There isn’t an album quite likeRumours,Fleetwood Mac’s masterpiece which continues todrive vinyl sales more than 40 years later. The record was composed at a time when tensions were rising between band membersStevie Nicks,Lindsey Buckingham,Mick Fleetwood,Christine McVie, andJohn McVie. Nicks and Buckingham were no longer a couple, the McVies were no longer married, and Fleetwood and Nicks were having a secret affair. The messy relationships between all of them became fuel for the album’s 11 songs, some of which were written in direct response to each other.

The drama behind the scenesmight’ve struck a cord for the band in their personal lives, but the record’s continued success years after its release only goes to show that strong emotions like love and hate might as well be the best source of inspiration for music. From “The Chain” to “Dreams”, the album is filled with tracks that don’t shy away from sharing the nitty-gritty, both through songwriting and instrumentation. Although Rumours is an exceptional body of work through and through, here is a ranking of every song in the album from good to exceptional.

11"Never Going Back Again"

The shortest song on the album, “Never Going Back Again”,features Buckingham’s masterful finger-picking technique. By keeping the lyricism plain and simple, he enables his guitar-playing skills to take center stage. Featuring the least amount of lyrics in the project, the song’s message leaves no room for interpretation through its repetitive chorus.

As fans of the album well know, each song seems to respond to the band members' relationships with one another. This one is said to be about a woman Buckingham met on the road after breaking up with Nicks. In it, he repeatedly says that he’s gone down more than twice, and that has offered him the clarity necessary to move on instead of letting the cycle continue. Although Nicks shows in her tracks that she has yet to find the closure he did when it comes to their whirlwind romance, listening to his self-assured stance makes things interesting.

10"Don’t Stop"

Much like “Never Going Back Again”, “Don’t Stop” isn’t as lyrically elaborate. Still,its optimistic tone can really brighten up anyone’s mood on a gloomy day, and that’s why it is a Fleetwood Mac single that never gets old. Written by Christine McVie after her divorce from bassist John McVie, the song seems to show that she is in a much better place when it comes to the end of their marriage. Having overcome the pain and now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, McVie wants those that listen to this track to not lose sight of a hopeful future ahead.

Breakups are never easy to get over, but she helps to mend broken hearts with her wishful thinking. As the band chants in the song’s chorus, tomorrow “will be better than before”, it really reinforces the notion that it would be a waste of time to focus on the past instead of looking straight ahead.

9"Second Hand News"

The opener offers an upbeat start to a classic album that is filled with drama, all of which is based on the band’s interpersonal connections. Its melody reminisces a morning show intro, and that is no mere coincidence. It toys with the fact that the rest of the album will play out like a compilation of stories that would make for juicy headlines.

With each band member displaying their points of view on heartbreak, betrayal, and rekindled joy,Rumoursis a confessional body of work with many layers that need to be peeled back.“Second Hand News” lays the groundwork for the discussions ahead, with Buckingham writing that even though he has been replaced in Nicks' eyes, he just wants to keep calm and carry on.

8"Oh Daddy"

Some relationships are over long before a couple decides to part ways, and “Oh Daddy” examines that head on. Christine McVie writes this somber track from the perspective of a person who is no longer in love with their significant other, believing that the reason why things didn’t work out was all their fault.This self-deprecating point-of-view makes “Oh Daddy” a haunting tune, with a low-tempo instrumentation that offers it a sense of mysticism.

It might not be as impactful as the last two tracks on the album, but it is a perfect segueway for them, rich in a classic ’70s production. Many believe this track was written with Mick Fleetwood in mind, since he was seen as the glue that was sticking the band together while both couples were having relationship struggles.

7"I Don’t Want to Know"

This almost unsyncopated song might’ve been written by Nicks long before the tumultuous writing sessions forRumours,but the band insisted that it be part of the album. With her and Buckingham singing it together almost like they are out of breath,the song feels like it was meant to be on the album all along, becoming somewhat meta when considering everything that was going down between the two band members.

“I Don’t Want to Know” was included in the standard version of the record instead of “Silver Springs”. Although this track is fitting for the album and would likely be missed if it didn’t make the cut, adding it as a replacement for “Silver Springs” just doesn’t make much sense considering how the latter is more widely regarded by fans.

6"Songbird"

This acoustic ballad proves that a simple melody paired with McVie’s angelic vocals is enough to make a lasting impression. It’s a beautiful love song that is only a bit unnerving given its behind-the-scenes context. McVie wrote this one to address her new relationship and happiness post divorce, with the lyrics signaling that this new significant other deserves all her care and devotion (unlike her previous relationship with her band member).

“Songbird” adds a sentimental touch to the album, and given how there is no other song quite like it inRumours, it has occupied a special place in fans' hearts and continues to be considered one of the band’s best songs. Since McVie’s passing, the track has garnered a second wave of appreciation, signifying the musician’s pivotal role in Fleetwood Mac’s repertoire.

5"You Make Loving Fun"

“You Make Loving Fun” arrives at a moment in the album that you can’t help but wonder how the band can make its subsequent tracks better than those that come before them. It is groovy and features a killer Buckingham guitar arrangement.One of Christine McVie’s finest works, this is a true Fleetwood Mac song in the sense that each band member adds their own strengths to it and it shows.

Although the falling out between couples madeRumoursa hard album to create, songs like these prove that the band’s decision to stick together paid off. McVie’s chart-topping tune became the fourth song by the band to land on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also based on her relationship with Curry Grant, following her divorce from John McVie.

There is no way that you may think aboutRumourswithout its biggest hit coming to mind. “Dreams” is the band’s only single to make it to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it’s needless to say that it never gets old. This timeless track might still be Fleetwood Mac’s most recognizable song, especially given its popularity with younger listeners via TikTok.

Written by Nicks as a response to “Go Your Own Way”, “Dreams” has a simple rhythm peppered with her singing the lead vocals in a raw, but soothing manner.The track spotlights each band member’s talent and professionalism in the studio. Although Nicks and Buckingham had a turbulent relationship, they respected each other as musicians. Buckingham adds to a song that was meant to target him, and its better because of it.

3"Go Your Own Way"

There is nothing more dramatic than using lyricism to address a band member (who also happens to be your ex) in a not-so-subtle manner. In “Go Your Own Way”, Buckingham doesn’t hold back in his message to Nicks, and oh boy,it gives anyone that hears it the chills. This rock anthem is made to be belted out and played on the loudest speakers, regardless if you can relate to its message.

In addition to its catchy hooks and its emblematic chorus, the song is also elevated due to Buckngham’s epic guitar solos and Fleetwood’s impressive drumming. This bop is likely higher in other fans' lists, but there is no denying that the top three tracks on this list are just as deserving of their ranking placements.

2"Gold Dust Woman"

On top of grappling with relationship turmoil, the band resorted to cocaine and other drugs while makingRumours.In “Gold Dust Woman”, Nicks addresses her dependence on drugs when dealing with her love life distress. There is something about her voice on this track that is truly spectacular. In knowing that it took Nicks several takes to get it right, given how special she wanted her vocals to sound,it is impossible not to notice the level of dedication that she poured into this track.

It’s the most experimental song on the album, featuring everything from wailing to animalistic sounds, and maybe that’s why it is so captivating on first listen and continues to grow on you the more you hear it. Not only is it unique and spellbinding, but it also proves how much Nicks added to the band as a songwriter and performer. Her vocals are at the heart of Fleetwood Mac, and this song serves as proof that she elevated the band’s material whenever she took on lead vocals.