Favorite Songs – World Turning

I’ve always loved music. Later in life I would make playlists on Cassette, CD’s and now on thumbdrives. With these posts I’ll reminisce about some of my all-time favorite songs.

“World Turning” is a notable track by the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac, featured on their 1975 self-titled album, often referred to as the “White Album” due to its cover design. The song is a collaboration between two of the band’s key members, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie, and showcases the evolving sound of Fleetwood Mac during a pivotal period in their history.

The mid-1970s marked a transformative era for Fleetwood Mac. The band was undergoing significant changes in its lineup and musical direction. Prior to the release of their 1975 album, Fleetwood Mac had primarily been known as a British blues band under the leadership of Peter Green. However, with the departure of Green and subsequent lineup changes, the band’s sound began to shift.

The addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in 1974 brought a new dynamic, blending rock, pop, and folk influences. “World Turning” was born out of this creative synergy. While the song was written in 1975, its roots date back to 1968. Fleetwood Mac’s first album, which was also titled Fleetwood Mac, contained a track titled “The World Keeps on Turning”, written by founding member Peter Green.

The band reworked the song, and the title was later truncated to “World Turning”. Co-written by Buckingham and McVie, the song combines their distinct musical styles. Buckingham’s guitar work and McVie’s keyboard and vocal contributions create a compelling fusion of rock and rhythm and blues. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy riff were a departure from Fleetwood Mac’s earlier, more blues-oriented work, signaling the band’s new direction. The interplay between Buckingham and McVie is a highlight of the track.