Hypnotized (Fleetwood Mac song)
Encyclopedia
"Hypnotized" is a song written by Bob Welch
. The song originally featured on Fleetwood Mac
's 1973 album
, Mystery To Me
. The track was released on a single as the B-side of "For Your Love
", and has been described as "gorgeous and lyrically strong", and referred to as the album's best track.
and combines with acoustic guitar and electric keyboards to give a jazzier essence to the song. Welch draws upon the use of jazz fourth chords in the song playing in a minor key and also features a guitar solo by guitarist Bob Weston
covering many octaves.
Hypnosis
and dreaming are specifically referred to in the lyrics, "Cause what matters most is the feeling you get when you're hypnotized... and it seems like a dream, they got you hypnotized." Welch draws upon references to places such as Mexico
and North Carolina
. According to Welch, the mystical atmosphere of the song was heavily influenced by his residence at the Benifold Mansion in Hampshire
, England
, a place he described as "rather spooky and strange even in summertime".
The song has been cited as an example of a tune that establishes a meter that is changed when more instruments are introduced.
In 1978 the song was covered by the Pointer Sisters
on their album Energy
, and by Sweet Baby J'ai
on her 2003 album Evolution.
and the song "Hypnotized" which he described as "a gentle yet compelling hit for Welch on this record." In discussing Fleetwood Mac's change in direction in 1972 and 1973 he describes their stylistic changes as being better received at concerts in the United States as at the time Americans were more open to them than the British who were still in heavy demand for blues-oriented rock. Hal Horowitz describes the song as "the highlight of the Mystery to Me album, and undoubtedly one of Bob Welch's most fully realized songs for the band..."
Although the album and single were generally not very well received at a time when blues-rock dominated, and was not a hit, "Hypnotized" did stay in rotation on adult contemporary FM radio for many years afterwards. In 1999 Bob Welch received an award from ASCAP recognizing 25 consecutive years of airplay for his compositions Hypnotized and Sentimental Lady
.
Bob Welch (musician)
Robert Lawrence "Bob" Welch, Jr. is a former member of Fleetwood Mac, who had a briefly successful solo career in the late 1970s. His singles included "Hot Love, Cold World", "Ebony Eyes", "Precious Love", and "Sentimental Lady"....
. The song originally featured on Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
's 1973 album
1973 in music
-January–April:*January 9 – Mick Jagger's request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug conviction, putting an abrupt end to The Rolling Stones' plans to perform in Japan during their forthcoming tour.*January 14...
, Mystery To Me
Mystery to Me
Mystery to Me is the eighth studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1973. This was their last album to feature Bob Weston...
. The track was released on a single as the B-side of "For Your Love
For Your Love
-Album reissues:The Yardbirds' 2001 compilation album Ultimate! contains eight of the eleven tracks from the original album. For Your Love has been reissued by several record labels, including JVC, Castle, and Repertoire...
", and has been described as "gorgeous and lyrically strong", and referred to as the album's best track.
Background and style
The song, as indicated by the title takes the form of a mystical, dreamy reverie. It features triple time rhythm on the drums by Mick FleetwoodMick Fleetwood
Michael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood is a British musician and actor best known for his role as the drummer and namesake of the blues/rock and roll band Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of John McVie, was the inspiration for the name of the originally Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac...
and combines with acoustic guitar and electric keyboards to give a jazzier essence to the song. Welch draws upon the use of jazz fourth chords in the song playing in a minor key and also features a guitar solo by guitarist Bob Weston
Bob Weston (guitarist)
See Bob Weston for the American bassist and recording engineer.Robert Joseph 'Bob' Weston is a British musician best known for his brief role as guitarist and songwriter with the rock band Fleetwood Mac....
covering many octaves.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is "a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination."It is a mental state or imaginative role-enactment . It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary...
and dreaming are specifically referred to in the lyrics, "Cause what matters most is the feeling you get when you're hypnotized... and it seems like a dream, they got you hypnotized." Welch draws upon references to places such as Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. According to Welch, the mystical atmosphere of the song was heavily influenced by his residence at the Benifold Mansion in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, a place he described as "rather spooky and strange even in summertime".
The song has been cited as an example of a tune that establishes a meter that is changed when more instruments are introduced.
In 1978 the song was covered by the Pointer Sisters
Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters are an American pop/R&B recording act from Oakland, California that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Spanning over three decades, their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, disco, jazz, bebop, blues, soul, funk, dance, country and rock.The...
on their album Energy
Energy (Pointer Sisters album)
Energy is the fifth studio album by The Pointer Sisters, released in 1978 on the Planet label.-History:After a brief split following sister Bonnie's departure from the group, a musically reinvented and recharged Pointer Sisters returned composed of Ruth, Anita and June. Their first album for...
, and by Sweet Baby J'ai
Sweet Baby J'ai
Sweet Baby J'ai is an American contemporary jazz singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, playwright, and actress. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.- Background :...
on her 2003 album Evolution.
Reception
Donald Brackett, in his 2007 book, Fleetwood Mac, 40 Years of Creative Chaos discussed the album Mystery To MeMystery to Me
Mystery to Me is the eighth studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1973. This was their last album to feature Bob Weston...
and the song "Hypnotized" which he described as "a gentle yet compelling hit for Welch on this record." In discussing Fleetwood Mac's change in direction in 1972 and 1973 he describes their stylistic changes as being better received at concerts in the United States as at the time Americans were more open to them than the British who were still in heavy demand for blues-oriented rock. Hal Horowitz describes the song as "the highlight of the Mystery to Me album, and undoubtedly one of Bob Welch's most fully realized songs for the band..."
Although the album and single were generally not very well received at a time when blues-rock dominated, and was not a hit, "Hypnotized" did stay in rotation on adult contemporary FM radio for many years afterwards. In 1999 Bob Welch received an award from ASCAP recognizing 25 consecutive years of airplay for his compositions Hypnotized and Sentimental Lady
Sentimental Lady
"Sentimental Lady" is a song written by Bob Welch. The song was originally recorded for Fleetwood Mac's 1972 album Bare Trees, but was re-recorded by Welch on his debut solo album, French Kiss, in 1977...
.
External links
- Hypnotized ranked 643rd in the top 1,000 rock songs, Thompson, Dave. 1000 Songs that Rock Your World. Krause Publications, 2011
- All music guide to rock: the definitive guide to rock, pop, and soul, p. 413
- http://books.google.com/books?id=pPSPe0DWrioC&pg=PA70&dq=hypnotized+%22fleetwood+mac%22+%22mystery+to+me%22&hl=en&ei=-Wa0TcqwLIyosAOMzIXeCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=hypnotized%20%22fleetwood%20mac%22%20%22mystery%20to%20me%22&f=false