ROCK MOMENT – Christine McVie ‘Got A Hold On Me’
Christine McVie’s 1984 single Got a Hold on Me stands as the crowning achievement of her solo career and a reminder of her enduring songwriting talent beyond Fleetwood Mac. By the early 1980s, Fleetwood Mac had become one of the biggest bands in the world, but the pressures of fame, personal relationships, and constant touring had taken their toll. Several members began pursuing solo work—Stevie Nicks with Bella Donna and Lindsey Buckingham with Law and Order—and McVie soon followed suit, crafting her own self-titled solo album.
Released in 1984, Christine McVie was her second solo record, though the first to be made after Fleetwood Mac’s rise to superstardom. Collaborating with guitarist Todd Sharp and a number of top-notch session musicians, McVie built an album full of smooth, polished pop-rock that reflected the sound of the era while still staying true to her melodic instincts. The standout track, ‘Got a Hold on Me,’ co-written with Sharp, became an instant success. Its warm harmonies, catchy chorus, and McVie’s soulful delivery helped it climb to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reach No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, marking her biggest solo hit.
Critics welcomed the song and the album, often praising McVie’s ability to create accessible yet emotionally resonant music. While Stevie Nicks was known for her mystical, dramatic flair, McVie’s style was described as grounded and sincere, qualities that gave ‘Got a Hold on Me’ its lasting appeal. The song’s video also gained steady rotation on MTV, giving McVie broader visibility in the pop marketplace.
Though the album produced other singles, none matched the impact of ‘Got a Hold on Me.’ Still, the project solidified McVie’s reputation as a songwriter capable of thriving outside Fleetwood Mac. In retrospect, the song and album showcased her quiet strength—balancing vulnerability, optimism, and craftsmanship in a way that defined much of her career. While she eventually rejoined her bandmates for new projects, ‘Got a Hold on Me’ remains her definitive solo statement, a track that still resonates with fans who value her understated brilliance.
