The Highwomen Cover “The Chain” in Howard Stern’s Studio

Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby perform their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s hit song in the Stern Show studio.
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#HowardStern #Highwomen #FleetwoodMac #TheChain #CoverSongs #SternShow #BrandiCarlile #MarenMorris #AmandaShires #NatalieHemby #JasonIsbell

[@edwin6012]

The sound engineering in this piece is incredible. I've never heard a more beautifully mixed piece that captures the distinctness of each voice in the harmony plus the unique qualities of every single instrument. The sound engineers deserve every audio engineering award there is for this beautiful accomplishment

[@joannroshnieable]

Yes it is pretty incredible!

[@POWER-LINKS]

Comment thief. Proud of yourself?

[@sillennium]

Its because of the ATM350GL mics from audio-technica

[@egads2]

Bettern' those there American Idol reverb artistes.....

[@givemedrums83]

That reverb rings until tomorrow. We must not be listening to the same piece...

[@KGO80313]

Holy shit. This is UNREAL. Every artist and sound engineer in this performance were at their best. I never thought anyone could cover this song until now.

[@johnfranke1374]

Simply badass....

[@anonymous4142]

Fleetwood Mac Praised Harry Styles cover of this song , check it out you will not regret it . I was very pleasantly surprised.

[@megmeg9461]

And it only took 7 people to do it!

[@sharonsegal1255]

I think the vocal levels were a tad too high and with too much reverb. Beautiful though.

[@chucklepalace]

Harry Styles does this well too

[@Owennevulis]

Holy shit…that was amazing!! The sound engineers alone deserve a raise. Their vocals sync beautifully with the instruments, and it just gives my chills. Beautiful rendition of a classic, loved it.

[@MtgCoach]

You are dead on!

[@flophilp]

That would be Howard lol. He mixes his own shit.

[@seanrickard4475]

amen.

[@blorseman]

Does he? @@flophilp

[@danclark9987]

Nailed it! Synchronization was perfect and voices created an amazing sound. Yes, they gave me chills. One of favorite music videos!

[@Demento1974]

A violin solo instead of guitar??? Brilliant!!!! I get goosebumps every time that I hear this cover. The harmonies are just so killer and spot on!! I love it, love it, love it!!!

[@Matt561]

fiddle

[@scottdykema5385]

Harmonies? You hear harmony?

[@sarahdell4042]

I don’t know a thing about Howard stern, but whoever the sound engineer is needs a raise. Every performance I come across, is aces.

[@warrenmichael918]

his in studio performers really shine in there. His engineers and sound guys are just top notch. I agree, every song in his new studio at sirius is just top notch.

[@lbritton1022]

Jesus, that violin mixed with the classic bass solo is incredible! Great cover!

[@shannonh.n.4046]

👑's are 💣!!! 👑💯👑💯😍👍👑

[@michaelprosperity3420]

I thought the same thing

[@sweetandsoursoup]

I’m obsessed, I keep coming back for that part. I love that you can tell that they enjoying playing it!

[@MegaWritergurl]

That sounds lower than a violin-- viola range.

[@crystalp7242]

Sarah Freligh It’s a five-string violin, which has a C string added. The pitches of the five strings are typically (with C4 being Middle C): C3, G3, D4, A4 and E5. It basically combines the range of both a violin (G, D, A, and E) and a viola (C, G, D, A) and allows the player to cover a wider range of notes than on either a traditional violin (which the five-string violin is structurally similar to) or a traditional viola (which is a little bit larger than a traditional violin). The strings on all three instruments are tuned to perfect fifths from each other.

[@kevinlucken8558]

Dear Lord! These women are incredible. And I don’t know what Howard Sterns team knows, but the sound from these performances are insane and this one tops them all. The mix is perfect.

[@markcodysr]

If this doesn't give you chills... check your pulse.

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

Child every time I watch it, but 3:44 till the end just wow!

[@kdh06004]

It’s good but If you want CHILLS go listen to the original.

[@russe8914]

4 part harmony is next to impossible to pull off. Here, it's perfect. The violin is absolutely masterful in the solo. I could watch this on a loop for hours.

[@loubush6761]

9

[@lizarddronedude3617]

i do

[@victorwilburn8588]

This is an awesome performance from some very talented women, but 4-part harmony is pretty routine. Choirs full of ordinary people do it all the time, and it's pretty common to split beyond that, even. It can get a bit tricky when there is a lot of dissonance or exotic harmonic language, but still quite doable.

[@mcanphotographyltd5551]

@@victorwilburn8588 Its a cover. simple no emotion

[@hurti1000]

listen to the band Warpaint!

[@AngelA-qj4jx]

That was actually fucking brilliant, they did justice to this classic track!!!

[@gmantramp404]

Fleetwood Mac don't do it justice no more.,lol 😂😂👍

[@jimrauh3584]

Angel: I wouldn't say brilliant; solid but not really that memorable. The vocals are more workmanlike than passionate.

[@polarbear2579]

Since they screwed Lindsey Buckingham over and kicked him out, this is the best version you will hear.

[@bernieponcik1351]

@@polarbear2579 Yeah. Creatives gonna be Creatives.

[@renegaderunner332]

Agreed!

[@Namorah1]

Every single one of them is so clearly heard in this! It's stunning how talented all 4 are and how well they can stand out, and blend so beautifully back into harmony, yet be individually recognizable if you are paying attention to a specific one. I'm captivated each time I hear it, and THIS specific one, is so well produced compared to ANY other! This, is the definition of artistic talent across the board! ♥

[@valeriasindicic6256]

what a powerfull chilling harmony...just love them

[@BonnChnd]

Never thought anyone could pull this off. They more than captured the spirit of Stevie and Lindsay. Their harmonies are incredible and the violin/fiddle replacing Buckinghams guitar was a genius move. On my playlist now.

[@Heartboy1031]

*Lindsey

[@sweetandsoursoup]

I can’t stop listening to it-I must come back once a day at this point.

[@alexcunningham4847]

Took them four people to live up to Lindsey and Stevies’ vocals. Not giving them shit, just proves how incredibly Fleetwood Mac once was.

[@craig5649]

Lindsey's guitar was substituted with violin but I thought he was going to pop out and jam the fuck out of it any second.

[@cohokid6936]

@@alexcunningham4847 The body of work that Fleetwood Mac has is tough to wrap your head around, so many original absolute classics

[@jhendersonic]

Holy shit that four part harmony gave me chills. Incredible performance.

[@nyyankeeslady]

My.exact.words. Ho-ly SHIT!

[@peterrosscochrane]

Superb! Amanda Shires with a fantastic 🎻 solo 👏🏻

[@buggy4cars]

Without question the best recording of this song ever made. The harmonies are exquisite, the band perfect background balance and the women all amazing in their talents. If this isn’t a Grammy winning performance I don’t know what is. Can’t listen to it enough.

[@Edgar-rw4ru]

My regards to Howard's audio engineer-amazing quality

[@n67637]

@Aaron A420 VERY heavy on the reverb, especially considering how powerful the voices were. Edit: Listening to other versions, it seems that it's the Highwomen's choice. Everything else about this production does sound amazing.

[@se7515]

Scott must have taken the day off

[@DIESEL0759]

@FEAR The Walking Don That was going to be my question! Does Scott the Engineer still work for Howard?

[@swayinsc]

I bet it was Scott. Jokes aside he is actually a good producer. Howard wouldn't have kept him around for so long if he wasn't.

[@augmentedkeys5971]

@Aaron A420 I agree and not enough room for a drummer.

[@50shadesofShay.]

Best cover of this song ive ever heard. They all sound amazing. Brandi Carlisle's voice can shatter glass 💙. So underrated its ridiculous. Get it girls.

[@moonchild8422]

Is she the one that kinda looks like Khloe Kardashian?

[@juliefitzgerald-frangos2211]

You are so right about Brandi Carlisle 🙌

[@melissatyree566]

@MoonChild84 ...Brandi is in the longer beige jacket. Third from left.

[@dancassidy7471]

That is what I was just thinking Brandi oh my

[@frederickfranchi6408]

Couldn't agree more blown away by this version of this classic song 😃😍

[@cw9817]

Standing ovation! This is an incredible cover. I love the addition of the fiddle. The way each singer takes the "run" background vocals in turn at the denouement is also an inspired choice. Many kudos!

[@bigtmk5015]

There’s harmonizing, and then there’s this. Absolutely incredible! When the fiddle hits 🤯

[@thomaspaciello1068]

How cool is Amanda Shires version of Lindsay Buckingham's guitar solo. Awesome

[@tplayz2644]

thomas paciello my friend Is named Amanda

[@azbluesdog]

Indeed! It was nice to see Jason playing second fiddle (pun intended). They're both amazing musicians all around.

[@derekrandle3856]

Was it just me or was there a brief homage to Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire" in her solo?

[@cjhooversd]

@@derekrandle3856 Yes! Dammit, *that's* what it is. I knew she was lifting a line from something familiar, but I just couldn't place it. Her fiddling btw on this take is *lit*. She goes even more off into brilliant madness territory with the fiddle part on the version they did with Jimmy Fallon. What a brilliant talent.

[@BastardZombieKiller1]

Her "runnin' in the shadow" after the solo sounded like Dolly.

[@jenniferhenderson3488]

All of these artists are incredible, but honestly, I would listen to Brandi Carlisle sing literally anything.

[@maggiemay74]

Jennifer Henderson after 100percent

[@SM-nv2uu]

Agree!

[@jeffbrehove2614]

Agreed

[@designerdancer94]

She could literally read me a narration of paint drying and I would pay good money for it

[@stephenbenner4353]

I heard her do a pretty awful Led Zepplin cover at a concert, but the rest of the concert was great. She’s one of my favorite musicians so I’ll forgive the transgression.

[@blaskow5]

I’ve probably watched this 100 times so far

[@ianballie2978]

10000

[@bigdave5946]

This what you get when you some super talented artists and they take great song . And completely blow you away with a version you didn’t even know you needed to hear . Their voices together are so special this performance should have been opening the Grammy’s unbelievable is all can say . Well done ladies I see so much greatness for you all in the future as a group and solo .

[@Kevhead7]

I am not sure Howard is fully aware of his ability to influence the music scene. This is so well done live in his studio. Props to Sirius for putting it out on KZbin for the world to hear (see).

[@EyeWatchThemAll]

Even as an ensemble, you can still hear Brandi Carlile's vocals stand out!

[@davebosworth1778]

Sure enuff! Had no idea who these ladies were but even out of the group of them singing I thought i heard Brandy. Yup, there she is.

[@twt3716]

Its Christmas eve in England and I choose to listen to this. Tremendous. Thank you. Thank you America.

[@donna3465]

Those vocals, those harmonies!! Wow…

[@brianmedeiros417]

Love Amanda's twist of the vocals during the chorus.

[@jpsheldon]

WOW! Never thought in a million years anyone could cover and do justice to this song. The engineering , the players and the vocals are over the top! Absolute sweetness.

[@mivan5652]

This is the most perfect recording I’ve ever heard

[@brieannadottle7013]

I think this may be my favorite cover I ever heard. I love the versatility in the voices and the generation differences. It's a sweet reminder that music is eternal and binds us together. ❤

[@robertdean138]

I love that Jason Isbell is playing guitar is playing in the background, letting Amanda shine, as she always does.

[@mikephillips1043]

His name sounds really familiar did he have a song on sons of anarchy called something like go it alone?

[@Octa973]

@@mikephillips1043 I don't watch Sons of Anarchy but his band Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have a song called Go It Alone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmrMinSAYtyJgbM Check out his stuff, especially the album Southeastern. It's great

[@lastnote]

@@mikephillips1043 I haven't seen Sons of Anarchy, but he does have a song called Traveling Alone - great song.

[@KariAaraas100]

Wow, bravo for focusing on one of the only men in the room, and applauding him. Instead of applauding his kick ass wife and the other kick ass women in this band. You should do better RObert.

[@nakedsavage]

@@mikephillips1043 Yes, I think it was with Drive By Truckers though.

[@trh8201]

I. Can't. Stop. Watching. This. Wow, such an amazing cover of this classic song.

[@grimshaid]

The harmony in these voices is insane. Amanda Shires singing atop them through the chorus is epic.

[@callmehank88]

The sound engineer responsible for the mixing of this track deserves a pay rise. Top shelf.

[@florancerudi]

All members of Fleetwood Mac would be very proud of this piece.... Sounds phenomenal

[@martianvideo]

RIP Christine McVie

[@tarcrystalline]

Stellar performance. You don't need elaborate music videos - just super talented musicians in a well lit studio.

[@JFHeroux]

That violonist! Excellent on the violon... and that crystal pure voice! 😍

[@markmagwire7921]

Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell's wife. He is playing in the back.....

[@dkmi]

I enjoyed just listening to Amanda play the violin. Such a cool tone to it.

[@RonTuriello]

Seven of the best songwriters out there today. Brandi, Maren, Amanda, Natalie, Jason, Tim, and Phil.

[@zacharymann5643]

You realize this band didn't write this song, right?

[@jakors]

Actually, this is a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain," from the 1977 album "Rumours." It was written by Christine McVie, John Mc Vie, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and Stephanie Nicks.

[@dannyberry8725]

They are still 7 of the best song writers in existence today. Not to take anything away from the other 6 but, Jason Isbell is this generation's Bob Dylan. Go listen to the man's work.

[@MrUncle2009]

They made this their own. I am a serious Fleetwood Mac fan and I never heard this song done so well, original artists included.

[@tavopasquali]

I can't literally stop listening to this masterpiece!

[@dannyberry8725]

Brandi Carlile is now in my favorite two cover song videos of all-time; this and her cover of 'Madman Across the Water' by Elton John. It is here on youtube. I never in a million years would have thought someone would have the balls to cover 'Madman Across the Water', but Brandi did it and it is amazing!!!

[@wolfkins]

As a very longtime Fleetwood Mac fan I adore this cover!!! The violen adds such a gypsy feel to it that it conveys the essence of Stevie's musical aesthetic perfectly!

[@suedehead3]

Great line-up! Brandi Carlisle has an incredible voice. And Jason Isbell on guitar!

[@jakestokes398]

Amanda Shire is awesome !!! What a gorgeous little thing ❤️

[@KSC6981]

All I gotta say is Wow!!! 🤩 Not only do these ladies sing like angels- they’re all beautiful as well!!! They’ve got a new fan in me!!! F#ckin’ incredible!!! ❤️👍🏻😉

[@johnparkerreed5712]

At first I thought no way, but then I listened and DAMN they absolutely nailed it! That four part harmony is haunting but in the most good way anyone could have done! Well done!

[@GirlVirginian]

Damn right!! and that fiddle! Go Amanda! All y'all sound amazing, and so great together.

[@baitfisch]

That was pure talent and emotion, it's not music without emotion, music is emotion. nailed it.

[@breandanangley3828]

Goosebumps! Check! wow it’s these little pockets of perfection in humanity that make this world magical. It’s a great day not to be dead thank you for this masterpiece!

[@debbiefulton1001]

These ladies, musicians, and engineers are incredibly talented! They do justice to Stevie Nicks and Christy McVie!

[@gordonpetersmith]

don't want to go overboard here but this might just be the best 4 minutes of music i have ever heard on KZbin.

[@chaffeecityusa1129]

The gal with the violin steals my soul during the chorus.

[@laurent5994]

Amanda Shires

[@todddaugherty110]

Amanda Shires, the now ex-wife of Jason Isbell, the guitarist on the far left.

[@bertblue9683]

I watch this one every day. Such a wonderful, spirit lifting edition. God bless you all!

[@AK-kh2ek]

Incredible mix of voices. Shires adds that extra something in my opinion. Not only with her vocals but also with her fiddle skills. Isbell is the icing on the cake. Really cool take.

[@Kelleyp]

Agreed! And not just with her incredible fiddle. I get the impression in interviews that she might not be super confident with her vocals--at least maybe with the HW? But she's special.

[@bernardshakey2609]

These women are so friggin phenomenal! Together and alone, so much talent

[@jamescarr9663]

Amanda Shires just nails it in every way !

[@mikebunner3498]

What a wonderful cover of a great song. The fiddle really ties it all together. The sound engineer deserves a medal for this recording... Great! I love this tune.

[@jemztokely1985]

💖Such a beautiful cover of 1 of my favourite songs from Fleetwood Mac, The chain,the harmonies are spirit soaring x

[@themarc6453]

Between this, and the Dixie Chicks version of "Landslide" (the best version IMO), an all Country/Women-led album of Fleetwood Mac covers would be transcendent

[@falconeer99]

That would be interesting

[@theycallmejodamo]

How has no one thought of this before?! I want that so bad now

[@nathan453]

Who's the Dixie chicks?

[@barbaravyse660]

You should check out Stevie Nicks with Lady Antebellum on Crossroads!

[@jessicafalstein]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@1975jwheeler]

The best cover of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac I've ever heard. These ladies did a fantastic job.

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Give me Roger Sheppe covering King of the Road

[@footieloose5109]

Try Florence and the machine at Glastonbury festival 2010.

[@sharky_spike]

the addition of the closing bassline theme at the very end played by the violinist was a nice idea & neatly wraps a bow around the entire song

[@mondogeckosexoticsandoddit5866]

I remember hearing this live one morning on my drive to work and having to pull over..

[@kierantaylour9655]

I think probably for the first time, I have been completely blown away by a live track... the engineering on this is down to a T and everyone here is just incredible!

[@kbuttstadt]

I've listened to this a few times over the past week. At least 8 times and I'm still getting goosebumps. This is some amazing music.

[@cookbookgirl]

There should be awards for this kind of thing. Absolutely brilliant performances, sound engineering, all of it!!

[@FIELDSbass]

I rarely get goosebumps when I listen to cover songs. These ladies have just done it. Magnificent.

[@MrRumBacardi]

This rendition was stunning! I just can’t stop listening to it!

[@jodyharlan4390]

The next super group. You know you're doing OK when Jason Isbell is in your backup band.

[@eahennin]

Jody Harlan, happy fiddle player, happy life for Isbell!

[@tacygaede5771]

@Andrew Ongais It does help that Amanda is married to Jason. But they are great with or without Jason.

[@asininereasons]

Isn't he married to Amanda Shires anyway?

[@bsanderson77]

Best cover of "The Chain" ever performed! Every aspect of this performance is pure perfection. Fleetwood Mac should be very proud of what they did with this classic song. 😄

[@elleeNopeNotToday1133]

OMG The violin played by Amanda Shires, the guitarists and those voices all together in sync and harmony, Brilliant. These ladies voices are great on their own, but their singing together takes it up to next level brilliant. The sound engineers did a magnificent job because it was crystal clear on the bass, treble and everything in between. I hope these ladies do more cover songs of Fleetwood Mac, like Rhiannon, Don't Stop, etc. So awe inspiring. Thank You. ❤🫠🙏

[@sgarvey9]

These Howard Stern recordings are just on a whole new level, every one I've listened to is pristine 👌

[@skippy9659]

Brandi’s voice is phenomenal....

[@robertjensen1048]

This is freeking awesome. My fav FM song and these girls nailed it.

[@syzygy21055]

Damn, that's the best cover of the song I've ever heard, and I've heard plenty. Close your eyes and you can't tell it's a live performance. Absolute perfection by everyone involved.

[@jalex19100]

Not surprising - just incredible. Several of my favorite artists here! Amanda Shires (and rockin' Jason Isbell) and Brandi Carlile (and those incredible Hanseroth twins in the back) were pretty amazing even early on - I remember hearing them again a few years ago on the Woodsongs Radio podcasts, which coincidentally often had incredible sound engineering like this as well. This group really nails every second on this song.

[@ArkaEasyRiders]

I agree. Brandi is precious.

[@JTHeidrick]

Fantastic! All of it! Instruments - check Vocals - check Sound mix - check Stage presence - check One of the best covers of any song I have ever seen!

[@michaell5026]

Amazing. By far the best version I've heard. Great voices and that violin is orgasmic.

[@mije9858]

AMAZING VOCALS....and harmony in the band.....respect...CHEERS

[@joannroshnieable]

Wow this was AWESOME! Seriously stellar sound. This song was mood-altering. These women are amazing

[@bobwinters6459]

They sounded incredible! That studio they created is phenomenal, every artist that records there sound incredible!

[@MrSteve0916]

I may not be a country music fan... but DAMN, did that performance give me chills! Stevie and Lindsey must’ve been beaming with pride (when they weren’t trying to kill each other)!

[@zanethind]

The noise separation is really good in the place they were filming which is great cuz I can hear the voices clearly the instruments sound awesome and clear its just awesome great jobs to the artists and sound engineers

[@leightumlin3534]

Love how @jasonisbell and the twins sit back and play guitar while the ladies slay this song! Props to all of you; loving every minute of it!

[@jerlikes1181]

Sent chills down my spine, and brought tears to my eyes. Dear God that was sweet.

[@slitherlock]

Hauntingly beautiful. That violin...the feels, the powerful voices and that classic bass part we all love so much.

[@georgegeysen6499]

Wow. Perfect. Did not know Jason Isbell was playing back up in this band. Vocals are crystal.

[@pizzle58]

His wife is the fiddle player. He doesn’t regularly play guitar for them lol

[@darrellcooling7670]

Side gig for some extra $$. Times are tough.

[@wil9after9099]

🇨🇦 Stunningly recorded, never heard a piece done to this standard.Thank you.

[@jt2077]

This cover was so good my phone reset to factory settings

[@tinicum54]

lol

[@tonymin1555]

You too!?! Damn, I think my earphones broke down too.

[@mouser003]

This is awesome, if you want to hear another great cover of this song go check our little big town, their harmonies are fantastic....

[@stephanieh.4284]

😂😂😂

[@tinastanley4444]

LoL

[@lisakay8798]

ALL the feels, gooseys and butterflies! Probably the best cover tune I've ever heard.

[@mgrandison1]

Haunting. Blessed that I still have some of my hearing left. Wow!

[@thangquanteecom]

The fiddler has some serious talent....

[@jefferybarnett6056]

Just amazing!!! Great job Amanda Shires and The Highwomen!

[@charlie_one_9]

About as badass as a violin can be. Along with the 4 part harmony, this was so sick. Way to kill it ladies!

[@katjahinds3521]

Such a beautiful cover of an amazing song. Gives me goosebumps....it's rare that a cover is better than the original, but I think this one achieves that. Props to the amazing engineers 👏

[@juliandugan5305]

That was so freaking awesome, so perfect could not be done any better.

[@craigwubben6973]

That was stellar! Whoever dislikes this should be banned from ever offering their opinion on anything musical ever again. Seriously, ever again.

[@mircea415ify]

Craig Wubben and never be allowed to vote.

[@Bree_n_Bear]

Yes!!

[@kso4068]

Thats exactly what I'm saying!

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Sorry Craig Give me Wayne Newton on Ellen doing Freebird you set yourself up Lol

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Craig......it was dreadful awful i bet you would enjoy Barry Stadlers Green Beret ...or...Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA with Nancy Reagan looking in your eyes...or ..Craig ............

[@TC-dw6wg]

Fantastic harmonies and engineering. It’s a great tribute to Fleetwood Mac.

[@kimberlywelch522]

Amazing! Their voices blend so well and compliment each other. ❤ I've heard a lot of covers of this song but this is probably one of my favorites.