Fleetwood Mac — Oh Well
Album: Then Play OnAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3999
Length: 8:57
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Can't help about the shape I'm in
I can't sing, I aint pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to
Oh well
Now when I talk to God
I know he understands
He said "stick by me and I'll be your guiding hand"
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to
Oh well
I can't sing, I aint pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to
Oh well
Now when I talk to God
I know he understands
He said "stick by me and I'll be your guiding hand"
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to
Oh well
Comments (384)add comment
Oh well, single's b side! Isn't that wonderful?
OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! After YEARS of William playing that lame-assed Deep Purple cover of this song, he's finally broken down and played the EXCELLENT Fleetwood Mac original!! Thank you, William!! Play this one MORE!!!
The riff made me think of Sing Along
55 years ago, these Legends were knocking this out!
Big respect
Big respect
So good 
gfalkner wrote:
On the record, it's listed as "Oh Well, part 1" and "Oh Well, part 2" so you'll probably either have to purchase both parts, or the entire album Then Play On.
ok, loving this for the first time and loving it. So...
Stupid question but how does one go about purchasing this exact 8:54 long version? I can find 20 different / remastered / live version on iTunes. But not this version. Maybe it's me.
On the record, it's listed as "Oh Well, part 1" and "Oh Well, part 2" so you'll probably either have to purchase both parts, or the entire album Then Play On.
KrispyKrackers wrote:
The Rockets version was recorded 10 years after this one, which is the original.
While this one is fine, I very much prefer the older version by The Rockets.
The Rockets version was recorded 10 years after this one, which is the original.
ok, loving this for the first time and loving it. So...
Stupid question but how does one go about purchasing this exact 8:54 long version? I can find 20 different / remastered / live version on iTunes. But not this version. Maybe it's me.
Stupid question but how does one go about purchasing this exact 8:54 long version? I can find 20 different / remastered / live version on iTunes. But not this version. Maybe it's me.
While this one is fine, I very much prefer the older version by The Rockets.
Nice hearing the Peter Green version of Fleetwood Mac again!
This song has an Ennio Morricone-influenced ending IMHO.
This song has an Ennio Morricone-influenced ending IMHO.
bialia wrote:
Normally I love it but today It kinda made me yearn for a speed nap towards the end...
This song is a helluva journey
Normally I love it but today It kinda made me yearn for a speed nap towards the end...
Pity that Wikipedia doesn't have two pictures of FM: one with Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, Jeremy Spencer, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, and another with the Buckingham - Nicks version of the band.
hellsgardener wrote:
And yes, I’m one. Well articulated
BUMP
And yes, I’m one. Well articulated
BUMP
Early Fleetwood Mac is so underrated. I do love the Stevie Nicks era, but the "original" albums are bloody incredible. Less commercial and more bluesy for sure, but so clever and hypnotic. Transports me to a whole other time and place.
Love this album
Cynaera wrote:
BUMP
In defense of everyone who was not an ORIGINAL member of the Mac - this is one band that has experienced numerous changes during its tenure, and has provided excellent music no matter WHO was in the band. They have survived, and now, when anyone says the name "Fleetwood Mac," all manner of "Oh, I remember such-and-such a song by them!" will inevitably emerge. The root of Fleetwood Mac, and its various mutations (or, more accurately, its evolutions) is not something to be generalized. There are definite lines of demarcation in this history, and a true Mac fan can probably name years and albums where the band changed. I choose to love each album on its own merits, regardless of who was on board at the time. Coat me in candy and call me a sucker.
BUMP
ImaOldman wrote:
I bought this on vinyl for £1 from one of my school mates in 1975. One of the best £1 I've spent.
9-10, I have loved this album for the past 54 years. One of my roommates at the time brought this to the house and it stayed on the turntable for months. One of my all time favorites.
I bought this on vinyl for £1 from one of my school mates in 1975. One of the best £1 I've spent.
Wait, why isn't this "Oh Well Part 1 &2"?
Thanks for playing Part 2 as well; love it!
9-10, I have loved this album for the past 54 years. One of my roommates at the time brought this to the house and it stayed on the turntable for months. One of my all time favorites.
Perfectly followed today by "The Pink Panther Theme". Only on RP...
Skip ahead a bit, brother...
For me as a kid, this song was always such a long, spooky trip to hear on the radio late at night; right up there with Cheat the Hangman, Riders on the Storm, Low Spark of the High-Heeled Boys, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, The Bomber, Echoes...
This is actually my favorite Fleedwood Mac album <3 love all the tunes
Decades ago i bouhgt this tune as a double single. I knew why, 
Guitars at its best.
Guitars at its best. bmaurey wrote:
That's the spirit. 🙂
Great song! The rest of the album is just as good...
I had "Then Play On" on 8 track and it played over and over and over and over... in my 1964 Dodge... right after Neil Youngs "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere"...
That's the spirit. 🙂
Sublime. I have always felt that through the very many iterations of the band, there has always been Fleetwood and Mac - the ever present drums of Mic Fleetwood and the driving bass guitar of John McVie.
I really miss Peter Green....
Imagi wrote:
The green manalishi is a green devil. It refers to a banknote. When he wrote it, Peter was getting more and more confused. He demanded that his manager would stop paying him all these large amounts of money. Money is the devil in this world, was his conviction.
For a minute I thought this song was the green manaleshee (sorry I never could spell that word).Just what is a manaleeshe anyway?
The green manalishi is a green devil. It refers to a banknote. When he wrote it, Peter was getting more and more confused. He demanded that his manager would stop paying him all these large amounts of money. Money is the devil in this world, was his conviction.
super long to want to regularly hear in my personal playlist
The great & highly underrated Pete. May the Green Manalishi always be remembered.
This song is a helluva journey
The great stuff always sounds timeless, always hits with authority, defies categorization.
This is great stuff.
This is great stuff.
I remember buying this when it came out. I'd just sold my KLH 35w receiver and built a real stereo system. 60w Dynaco Amp and Preamp kit (I soldered up with my Dad's 250w Weller gun—cooked a few wires). 12" Tanoy 3-way speakers jammed in the bottom of 40 gallon plastic trash containers topped with 5 cu.ft. of R-3 fiberglass insulation. Those speakers were really efficient. My dorm room (6th floor, W side of Argo Hall UCSD) shook with Rattlesnake Shake. A tune that I took as an homage to the reptiles that populated that little narrow shortcut canyon to Blacks.
eileenomurphy wrote:
""Come, fly with me. Allison Steele, The Nightbird. On WNEW-FM, in New York City.""
Great tune! When this came out, it was played often on WNEW FM (102.7 NYC). ...the good old days! 
""Come, fly with me. Allison Steele, The Nightbird. On WNEW-FM, in New York City.""
eileenomurphy wrote:
Great tune! When this came out, it was played often on WNEW FM (102.7 NYC). ...the good old days!
Back before really tight playlists and djs with no personality
This the only version that should be played.
This is so wonderful that when it finishes, I'm going to switch RP off for a while and play it again. And probably again. In fact the whole album.
Great tune! When this came out, it was played often on WNEW FM (102.7 NYC). ...the good old days!
The picture on the right is not right.
neotrogg wrote:
Or was it Danny?
Nah, it was Jeremy Spencer who joined The Family International Cult. I think he's still affiliated with them.
Or was it Danny?
Nah, it was Jeremy Spencer who joined The Family International Cult. I think he's still affiliated with them.
Cynaera wrote:
Re-posting for posterity.
In defense of everyone who was not an ORIGINAL member of the Mac - this is one band that has experienced numerous changes during its tenure, and has provided excellent music no matter WHO was in the band. They have survived, and now, when anyone says the name "Fleetwood Mac," all manner of "Oh, I remember such-and-such a song by them!" will inevitably emerge. The root of Fleetwood Mac, and its various mutations (or, more accurately, its evolutions) is not something to be generalized. There are definite lines of demarcation in this history, and a true Mac fan can probably name years and albums where the band changed. I choose to love each album on its own merits, regardless of who was on board at the time. Coat me in candy and call me a sucker.
Re-posting for posterity.
OHMish wrote:
Taking a look at the lyrics, with this thought in mind, it just might be some of the best advise for behaviour during an "LSD party".
Not that I would know anything about an LSD party ...
Maybe just a strange trip or two or three ...
Everybody at my LSD party loves this song
Taking a look at the lyrics, with this thought in mind, it just might be some of the best advise for behaviour during an "LSD party".
Not that I would know anything about an LSD party ...
Maybe just a strange trip or two or three ...
BELLISSIMA MUSICA. più togli più si va all'essenza del suono della musica come in questo bellissimo brano. ciao da Verona ITALIA
Look for David Gilmore playing 'Oh Well Pt2' - he played it at the Mick Fleetwood London concert back in Feb 2020 - it is something else - DG at his best - he must have had 2 black strads!!
The full version is the best
Obviously Godlike
Truly "Godlike".
Sublime!
Love this song! The instrumental outro sounds very Spaghetti Western/Ennio Morricone influenced...I could totally hear it in the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...amarite!
Part II goes so deep inside my head that it kind of scares me.
msjane wrote:
Alas, gone at just 73.
RIP Peter Green 
Alas, gone at just 73.
Thanks for the killer tunes Mr. Green!
RIP Peter Green
RobRyan wrote:
Or was it Danny?
drH wrote:
That's not a cover. Peter Green wrote it. Too bad he later went crazy, joined a religious cult, and all but dropped out of music.
Nah, that was Jeremy Spencer
Or was it Danny?
Change picture to previous FM (before Buckingham/Nicks) Bring on Peter Green and Bob Welch! Loved the old fleetwood mac as well and the FM everyone knows.
“Can I give it an eleven?”
Cynaera wrote:
"Coat me in candy and call me a sucker." Funny! I agree with your sentiments though.
In defense of everyone who was not an ORIGINAL member of the Mac - this is one band that has experienced numerous changes during its tenure, and has provided excellent music no matter WHO was in the band. They have survived, and now, when anyone says the name "Fleetwood Mac," all manner of "Oh, I remember such-and-such a song by them!" will inevitably emerge. The root of Fleetwood Mac, and its various mutations (or, more accurately, its evolutions) is not something to be generalized. There are definite lines of demarcation in this history, and a true Mac fan can probably name years and albums where the band changed. I choose to love each album on its own merits, regardless of who was on board at the time. Coat me in candy and call me a sucker.
"Coat me in candy and call me a sucker." Funny! I agree with your sentiments though.
So well done Love it
ThePoose wrote:
I believe it was Highgate Cemetary, North London.
I see Clint with a rope burn on his neck riding along the plain at sunset.
Peter Green should have never left music for grave-digging in England. I'm glad he's back with the living now.
I believe it was Highgate Cemetary, North London.
WOW always makes me think wow, oh well.
Section just before the end is sort of magic.
Section just before the end is sort of magic.
from when they WERE gods
david16 wrote:
Mick and Lindsey got whipped.
Best Fleetwood Mac song by a long shot. Can’t believe they turned in to a pop group after Peter.
Mick and Lindsey got whipped.
The first quena bit sounds like it was borrowed from El cantante de Santa Maria de Iquique.
I agree I love early and middle Fleetwood Mac I have about 6 of those albums and a CD of live performance very early days. Peter apologizes two songs in that they were nervous about recording it, and 2nd song after that they all gelled together and became magical.
I've alway loved OH WELL
I've alway loved OH WELL
Early Fleetwood Mac is insanely underrated. Don't listen to the yummy riff. Listen to how tight this band is.
10 just isn't enough.
Best Fleetwood Mac song by a long shot. Can’t believe they turned in to a pop group after Peter.
For a minute I thought this song was the green manaleshee (sorry I never could spell that word).Just what is a manaleeshe
anyway?
Cynaera wrote:
Everyone should seek out Cynaera's posts and bump them. There is no-one like her now. RIP Ann.
In defense of everyone who was not an ORIGINAL member of the Mac - this is one band that has experienced numerous changes during its tenure, and has provided excellent music no matter WHO was in the band. They have survived, and now, when anyone says the name "Fleetwood Mac," all manner of "Oh, I remember such-and-such a song by them!" will inevitably emerge. The root of Fleetwood Mac, and its various mutations (or, more accurately, its evolutions) is not something to be generalized. There are definite lines of demarcation in this history, and a true Mac fan can probably name years and albums where the band changed. I choose to love each album on its own merits, regardless of who was on board at the time. Coat me in candy and call me a sucker.
Everyone should seek out Cynaera's posts and bump them. There is no-one like her now. RIP Ann.
Long Live Radio Paradise
My rating is 8 - Most Excellent but going down
My rating is 8 - Most Excellent but going down
RIP Danny Kirwan. This lineup of Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green and Danny Kirwan was my favorite. Loved the blues influence. Too sad that both Peter and Danny suffered mental problems the rumors say was a result of bad psychedelics at a party in Germany.
Tarantino must have half-inched this for one of his movies, no?
On_The_Beach wrote:
Yeah, I could do without Part 2. It goes on forever...
Thanks for including Part 2, which is awesome.
This song was not on the original version of the LP.
It was a hit as a single and so was added to later pressings of the LP. (so sez wiki)
This song was not on the original version of the LP.
It was a hit as a single and so was added to later pressings of the LP. (so sez wiki)
Yeah, I could do without Part 2. It goes on forever...
Honestly, I heard Joe Jackson's cover before I heard the original. Oh, well.
Thanks for including Part 2, which is awesome.
This song was not on the original version of the LP.
It was a hit as a single and so was added to later pressings of the LP. (so sez wiki)
This song was not on the original version of the LP.
It was a hit as a single and so was added to later pressings of the LP. (so sez wiki)
primm wrote:
zesty ! always thought second part would be great in a western soundtrack
Western! made me think of:
Shogun Assassin (1980) Trailer - YouTube
zesty ! always thought second part would be great in a western soundtrackWestern! made me think of:
Shogun Assassin (1980) Trailer - YouTube
Only time I've ever rated a song 10 on RP. Godlike, indeed. Green Godlike.
Natalie Merchant ... 2 PSDs and OH WELL!
zesty ! always thought second part would be great in a western soundtrack fredsugaree wrote:
I thought of Zepplin too!
themusicroob wrote:
You're thinking of Black Dog which is, in fairness, a pretty blatant rip off.
You're thinking of Black Dog which is, in fairness, a pretty blatant rip off.
LOVE Fleetwood Mac!!!!!!!!!!
Aaaahhhhh! GOOD PIECE!!! : )
Baby_M wrote:
You're thinking of Black Dog which is, in fairness, a pretty blatant rip off.
For years, I was under the mistaken impression that this was Led Zeppelin and not Fleetwood Mac.
You're thinking of Black Dog which is, in fairness, a pretty blatant rip off.
justin4kick wrote:
60's rap and teaspoon percussion. I wonder what drugs they were on but I like it.
The Herb and LSD mostly!
60's rap and teaspoon percussion. I wonder what drugs they were on but I like it.
The Herb and LSD mostly!
Eels did a great cover on tour a couple of years ago
VH1 wrote:
60's rap and teaspoon percussion. I wonder what drugs they were on but I like it.
I can't help about the shape I'm in
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to...
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to...
60's rap and teaspoon percussion. I wonder what drugs they were on but I like it.
I can't help about the shape I'm in
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to...
Oh well........................
Great lyrics! Love it!
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to...
Oh well........................
Great lyrics! Love it!
For years, I was under the mistaken impression that this was Led Zeppelin and not Fleetwood Mac.
ronniegirl wrote:
Yup, Still love it.
This is one of my most favorite songs of ALL TIME going back to the early 70s. So perfect. So wonderful.
Yup, Still love it.
ambrebalte wrote:
Didn't work so well for me... I left "Oh Well" by Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. Is Bill trying to tell me something?
Nothing against the song, just not in the mood this evening...
Excellent PSD !
(Left Steve Marley, "You gonna leave")
(Left Steve Marley, "You gonna leave")
Didn't work so well for me... I left "Oh Well" by Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. Is Bill trying to tell me something?
Nothing against the song, just not in the mood this evening...
Excellent PSD !
(Left Steve Marley, "You gonna leave")
(Left Steve Marley, "You gonna leave")
A1 man, crank it way up, this is a great ride
This is one of my most favorite songs of ALL TIME going back to the early 70s. So perfect. So wonderful.
Oh well, those were the days...before they lost their way.
Great guitar,
Why do I suddenly want to watch a Clint Eastwood Western :-) Still one of the greatest tracks ever recorded.
oldfart48 wrote:
INDEED! Just breathtaking - as all of their other albums.
when the band was real.
INDEED! Just breathtaking - as all of their other albums.
The REAL St. Peter!
Oh well!!
Can it get any better?
mac attack 
it don't get better than this................Everybody at my LSD party loves this song
when the band was real.
Don't ask me. Great advice!
So fine a one point in time
When I was a kid (12) I'd rarely get to hear this entire song, as it was nearly always truncated. It made my day when a rogue FM station, KWST, would give it all to me. Thanks RP for giving us the 'goods'.
joelbb wrote:
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
I be here... hope you are having a marvelous day right this minute...
everybody in my church loves this song soooo much... and this entire album...
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
I be here... hope you are having a marvelous day right this minute...
everybody in my church loves this song soooo much... and this entire album...
Takes me back!
...this is it? all of *this* is what so many here are raving about? ...omg.. this is more boring than boring ever imagined it could be
This is still one of my favorite albums!!! Do the Rattle Snake Shake!
Takes me back to the days of rockin Fleetwood Mac and Alvin Lee/Ten Yrs After
Papasmeg wrote:
Just realised this is 44 years old..... !!!!!!
Still has me rocking.
Just realised this is 44 years old..... !!!!!!
Still has me rocking.
joelbb wrote:
Everyone in his hotel room stopped dancing?
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
Everyone in his hotel room stopped dancing?
joelbb wrote:
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
'Tis a tide in the affairs of men, me dodst believithst...
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
'Tis a tide in the affairs of men, me dodst believithst...
(former member) wrote:
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Why didst thou quit, oh Romeo?
horstman wrote:
Go to the record store and buy the CD. Rip on your computer.
Puzzle solved.
You can get it on an album called "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" He was a terrific blues man, Clapton's only rival in the British scene of the day. His use of psychedelics triggered the onset of progressive adult schizophrenia. About the only thing worse one can get is ALS.
Go to the record store and buy the CD. Rip on your computer.
Puzzle solved.
You can get it on an album called "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" He was a terrific blues man, Clapton's only rival in the British scene of the day. His use of psychedelics triggered the onset of progressive adult schizophrenia. About the only thing worse one can get is ALS.
Peter Green - nothing short of genius! Fleetwood Mac became relatively bland without him.
..no word is superlative enough..bet this was mind-boggling in concert back in that day..whoooo-!!..
ok, loving this for the first time and loving it. So...
Stupid question but how does one go about purchasing this exact 8:54 long version? I can find 20 different / remastered / live version on iTunes. But not this version. Maybe it's me.
"In 1970, the 12 track version was revised to include the hit single 'Oh Well' (parts 1 and 2 together) which replaced 'When You Say' and 'My Dream', reducing the overall track count to 11, and resequencing the album. This is the most commonly found version on vinyl today."
Can see the same on one discogs link too. https://www.discogs.com/release/9422482-Fleetwood-Mac-Then-Play-On Likely does not help you locate the song for purchase, however. Good luck.