The Iconic 'Go Your Own Way' Lyric Stevie Nicks Called a Complete Lie
- - The Iconic 'Go Your Own Way' Lyric Stevie Nicks Called a Complete Lie
Deborah CruzDecember 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
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When Fleetwood Mac released "Go Your Own Way" as part of their legendary "Rumours" album, audiences heard a raw, guitar-driven breakup anthem. What they didn't immediately realize was that Stevie Nicks had to sing backing vocals on a song containing an accusation she vehemently denied.
The 1977 track became one of the band's signature hits, but behind the commercial success lay genuine animosity between former high school sweethearts and romantic partners, Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Their relationship had just recently ended when Buckingham wrote the song. He wasn't happy and he didn't hold back his feelings about how things ended.
Among the various verses expressing Buckingham's frustration, one line particularly infuriated Nicks: "Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do." The implication was clear — Buckingham suggested Nicks moved carelessly from one relationship to another after their split.
Photo by Fin Costello on Getty ImagesStevie Nicks Set the Record Straight on the Accusation
Nicks has consistently rejected this characterization as completely untrue. In an interview with Classic Rock Stories, she addressed the lyric head-on: "I want you to know, that line about 'shacking up'? I never shacked up with anybody while I was with him. I was the one who broke up with him. All he wanted to do was to fall asleep with his guitar."
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Her counter-narrative painted a different picture entirely — one where Buckingham's devotion to music outweighed his commitment to Nicks and their relationship. This version is supported by multiple accounts describing Buckingham's perfectionist tendencies in the studio, where he'd spend countless hours refining guitar parts and production details.
Why Did They Keep Working Together After the Breakup?
The professional arrangement created ongoing tension since Buckingham handled production responsibilities for several tracks Nicks wrote for "Rumours." They couldn't simply avoid each other — collaboration remained a job requirement despite the personal issues.
Buckingham acknowledged this difficulty in a "Behind the Music" interview: "I was the one sorting out her songs and making them into records, and there were times when I had the urge not to want to do that. Stevie and I talked, but it was difficult for it not to be combative or confrontational."
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The situation grew even more uncomfortable because Nicks provided harmonies for "Go Your Own Way." Night after night on tour, she had to either sing along with or listen to Buckingham perform lyrics questioning her character in front of thousands of fans.
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This arrangement couldn't sustain itself indefinitely. Years later, a band meeting escalated into physical conflict between Nicks and Buckingham, effectively ending their ability to work together. Both pursued solo careers while Fleetwood Mac recruited new members.
The bitter irony remains that "Rumours" became one of history's best-selling albums, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide. The genuine heartbreak fueling songs like "Go Your Own Way" and Nicks' response track "Dreams" resonated deeply with audiences experiencing their own relationship struggles.
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Decades have passed, but Nicks still corrects the record when that disputed lyric comes up, showing some creative wounds never fully heal — even when they produce timeless music.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
