"As Long as You Follow" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Performed by Christine McVie and written alongside her then-husband, Eddy Quintela, it was released on 28 November 1988 as the lead single from the band's 1988 greatest hits album. It was one of two new tracks recorded for the album, along with "No Questions Asked". Lead guitarist Rick Vito singled out the guitar solo on "As Long as You Follow" as his best work with Fleetwood Mac.
Release In an interview with Music Connection, McVie characterised "As Long as You Follow" as "yet another love song. It's just something which I relate to, have always related to – telling different stories about relationships." A music video for "As Long as You Follow" was directed by Dominic Sena and filmed in Los Angeles.
Released as a single in the United Kingdom on 28 November 1988, the song reached number 66 on the UK Singles Chart late in the year. In the United States, it reached number 40 on the Cashbox Top 100 and number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1989. According to Radio & Records 68 percent of adult contemporary radio stations reporting to the publication had included "As Long As You Follow" on their playlists for the week of 25 November 1988. The song ultimately spent one week at number one on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in January 1989.
On its release, Cashbox said that the "western lilt to this easy-flowing tune sits well and should result in positive reaction on CHR, AC."
B-sides A live version of the band's 1969 song "Oh Well" served as a B-side for all release formats of "As Long As You Follow". The live version of "Oh Well" was recorded at a 1987 Fleetwood Mac concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California (filmed as the Tango in the Night concert video), and features lead vocals by new band member Billy Burnette. The 12-inch and CD single formats further included the original 1977 studio version of the Stevie Nicks track "Gold Dust Woman", as featured on Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album, Rumours. The single's cover sleeve is identical to its parent album, Greatest Hits.
Track listing 7-inch, cassette, and US mini-CD single "As Long as You Follow" "Oh Well" (live)
12-inch and UK mini-CD single "As Long as You Follow" "Oh Well" (live) "Gold Dust Woman"
Personnel Christine McVie – lead vocals, keyboards, synthesizers Rick Vito – lead guitar, backing vocals Billy Burnette – rhythm guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Mick Fleetwood – drums, percussion Stevie Nicks – backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "As Long as You Follow"Chart (1988–1989)PeakpositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)19European Airplay (Music & Media)41US Cash Box Top 100 40US Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report) 1US Top 40 (Gavin Report) 30US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records) 1US AOR Tracks (Radio & Records) 13
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for "As Long as You Follow"Chart (1989)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)74US Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report) 23US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)23
Certifications
References
External links Single release info at discogs.com Song info at fleetwoodmac.net