# The 1969 masterpiece Fleetwood Mac never thought would be a hit: “Intended as a throwaway”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1969-masterpiece-fleetwood-mac-never-thought-would-be-a-hit-intended-as-a-throwaway/
- Published: 2026-10-29T15:49:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T05:06:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1969-masterpiece-fleetwood-mac-never-intended-to-be-a-hit/
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Green expected ‘Oh Well’ to be a B-side.
- Its spontaneous riff became the A-side.
- The contrasting second part draws on Spanish guitar.

## Summary

Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Oh Well’ began as a spontaneous studio riff that Peter Green thought was too ordinary to stand out. He intended it as a throwaway B-side, but it became the A-side and a defining example of the band’s ability to combine blues energy with a sharply arranged rock sound.

Green said the idea came after hearing Spanish guitar music, and the song’s quieter second part reflects that influence through classical guitar, cello, piano and recorder. Mick Fleetwood’s drumming, the band’s pauses around Green’s vocals and the forceful return of the riff all help shape the track; it also remained in the group’s live set through major line-up changes.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.