In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay?
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?
Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?
Why don't you ask him what's going on?
Why don't you ask him who's the latest on his throne?
Don't say that you love me
Just tell me that you want me
Tusk
Just say that you want me
Just tell me that you
Tusk (real savage like)
Tusk
Tusk
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?
Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?
Why don't you ask him what's going on?
Why don't you ask him who's the latest on his throne?
Don't say that you love me
Just tell me that you want me
Tusk
Just say that you want me
Just tell me that you
Tusk (real savage like)
Tusk
Tusk
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Half of the song is cocaine paranoia.
The other half is an inside joke (the band had started to refer to a penis as a "tusk" after seeing a phallic-shaped elephant tusk while on tour).
It's all set to the USC Trojan Marching Band playing in an empty Dodger Stadium. Why? Why not? Fleetwood Mac were the biggest band in the world, and they weren't going to rest on their laurels...at least Buckingham wasn't. He was going to push the envelope and see what they could do. The album itself is brilliant, but what amazes me even more is that this song, as bizarre and surreal as it is, was actually a Top 10 hit late in 1979.