25 Years: The Chain is a four CD compilation released in 1992 to mark the twenty-fifth annivesary of Fleetwood Mac. It takes its title from the group's well-known song on the 1977 album Rumours. It focused mostly on the bestselling 1975-87 period although the fourth disc focused more on the group's early years as a blues band (1967-70). The album was also released in a 2CD edition as Selections From 25 Years: The Chain.
The release contained four brand new songs (although one had been recorded as early as 1988) as well as other previously unreleased tracks and alternate mixes in addition to established material.
Of the fourteen musicians who had at some point been official members of Fleetwood Mac over the 1967-92 period, the only one not featured here is Dave Walker who sang on two songs on Penguin (1973). He is however listed in the roll call of members in the inner booklet.
Track listing - 4CD edition[]
Disc 1
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper Doll | Stevie Nicks/Rick Vito/John Herron | This compilation | Recorded in 1988 |
| 2 | Love Shines | Christine McVie/Eddy Quintela | This compilation | Brand new song |
| 3 | Stand Back (live) | Stevie Nicks | Tango in the Night (video) (1987) | Original version on Stevie Nicks' album The Wild Heart (1983) |
| 4 | Crystal | Stevie Nicks | Fleetwood Mac 1975 | |
| 5 | Isn't It Midnight | Christine McVie/Lindsey Buckingham/Eddy Quintela | Tango in the Night (1987) | Edited alternate version |
| 6 | Big Love | Lindsey Buckingham | Tango in the Night (1987) | |
| 7 | Everywhere | Christine McVie | Tango in the Night (1987) | |
| 8 | Affairs of the Heart | Stevie Nicks | Behind the Mask (1990) | |
| 9 | Heart of Stone | Christine McVie/Eddy Quintela | This compilation | Brand new song |
| 10 | Sara | Stevie Nicks | Tusk (1979) | |
| 11 | That's All For Everyone | Lindsey Buckingham | Tusk (1979) | |
| 12 | Over My Head | Christine McVie | Fleetwood Mac (1975) | |
| 13 | Little Lies | Christine McVie/Eddy Quintela | Tango in the Night (1987) | |
| 14 | Eyes of the World | Lindsey Buckingham | Mirage (1982) | |
| 15 | Oh Diane | Lindsey Buckingham/Richard Dashut | Mirage (1982) | |
| 16 | In the Back of My Mind | Billy Burnette/David Malloy | Behind the Mask (1990) | |
| 17 | Make Me a Mask | Lindsey Buckingham | This compilation | Brand new song |
Disc 2
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Save Me | Christine McVie/Eddy Quintela | Behind the Mask (1990) | |
| 2 | Goodbye Angel | Lindsey Buckingham | This compilation | Outtake from Mirage (1982) |
| 3 | Silver Springs | Stevie Nicks | B-side of Go Your Own Way (1976) | First ever album appearance |
| 4 | What Makes You Think You're the One | Lindsey Buckingham | Tusk (1979) | |
| 5 | Think About Me | Christine McVie | Tusk (1979) | |
| 6 | Gypsy | Stevie Nicks | Mirage (1982) | Alternate unedited version |
| 7 | You Make Loving Fun | Christine McVie | Rumours (1977) | |
| 8 | Second Hand News | Lindsey Buckingham | Rumours (1977) | Alternate mix |
| 9 | Love in Store | Christine McVie/Jim Recor | Alternate mix | |
| 10 | The Chain | Fleetwood/McVie/McVie/Buckingham/Nicks | Rumours (1977) | Alternate mix |
| 11 | Teen Beat | Lindsey Buckingham/Richard Dashut | This compilation | Outtake from Mirage (1982) |
| 12 | Dreams | Stevie Nicks | Rumours (1977) | Alternate mix |
| 13 | Only Over You | Christine McVie | Mirage (1982) | |
| 14 | I'm So Afraid (live) | Lindsey Buckingham | Mirage tour video | Studio version on Fleetwood Mac (1975) |
| 15 | Love is Dangerous | Rick Vito/Stevie Nicks | Behind the Mask (1990) | |
| 16 | Gold Dust Woman | Stevie Nicks | Rumours (1977) | Alternate mix |
| 17 | Not That Funny (live) | Lindsey Buckingham | Mirage tour video | Studio version on Tusk (1979) |
Disc 3
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warm Ways | Christine McVie | Fleetwood Mac (1975) | |
| 2 | Say You Love Me | Christine McVie | Fleetwood Mac (1975) | Single mix |
| 3 | Don't Stop | Christine McVie | Rumours (1977) | |
| 4 | Rhiannon | Stevie Nicks | Fleetwood Mac (1975) | |
| 5 | Walk a Thin Line | Lindsey Buckingham | Tusk (1979) | |
| 6 | Storms | Stevie Nicks | Tusk (1979) | |
| 7 | Go Your Own Way | Lindsey Buckingham | Rumours (1977) | |
| 8 | Sisters of the Moon | Stevie Nicks | Tusk (1979) | |
| 9 | Monday Morning (live) | Lindsey Buckingham | Fleetwood Mac Live (1980) | Studio version on Fleetwood Mac (1975) |
| 10 | Landslide | Stevie Nicks | Fleetwood Mac (1975) | |
| 11 | Hypnotized | Bob Welch | Mystery to Me (1973) | |
| 12 | Lay it All Down | Bob Welch | Future Games (1971) | Alternate mix with extra verses |
| 13 | Angel | Stevie Nicks | Tusk (1979) | |
| 14 | Beautiful Child | Stevie Nicks | Tusk (1979) | Alternate mix |
| 15 | Brown Eyes | Christine McVie | Tusk (1979) | Alternate mix |
| 16 | Save Me a Place | Lindsey Buckingham | Tusk (1979) | |
| 17 | Tusk | Lindsey Buckingham | Tusk (1979) | USC intro mix |
| 18 | Never Going Back Again | Lindsey Buckingham | Rumours (1977) | |
| 19 | Songbird | Christine McVie | Rumours (1977) |
Disc 4
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Believe My Time Ain't Long | Robert Johnson | Single (1967) | |
| 2 | Need Your Love So Bad | Mertis John Jr | Single (1968) | |
| 3 | Rattlesnake Shake | Peter Green | Then Play On (1969) | |
| 4 | Oh Well Part 1 | Peter Green | Single (1969) | |
| 5 | Stop Messin' Round | Peter Green/Clifford Adams | Mr. Wonderful (1968) | |
| 6 | The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Prong Crown) | Peter Green | Single (1970) | |
| 7 | Albatross | Peter Green | Single (1968) | |
| 8 | Man of the World | Peter Green | Single (1969) | |
| 9 | Love That Burns | Peter Green/Clifford Adams | ||
| 10 | Black Magic Woman | Peter Green | ||
| 11 | Watch Out | Peter Green | Blues Jam at Chess (1969) | |
| 12 | String-a-Long | Jimmy Duncan/Robert Doyle | Jeremy Spencer (1970) | From solo album but features all then group members |
| 13 | Station Man | Danny Kirwan/Jeremy Spencer/John McVie | Kiln House (1970) | |
| 14 | Did You Ever Love Me | Christine McVie/Bob Welch | Penguin (1973) | |
| 15 | Sentimental Lady | Bob Welch | Bare Trees (1972) | |
| 16 | Come a Little Bit Closer | Christine McVie | Heroes Are Hard to Find (1974) | |
| 17 | Heroes Are Hard to Find | Christine McVie | Heroes Are Hard to Find (1974) | |
| 18 | Trinity | Danny Kirwan | This compilation | Recorded 1971 at sessions for Bare Trees |
| 19 | Why | Christine McVie | Mystery to Me (1973) |
Track listing - 2CD edition[]
CD 1[]
- "Paper Doll" 3:57
- "Love Shines" 4:47
- "Love in Store" (alternate mix) 3:23
- "Goodbye Angel" 3:07
- "Heart of Stone" 4:39
- "Silver Springs" 4:29
- "Oh Diane" 2:33
- "Big Love" 3:41
- "Rhiannon" 4:10
- "Crystal" 5:08
- "The Chain" (alternate mix) 4:19
- "Over My Head" 3:34
- "Dreams" 4:16
- "Go Your Own Way" 3:40
- "Sara" 6:24
- "Hold Me" 3:45
- "Gypsy" 5:21
- "Make Me a Mask" 4:01
CD 2[]
- "Don't Stop" 3:11
- "Everywhere" 3:42
- "Tusk" (USC intro mix) 3:13
- "Not That Funny" 7:57
- "Beautiful Child" (alternate mix) 5:20
- "Teen Beat" 2:44
- "Need Your Love So Bad" 3:54
- "Did You Ever Love Me" 3:41
- "Oh Well (Part 1)" (original mono version) 3:30
- "I Believe My Time Ain't Long" 2:52
- "Bermuda Triangle" 4:09
- "Why" 4:56
- "Station Man" 5:41
- "Albatross" 3:10
- "Black Magic Woman" 2:52
- "Stop Messin' Round" 2:21
- "Trinity" 4:08
- "Heroes Are Hard to Find" 3:34
- "The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Prong Crown)" 4:36
Unique to 2CD version[]
| Hold Me | Christine McVie/Robbie Patton | Mirage (1982) |
| Bermuda Triangle | Bob Welch | Heroes Are Hard to Find (1974) |
Featured musicians (session players notwithstanding)[]
- Bob Brunning
- Lindsey Buckingham
- Billy Burnette
- Mick Fleetwood
- Peter Green
- Danny Kirwan
- Christine McVie
- John McVie
- Stevie Nicks
- Jeremy Spencer
- Rick Vito
- Bob Welch
- Bob Weston
See individual pages for songs and albums for detailed personnel