The Anthem of Broken Bonds
The Chain is the centerpiece of Fleetwood Mac's 1977 masterpiece, Rumours. It is the only song on the album credited to all five members. Born from the tension of multiple breakups within the band, the vocal performance requires more than just hitting notes—it requires you to channel frustration, betrayal, and raw energy.
To sing this correctly, you need to navigate the folk-rock verses, the intricate three-part harmonies in the chorus, and the explosive rock ending. Here is the blueprint for mastering the track.
AI Coach Tip: Don't Polish It
A common mistake users make is singing The Chain too "prettily." Lindsey Buckingham’s delivery is percussive and almost angry. Allow a little vocal fry (creak) into the lower notes for authenticity.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 1:53)
The song opens in E Minor with a Dobro guitar riff. The vocals ("Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise") should be sung with a forward chest resonance. It sits comfortably for Tenors and Baritones, while Altos can handle the lead melody easily.
The Trap: The rhythm is sparse. Singers often rush the delivery. Focus on sitting "in the pocket" of the beat, emphasizing the consonants on "Run in the shadows."
Phase 2: The Harmonies (Chorus)
This is the defining sound of Fleetwood Mac. The line "And if you don't love me now" splits into three distinct parts:
- Low/Lead (Lindsey): Stays rooted in the melody.
- Mid (Christine): Provides the warm texture just above the melody.
- High (Stevie): The famous rasp. This harmony often sits a third above, requiring a head-mix voice.
Phase 3: The Outro Belt (3:03 - End)
After the iconic bass solo, the song explodes. The refrain "Chain, keep us together" is repeated with increasing intensity. This is a high-energy belt. The note hovers around D4/E4 for men and D5/E5 for women.
To survive this section, engage your diaphragm fully. Do not squeeze from the throat. Imagine projecting your voice to the back of a stadium. The emotion here is desperation; let that drive the volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal range tops out around E4 (chest belt) for the male lead, but the female harmonies reach up to an E5 in head/mix voice during the outro.
Yes, but the song feels empty without the harmonies. The Singing Coach AI app allows you to sing the lead while the AI fills in Stevie and Christine's parts, or vice versa.
Stevie uses a fast vibrato (a "goat" vibrato) and a lot of nasal resonance. Practice directing the sound into your "mask" (the area around your nose and eyes) to achieve that piercing quality.
