The song by Fleetwood Mac that was crafted to poke fun at Stevie Nicks is one steeped in personal tension and artistic rivalry.
Fleetwood Mac’s internal relationships were notoriously delicate, often resembling a high-stakes drama. Before they transformed into the iconic band we recognize today, their history of changing members frequently laid the groundwork for their distinctive sound. Founding member Peter Green departed in the 1970s, followed by Bob Welch stepping down from the lead guitar position, which opened the door for Lindsey Buckingham to join the group.
While the band channeled a myriad of emotions into their critically acclaimed album Rumours, it was a track from their subsequent album, Tusk, that truly captured the biting edge of their interpersonal conflicts.
After achieving monumental success with Rumours, Fleetwood Mac entered the studio again with producers Richard Dashut and Ken Caillat, eager to surpass their previous achievements. However, the recording process was anything but harmonious. Each band member came armed with exceptional material, yet they struggled to agree on a cohesive direction for the album. Instead of collaborating seamlessly, they operated as if they were solo artists, treating the other members as mere support musicians for their individual tracks. This fractured atmosphere ultimately birthed some of their most compelling singles, showcasing everything from Buckingham's furious energy on the title track to Nicks's poignant reflections on grief in the song 'Sara.'
Despite being separated for some time, Buckingham and Nicks harbored unresolved tensions that would not dissipate. Buckingham often composed songs that served as veiled critiques aimed at Nicks, all while he was expected to assist her in fine-tuning her own tracks—an expectation that grew increasingly burdensome for him.
However, he seized an opportunity for revenge through his composition 'What Makes You Think You’re The One.' Initially conceived in a more subdued atmosphere, the song took shape during a late-night session between Buckingham and drummer Mick Fleetwood. In a conversation with Uncut, Buckingham described the origins of the track: "That was just me and Mick, and we were really looking to get some kind of crazy drum sound. Back then, we used old cassette players with subpar microphones, yet we could record on them. We placed a mic close to the drums and another overhead instead of the traditional full miking technique. This setup allowed us to create a raw, explosive sound. Mick was thrilled with the drum sound, and I was on the piano while he drummed. We recorded that song just the two of us late one night."
Although 'What Makes You Think You’re The One' features a catchy melody, Buckingham cleverly infused elements of mockery directed toward Nicks's songwriting style. As highlighted by Caillat in the book Get Tusked, the essence of the song stemmed from Buckingham's lingering frustrations regarding his past relationship with Nicks. He reflected on how the lyrics and performance served as a window into Lindsey’s emotions towards Stevie, stemming from a breakup that had occurred only two years prior. To make the intention clear, Buckingham even mimicked Nicks's unique vocal vibrato, intentionally giving it a somewhat goat-like quality, as well as her simplistic piano playing—something he knew made her feel self-conscious.
While Nicks might have felt insecure working alongside Buckingham, she soon found ways to establish her independence. As the band transitioned into the 1980s, she successfully balanced her commitments to Fleetwood Mac with a flourishing solo career, achieving significant hits such as 'The Edge of Seventeen' and collaborating with Tom Petty on 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.'
Yet, the unresolved grievances between her and Buckingham simmered beneath the surface, eventually leading to a physical confrontation that would sever their creative partnership for many years. While Buckingham learned to pick his battles wisely, 'What Makes You Think You’re The One' stands out as one of the most candid and scathing critiques aimed at his former partner.
