For this edition of The Original vs. The Cover, we are going to explore the Fleetwood Mac song “The Chain” which was covered by the band The Highwomen for the soundtrack to the movie ‘The Kitchen’ back in 2019. I could’ve picked other covers by maybe Tantric or Evanescence, but I really liked this version. The song was written by all of Fleetwood Mac and this is certainly true as the song is pieced together from parts of several different unused material from all members of the band.

The opening intro was from an old Lindsey Buckingham song called “Lola (My Love”, the lyrics are from Stevie Nicks and other elements were worked in from Christine McVie’s song “Keep Me There”. The final section of the, including the bass progression were written by Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. It is a Frankenstein’s Monster of sorts and quite wonderful.

Let’s take a look at each version and see which one is the best.

FLEETWOOD MAC

The Fleetwood Mac version is so well known, it would be hard to top it. The opening guitar picking by Buckingham is damn near perfect. Lindsey and Stevie’s vocals together are always so perfect together as their tones play off each other so nicely. Mick’s drumming is so precise and played for the song. Not one drum hit is out of place. When you get to that bass progression towards the end, the song is really hitting on all cylinders as the tempo picks up and the energy as well. The vocal harmonies are what sets this song apart. It is one of those songs where each instrument is so critically placed and if pulled out the song would suffer. I’m telling you, it don’t get much better than this.

THE HIGHWOMEN

Musically, as I said above, the instrumentation on this song is critical as each instrument is perfect the way it is and you can’t change it up. Which is The Highwomen left the song alone musically as it follows the same blueprint. The big difference is the harmonies. No male in this one as it is four women who know how to sing including Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby…all powerful singers. Vocally the song is just as haunting as the original as the women bring and even darker element to the vocals and harmonies. They capture the spirit of the song completely.

THE VERDICT

Now, I have to say, The Highwomen’s version is the reason I wanted to do this song in the series and with good reason and as they are truly amazing vocalists. However, they don’t bring anything new to the song or really change it in anyway. Which isn’t a bad thing, it only means that it can’t top the original. The Fleetwood Mac version is the one where it’s at with me. I think it is Lindsey’s and Stevie’s dynamics that win me over as those two together are pure magic. You can’t go wrong with either version, but since no real difference, you have to go with Fleetwood Mac as king here.

I am really interested in hearing what everyone else thinks of these two songs.  Let me know which version you like the best and why.  Feel free to leave a comment and talk about the song and tell me how right or wrong I am on this one.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

LYRICS:

“The Chain”

Listen to the wind blow
Watch the sun rise
Run in the shadows
Damn your love
Damn your lies

[2x]
And if you don’t love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain

Listen to the wind blow
Down comes the night
Run in the shadows
Damn your love
Damn your lies

Break the silence
Damn the dark
Damn the light

[3x]
And if you don’t love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain

[5x]
Chain, keep us together
Running in the shadows