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"The Chain"
Song by Fleetwood Mac
from the album Rumours
Released4 February 1977
Recorded1976
GenreRock
Length4:28
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriters
Producers
Audio sample

"The Chain" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on their 1977 album Rumours.[1][2][3] It is the only song from the album with writing credits for all five band members (Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood).

"The Chain" was created from combinations of several previously rejected materials, including compositions from Buckingham, Nicks, and McVie. The song was assembled, often manually by splicing tapes with a razor blade, at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California, with engineers Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut.[4]

Following the critical and commercial success of Rumours, "The Chain" has become a staple of the band's live shows, typically the opening song. It was featured as the opening track on The Dance, a 1997 live concert CD/DVD release, as well as several of the band's greatest hits compilations. The song has attained particular fame in the United Kingdom, where the instrumental section has been used as the theme tune for the BBC and Channel 4's television and radio coverage of Formula One.[5][6]

Background

[edit]

According to interviews on the writing of Rumours, the final section of "The Chain" (beginning with a bass progression) was created by John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.[4] "The Chain" began as a Christine McVie song, titled "Keep Me There", which was the first track Fleetwood Mac recorded for Rumours. Initial tracking took place on 2 February 1976, with Fleetwood on drums, John McVie on an Alembic bass, Christine McVie on organ, and Buckingham on a Fender Stratocaster. Ten microphones were placed around Fleetwood's drums, two were used to capture the bass guitar and the organ, and another three microphones captured Buckingham's guitar amplifiers. After the band rehearsed the song twice, Ken Caillat, who served as the producer for Rumours, recorded the band's third run-through. In the middle of this take, John McVie played the bassline that was ultimately used in the final version of "The Chain".[7] The ending section was the only part from the original recording that the band kept for "The Chain".[8] McVie recorded a vocal take that session and replaced it with a new vocal the following day.[7]

When Fleetwood Mac reworked "Keep Me There" into "The Chain", they removed the blues-style motif originally found on the verses and retained the chord progression.[4] Lindsey Buckingham recycled the intro of an earlier song from a duet with Nicks, "Lola (My Love)", originally released on their self-titled 1973 album.[9] During the verses, Buckingham instructed Fleetwood to play a straight quarter note pattern on the kick drum. The Dobro, a type of resonator guitar, supplied the verse riff.[10]

Stevie Nicks had written the lyrics separately, which were originally part of an entirely different song that included the words "if you don't love me now, you will never love me again". Buckingham asked Nicks to donate these lyrics for the verses, which she agreed to.[11][12] Nicks and Christine McVie then reworked lyrics to create the first section of the tune.[4] Nicks' lyrics referenced the breakup of her relationship with Buckingham, a theme of many of Nicks' and Buckingham's lyrics on Rumours.[13]

Due to the spliced nature of the record (the drums and guitar were the only instruments recorded in each other's company)[14] and its sporadic composition and assembly from different rejected songs, "The Chain" is one of only a few Fleetwood Mac songs whose authorship is credited to all members of the band at the time.[4] Nicks maintained that "The Chain" was primarily her song and claimed ownership of the melody and a large portion of the lyrics.[12] In an interview with Paul Zollo, Buckingham questioned whether Fleetwood contributed significantly to the song, but acknowledged that all five members nonetheless received writing credits.[15] The finished song has a basic rock structure with two distinct portions: the main verse and chorus, and the outro. Influences of hard rock, folk, and country are also present.[4]

Release and reception

[edit]

"The Chain" has received favourable reviews from music critics. The Guardian and Paste ranked the song number ten and number one, respectively, on their lists of the 30 greatest Fleetwood Mac songs.[16][17] Billboard placed the song sixth out of eleven on its list ranking every track on Rumours. They deemed the song a cornerstone of Fleetwood Mac's discography and highlighted the "heartbeat-like bass drum" and John McVie's bass playing during the coda.[18]

In 1997, Fleetwood Mac released a live album called The Dance, which featured the reunion of the Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac members. That album's rendition of "The Chain" reached number 30 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Additionally, the studio version began appearing on the British charts in 2009, where it debuted at number 94. Two years later, the song achieved a new peak position of number 81. Since then, "The Chain" has returned to the British charts on several occasions; in 2025, it surpassed its old peak position by reaching number 68 in the UK.[19] The song has been certified quadruple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of over 2,400,000 units.[20]

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

The Dance version

[edit]
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[21] 51
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[22] 22
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[23] 30

Original version

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[36] Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[37] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[38] 8× Platinum 240,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[39] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] 4× Platinum 2,400,000‡
United States
digital 		— 721,186[40]
United States
digital Remastered LP version 		— 260,541[41]
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[42] Platinum 2,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Other media

[edit]
The ending of "The Chain"
The ending as used by the BBC's Formula 1 coverage and other media outlets
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The BBC's Formula One coverage used the ending bass line as a theme tune from 1978 until 1996 and again from 2009 to 2015, thus making the song highly recognisable in the United Kingdom.[43] On 29 March 2009, the song re-entered the UK Chart at number 94 through downloads, following confirmation from the BBC that it would be reintroduced, the BBC having regained broadcasting rights from ITV. On 20 March 2011, "The Chain" peaked higher at number 81 in the UK chart following a campaign on Facebook to try to get the song to number 1 for the start of the 2011 Formula One season.[5] Excerpts from The Chain were also used in the official trailer for the film F1 (2025), a film based around Formula One.[44]

In the 2017 Marvel Studios film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, director James Gunn has said that "The Chain" was "most deeply embedded into the fibers of the film".[45] "The Chain" was also used as the closing song to the first-season episode "We Gull Way Back" of the HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death, and featured prominently in the 2017 film I, Tonya.

Tantric cover

[edit]
"The Chain"
Single by Tantric
from the album After We Go
ReleasedFebruary 10, 2004
RecordedJanuary 2004
StudioThe Blue Room
Length4:21
LabelMaverick
Songwriters
ProducerToby Wright
Tantric singles chronology
"Hey Now"
(2003) 		"The Chain"
(2004) 		"After We Go"
(2004)
Music video
"The Chain" on YouTube

In 2004 the American alternative rock band Tantric released their cover of "The Chain" as the second single from their second album titled After We Go and peaked at number 36 on the US Mainstream Rock chart for the week of May 15, 2004.[46]

Background and recording

[edit]

Tantric initially completed recording their second album After We Go after two extensive recording sessions in late 2003, believing they had delivered a finished product they turned in their final version to their label. However, Maverick Records was not entirely satisfied with it and insisted that the band return to the studio for a third session to record at least three more songs. This final round of recording resulted in more tracks, including the eventual singles "Hey Now" and "The Chain."[47]

Lead singer Hugo Ferreira later reflected on the difficult process, stating, "This record was a long and painful process to make. We were under a lot of pressure from our label to spit something out." As part of the label's demands, Tantric was required to include a cover song on the album, though no specific song was suggested. Instead of spending time deliberating, the band decided to make the selection completely random—by tuning in to a classic rock radio station and picking the first song that played. That song happened to be Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain."[48]

Guitarist Todd Whitener recalled the gamble in an interview with the Houston Chronicle saying, "This could be a very bad thing by taking this approach." He explained that the band had trouble agreeing on a song where all four members had only positive things to say, so they let fate decide. Fortunately, they all felt that "The Chain" could be molded into their sound.[49]

Tantric's cover of "The Chain" was produced by long-time Alice in Chains producer Toby Wright.[50]

Appearances

[edit]

Tantric's cover of the song was used as the theme song for the 2004 HBO Documentary series Family Bonds.[51]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "The Chain"
Chart (2004) Peak
position
US Mainstream Rock Airplay (Billboard)[52] 36
US Active Rock (Billboard)[53] 37
US Heritage Rock (Billboard)[54] 22

Three Days Grace cover

[edit]
"The Chain"
Song by Three Days Grace
from the EP Lost in You
Released15 March 2011
Recorded2011
Length3:50
LabelJive Records
Songwriters
Producer

The song was recorded by the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace, released from their EP, Lost in You. It was released on 15 March 2011.[55] The song peaked at number 45 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart.[56]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "The Chain"
Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[56] 45

Evanescence cover

[edit]
"The Chain"
Single by Evanescence
Released22 November 2019
Recorded2019
Length4:12
LabelBMG
Songwriters
ProducerBobby Tahouri
Evanescence singles chronology
"Hi-Lo"
(2018) 		"The Chain"
(2019) 		"Wasted on You"
(2020)
Music video
"The Chain" on YouTube

American rock band Evanescence released a cover version of the song. The song was released as a standalone digital download on 22 November 2019 by BMG.[57] (This cover version had been used to promote the Xbox game Gears 5 – part of the Gears of War franchise – which was released in early September 2019.)[58][59]

Background

[edit]

Amy Lee, the lead vocalist of Evanescence, said: "This cover was so fun to make. We love Fleetwood Mac and wanted to paint a dark and epic picture with our take on 'The Chain'. The lyrics make me feel the power of standing together against great forces trying to pull us apart, perhaps even from the inside. I really wanted to drive that home in our version, and even made everyone in the band sing by the end of it! We're beyond excited to share this with our fans and I'm really looking forward to playing it live."[60]

Music video

[edit]

An official music video to accompany the release of "The Chain" was first released onto YouTube on 9 January 2020.[61]

Track listing

[edit]
Digital download[57]
No.TitleLength
1."The Chain" (From "Gears 5")4:12

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2019–20) Peak
position
Czech Republic (Modern Rock)[62] 16
Scotland (OCC)[63] 61
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[64] 53
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[65] 53
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[66] 20
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[67] 9
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[68] 36

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label
United States 22 November 2019[57] Digital download BMG

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Chain

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"The Chain" is a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on their eleventh studio album, Rumours, on February 4, 1977. It is the only track in the band's discography credited collectively to all five members of their classic lineup—Mick Fleetwood on drums, John McVie on bass, Christine McVie on keyboards and vocals, Stevie Nicks on vocals, and Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and vocals—reflecting a collaborative effort born from jam sessions during the album's tense recording process. The song's composition emerged piecemeal amid profound personal turmoil within , including the dissolution of romantic relationships between Nicks and , as well as John and , which infused Rumours with raw emotional intensity. Lyrically, "The Chain" explores themes of relational breakage and unbreakable bonds, with Nicks contributing verses about love's betrayal, McVie adding the iconic bass line, and contributing the outro and guitar work, symbolizing the inescapable connections that persist despite conflict. Musically, it blends balladry with a building crescendo, culminating in a powerful, extended section featuring Fleetwood's driving drums and Buckingham's searing , which has made it a staple of the band's live performances since the late . Though never issued as a commercial single from Rumours, the song's cultural impact has grown exponentially, becoming one of Fleetwood Mac's most recognizable anthems and achieving recent chart resurgences, such as entering the Official Singles Chart's top 75 in 2025. Its legacy extends to widespread use in media, including films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and television series, underscoring its timeless resonance as a for resilience amid .

Background and development

Songwriting origins

"The Chain" originated during the initial recording sessions for Fleetwood Mac's eleventh studio album, Rumours, which began in early February 1976 at the studio in . The sessions were fraught with emotional strain due to the band's internal relationships unraveling, including the dissolution of the romantic partnership between Lindsey Buckingham and , as well as the of bassist and keyboardist . These personal conflicts infused the song's and thematic depth, capturing the fragility of connections amid betrayal and separation. The track stands as the only song in Fleetwood Mac's discography credited to all five members of the Rumours-era lineup, embodying a true collaborative effort born from piecing together disparate ideas. Lindsey Buckingham contributed the core verse and chorus melody, building on earlier musical sketches from his work with Nicks. Stevie Nicks provided the poignant bridge lyrics, drawing directly from the pain of her breakup with Buckingham and the ensuing relational breakdown. Christine McVie added key elements to the chorus and supplied a foundational chord progression derived from her unreleased demo "Keep Me There," the first track attempted for Rumours. John McVie devised the song's signature bass line during an impromptu jam, while Mick Fleetwood crafted the driving drum groove that anchored the rhythm section's intensity. Early versions of the song ran excessively long, leading the band and producers to consider excising it from the album; however, it was ultimately preserved when the group integrated the infectious bass riff and extended jam session into the arrangement, transforming potential discard into the track's climactic finale. By the sessions' conclusion later in 1976, the lyrics had been refined to explicitly echo the band's interpersonal strife, solidifying "The Chain" as a metaphor for unbreakable yet strained bonds.

Recording process

The recording of "The Chain" formed part of the broader sessions for Fleetwood Mac's album Rumours, with initial sessions taking place from late January to April 1976 at in , followed by work at other studios including Wally Heider in , then relocation to in , , from June to September 1976 for additional tracking and overdubs, with final mixes completed at various studios including the through early 1977. The track was co-produced by the five band members—Lindsey Buckingham, , , , and —alongside engineers and co-producers and , who helped capture the band's evolving ideas amid the sessions' chaotic atmosphere. The song emerged piecemeal from an impromptu during the Sausalito phase, where experimented with rejected fragments and solo contributions from individual members. later described the unconventional assembly: "'The Chain' started as the tail end of a jam and we did it all the wrong way around. We kept the end bit and added a new beginning. We used Stevie's lyrics, I wrote the melody and then we all joined in on the bass line riff." This approach reflected the collaborative yet fragmented creative process, drawing on Buckingham's guitar riffs, Nicks' lyrical input inspired by 's interpersonal tensions, and McVie's melodic bridge, ultimately crediting all five members as co-writers—the only such instance on Rumours. The sessions utilized 16-track analog tape, enabling extensive layering, though the core was often captured live to preserve spontaneity. Overdubs were a key technique, particularly for vocals, with Nicks recording multiple harmony layers to build the ethereal, blended choruses that mask the underlying emotional strain. John McVie's iconic bass in the outro was laid down in a single take, providing the track's propulsive backbone, while Fleetwood's drums benefited from Caillat's room miking setup—a Neumann U87 positioned in the studio's live space—to achieve the expansive, reverberant sound that amplifies the jam's intensity. The extended outro jam, originally a longer , was edited down to approximately 4:30 for the final version, splicing in elements from the session to create a seamless, tension-building climax. Band dynamics during the Rumours sessions were fraught with arguments fueled by romantic breakups and substance use among members, including Buckingham and Nicks, and the McVies' dissolving marriage, which injected raw emotion into performances like the heated vocal exchanges and driving rhythm in "The Chain." Initially viewed skeptically by some as a "bad idea" amid the turmoil, the track nearly faced exclusion until Buckingham championed its potential, insisting on refining the jam into a cohesive statement of the band's fractured unity.

Musical elements

Composition and structure

"The Chain" follows a verse-chorus form typical of rock songs, featuring an introductory bass and groove, verses, choruses, a bridge, and an extended outro jam that builds dynamically through layered . The track has a runtime of 4:28 and proceeds at a moderate of 76 beats per minute ( feel) in 4/4 time, allowing for a deliberate pacing that underscores its emotional intensity. Composed primarily in the key of , the song's verses employ a repeating of Em–A–D–C–Em (i–IV–VII–VI), which creates a sense of and reinforces the lyrical theme of enduring connections. The introductory groove establishes tension with a sparse bass and drum pattern, transitioning into vocal harmonies before the first verse at around 0:30. Verses maintain this progression in 4/4 time, narrating interpersonal strife, while the chorus introduces the hook "Chain, keep us together," heightening the dynamic with fuller band involvement. The bridge, featuring prominent vocals, provides a climactic shift before returning to the chorus, leading into the outro where the bass riff repeats cyclically amid layered guitars, evoking an unbreakable loop that fades gradually. The harmonic structure draws on I–IV–V influences adapted to the minor key, particularly in the riff's V–i–ii–V motion (B––F♯m–B), building tension through modal interchange in the chorus sections where major chords like G and introduce brighter tonal colors against the minor foundation. This progression, combined with the repetitive bass line in the outro, symbolizes the song's central "chain" motif as an endless, resilient bond, a conceptual element emphasized by the arrangement's gradual intensification from sparse verses to dense jamming.

Instrumentation and personnel

"The Chain" features performances exclusively by Fleetwood Mac's core lineup, with no additional session musicians contributing to the original recording. Lindsey Buckingham handled and vocals, delivering the track's electric guitar solo on a . Stevie Nicks provided lead vocals on the verses and backing vocals, layering harmonies alongside , who contributed keyboards, lead vocals on the chorus, and additional vocals. John McVie played the iconic bass riff on a custom 1976 Alembic Series I with a . Mick Fleetwood supplied drums and percussion, recorded on his Ludwig kit. The track was engineered by and co-engineer , with final mixing completed at The Village Recorder in .

Release and promotion

Original release

"The Chain" was released on February 4, , as the closing track on Fleetwood Mac's eleventh studio album, Rumours, issued by Warner Bros. Records. The album quickly achieved commercial dominance, debuting on the and reaching the No. 1 position, where it remained for a total of 31 nonconsecutive weeks between and 1978. Unlike several other tracks from Rumours, "The Chain" was not issued as a commercial single at the time of the 's launch, instead gaining initial popularity through sales, radio airplay, and live performances. A slightly edited version, shortened to 4:28 from the 's 4:30 runtime, appeared on the band's Greatest Hits in November 1978. Promotion for Rumours and its tracks, including "The Chain," centered on Fleetwood Mac's extensive world tour, which began on February 24, 1977, in , and continued through 1978, encompassing over 100 shows across , , and beyond. The song became a staple in the band's setlists during this period, often performed as an energetic closer that highlighted the group's onstage chemistry despite internal tensions. The album was initially available on vinyl LP, with cassette and formats following in subsequent years as those media gained prevalence. Rumours has sold over 40 million copies worldwide to date, with early sales momentum driven by strong U.S. and international demand that propelled the project to multi-platinum status.

Subsequent reissues

Following its initial appearance on the 1977 album Rumours, "The Chain" was featured on Fleetwood Mac's 1978 compilation Greatest Hits, edited down to 4:28 for the release. The track also appeared in the band's 1992 four-disc 25 Years – The Chain, which chronicled their career and included the original studio version alongside other hits and rarities. In 2004, Warner Bros. issued a remastered edition of Rumours that featured improved audio quality for "The Chain" and incorporated alternate mixes from the recording sessions, highlighting variations in arrangement and production. This was followed by a 2013 expanded reissue of Rumours under Rhino Records, which added live recordings from the band's 1977 tour, including a performance of "The Chain" captured during their world tour supporting the album. During the streaming era, "The Chain" gained renewed prominence through inclusions in curated playlists on platforms like and , such as the "Fleetwood Mac Essentials" collection, exposing it to new audiences via algorithmic recommendations and editorial selections. A 2020 vinyl reissue of Rumours marked an additional milestone, pressing the album—including "The Chain"—on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl to commemorate ongoing interest in the original recording. The song was prominently featured on the 1997 live album The Dance, recorded during a reunion concert series, with both acoustic and electric renditions showcasing the band's evolved dynamics. Additionally, in 2018, solo retrospective compilations by band members such as Lindsey Buckingham's Solo Anthology and ' Stand Back: 1981–2017 underscored the enduring personal significance of the band's catalog.

Reception and legacy

Critical reviews

Upon its release in 1977, critics praised "The Chain" for its hypnotic bass riff and the sense of band unity it conveyed, with noting how the track exemplified Fleetwood Mac's cohesive interplay amid personal strife. Billboard highlighted the song's role as the epic closer to Rumours, encapsulating the album's dramatic emotional buildup and resolution. Retrospective evaluations have further solidified its status. AllMusic described "The Chain" as Fleetwood Mac's defining moment, praising its tension-release dynamic that mirrors the band's internal conflicts through building intensity and cathartic release. In a 2020 Pitchfork feature, the track was lauded for its production innovations, particularly the seamless integration of layered elements that captured the band's fractured yet harmonious essence. Across these critiques, common themes emerge in the appreciation for raw emotional depth delivered through a polished, sophisticated sound.

Cultural impact

"The Chain" has solidified its status as Fleetwood Mac's unofficial anthem, symbolizing the band's enduring bonds and internal dynamics despite turmoil. It frequently opens live performances and serves as a centerpiece during key band events, including the 1997 reunion concert captured in The Dance, where it underscored the group's reconciliation, and the 2018–2019 An Evening with Fleetwood Mac tour, marking Christine McVie's final touring appearances before her retirement. Following Christine McVie's retirement from touring due to health issues in 2019 and her passing in 2022, the song inspired tributes highlighting its collaborative spirit, with bandmates Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood noting it as a testament to McVie's vital contributions to the band's unity. The track's iconic bass riff and structure have influenced subsequent artists across genres, notably cited by as a key inspiration for his songwriting and performance style during his 2017–2018 solo tour, where he performed it nightly and joined onstage for a rendition at the 2018 MusiCares gala. Styles' admiration extended to personal mentorship from Nicks, who praised his faithful covers and the evident influence in his debut Harry Styles. In popular culture, "The Chain" gained renewed visibility through its inclusion on the soundtrack of the 2017 film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, where it accompanied high-energy action sequences, introducing the song to younger audiences via the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The song's dramatic build-up has also resonated in sports and media, though its viral resurgence on platforms like TikTok in the early 2020s—through user-generated challenges syncing dances and edits to the riff—further amplified its cultural footprint among Gen Z, often paired with themes of unbreakable connections. Amid discussions of potential band reunions in the mid-2020s to mark anniversaries, including reports in October 2025 of talks for a 2027 reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rumours, "The Chain" continues to represent Fleetwood Mac's legacy, with members emphasizing its role in any future performances.

Commercial performance

Chart history

The original studio version of "The Chain", released on Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album Rumours, was not issued as a commercial single and thus did not appear on major singles charts at the time of its release. Its popularity grew through album sales and radio airplay, with Rumours topping the for 31 weeks and driving indirect exposure for the track in the . In the UK, the song similarly benefited from the album's success but had no initial singles chart entry. The live rendition from the 1997 reunion album The Dance marked the song's first notable chart performance as a single. This version peaked at No. 30 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in October 1997, spending 12 weeks on the tally. It did not enter the but contributed to renewed interest in Fleetwood Mac's catalog. In the digital era, "The Chain" began charting as a standalone track due to downloads and streaming. It first entered the UK Singles Chart in March 2011, reaching a peak of No. 81 following a fan-driven campaign to promote the song. The track re-entered the chart in May 2017, peaking at No. 78 amid streaming growth, and achieved further re-entries, including No. 76 in July 2025 and No. 68 in October 2025, reflecting ongoing virality. In the , the studio version debuted on the chart in 2018 at No. 7, driven by streaming, and has since accumulated 98 weeks on the Rock Streaming Songs chart with a peak of No. 5 as of 2025. It also reached a new high of No. 131 on the in August 2025. Internationally, the song has seen modest peaks as an album track or digital release. In , it reached No. 46 on the singles chart in 1978. The 1992 compilation , featuring the studio version, peaked at No. 9 on the and spent 17 weeks there, boosting the song's visibility.
Version/FormatCountry/ChartPeak PositionYearSource
Studio (1977) (Kent Singles)461978acharts.co
Live (The Dance, 1997)US (Mainstream Rock Airplay)301997musicvf.com
Digital/StreamingUK Singles Chart812011officialcharts.com
Digital/StreamingUK Singles Chart782017officialcharts.com
Digital/StreamingUS Rock 52025billboard.com
Compilation ()91992officialcharts.com
As of November 2025, the studio version has surpassed 1.5 billion streams on , underscoring its enduring digital presence and occasional re-charting tied to trends.

Certifications and sales

"The Chain" appears on Fleetwood Mac's 1977 Rumours, which has been certified 21× Platinum by the RIAA in the United States for shipments of 21 million units as of July 19, 2023. Rumours has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, with the song contributing to these figures through individual track sales and streaming equivalents. In the UK, "The Chain" has achieved 4× Platinum certification by the BPI as of 2025, reflecting combined physical sales, downloads, and streaming equivalents of 2.4 million units (where 2,000 streams equate to one unit). By 2020, it had reached one million combined units under BPI standards. By 2025, the song has surpassed 1 billion total streams across platforms, including over 318 million for the 2004 remaster on alone. Post-2020 reissues have driven a resurgence in vinyl sales for Rumours, with the album selling 243,000 new vinyl copies in the in 2022, 206,000 in 2023, and 178,000 in 2024, contributing to the overall growth in physical formats amid streaming dominance.

Media appearances

Music videos

The song "The Chain" did not have an official upon its initial release in 1977, as it was an album track rather than a single, and promotional videos were not yet a standard practice for rock bands in that era. The first official video associated with the song is a live performance filmed in May 1997 for the MTV special The Dance, recorded at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rumours album. The clip features Lindsey Buckingham starting with an acoustic guitar intro before the full band— including Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Christine McVie—joins for a high-energy rendition that aired on MTV and was later released on home video. In 2018, this performance was remastered in HD and uploaded to the band's official YouTube channel, where it has amassed over 57 million views as of 2025. In 2018, performed "The Chain" live at the gala honoring the band at in , with the original Rumours-era lineup; official footage from this orchestral-backed appearance was shared online and has contributed to the song's enduring visual legacy on platforms like . Subsequent official and fan uploads, including remastered clips from the Rumours recording sessions and tours shared in 2020 to mark ongoing anniversaries, emphasize performance-based visuals rather than narrative storytelling, aligning with the song's raw, collaborative origins. No major narrative-driven has been produced for "The Chain," with the focus remaining on live captures that highlight the band's chemistry.

Live performances and samples

"The Chain" has been a staple of Fleetwood Mac's live performances since its debut during the in 1977, often serving as a climactic closer that unites the band and audience in an extended . During the 1979 , the song featured elongated instrumental sections, with John McVie's bass line driving dynamic builds that showcased the band's improvisational energy, as captured in live footage from the era. Similarly, on the 1982 , performances at venues like the Forum in emphasized emotional intensity, particularly in the vocal exchanges between and Lindsey Buckingham, heightening the track's themes of relational tension. Key live recordings highlight the song's evolution. The 1997 reunion concert documented in The Dance album presents an acoustic-to-electric medley version, blending stripped-down verses with a full-band crescendo that reignited fan enthusiasm for the classic lineup. In 2014, during the On with the Show Tour—featuring the return of after a 16-year absence—"The Chain" closed many shows with Buckingham's soaring guitar work, as heard in performances at and other arenas. The song's bass riff and structure have influenced sampling in hip-hop and electronic music. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's 2007 track "Wind Blow" incorporates multiple elements from "The Chain," layering the sample over their signature harmonic flows to evoke themes of struggle and resilience. Yelawolf's 2008 "Break the Chain" similarly draws on the riff for its introspective narrative, demonstrating the track's enduring rhythmic appeal in rap production. In the 2020s, amid the band's effective retirement following Christine McVie's death in 2022, "The Chain" has gained renewed prominence in sports arenas, particularly NHL events. It underscored dramatic moments in the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Finals between the and . In 2024, it featured in the post-series closing montage on ABC and a promotional commercial; in 2025, it was used for the pre-game intro to , symbolizing unbreakable team bonds. While no official virtual performances emerged during the , fan and tribute covers proliferated online, sustaining the song's communal spirit.

Cover versions

Tantric cover

Tantric's cover of "The Chain" appears as the third track on the band's second studio album, After We Go, released by Maverick Records on February 24, 2004. The album, which debuted at number 56 on the , marked Tantric's follow-up to their successful self-titled debut from 2001. The track was produced by Toby Wright, who had also helmed the band's first album, and features a arrangement that emphasizes heavier guitars and a intensity compared to the original's blues-rock roots. Recording took place primarily at Ocean Way Studios in , with additional sessions at Soundkitchen Studios in nearby Franklin. Formed in 1998 by former members , , and Matt Taul alongside vocalist , Tantric included the cover at the insistence of Maverick Records, which required a cover song on the album without specifying a title. To select one quickly, the band tuned a radio to a classic rock station; "The Chain" happened to be the first song played, prompting an immediate decision to record it. The cover preserves the original's driving bass riff while infusing it with the band's signature aggressive sound. Released as the album's second single, the cover garnered mixed critical reception. Some reviewers highlighted its effective heavy edge and appeal to the band's rock fanbase, describing it as one of the album's stronger moments for tapping into Tantric's intensified style. Others dismissed it as an unpleasant rendition that failed to enhance the classic. Commercially, it peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in 2004. The song saw use as the theme for HBO's 2004 documentary series Family Bonds, which followed a family of bounty hunters, though no official was produced for the single. Tantric frequently performed the cover live during tours supporting After We Go in the mid-2000s, incorporating it into sets alongside original material.

cover

In 2011, the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace released a studio cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" as part of their extended play Lost in You, issued digitally on February 1 via Jive Records. The track, featuring lead vocals by Adam Gontier, reinterprets the original as a heavy rock arrangement with prominent aggressive guitar riffs and driving percussion, clocking in at 3:50—shorter than the 1977 source material's 4:30 runtime. Produced by Howard Benson, the cover pays homage to classic rock influences, aligning with the band's post-grunge style evident in their prior albums like One-X (2006) and Life Starts Now (2009). The recording emerged amid Three Days Grace's promotional cycle for , with the EP bundling the cover alongside the title track "Lost in You" and a version of "World So Cold." Though not a full inclusion, it received limited radio , primarily on rock formats, and was distributed as a digital single tied to the EP's . On the charts, "The Chain" debuted and peaked at No. 45 on Billboard's Rock Digital Song in 2011, reflecting modest commercial traction driven by digital downloads rather than widespread streaming or physical at the time. Three Days Grace debuted the cover live in 2009, prior to its studio release, including a stripped-down acoustic rendition at iHeartRadio events and full-band performances during promotional shows, such as at the P.C. Richard & Son Theater in New York City on September 22. The song appeared sporadically in their setlists thereafter, documented in 15 concerts through 2012, often during tours supporting Life Starts Now, but it was not a staple in their regular repertoire. This occasional inclusion highlighted the band's appreciation for the original's enduring cultural resonance while adapting it to their harder-edged sound.

Evanescence cover

Evanescence recorded a symphonic rock cover of "The Chain" for the of the Gears 5, featuring lead vocalist 's powerful delivery alongside orchestral arrangements that amplify the song's dramatic tension. The track, running 4:12 in length and opening with a haunting piano intro, was produced by composer Bobby Tahouri and mixed by at Ocean Way Studios in . has expressed a deep personal admiration for , citing as a key influence on her songwriting and vocal style, which informed her approach to reinterpreting the original's themes of emotional resilience and fractured relationships. The cover was first released digitally as a single on November 22, 2019, under , marking Evanescence's return to original rock material after an eight-year hiatus from the . It was later included as a bonus track on select editions of the band's fifth studio album, The Bitter Truth, which debuted on March 26, 2021, via BMG; a Japanese SHM-CD deluxe pressing from that period explicitly featured the track alongside live recordings. Recording took place in late 2019, just before the , though post-production and album integration occurred amid global lockdowns, reflecting the era's isolating circumstances. An official music video, directed by P.R. Brown, premiered on January 9, 2020, depicting the band performing in a stark, post-apocalyptic desert landscape that evokes themes of isolation and unbreakable unity amid adversity—elements heightened by swirling and lighting. The visual narrative underscores the song's lyrical plea for connection, with band members , Tim McCord, Jen Majura, and Troy McLawhorn joining Lee in a ritualistic stand against encroaching darkness. As of November 2025, the video has amassed nearly 8 million views (7.9 million) on . Upon release, the single debuted at No. 1 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, selling 9,000 downloads in its first tracking week and accumulating nearly 1 million U.S. streams shortly thereafter. It also reached No. 9 on the Hot Rock Songs chart and peaked at No. 25 on the Rock & Metal Singles Chart, bolstered by streaming momentum and promotion during Evanescence's 2021 Worlds Collide Tour supporting The Bitter Truth. A digital reissue tied to the album arrived on May 7, 2021, further driving plays across platforms.

References

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