Nobody will likely be surprised that Christine McVie wrote a song about her affair, given the depth of Fleetwood Mac’s intense behind-the-scenes dynamics. The singer invented a strange cover-up to prevent a confrontation with her ex-husband, John McVie. Such actions may appear unconventional.
It felt like a firework was about to go off while working on Rumours. McVie grappled with her fairytale romance souring, feeling both joy and guilt, akin to an unremoved clothes tag. These emotions intertwined with the obvious reasons, adding complexity to her situation. Even more shocking is the fact that, despite her desire to maintain harmony, she was unable to resist the alluring pull of outlawed hedonism.
Christine McVie was pivotal to the group, elevating their sound with her masterful piano skills. Her compositions added a unique depth to the dynamics, complementing other members’ contributions perfectly. But after the rumor spread that she had found a new passion, she tried to please her husband.
During her breakup with John, McVie wrote “You Make Loving Fun,” which is about her thriving romance with the band’s lighting technician, Curry Grant. Due to a white powder stimulant that the band would eventually come to both love and hate, McVie experienced a “mild coffee” rush. With remarkable endurance, he performed the song in the studio until its energy and aura reached a point that everybody was happy with.
But like anyone trying to hide their darkest secret, McVie made up a white lie about what the song meant. According to “Making Rumours,” she devised a scheme to trick her husband. The goal was to make him believe the song was about her dog, aiming to prevent flare-ups. The song was not about any pets, hers or anyone else’s, even though this was an incredibly cute substitute.
Had John been aware of its true source of inspiration, he probably would have become extremely resentful. “You Make Loving Fun” appears to carry a bitter undertone towards past lovers who lacked playfulness. The title suggests a contrast between previous relationships and a current one where the partner excels in fulfilling all the desired qualities. This juxtaposition emphasizes the newfound joy and fulfillment experienced with the current partner compared to past experiences.
As she sings about her new “sweet wonderful” love, the groove also adds a tongue-in-cheek element. Lindsey Buckingham’s tasteful electric rhythm chords make the accompanying drum and bass sound even more sophisticated and captivating. McVie may have prioritized art over personal strife, but the outcome is one of Mac’s largest and most iconic compositions.
