The 1987 Album That Lindsey Buckingham Called "Completely Stupid"
The album that Lindsey Buckingham called "completely stupid" was "Tango in the Night", released by Fleetwood Mac in 1987.
The statement is surprising because the album became one of the band's biggest commercial successes, selling millions of copies and producing classics such as "Big Love", "Little Lies", "Everywhere", "Seven Wonders" and "Isn't It Midnight". :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Despite the enormous success, Buckingham revealed that the production was marked by intense conflicts between the members. According to him, the internal environment had become extremely exhausting, and much of the creative process took place amid discussions, personal tensions and artistic differences.
The guitarist explained that many of the problems began because he intended to use several songs on a new solo album, but ended up giving this material to Fleetwood Mac. The decision generated frustration and increased strain on relationships within the band. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
By calling the project "completely stupid", Buckingham was not necessarily criticizing the musical quality of the album, but rather the climate experienced during its production. Shortly after its release, he left Fleetwood Mac, ending one of the most turbulent periods in the group's history.
Still, "Tango in the Night" became the band's biggest studio album since "Rumors" and remains one of the most popular works in Fleetwood Mac's catalog.
The story of the album shows how an enormous commercial success can be born in the midst of profound internal crises, transforming at the same time into an artistic triumph and the end point of an important phase for the band.