as a single in the U.S. Still, its distinctive bassline, driving drums, and shared vocals from Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood helped make it one of the group’s most recognizable songs. Though it began as a deep cut, its energy and raw emotion helped define Rumours as one of rock’s most enduring albums.
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From Viral Revival to Streaming Success
According to Billboard, “The Chain” first appeared on the Global 200 in October 2020, shortly after the chart was launched. That debut was driven by a viral TikTok moment featuring another Fleetwood Mac hit, “Dreams.” The renewed attention brought a wave of young listeners to the band’s music. Its recent return is fueled by another surge of online nostalgia, a rise in vinyl sales, and countless fan-made edits on social media platforms that continue to introduce Fleetwood Mac to new audiences.
The song’s resurgence extends beyond the Global 200. Industry reports show “The Chain” also re-entered Billboard’s Rock Streaming Songs chart at No. 23 this week. Across the Atlantic, it reached a new peak on the UK’s Official Singles Chart, climbing to No. 76 earlier this year — the highest position it has reached in almost fifty years.
The Origins Behind “The Chain”
There isn’t a single ad campaign or movie soundtrack behind the latest spike in popularity. Instead, it reflects the steady revival of Rumours itself, an album that continues to perform strongly in both vinyl sales and catalog streaming charts.
In a 2020 interview with Variety, Nicks revealed that “The Chain” actually started out as one of her own songs. She recalled that Buckingham asked if he could use it after realizing the band had “an amazing solo” but not a full song.
“I thought to myself, ‘Well, okay. I will take one for the team here. And I will give you the song with all the words and the verses and everything, so you can use your solo,’” Nicks said.
She explained that her original version flowed into what later became her Practical Magic track “If You Ever Did Believe.” Nicks laughed about finding that early demo years later, calling it “fantastic,” but said giving it to Fleetwood Mac was worth it “because it turned into one of the best songs.”
The Enduring Power of Rumours
Almost fifty years since its release, Rumours remains one of the defining albums of 1970s rock. And with “The Chain” once again climbing the charts, it’s clear that Fleetwood Mac’s sound continues to echo across generations.
