Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie played on popular songs like “The Chain,” “Love In Store,” and “Go Your Own Way.” After her relationship with Dennis Wilson from The Beach Boys, McVie dedicated a track from the album “Mirage” to her ex, giving him a special acknowledgment for inspiring the 1982 release.
Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac began their relationship in the 1970s. Dennis Wilson, an American singer, songwriter, and drummer for The Beach Boys, was a founding member of the group and contributed to their chart-topping songs. He also had a passionate romance with Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie.
During an interview with Rolling Stone, McVie described their meeting: “Dennis walked into the studio one night and swept me off my feet. It was an unforgettable experience. Dennis was quite a character. Part of him was like a little boy, while the other part was unpredictable. He had a split personality.”
“Only Over You,” a song by Fleetwood Mac, was dedicated to Dennis Wilson. McVie’s birthday party featured Wilson performing “You Are So Beautiful” with a full orchestra. As accomplished artists, they frequently collaborated on music together.
McVie honored their connection by dedicating a song on Fleetwood Mac’s album “Mirage” to Wilson. The record sleeve for “Only Over You” reads, “with special thanks for inspiration to Dennis Wilson.” The song has garnered over 2 million plays on Spotify.
The song’s lyrics express McVie’s feelings: “I’m out of my mind / But it’s only over you. People think I’m crazy / But they don’t understand. Thought love had abandoned me / But now, they witness it blooming.”
Dennis Wilson and Christine McVie ended their relationship in 1981. Their connection was overshadowed by Wilson’s substance abuse issues, including cocaine use and excessive drinking, which strained their time together.
According to Steve Goldberg, a close associate, “He used her place like a rehab center. Then he’d call me, I’d pick him up, and she wouldn’t see him for a week. When he was completely drained — going without sleep for a week — he’d return. This pattern repeated. He cared for her, but his priority was having a good time.”
By 1981, the couple had officially parted ways. McVie later reflected on the relationship, especially after Wilson’s death in 1983.
She shared her thoughts in 2004, as recounted in the book “Fleetwood Mac on Fleetwood Mac”: “Why do people stay with others? Because they love them, I suppose. And I did love him for a while. He was very charming, good-looking, and charismatic. He had an appealing quality — even if you could describe a guy with a beard and a voice like Satan as ‘appealing.’ He had a way of drawing people into his life, even strangers from planes or the streets, who would eventually become his closest friends.”
