The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Prong Crown) is a song written by Peter Green and recorded by him with Fleetwood Mac as their sixth single, released May 15th 1970. It was the last of the group's records to feature Green as a member (archive releases notwithstanding) before his departure from Fleetwood Mac shortly afterwards.
The song was written during Green's final months with the band, at a time when he was struggling with LSD and had withdrawn from other members of the band. While there are several theories about the meaning of the title "Green Manalishi", Green has always maintained that the song is about money, as represented by the devil. Green was reportedly angered by the other band members' refusal to give away their financial gains.
Green has explained that he wrote the song after experiencing a drug-induced dream, in which he was visited by a green dog which barked at him. He understood that the dog represented money. "It scared me because I knew the dog had been dead a long time. It was a stray and I was looking after it. But I was dead and had to fight to get back into my body, which I eventually did. When I woke up, the room was really black and I found myself writing the song." He also said that he wrote the lyrics the following day, in Richmond Park.
Despite Green's departure from the group, The Green Manalishi would remain in the band's set until 1976 with Bob Welch and Lindsey Buckingham taking the lead vocal during their respective times in the group. A version of Manalishi with Buckingham on vocals and guitar features on 2018 deluxe edition of the Fleetwood Mac album.
The B-side of the single was an instrumental written by Green and Danny Kirwan, titled "World In Harmony". The two tracks were recorded at the same session in Warner/Reprise Studios, in Hollywood, California.
The song was added as a bonus track on the 2013 Deluxe Edition of Then Play On on Reprise Records.
The single reached No 10 in the UK singles charts. The band would not chart again with a single in their home country for some years. A re-release of Albatross peaked at No 2 in 1973 but not until 1976 would they return to the Top 40 with Say You Love Me and and to the Top 10 in 1979 with Tusk.
The song was covered by Judas Priest.
Personnel[]
Peter Green - vocal, guitars
Danny Kirwan - guitars
John McVie - bass
Mick Fleetwood - drums