As Lindsey Buckingham’s extensive journey with Fleetwood Mac concludes, the songs of the band continue to resonate profoundly in his life, retaining a significant place of importance. Buckingham’s tenure with Fleetwood Mac spanned over 40 years, marked by periods of collaboration and hiatus, during which he produced some of the most compelling work of his career.
Prior to joining Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham had amassed a substantial body of material primed for recording. Mick Fleetwood’s invitation to Buckingham, along with Stevie Nicks, came after the duo’s debut album, “Buckingham Nicks,” failed to achieve commercial success. Fate intervened as the record landed in Fleetwood’s hands, leading to the duo joining the iconic band and contributing a fresh dimension. Their pre-existing songs seamlessly found a home on Fleetwood Mac’s eponymous tenth studio album.
Among these tracks is “I’m So Afraid,” a Lindsey Buckingham composition that served as the closing piece on the 1975 album. The song garnered favor as a fan favorite during the band’s live performances, surpassing 750 renditions. Yet, every time Buckingham played it with the band, he faced a unique challenge.
In contrast to other songs in the band’s repertoire, the difficulty of “I’m So Afraid” did not stem from intricate lyrical content but rather from its highly technical aspects. Buckingham’s struggle with the song highlighted its complexity, making it a singular challenge in the band’s catalog.
The intricate creation of “I’m So Afraid” was a laborious undertaking for Buckingham, taking four years to reach its final form within Fleetwood Mac. Mick Fleetwood, in his autobiography, lauded the track, noting, “The harmony of the guitar parts so in tune they were a virtual orchestra unto themselves.”
During a live studio audience discussion with Malcolm Gerrie broadcast on Sky Arts, Buckingham fielded a fan’s inquiry about the most challenging Fleetwood Mac song to play. In response, he disclosed, “Well there’s one we do, called ‘I’m So Afraid.’ It’s not that it’s difficult, but it’s very taxing on a nightly basis because it’s got this very long solo that I have to do every night.”
Despite no longer being part of Fleetwood Mac and incorporating only a few of their compositions into his solo sets, Buckingham fearlessly continues to include “I’m So Afraid,” indicating its enduring status as a personal favorite that he willingly tackles on stage.