Released 15 April 2003 Recorded 2003 Length 4:12 | Format CD single Genre Rock Label Reprise | |
"Peacekeeper" is a song by Fleetwood Mac, written by guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham, from the 2003 album Say You Will. It was the first and most successful single released from the album.
Contents
Background
"Peacekeeper" was written in 2000, three years before the release of Say You Will, in a house Buckingham was renting with his wife.
Like many of Buckingham's contributions on Say You Will, "Peacekeeper" was originally going to appear on Buckingham's solo album, Gift of Screws. However, Warner Bros told Buckingham to use all of his material for the upcoming Fleetwood Mac album instead. Warner Bros felt the song had the potential to become a hit, describing the song as "walking a line between something quite modern and something quite familiar". Warner Bros ultimately selected the song as the album's first single.
"Peacekeeper" entered the US charts at #93 on 29 March. Seven weeks later, the song reached its peak position of #80. The song tallied eleven consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. In New Zealand, the single proved to be far more successful, eventually reaching #31 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. On the other hand, it failed to chart in the UK.
This was also the band's 25th, and as of 2016, their most recent song to reach the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This was also Buckingham's first US hit since Family Man, which peaked at #90 in 1988.
Lyrics
The radio edit differs slightly from the album version. The radio edit replaces the line "only kill" with "break their will." The latter lyrics are used during live performances.
When asked about the lyrics, he explained that the song had nothing to do with global issues or war, but was closing in on propaganda. He also explained that the song explored the idea of working towards peace on a continual basis. In a later interview, he spoke of people becoming unaffected and unmoved by all the turmoil and disasters around the world. "...It's about how we are becoming increasingly desensitized to things around the world that are brutal and not standing up for human value..."
Other Appearances
To promote their new album, Say You Will, "Peacekeeper" appeared on Third Watch. Fleetwood Mac also performed the song on both Late Night with David Letterman and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
"Peacekeeper" appeared on both setlists for the Say You Will Tour. The song was also included on their live album, Live in Boston. A different live recording of "Peacekeeper" was included on the limited deluxe edition of Say You Will, which included a total of four bonus tracks.
"Peacekeeper" was one of the songs performed on Sound Stage Presents – Lindsey Buckingham with Special Guest Stevie Nicks. The concert aired in 2005 on PBS.
Personnel
Track listing
- "Peacekeeper" (Single Remix) – 4:11
- "Peacekeeper" (Single Edit) – 3:42