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The Penguin Discography: Second Hand News




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    Song Title »
Second Hand News
    Authors »
Lindsey Buckingham

    Year Written »
1966

    Lyrics »

I know there's nothing to say
Someone has taken my place
When times go bad
When times go rough
Won't you lay me down in tall grass
And let me do my stuff

I know I got nothin' on you
I know there's nothing to do
When times go bad
And you can't get enough
Won't you lay me down in the tall grass
And let me do my stuff

One thing I think you should know
I ain't gonna miss you when you go
Been down so long
I've been tossed around enough
Couldn't you just
Let me go down and do my stuff

I know you're hopin' to find
Someone who's gonna give you piece of mind
When times go bad
When times go rough
Won't you lay me down in tall grass
And let me do my stuff

I'm just second hand news
I'm just second hand news

    Fan Interpretation »

In the recently produced "Classic Albums" showcase revolving around the making of the album Rumours, Lindsey Buckingham states that "'Second Hand News' was considered to be the front-runner for the opening track on Rumours, and in doing so, keeping with the pop element since it was a pop album."

Aside from being a classic pop song, it is no accident that "Second Hand News" found its place as the first song on Rumours. It is this song that sets the stage for the mood that surrounds Rumours, an album that was created around feelings of hope and heartbreak, resignation and love. Although the uplifting music of "Second Hand News" traps the listener into a world of make-believe happiness, by the end of the song, Lindsey's painful lyrics and emotional guitar solo transcend the song to the silent emptiness that precedes the next chapter of dreams lost to a world of loneliness.

Lindsey says that the uplifting dance music of "Second Hand News" consists of "Scottish-Irish-Folk" influences and to get this effect, he opted for more of a dance beat. While creating this song, he had heard "Jive Talking" by the Bee Gees and "pulled a couple of textures from that." Where initially, there was going to be a guitar solo, Lindsey felt that the "presence would be better served with the use of a vocal," thus creating the "bam's," as the vocal part, reinforced by the guitar to give it that classic pop element. According to Lindsey, musically, that is the "essence of the song."

Although the music to "Second Hand News" is quite optimistic, the lyrics paint quite a different picture - one of sadness, bitterness and resignation. This is not the first time that Lindsey creates optimism around the music of his songs to clearly disguise his feelings, specifically those that revolved around his relationship with Stevie Nicks. We see the hope-filled confusion that surrounds "Monday Morning," the bittersweet angst in "Go Your Own Way," and the relinquishment and eventual surrender in "Second Hand News."

At first listen, "Second Hand News" seems to be about Lindsey lashing out at Stevie with such words as "I ain't gonna miss you when you're gone," however, by looking more deeply at the lyrics, the song, although somewhat simplistic in its verses, tells the tale of Lindsey's feelings of unrequited love.

I know there's nothing to say
Someone has taken my place
When times go bad
When times go rough
Won't you lay me down in tall grass
And let me do my stuff
The imagery within the first two lines are quite sad and display feelings very suggestive of resignation. Lindsey is allowing himself to accept the fact that his relationship with Stevie is now over, and in his eyes, he has been replaced, possibly by another relationship, and probably by the fact that Stevie wanted to exhibit her independence. Regardless of what the reason was, the saddest part of a relationship is not always when it ends, but when you realize that it's really, really over. Here, Lindsey has acquiesced.

The lyrics "lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff," definitely suggest intimate feelings. It is both sad and ironic that Lindsey wanted to hold onto his relationship with Stevie, even if it was only physical. As well, these lines also encompass what signifies Lindsey's world. His music, his love and his emotions. You can really feel the imagery of nature come into play here, as Lindsey, in order to provide space for himself and his world, succumbs to these peaceful surroundings.

As the song continues, and for the following verses, we see that the "stuff" Lindsey is referring to seems to slowly change more towards the latter statement than one of any physical nature, although he goes back to the physical element once more before he finally acquiesces. Lindsey creates this transformation within the song by changing the lyrics from "laying me down" to "let me go down," thus emphasizing that he has really moved on and away from his relationship with Stevie Nicks. He is "playing it the way he feels it."

I know I got nothin' on you
I know there's nothing to do
When times go bad
And you can't get enough
Won't you lay me down in the tall grass
And let me do my stuff
Lindsey may have felt that Stevie's expectations of him were unreasonable. It is entirely possibly he did not quite understand why the relationship was ending, however, he has come to the realization that there is nothing more he can do. Lindsey's continued resignation surrounding the ending of his commitment with Stevie signifies his complacency and acceptance over the fact that it's over.

One thing I think you should know
I ain't gonna miss you when you go
Been down so long
I've been tossed around enough
Couldn't you just
Let me go down and do my stuff
Now, Lindsey has turned his feelings of resignation to sarcasm, which can be likened to similar imagery from the song "Go Your Own Way," where Lindsey has stated that the song was his way of "making fun of something that was painful on other levels." Although Lindsey may be telling Stevie that he won't miss her, underneath this sarcasm emerges feelings of unresolved sadness, disbelief and rejection as Lindsey tries to show his pride. This verse continues to suggest that the relationship co-existed around a roller coaster of emotions and Lindsey wants to get off this ride.

I know you're hopin' to find
Someone who's gonna give you piece (peace) of mind
When times go bad
When times go rough
Won't you lay me down in tall grass
And let me do my stuff
In Lindsey's eyes, he is not living up to whatever expectations Stevie placed on him. Reluctantly, he wishes her "peace of mind" in finding that "big love."

I'm just second hand news
I'm just second hand news.
Lindsey is just second hand news. He is no longer number one. He feels he has been replaced and he will try to be at peace with his thoughts and feelings. It is highly ironic that no matter how hard Lindsey tried to find harmony within himself and his relationship with Stevie over time, he could not really put aside his feelings for her for another 12 years. He was finally able to do his "stuff" on his third solo album, Out of the Cradle.

In summary, "Second Hand News" is the story of unrequited love. The feelings in these lyrics can be compared to the pages of a fondly remembered love story that have been re-read years later, only to be recycled again by something thought of as better, since as time passes and things change, what was once cherished is now tossed away.

(The interpretations to these lyrics were compiled through discussions on the message boards of the Penguin, The Ledge. It is entirely possible that the artists had something completely different in mind.)

    Tabs »
If you would like to submit tabs for this song, click here.

    Performances »
Performance #1:
Running Time 2:43
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitars), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Christine McVie (Synthesizers), Christine McVie (Vocals), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Richard Dashut (Produced With), Ken Caillat (Produced With), Fleetwood Mac (Produced By), Stevie Nicks (Produced By), Lindsey Buckingham (Produced By), Christine McVie (Produced By), John McVie (Produced By), Mick Fleetwood (Produced By)
Appears On
Rumours (1977)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #2:
Running Time 2:50
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Mick Fleetwood (Drums), John McVie (Bass), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Richard Dashut (Produced By), Ken Caillat (Produced By), Fleetwood Mac (Produced By)
Comments(Alternate Mix)
Appears On
25 Years: The Chain (1992)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #3:
Running Time 2:43
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitars), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Christine McVie (Synthesizers), Christine McVie (Vocals), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Richard Dashut (Produced With), Ken Caillat (Produced With), Fleetwood Mac (Produced By), Stevie Nicks (Produced By), Lindsey Buckingham (Produced By), Christine McVie (Produced By), John McVie (Produced By), Mick Fleetwood (Produced By)
Appears On
The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac (2002)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #4:
Date Performance 1977-08-25
Performers Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Christine McVie (Keyboards), John McVie (Bass), Stevie Nicks (Background Vocals)
CommentsRecorded at the Aladdin Theatre Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada
Appears On
Sin City (0000)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #5:
Running Time 2:43
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitars), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Christine McVie (Synthesizers), Christine McVie (Vocals), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Richard Dashut (Produced With), Ken Caillat (Produced With), Fleetwood Mac (Produced By), Stevie Nicks (Produced By), Lindsey Buckingham (Produced By), Christine McVie (Produced By), John McVie (Produced By), Mick Fleetwood (Produced By)
Appears On
Best Selection (0000)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #6:
Running Time 3:31
Performers Emerson Hart (Guitar), Emerson Hart (Vocals), Kevin Shepard (Drums), Jeff Russo (Guitar), Jeff Russo (Vocoder), Dan Lavery (Bass), Dan Lavery (Vocoder)
Commentsby Tonic
Appears On
Legacy: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac's Rumours (1998)
Various Artists
Performance #7:
Running Time 1:52
Performers Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Christine McVie (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar), Christine McVie (Keyboards), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums)
Appears On
Classic Albums: Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1998)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #8:
Running Time 2:43
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Electric Guitars (4 Parts)), Lindsey Buckingham (Acoustic Guitar), Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Stevie Nicks (Shakers), Stevie Nicks (Tambourine), Christine McVie (Vocals), Christine McVie (Hammond B-3 Organ), Christine McVie (Chair Percussion (2 Parts)), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Mick Fleetwood (Timbales)
Appears On
Rumours (DVD Audio) (2001)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #9:
Running Time 2:43
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitars), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Christine McVie (Synthesizers), Christine McVie (Vocals), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Richard Dashut (Produced With), Ken Caillat (Produced With), Fleetwood Mac (Produced By), Stevie Nicks (Produced By), Lindsey Buckingham (Produced By), Christine McVie (Produced By), John McVie (Produced By), Mick Fleetwood (Produced By)
Appears On
Rumours (Rhino Remastered Edition) (2004)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #10:
Running Time 3:00
Performers Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), John McVie (Bass), Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Jana Anderson (Background Vocals), Sharon Celani (Background Vocals), Neale Heywood (Guitar), Taku(ya) Hirano (Percussion), Steve Rinkoff/Rinkov (Drums), Carlos Rios (Guitar), Brett Tuggle (Keyboards), Mike Dean (Keyboard), Ed Cherney/Chernay (Music Mixed By)
Appears On
Live In Boston (2004)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #11:
Performers Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), John McVie (Bass), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Stevie Nicks (Background Vocals)
CommentsRecorded live in Irvine, California.
Appears On
Dancing Again (1998)
Fleetwood Mac
Performance #12:
Running Time 2:43
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Stevie Nicks (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Guitars), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Christine McVie (Keyboards), Christine McVie (Synthesizers), Christine McVie (Vocals), John McVie (Bass), Mick Fleetwood (Drums), Richard Dashut (Produced With), Ken Caillat (Produced With), Fleetwood Mac (Produced By), Stevie Nicks (Produced By), Lindsey Buckingham (Produced By), Christine McVie (Produced By), John McVie (Produced By), Mick Fleetwood (Produced By)
Appears On
In The Studio (0000)
Fleetwood Mac
Rock Stars (0000)
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours (0000)
Warner Brothers Publications Inc.
Fleetwood Mac: Deluxe Anthology (0000)
Warner Brothers Publications Inc.
Fleetwood Mac: Anthology Of Classics (1989)
Warner Brothers Publications Inc.

    Comments »

(C) Copyright 1977 Published and controlled by Gentoo Music, Inc. (BMI) and (C) 1978 Now Sounds Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved/Copyright Renewed. International Copyright Secured. Used by permission. Administered by Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. for U.S. and Canada.

    Reviews »
Add your review of Second Hand News here.

    Last Modified »
2008-11-11

    Discography Credits »
Interpretation prepared by Lauren Leichter, Ann, Anusha, Ava, Becky, Blackcat, Calamity, Drew, Erik, Joanne, Juliana, Kelley, M.