World Turning is a song written by Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie, and recorded by them with Fleetwood Mac for their self-titled 1975 album.
The song is essentially a reworking of Peter Green's The World Keep on Turning from the band's 1968 debut album - although only one basic line of the lyric remains from that song, the chord sequence is basically the same.
This song became a live anthem for the group, showcasing drum solos from Mick Fleetwood. Performances between 1987 and 1990 featured Fleetwood producing sound recordings from a sonic pad concealed under his shirt.
During Buckingham and Christine McVie's periods outside Fleetwood Mac, their vocal parts on live renditions of the song have been performed at various times by Billy Burnette, Stevie Nicks, Bekka Bramlett and Neil Finn.
Lindsey Buckingham used two different guitars on the tract; his usual electric guitar, alongside a dobro.
The song is unique in a way that it makes use of the Talking Drum, a traditional West African instrument that was provided to the band's drummer, Mick Fleetwood, by a drummer of Nigerian origin. Since the instrument was gifted to Fleetwood, it has supposedly been brought to every one of the band's live shows.
Bob Welch, who had left Fleetwood Mac shortly prior to Buckingham joining, recorded his own version of the song on His Fleetwood Mac Years and Beyond Two (2006).
Original personnel[]
Lindsey Buckingham - vocals, guitars
Christine McVie - vocals, keyboards
John McVie - bass
Mick Fleetwood - drums
Stevie Nicks - backing vocals