Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” debuts on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. while reaching a new high on the Billboard Global 200. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 29: Mike Campbell, John McVie, inductee Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac pose in the press room during attends the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony – Press Room at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
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A little less than half a century ago, Fleetwood Mac released the song “The Chain,” which would go on to become a fan favorite, seemingly for all time. The tune is featured on the group’s blockbuster Rumours, but despite its incredible popularity, “The Chain” was not pushed as a single during the album’s initial promotional period. The band decided instead to focus on tunes like “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “Don’t Stop,” and “You Make Loving Fun.”
In the years and decades since the initial heyday of Rumours, “The Chain” has become a Fleetwood Mac staple. Recently, listeners all around the world have returned to “The Chain” in great numbers, as some have been reminded of how much they love the poppy cut, while others are discovering it for the very first time.
“The Chain” Debuts on Billboard’s Global Chart
For yet another period, “The Chain” grows in popularity, and the cut even manages to debut on one important Billboard list, helping Fleetwood Mac score another win. “The Chain” appears for the very first time on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. That list, published weekly by Billboard, ranks the most consumed songs all around the planet, with sales and streams from nearly every nation factoring into where a title lands – except consumption from American music lovers. “The Chain” opens at No. 174 on the roster.
Fleetwood Mac Doubles Its Total Global Hits
As “The Chain” launches on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., Fleetwood Mac doubles its total number of hits on the planet-spanning tally. The Grammy-winning group first appeared on the chart in October 2020, when “Dreams” went viral and became a hit once more, just as it had decades prior. That cut has thus far climbed all the way to No. 30.
“The Chain” Reaches a New Chart High Globally
The same Fleetwood Mac tune has now spent half a year – 26 weeks – on the Billboard Global 200, which, unlike its counterpart, does include American sales and streams in its methodology. This frame is a special one for “The Chain” on that ranking, as the Fleetwood Mac tune jumps from No. 156 to No. 121. That position now stands as the song’s all-time high.
Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” Passes “Landslide”
As “The Chain” establishes a new best showing on the Billboard Global 200, it moves up within Fleetwood Mac’s discography. The troupe has only ever sent a trio of cuts to the roster, and “The Chain” passes “Landslide” to become its second highest-rising hit. Only “Dreams,” which once lifted all the way to No. 10, has performed better, while “Landslide” spent a single turn at No. 123.
January 2026 Has Been Huge for Fleetwood Mac
January 2026 has turned out to be a huge month for Fleetwood Mac on Billboard’s worldwide rosters. “The Chain” reaches its peak just two weeks after “Landslide” debuted. Both tracks have been popular for decades, but they waited until now to surge on these busy tallies.
“Dreams” Continues to Live on Both of Billboard’s Worldwide Lists
As is often the case, “Dreams” lives on both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. The track is nearing 250 weeks on the former roster, and “Dreams” ascends on the pair of lists, perhaps in part thanks to the success of “The Chain.”
“Dreams” Appears on Multiple U.S.-Based Rosters
In America, “Dreams” is Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hit at the moment. The Rumours single steps up one space on the Streaming Songs chart, improving to No. 25, while lifting to No. 4 on the Rock Streaming Songs list.
1975: (L-R) John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham of the rock group “Fleetwood Mac” pose for a portrait in 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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Fleetwood Mac fills three spaces on Billboard’s roster that looks only at the most successful rock tunes on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. As “Dreams” nears the summit, “Landslide” jumps from No. 21 to No. 17, while “The Chain” returns at No. 22. As “The Chain” becomes a streaming smash in America once more, it celebrates 104 weeks, or two years, on the Rock Streaming Songs chart.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2026/01/29/fleetwood-mac-doubles-its-total-global-hits-as-a-fan-favorite-debuts/
