"Nights In Estoril" is one of five songs by Christine McVie featured on Fleetwood Mac's 1995 release, Time. Her performance on this album was one of her best and has gone far unnoticed.
More than any of her songs on Time, this one seems most likely to be about her husband, Eddy Quintela (whose hometown is Estoril, Portugal). The other aspect of this song deals with the issue that all five of her songs on this album seem to deal with, her departure from Fleetwood Mac.
The rest of this interpretation will be done in the two aspects of the song. Aspect 1 is Christine's relationship with Eddy and Aspect 2 deals with Christine's imminent departure from the band.
Well there will be times
When the memories fade
There will be words we've said
We just can't take away
I'm only saying
That as time goes sailing on
Nothing is forgotten baby
Nothing is really gone
Aspect 1: For the most part, the McVie-Quintela marriage has been a happy one. But on those occasions that they do fight, they say things they'll later regret. Even though they make up, those words still exist and won't go away. They both know that they know that they didn't mean what they said because neither of them have lost the sight of how much they really love each other. When they reach that point that they realize they can't take back their words, it's only then that everything comes back to them.
Aspect 2: At this time, it was pretty obvious that Christine was high-tailing it out of Fleetwood Mac. The band didn't resemble anything that Fleetwood Mac once was or stood for. Just an unhealthy situation. This song, much like "All Over Again", specifically seems somewhat directed at John and Mick since they are the only links back to the Fleetwood Mac Christine knew and loved. She's remembering all that has happened along the way. There's been good and bad memories and regretted words but she'll never forget Fleetwood Mac, that's the bottom line.
I remember the nights in Estoril
A kiss and oh the neverending thrill
And I remember the coming storm
Oh and you my love, how you kept me warm
Aspect 1: This part mainly focuses on Eddy. Estoril is his hometown and he and Christine vacation there often. This place has sparked some special moments between them. Watching this storm approaching together is one of many moments.
Aspect 2: To put this in the Fleetwood Mac sense, Christine might be remembering how it all started. For awhile, everything was wonderful but the storms hit and another one is approaching due to her departure. Even though she's leaving, the band will still be there to "keep me warm".
Well there will be times
When we can't agree
We can't help but see things
A little differently
I'm only saying
That as time goes sailing on
How can something so right
Ever be wrong
Aspect 1: Christine and Eddy, like all couples, will have times when they disagree. They've said things they are unable to take back - but that's only human. Once they take some time to think, they realize that their relationship seems so right, it could never be wrong.
Aspect 2: It's obvious to us all that Fleetwood Mac has always had inner turmoil. Sometimes, they just cannot agree. They all have different views and opinions. Now, Christine and the rest of the band have drifted apart in their goals. Her joining Fleetwood Mac felt right, and so does her departure.
I remember the nights in Estoril
A kiss and oh the neverending thrill
And I remember the coming storm
Oh and you my love, how you kept me warm
Your hand reaching out to me
Dark clouds gathering in their wak
I've seen it all before
But I've never felt it more
This time there's no mistake
Oh I remember...
Aspect 1: Eddy has decided to reach out and take her back, and she the same. They're preparing to come back and work out the problem. The dark clouds may signify the consequence that may arise if the problem is not resolved. She's saying that she's been through all this before and she knows that this is the point to work at a compromise.
Aspect 2: When the hand of Fleetwood Mac reaches out to grab Christine, she can see the dark clouds of conflict lurking behind. It's happened several times but Christine knows this is really *the* time to fully leave the band, there is no mistake. She'll miss everything about Fleetwood Mac immensely but now is the time to say goodbye.
And I remember the coming storm
Oh and you my love and how you kept me warm
I remember the nights in Estoril
A kiss and oh the neverending thrill
And I remember the coming storm
Oh and you my love, how you kept me warm
I remember...
Remember...
In both aspects of this song, there's a theme leading from contemplation to longing to action to resolution. Christine goes from someone who is in a conflict (either in her marriage or in Fleetwood Mac) to someone full of hope and determination who sets out to resolve her conflicts. It takes one strong woman to be able to do that and as we know, Christine McVie is one strong woman.
(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.)