Peacekeeper (Fleetwood Mac song)
| "Peacekeeper" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Fleetwood Mac | ||||
| from the album Say You Will | ||||
| Released | 15 April 2003 | |||
| Format | CD single | |||
| Recorded | 2003 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Writer(s) | Lindsey Buckingham | |||
| Producer(s) | Lindsey Buckingham and John Shanks | |||
| Fleetwood Mac singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Peacekeeper" is a song by Fleetwood Mac, written by guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham, from the 2003 album Say You Will. It was the first and most successful single released from the album.
Background
"Peacekeeper" was written in 2000, three years before the release of Say You Will, in a house Buckingham was renting with his wife.
Like many of Buckingham's contributions on Say You Will, "Peacekeeper" was originally going to appear on Buckingham's solo album, Gift of Screws. However, Warner Bros told Buckingham to use all of his material for the upcoming Fleetwood Mac album instead. Warner Bros felt the song had the potential to become a hit, describing the song as "walking a line between something quite modern and something quite familiar". Warner Bros ultimately chose the song to become the album's first single.
"Peacekeeper" entered the US charts at #93 on 29 March. On 17 May, seven weeks later, the song peaked at #80. The song spent eleven consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.[1][2] In New Zealand, the single proved to be far more successful, eventually reaching #31 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. On the other hand, it failed to chart in the UK.
This was also the band's 25th, as well as their most recent song to reach the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.[3] This was also Buckingham's first US hit since Family Man, which peaked at #90 in 1988.
Lyrics
The radio edit differs slightly from the album version. The radio edit replaces the line "only kill" with "break their will." [4] The latter lyrics are used during live performances.
When asked about the lyrics, he explained that the song had nothing to do with global issues or war, but was closing in on propaganda. In a later interview, he further explained the meaning behind the lyrics; "...It's about how we are becoming increasingly desensitized to things around the world that are brutal and not standing up for human value..."
Other Appearances
To promote their new album, Say You Will, "Peacekeeper" appeared on Third Watch.[5] Fleetwood Mac also performed the song on both Late Night with David Letterman and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
"Peacekeeper" appeared on both setlists for the Say You Will Tour.[6] The song was also included on their live album, Live in Boston. A different live recording of "Peacekeeper" was included on the limited deluxe edition of Say You Will, which included a total of four bonus tracks.
"Peacekeeper" was one of the songs performed on Sound Stage Presents – Lindsey Buckingham with Special Guest Stevie Nicks. The concert aired in 2005 on PBS.[7]
Personnel
- Lindsey Buckingham – guitars, percussion, vocals
- Stevie Nicks – vocals
- Mick Fleetwood – drums, percussion
- John McVie – bass guitar
- Additional Personnel
Track listing
- Reprise CD single PR03903 (Warner)[8]
- "Peacekeeper" (Single Remix) – 4:11
- "Peacekeeper" (Single Edit) – 3:42
Chart positions
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Singles Chart[9] | 80 |
| U.S. Adult Contemporary[10] | 10 |
| US Adult Top 40 | 16 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 31 |
| Dutch Singles Chart[11] | 100 |
References
- ↑ ""Peacekeeper" at billboard.com". Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ↑ "acharts.us-song:Peacekeeper by Fleetwood Mac". Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "CHART BEAT BONUS". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ↑ "Peacekeeper". Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Go Your Own Way : The Resource for all things Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham & Sevie Nicks". Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Average Setlists of year: 2003". Retrieved July 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Soundstage . Lindsey Buckingham". PBS. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Fleetwood Mac - Peacekeeper (song)". Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ↑ "Fleetwood Mac: Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Say You Will > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- ↑ "dutchcharts.nl - Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac in Dutch Charts". dutchcharts.nl. November 9, 2009.
