Part 6: In Which Our Hero Sells His Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul to the Disco Devil and Laughs All the Way to Hell and a Number One Smash Hit
Rod Stewart continued his chart topping success during his Mercury days to his new home at Warner Brothers Records. His first three albums he released after his move to the United States sold nearly 6 million copies in the States alone. Stewart had left the folk/rock albums behind for a more polished sound and stadium ready anthems to great acclaim. Atlantic Crossing and A Night on the Town were well received by critics and fans. Critics seemed to not care too much for Footloose and Fancy Free but the fans loved it. That album sold 3 million copies in the USA and Rod was about to make his most successful album and single ever, to the dismay of critics and some of his earliest fans.
But first, Scotland qualified for the 1978 World Cup and Rod Stewart celebrated with a single release honoring the Scottish National Team, who also appeared on the single as back up singers.
The Official Single From Rod Stewart and Scottish World Cup Squad ‘78
199. Ole Ola (Mulher Brasileria) (Evaldo Gouveia, Rod Stewart, Phil Chen)
A celebration and a good time is the best way to describe this song. Stewart’s joyful lyrics and reading get you into the mood for some South American football.
And although this is sort of a novelty song, that has never been released on anything but a vinyl single,(I have it on my iPod, but I got it digitally totally legitimately…) it has great energy and is a fun listen.
Grade: B
200. I’d Walk a Million Miles for One of Your Goals (Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) (Livingston, Evans)
This song is just pure fun. From the TV broadcast proclaiming that for “the second successive time Scotland has qualified for the World Cup!”
Stewart reworks the song to focus on Scotland with a catchy lyric and a happy breakdown of “so long, my Scotland, the teams play east, the teams play west, but we know which teams the best, my Scotland”
Maybe Scotland should have focused on the World Cup and not singing and having a good old time with Stewart as they did not make it out of the first round…but the song lives forever!
Grade: B
After a slight detour to celebrate Scotland, Stewart returned to the studio. According to Rod he was listening to Native New Yorker by Odyssey, which “the bass guitar is the driving force and almost the main provider of the melody.” It was when Rod heard The Rolling Stones’ Miss You, that Stewart had the idea to record a disco/rock song.
Blondes Have More Fun November 24, 1978
201. Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? (Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice)
The song that launched a thousand dance moves and a thousand arrows. Has there ever been a song that is more loved/hated in the world?
When Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? was released it was a smash hit. In fact, it was the fastest selling single in Warner Bros. Music history, until Madonna’s Like A Virgin.
But while most of the world loved Rod’s rock/disco song, music critics and some of his fans were disgusted. Some thought the Rod had gone mad, and not only did he release a disco song, he made it seem that he was “hotter” than you.
Ignore all of the fluff and listen to the song. It’s catchy, fun and funky. Phil Chen delivers the goods with a slick bass line and co-writer Carmine Appice keeps the song thumping along.
And one last point that Stewart has been making since 1978, the song is in third person, “She sits alone, waiting for suggestions, he’s so nervous avoiding all her questions.” The chorus is a crescendo of two people getting it on with the thoughts in their heads being, “if you want my body and you think I’m sexy, come on sugar let me know.”
And before we leave this song, it’s “Da” not “Do”. It drives me crazy when the song is not written correctly, and I am off my soapbox.
Grade: A
There are many remixes of this song, one that Warner Bros released in 2004 has a different vocal take, with Rod emphasizing different words. There’s also a “disco mix” version that is about 3 minutes longer that appears on a 12” vinyl single.
And one last note, if you want to hear the ultimate version of this song, without the studio enhancements and embellishments, just Rod and his world class rock band, download the 1981, rehearsal version on the extended version found on iTunes. It is the best version of the song, I promise.
201. Dirty Weekend (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)
When people tell you that Blondes Have More Fun is Rod Stewart’s “disco album” they have not listened to this album.
The second track on the album is a straight down and dirty rock song. And I do mean dirty.
Dirty Weekend is the story in which our Hero takes his “best friend’s girl” away to Mexico for a raunchy and sexy weekend. It’s crude with some harsh lyrics about the female anatomy and drugs.
It is a rock song and a quick one, that is fun if you can get past the non-P.C. moments.
Grade: C+
202. Ain’t Love a Bitch (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)
A forgotten top 25 hit by Stewart, Ain’t Love a Bitch is a mid-tempo classic. Stewart actually had the idea for this song as far back as 1976. The original version of Fool For You in which Stewart opened the unused version with “Ain’t love a bitch…”
Here he warns the listener no matter how tough life gets, love is still a bitch and it is always there. The bouncy music, peppered with background vocals of “doo-doo” sells a sweet song when in truth, the song is full of bitterness and resentment. Which makes the music and lyrics that much better.
Grade: A
203. The Best Days of My Life (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan)
Jim Cregan’s sensitive guitar work is on full display here. Another example of a song that proves that Rod hadn’t totally abandoned his earlier successes.
Although The Best Days of My Life, is more polished than Rod’s earlier recordings, Stewart shows that he still can reach down to his formative days to write a sensitive song about a woman he loves.
Grade: B
204. Is That the Thanks I Get? (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan)
After the longing and lovely The Best Days of My Life, Stewart washes himself of that really quickly. He becomes vindictive to a woman who “kicked the shit right in my face!”
Not one to keep himself down for long, Rod picks himself up and “guess I find me a brand new girl, that won’t take me very long.”
I like this song a little more than The Best Days of My Life, it’s more driving and feels more personal.
Grade: A-
205. Attractive Female Wanted (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)
While it might seem hard to believe, but it seems that our Hero can’t find a woman to love. “It’s Friday night and I’m alone, still a bachelor.”
Here he pleads that he isn’t Warren Beatty or Muhammad Ali, but he will share all that he has.
Attractive Female Wanted has the feel of Ain’t Love a Bitch with background singers doo-wop along to give the song a bouncy, driving force. Rod’s humor is also on full display, “I’ve been lonely too long and all my family think I’m gay.”
Grade: B
206. Blondes (Have More Fun) (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan)
I love this song. The hand claps, the bass, the guitar, the drums emphasizing and driving the whole rock ‘n’ roll song.
Rod is having a lot of fun as he wears his preference of woman on his sleeve. Also on full display is Stewart’s trademark humor, “you can keep your black and redheads, you can keep your brunettes too, I want a girl that’s semi-intelligent, give me a blonde that’s six feet two.”
The song never slows down, in fact with the horns that pepper the middle of the song make it feel that much more fast.
Grade: A
207. Last Summer (Rod Stewart, Philip Chen)
Ah, vacation. The lazy sound of music opens a song where our Hero strikes out with women at every turn. Nothing works for him, impersonations, libations, nothing works. In fact, when Stewart returns to the women he’s trying to woo, “suddenly she disappeared, like I feared with another guy, love always seems to let me down, maybe I’ll wait until next year.”
Last Summer almost doesn’t fit on the album. It sounds different than all the other songs, but that also makes it unique and stand out. It’s breezy and fun.
Grade: B+
208. Standin’ in the Shadows of Love (Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland)
If there was ever a true disco song on Blondes Have More Fun it might be this driving cover which was made famous by the Four Tops. Gone is all the subtlety of that song.
Rod does pour his heart out in the song, but he makes one misstep in this otherwise solid cover. In the breakdown, he whispers words that are on point, with the exception of “didn’t I screw you right.” It takes you out of the song and it takes a beat to recover.
Grade: C+
209. Scarred and Scared (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)
The same writing team that wrote Dirty Weekend also wrote this heartbreaking song of a man on death row for murder.
Tonally, Scarred and Scared does not fit on this album, but it also might be why the song is so haunting. Stewart tells a story that breaks your heart, you actually feel sympathy for a murderer, and if you want evidence that Stewart is one of the best singers around, listen to him and the emotion he sings with on “I don’t need no trial humiliation, just tell me that I’m heaven bound, I don’t want no two faced consolation, what use is that to me six feet underground?”
Chills.
Grade: A+
210. Scarred and Scared (Early Take) (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)
Musically this early take of Scarred and Scared is the same. The lyrics however are quite different. They lose some of the subtlety of the finished version. Stewart still sings with a broken heart.
Stewart would polish the lyrics, and tighten the whole song up, but this version still has merit and begs to be heard.
Grade: B
Although Rhino promised a deluxe version of Blondes Have More Fun, we never got it. A couple of songs have trickled out since that promise in 2009 however.
211. Live Medley: (I Know) I’m Losing You, It’s All Over Now, Standin’ in the Shadows of Love, Layla (Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland Jr., Cornelius Grant, Bobby Womack, Shirley Womack, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon)
Released in 2014 was a collection of 58 live Rod Stewart tracks that had never been released before. One such song contains a cover of a song Rod had not released before. In a 10-minute tour de force, Stewart rips through four songs.
Full of energy and top vocal form, this would have been a treat to see. The song that Rod had not released before was a cover of the Eric Clapton classic, Layla. Here we only get the chorus and it makes you long for a full version of the song with Stewart at the controls.
The shear amount of energy and rock show goodness makes this an absolute barn burner.
Grade: A+
Released in 2021, Rod Stewart 1975-1978 contained 2 songs that were recorded for Blondes Have More Fun, but were left behind.
212. Silver Tongue (Rod Stewart)
A sweet talkin’ “Baptist child from way down South”, is the object of Our Hero’s affection in a funky driving song.
Rod not being able to get a woman he lusts after is a fun, breezy song that is almost finished. The band is tight and Stewart delivers the goods.
He also delivers a really funny line, “Silver Tongue I didn’t get a start, Silver Tongue where do I fart?” Not sure if its finished lyrics but my 8 year old son thinks it’s really funny.
Grade: B
213. Don’t Hang Up (Rod Stewart)
In keeping with a more disco flavor of Blondes Have More Fun. Is more polished than Silver Tongue, but is not quite done as well as Rod mumbles some lyrics as he is trying to find the right words for the song.
The song deals with pleading with your lover not to hang up when he calls late at night and also not give up on their love, “as I would walk a million miles at night, just to be by your side.
Grade: B
Stewart scored a number one album and number one hit with Blondes Have More Fun and Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? Not only that but the album went platinum over 3 times. Rod was riding high and a greatest hits package was on the way. Lost was a song that didn’t see the light of day until 30 years later.
Greatest Hits, Vol.1 October 12, 1979
214. When I’m Away From You (Frankie Miller)
A common practice when a greatest hits package is released is to maybe have a “new” song ready to go to make fans like me buy the album of songs I already own for that one song I don’t.
Stewart recorded Frankie Miller’s When I’m Away From You for his Greatest Hits Vol. 1. For some unknown reason it never made it to the album. Another song that Rod recorded and abandoned. It is a shame too.
Rod crushes this song, and it begs to be heard. Miller’s version is incredible. Rod equals it and when I hear this song and Kiss Her For Me, I want a Stewart album of Frankie Miller covers, it would be most excellent.
Grade: A+
The 70’s ended and Rod Stewart was on the top of his game for the whole decade. He started with 1971’s Every Picture Tells a Story a number one album. He ends the decade with Blondes Have More Fun and Greatest Hits Vol. 1 both of which sold over 3 million copies in the USA alone. As Stewart entered the 80’s he was about to change styles again.
Perhaps a response to Blondes Have More Fun, Stewart entered the studio to record his 10th studio album and make it a double album. Not only that but he would write almost all the songs. In fact Foolish Behaviour would be the only Rod Stewart album that Rod wrote or co-wrote every song on it. Rod eventually ditched the idea of a double album and released a straight forward rock ‘n’ roll album.
Foolish Behaviour November 21, 1980
215. Better Off Dead (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Carmine Appice)
When life gets you down you need to go out and party, so is the story that Stewart is telling in the opening track of Foolish Behaviour.
“Wanna be silly and scream and shout, gotta get legless and fall about.” A fun little ditty that sets the mood for a different type of album by Stewart. Foolish Behaviour seems to focus a bit more on rock ‘n’ roll.
Grade: B
216. Passion (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
A wicked opening paves way to some haunting lyrics. Our Hero’s biggest hit on the album has a really ominous tone and feel to it. Stewart takes you on the streets on L.A. to reveal the seedy underbelly of the city.
I have a love/hate relationship with this song. I love the opening and the opening verse. The music and feel of the song is awesome. It also at the same time feels a little empty. Stewart gets you in a groove but it slowly devolves into him shouting out random things “In the bars and the cafes, Passion! In the streets and the alleys, Passion!”
The bass and the guitar are awesome and musically the song is badass. The breakdown is epic too.
Grade: A-
There is an extended version of “Passion” that clocks in at over 7 minutes. It is the same song except the longer play gives it more things for Rod to say have passion.
There’s also an early version of “Passion” available digitally. The lyrics are completely different, also Rod is just trying to get words to fit with the music, so it’s a lot of nonsense. It does have some value as it shows Stewart’s writing process.
217. Foolish Beahaviour (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
Living up to the title track, Foolish Beahaviour takes a dark turn. The opening of the song sets the mood right off the bat, “Can I introduce myself? Am a man of panache and wealth, sound in mind, body and health, Why I wanna kill my wife? I have this urge to take her life.”
I am not sure if Rod’s wife Alana Hamilton appreciated the song, but I actually love it. Rod does not go dark very often and this song certainly is dark, the second verse he fantasies about the different ways he could kill his wife.
Don’t worry though, as “telephone rang and he woke from his sleep, his wife snoring soundly next to him, it was all a very nasty dream.”
Grade: A-
218. So Soon We Change (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
Our hero trades in his dream of killing his wife, to maybe explaining to her why they are breaking up. The roughness of Foolish Behaviour makes way for the melancholy of So Soon We Change.
Our Hero explains to his lady, “We were different people then, inseparable never apart, But now the novelty is wearing thin, we spend most time arguing.”
Stewart was only married to Alana for about a year when this album came out and the theme of the album is someone who is unhappy and depressed. Stewart express it in song, much like he did on Footlosse and Fancy Free when his relationship with Britt Ekland was for the most part over, Rod would stick with Alana for another 4 years but it appears the cracks were starting to show.
Grade: B
219. Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
Every Rod Stewart album has a song on it that is a classic and amazing. They might not be a hit but they are on the album and true fans know them and love them. Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight is such a song. Great music, trademark Stewart witty lyrics make it a winning combination of a song.
Stewart is at his best when he wears his heart on his sleeve, here he pleads with his lady, “I could be home in time for Christmas if you want me to be, There’s a plane that leaves here at midnight, arriving at three, but I’m a bit financially embarrassed, I must admit, tell you the truth honey, I haven’t a cent.”
A magnificent song that begs to be listened to.
Grade: A+
220. Gi’ Me Wings (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
It seems that Our Hero was going through some tough times during the sessions of Foolish Behaviour as this was another song where he is singing about being depressed.
The lyrics are somewhat at conflict with the hard rock and driving force of the music. Phil Chen’s bass yet again delivers the goods.
Although only released as single in Japan, Gi’ Me Wings did gain some traction and airplay in the states where it reached 45 on Billboards Top Rock Tracks. A forgotten gem on this album, all Rod fans have songs we wish he would sing again live, this is one for me. I love the sound and Stewart is in top vocal form on the track.
Grade: A-
There is a studio rough version of “Gi’Me Wings” available digitally, with totally different lyrics, with Rod again trying to figure out the words for the song. A song for just the most hardcore of fans as it is not close to being finished.
221. My Girl (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger, Carmine Appice)
When anyone reads the back of the album for Foolish Behaviour, I am sure that they think that this is a cover of The Temptations all time classic (which Rod would cover, but that will covered later). Here it is a sweet ballad that has Our Hero giving up his wild ways for a woman he loves.
It isn’t the deepest song that Stewart has written but he sings it so well. The saccharine lyrics are washed away by an effective reading and singing that Rod’s voice just aches.
My favorite set of lyrics and the emotion that Rod brings is, “At last my heart has found a home, This time I know where I belong.”
Grade: B
222. She Won’t Dance With Me (Rod Stewart, Jorge Ben)
Ah yes, I am a sucker for Stewart’s down and dirty rock ‘n’ roll songs. She Won’t Dance With Me is one of my favorites. It is a quick and fun song. It reminds me of when I went out with my friends when we were young. Of course we would never leave the wall and just talk about how pretty the girls, I would never ask them to dance with me. I have no idea how I am married…
Anyways, here Our Hero is his rascal self while being funny and clever;
“Keep on watchin’ her across the room, waitin’ for the band to play a faster tune, I want her number but I’m scared to ask, I want dance and I want her ass, why the fuck is she ignoring me? I don’t know what’s wrong with me”
Fun piece of Rod Stewart trivia. She Won’t Dance With Me was the third video ever played and MTV. And they did not edit out the word “fuck”. Whoops.
Grade: A+
223. Somebody Special (Rod Stewart, Steve Hurley, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
“How can you say life’s gettin’ you down? Get yourself out go along with the crowd” Rod slows it down yet again, here he offers advice to the listener that the only way you will find Somebody Special is by getting out of your funk and find someone to love.
Along the lines of My Girl, but I think the lyrics are more catchy and fun.
Grade: B
224. Say It Ain’t True (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger)
Foolish Behaviour ends with a sweeping, overproduced, brilliantly sung ballad. Say It Ain’t True is a double-edged sword for this Stewart fan. Rod sings the song so well, it just doesn’t resonate with me. Because of the sound of the song it sounds disingenuous, I don’t know…it might just be me.
Grade: C
225. I Just Wanna Make Love To You (Live) (Willie Dixon)
An old blues number is a hidden track on the German cassette release of Foolish Behaviour. Rod’s cover is brilliant, as he covers one of his earliest influences Willie Dixon. A song that is right up Stewart’s alley with double entendre lyrics and a playful harmonica. You should seek out the Etta James version, it’s straight fire.
Grade: B+
Foolish Behaviour did not reach the heights of Blondes Have More Fun, but it still reached platinum status in both the U.K. and the USA. Stewart was still at the top of his game and delivering albums that resonated with audiences.
Foolish Behaviour was intended to be a double album, meaning there were most likely a lot of songs left on the cutting room floor. In 2009, on The Rod Stewart Sessions we finally heard some of them.
226. Time of My Life (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger, Carmine Appice)
A failed relationship is the subject of this haunting, beautiful song. “Listen it’s over, I could never forgive you.” As Rod pleads with his lover that she broke his heart and it is too late.
I adore this song. It has so much heartache and pain in it’s five short minutes. A song that I am not sure why was abandoned, but we were treated it to much later. Also features some killer guitar work by Billy Peek.
Grade: A
227. TV Mama (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger, Carmine Appice)
The original version of Foolish Behaviour has Stewart lusting after a woman on TV. After spending years listening to the music and the images of “trying to kill my wife” it is a complete 180 change.
It is not as clever as the finished song that appeared on the album, but it still is a lot of fun because she can “change gray skies into blue.”
Grade: B
228. Maybe Baby (Norman Petty, Buddy Holly)
When The Rod Stewart Sessions were announced and I saw the track listing, one song I wanted to hear the most was Rod’s take on a Buddy Holly classic. I am a huge Buddy Holly fan. I listen to his music almost as much as Rod and think he is an absolute genius.
Rod does not disappoint. His band is in top form. He changes the pacing of the song and emphasizes different words. He makes it his own without losing what made the original so great. Stewart also is at the top of his vocal game. I adore this song, I selfishly want him to record more Buddy Holly. The way he finishes the song “Maybe Baby, you’ll love someday” is so brilliant it gives me chills.
Grade: A+
229. Stupid (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan, Gary Grainger, Carmine Appice)
Speaking of loving songs. Stupid is played with a reckless abandon, not only by the band but also Stewart who is just letting the song go, rough and ready.
Stupid is not finished but it sure as hell is a barn burner. There is a boogie down, guitar solos that pepper a song full of energy. The only downside The Rod Stewart Sessions exposed is there are so many good Rod Stewart songs that it has me thinking of what might have been…
Grade: A-
230. Oh, Carol (Live with Billy Peek on lead vocals) (Nicholas Barry Chinn, Michael Chapman)
Performed at Wembley, I acquired this on disc at a second hand store, a bootleg that made it to Denver, Colorado. I knew it existed and wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to find it. But I did and whomever turned it in to Twist and Shout thank you.
This cover is 100% different then the one that was released by Smokie. Their 1978 version is a bouncy, pop infused that has no bite. Here, Billy Peek does what he does best and turns it into a blistering rock ‘n’ roll song with Rod providing background vocals.
It gives the song a whole new meaning. It is so much better.
Grade: A
Stewart had entered the new decade with yet another top 20 album and platinum sales. Stewart had just released Foolish Behaviour when he headed back into the studio in November of 1980. Stewart would start recording one of his best albums, Tonight I’m Yours.
Tonight I’m Yours November 6, 1981
231. Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me) (Rod Stewart, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan)
Originally written as a ballad, Rod Stewart reminisced in Storyteller, “We spent two days working on this one, getting nowhere, when someone said, out of sheer frustration (as opposed to creative genius), “Speed the bastard up.” We did.”
A winning song about sleeping with a woman that plays at breakneck pace makes for an awesome top 20 hit. The video is loads of fun too, with Stewart performing at a hotel pool with a bunch of women fawning over him. Stewart once again proves that he is a great lyricist, “I don’t want an everlasting thing, I don’t care if I see you again, so grab your coat and honey tell your friends, you won’t be home, you won’t be home, you won’t be home!”
Grade: A+
232. How Long (Paul Carrack)
Stewart tackles Paul Carrack’s 1975 hit, How Long. With a winning result. Carrack’s version would be a fixture on soft rock, Stewart changes the pace and gives it more edge, making it a rock ‘n’ roll song.
Stewart again blows Carrack away with a more emotional reading and phrasing giving the song bigger impact.
I love the cheap video they made for this as well. It looks like Stewart and the band were on tour and they needed another video for the hit record so it’s just Rod walking down the aisle of a theater with the band in tuxes playing along. My favorite thing, is Stewart is having trouble remembering the lyrics and looks down and away from the camera a lot. He did this on “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” As well.
Grade: A
233. Tora, Tora, Tora (Out With The Boys) (Rod Stewart)
Party time! Our Hero is going out with his boys and having a good old time and getting into a bunch of trouble. A rock ‘n’ roll song from beginning to end, the pace never lets up.
Rod sings “Jimmy got smashed took his trousers off, bar man says you boys have had enough, “why don’t you join the army, get yourself a decent job?” Indecent exposure in a parking lot!”
A fun doesn’t stop as at the end of the song women plead, “Tora, Tora, Tora, where’s my old man?”
Grade: A
234. Tear It Up (Dorsey Burnette, Johnny Burnette, David Burlinson)
A piano starts and the band is not impressed, a lad states, “no, that’s no good.” Before Rod and the band rip into a blistering cover of Johnny Burnette’s 1950’s hit Tear It Up.
Stewart and the band don’t mess with the structure of the song very much allowing the original greatness to shine through.
Grade: A
235. Only a Boy (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar)
Rod goes back to his youth for a whimsical tale that we relive with vivid pictures of being a kid growing up and being at school.
Stewart is so great painting a vivid picture of growing up and taking you back to not only his days, but you relate to him as well.
While not as poignant as I Was Only Joking, Only a Boy is a fun, energetic song.
Grade: B+
236. Just Like a Woman (Bob Dylan)
Blonde On Blonde is perhaps Bob Dylan’s most famous and best album, with Just Like a Woman being the most popular song on the album. It takes balls to sing this song, and Stewart has not only the balls to sing the song, but to also make it one of his best Dylan covers.
It is one of Rod’s best vocal performances on an album, hands down. Once again, Stewart outclasses Dylan on his on song vocally. Stewart’s version is also tighter and louder. Dylan’s is a rambling, beautiful song that is a signature tune for good reason.
If you want proof of Rod’s brilliance, I beg you to listen to the last verse, “Ahh, just don’ fit, I believin’ it’s time for us to quit, when we meet again, and introduced as friends, please don’t let on that you knew me when…”
Grade: A+
237. Jealous (Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Jay Davis, Danny Johnson)
Not completely leaving disco/dance music behind, Stewart comes out hot with a tale of jealousy. Seeing his woman out with other men sends Our Hero into an angry rage, with him pleading that she isn’t acting like they used to.
Stewart, again is in top vocal form. The song is driving and unrelenting with he band delivering the goods. Emotion is up front through the lyrics and the music.
Grade: B
238. Sonny (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar, Bernie Taupin)
Elton John’s writing partner, Bernie Taupin lends his songwriting skill on a total 180 from Jealous.
Rod pleads with “Sonny” that he’s given up the “purest love a man could ever have.” As he tells her that his new love can’t hold a candle to her, with awesome lyrics as “she can borrow all of your style, but never posses your soul.”
Grade: B+
239. Young Turks (Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, Kevin Savigar)
Easily one of the best written songs in Stewart catalogue, Young Turks tells the complete story of Patty and Billy, two kids that are in love, but they run away together after no one understands why they love each other.
Another prime example of Stewart being one of the best songwriters and lyricists around, “because life is so brief, and time is a thief when your undecided, and like a fistful of sand that can slip right through your hands!”
The hook on Young Turks is how you play a memorable song that sticks in your head, couple that with a catchy chorus of “young hearts be free tonight, time is on your side, don’t let them put you down, don’t let them push you around, don’t ever let them change your, point of view.”
I love this song love. Hearing thousands of people sing/scream “Young hearts be free tonight!” Is one of the best moments in any Rod Stewart concert.
Grade: A+
240. Never Give Up on a Dream (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan, Bernie Taupin)
“If there’s doubt, and you’re cold, don’t you worry, what the future holds, we gotta have heroes to teach us all, to never give up on a dream. Calm the road, touch the sun, no force on earth could stop you run, when your heart bursts like the sun, never, never give up on a dream.”
Sometimes you don’t have to say anything, the song says all that needs to be said. A beautiful tribute to Canadian athlete Terry Fox, who ran 3,339 miles on a prosthetic leg to raise money for cancer research. A powerful song sung with heart and grace, a must listen.
Grade: A+
According to producer Andy Zax, when digging through Stewart’s unreleased material, only one two-track mixdown tape from the Tonight I’m Yours sessions was found, it did contain one hell of a song however.
241. Thunderbird (Rod Stewart)
It is known that Rod Stewart loves cars. He was conned out of carpets for his car early in his career on the Python Lee track, In a Broken Dream. Hear he sings about his love of his “white-walled” Thunderbird.
Hand-clapping blast of a song, Rod Stewart said it best when he says off the cuff, “it’s a fucking idea.”
Grade: A
242. Dirty Silly Filthy Boys (Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, Kevin Savigar)
One thing I learned about Rod Stewart as his unreleased songs were being released is he tried a lot of different lyrics to the songs. Some of the songs are not too different from the finished product, others like Dirty Silly Filthy Boys is 100% different than the song it would become, which is Young Turks.
The connecting tissue is the keyboard signature sound in both songs. Here, Our Hero sings about giving a man “what he wants, and he wants it all the time.” After he spends the nights with his friends, basically telling lady friends that no matter what, they must give into their men. Talk about a totally different song.
Anyhoo, it’s fun, light and interesting to think of what might have been.
Grade: B-
Stewart started the decade the same way he ended the 70’s. On top. Tonight I’m Yours spawned hit singles, rose to number 11 on the Billboard Charts and sold over 1,000,000 copies in the USA alone. But Stewart was about to be tested with the next albums he released, as Stewart again did not settle in on one sound, he continued to evolve what it meant to be a Rod Stewart album.
Stay tuned for Part 7: In Which Our Hero is Part of the Sex Police, a Cruel But Fair and Thankless Task.