Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise
Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies

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 (never break the chain)

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 (never break the chain)

Listen to the wind blow, down comes the night
Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies
Break the silence, damn the dark, damn the light

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 (never break the chain)

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 (never break the chain)

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 (never break the chain)

Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)

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Lyrics submitted by oofus

The Chain Lyrics as written by John Mcvie Christine Mcvie

Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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The Chain song meanings

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44 Comments

+14
My Interpretation
I feel this song is more about a relationship or friendship on the verge of collapse and someone's attempts to stop it as opposed to a hateful goodbye. Things are going bad and they tell their partner that they must work to keep their bond. I think the end lines are actually " Chains keep us together, running through the shadows" the shadows are dark times when they are running blindly through struggles, the chain may be oppressive but they need each other. They've argued ("listen to the wind blow") and are tired of it but the chorus reminds them that this could be the end so keep this anger smothered. They may be at odds but they know that the chain keeping them together is important . Persevere and they may rebuild their relationship or friendship back to its former glory.

I feel this song is more about a relationship or friendship on the verge of collapse and someone's attempts to stop it as opposed to a hateful goodbye. Things are going bad and they tell their partner that they must work to keep their bond. I think the end lines are actually " Chains keep us together, running through the shadows" the shadows are dark times when they are running blindly through struggles, the chain may be oppressive but they need each other. They've argued ("listen to the wind blow") and are tired of it but the chorus reminds them that this could be the end so keep this anger smothered. They may be at odds but they know that the chain keeping them together is important . Persevere and they may rebuild their relationship or friendship back to its former glory.

Reason:

Socal95on May 15, 2013 Link
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@Socal95

@Socal95 Yes. Just created an account to share agreement. Woke up today with my brain riding one of the storms - some synaptic movement played me this song. I'm in this exact situation - just had the comforting epiphany I'm perpetually linking 'the chain' with this man - tired by going in circles - but getting a little further down the road every time round - we always have the potential to get somewhere. It's some sort of madness I can't deny but I would rather have it than not. The man is damn beautiful. I came looking for this interpretation. My confirmation bias centres are all shiny :) *fist bump* thanks xx

jeanjeanieon November 26, 2014

@Socal95 Spot on (IMHO) Soca. I don't think it's a "complicated" song (in terms of lyrics) - though the song itself was spliced together from 2 possibly 3 different songs (!).

Certainly you can taste the bitterness - and only have to look at Mac singing this one live (at their peak) to see the meaning each can summon up during performance (I certainly see it in Lindsey), it feels about him & Stevie, but then there was John & Christine - and Mick with his wife Jenny.

But that's the great strength of 'Rumours' and the songs nearby it. So much they were able to 'outlet' through their song(s), and so much feeling.

In a way, their pain - but a common goal (love) of the band, and of the others, *kept them together*, and produced their finest music (I think).

Scotty73on September 10, 2018

Ha (Just read jeanjeanie's reply) - I too created an a/c to share agreement (!). I hope your relationship - or status is ok at present jeanjeanie...

Scotty73on September 10, 2018
+9
General Comment
the chain = marriage. Powerful stuff

the chain = marriage. Powerful stuff

Reason:

arekon November 24, 2004 Link
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@arek
+8
General Comment
The way this song came about is pretty interesting. John McVie had created the famous bass line which you hear the second half of the song. But that was all they had. Stevie Nicks added the lyrics, which she had written while she and Lyndsey Buckingham performed together before they came to Fleetwood Mac. From there, everybody contributed. The "backwoodsy" guitar solo and drum beat at the beginning were Lyndsey's work. This is really the only song from the Rumours album where everyone from the band contributed. Good stuff. When performed live, it seemed like Lyndsey and Stevie were having a screaming match when Lyndsey would repeat the lyrics after Stevie. Crazy.

The way this song came about is pretty interesting. John McVie had created the famous bass line which you hear the second half of the song. But that was all they had. Stevie Nicks added the lyrics, which she had written while she and Lyndsey Buckingham performed together before they came to Fleetwood Mac. From there, everybody contributed. The "backwoodsy" guitar solo and drum beat at the beginning were Lyndsey's work. This is really the only song from the Rumours album where everyone from the band contributed. Good stuff. When performed live, it seemed like Lyndsey and Stevie were having a screaming match when Lyndsey would repeat the lyrics after Stevie. Crazy.

Reason:

rlschulton September 11, 2007 Link
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@rlschult

@rlschult Yes - spot on on the 'separation' with the construction of the song (apparently). BUT - thoroughly agree with your obs on Stevie and Lindsey! Here's a good live performance (if it shows up ok as a link - to uTube). Though Lindsey is doing all the power (along with Mick feeling it all) - it looks almost like an exorcism (!) - but I think some of their songs were? (purging themselves of the other?)

youtube.com/…

Scotty73on September 10, 2018

youtu.be/…

Scotty73on September 10, 2018

@rlschult Actually you're wrong. You must have confused this song with "I Don't Wanna Know" because that's that song which Nicks and Buckingham played before Fleetwood Mac. And "The Chain" was written during "Rumours" period. I have read that Stevie came up with it in a car and I think it was the same moment when she learned that "Silver Springs" would not be on an album. Later she played that song on guitar and cought Lindsley's attention. He asked her about the name of that song and if she agree to put it on the album. And this song is both about Lindsley and Fleetwood Mac. This second meaning is less popular but that's what Stevie (as well as even Christine) also say about this lyrics.

Jekaterinaon September 19, 2023
+6
General Comment
This song is amazing. My favorite line has to be "damn your love, damn your lies." What a swift and precise kick in the gut.

This song is amazing. My favorite line has to be "damn your love, damn your lies." What a swift and precise kick in the gut.

Reason:

cherujon November 13, 2005 Link
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@cheruj
+4
General Comment
If you ever read Rumors Exposed you will know that this is the only song that all the members of Fleetwood Mac could put aside creative differences and record so perfectly. Great read and song!

If you ever read Rumors Exposed you will know that this is the only song that all the members of Fleetwood Mac could put aside creative differences and record so perfectly. Great read and song!

Reason:

sweetpoeton April 22, 2003 Link
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@sweetpoet
+4
General Comment
This song is about sick immature love, yet love nontheless. It's about playing games such as acting hard to get, cheating, lies, making them jealous, abuse, hurting your love in the name of low self-esteem, This is about dirty love, toxic love, tainted love, poisonous. Not a good and honest wholesome love. It's about a negative/bad relationship that you just cannot end no matter how hard you want to, because "your chained together." Maybe the sex is good ? Maybe one person controls the other economically or they are married and have children. It's about hell on earth.

This song is about sick immature love, yet love nontheless. It's about playing games such as acting hard to get, cheating, lies, making them jealous, abuse, hurting your love in the name of low self-esteem, This is about dirty love, toxic love, tainted love, poisonous. Not a good and honest wholesome love. It's about a negative/bad relationship that you just cannot end no matter how hard you want to, because "your chained together." Maybe the sex is good ? Maybe one person controls the other economically or they are married and have children. It's about hell on earth.

Reason:

cindyljoanon September 19, 2009 Link
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@cindyljoan
+2
General Comment
This song is such a beautiful composition. The harmonies are masterfully put together and the lyrics just bluntly demonstrate the emotional longing between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

This song is such a beautiful composition. The harmonies are masterfully put together and the lyrics just bluntly demonstrate the emotional longing between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

Reason:

tpdog86on August 16, 2002 Link
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@tpdog86
+1
General Comment
wonderfull peice of music especialy the last bit

wonderfull peice of music especialy the last bit

Reason:

jefrotullon January 22, 2005 Link
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@jefrotull
+1
General Comment
damn man "What a swift and precise kick in the gut." That's about the best thing I've heard this month.

damn man "What a swift and precise kick in the gut." That's about the best thing I've heard this month.

Reason:

cmw000on December 16, 2005 Link
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@cmw000
+1
General Comment
The best break-up song of all time.

The best break-up song of all time.

Reason:

amymonkeyon October 07, 2007 Link
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@amymonkey