Fleetwood Mac’s Most Famous Non-Single Hits A New Chart Peak

Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” hits a new high on the Billboard Global 200, nearly 50 years after its original release, joining “Dreams” as a chart climber. SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 16: Fleetwood Mac (L-R Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie and Lindsey Buckingham) pose for photographers backstage at the 5th American music Awards held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on January 16, 1978 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Fleetwood Mac may be decades removed from its commercial peak, but its music still finds new life — and reaches new highs — on the charts. At the moment, one of the band’s most beloved compositions rises to its most impressive position yet on one of Billboard’s most competitive global tallies, which is an incredible showing for a tune first shared with the world decades ago.

“The Chain” Climbs to Its Best Ranking

“The Chain” improves from No. 157 to No. 131 on the Billboard Global 200 this frame. That may not seem like a major leap, but it’s a new personal high point for the track, and a noteworthy one at that, considering it’s been nearly 50 years since it was first released. The Billboard Global 200 ranks the most-consumed songs in the world using streaming and sales data, and for a decades-old cut to reach a new peak is no small feat.

Fleetwood Mac’s Global Chart Wins Remains Modest

Despite being one of Fleetwood Mac’s most recognizable tunes, “The Chain” has spent just eight weeks on the Billboard Global 200. It first reached the list in October 2020, around the time the band saw a viral spike thanks to a TikTok video soundtracked by “Dreams.” But “The Chain” didn’t soar right away, and it is only reaching its highest placement now, half a decade after launching on the ranking.

“The Chain” and “Dreams” Chart Together

“The Chain” is joined on the Billboard Global 200 by “Dreams,” which rises from No. 40 to No. 34. That cut also finds room on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. list, moving up slightly, which highlights the fact that it’s receiving a sizable number of streams and selling well outside America. “The Chain,” meanwhile, doesn’t appear on that international-only roster – a sign that its gains are largely U.S.-driven.

Both Fleetwood Mac Tracks Climb in the U.S.

On the Rock Streaming Songs chart, which ranks the most-streamed rock tracks in America, “Dreams” slips to No. 2 after returning to the summit last week. At the same time, “The Chain” jumps to No. 19. Both cuts have now spent more than a year on that list.

“The Chain” Is a Defining Part of Fleetwood Mac’s Legacy

Originally released in 1977 on Rumours, “The Chain” wasn’t issued as a single, unlike many of the band’s other hits from that era. Nonetheless, it has become a cornerstone of the group’s legacy. Over the years, it’s grown into a sync favorite, earning a new wave of fans after being featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, among others.