Part 7: In Which Our Hero is Part of the Sex Police, a Cruel But Fair and Thankless Job
The 1980’s had just gotten under way and Rod Stewart had in two years had two platinum albums. Stewart dominated the airwaves for over a decade now, and Hollywood came calling. The comedy Night Shift was released July 30, 1982 and the closing song over the credits featured a new song by Stewart.
243. That’s What Friends Are For (Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager)
A lot of people might be shocked to learn that Dionne Warwick version of That’s What Friends Are For is not the original recording. Rod would record his version three years prior. And while Stewart’s version is a solid cover, it is impossible to hear this song now and not think about the $3 million that Warwick’s version raised for AIDS research.
Rod’s version opens with a piano, not Stevie Wonder’s trademark harmonica. Rod’s version is also more subdued. Stewart still sings his heart out. On Warwick’s she makes the chorus a little bigger and the second verse is almost completely different.
Grade: B
Stewart, riding the success of a string of five platinum albums, embarked on a world tour. Fans of Stewart were treated soon with a double live album, that although promised in the liner notes that it was completely 100% recorded live, that was not the case.
Absolutely Live November 6, 1982
244. The Great Pretender (Live) (Buck Ram)
Rod pleads with the crowd “Oh yes!” as he launches into a winning cover of The Platters hit. Stewart takes the song from a Doo-Wop classic and coats it with some 80’s sheen.
Stewart is in top vocal form. Stewart has a little hiccup in his voice a couple of times and it adds to the heartbreak of the song. Peppered with a scorching saxophone solo by Jimmy Zavala, Rod again proves he can do R&B like no one else.
Grade: A
245. Guess I’ll Always Love You (Rod Stewart, Tony Brock, Jim Cregan, Jay Davis, Robin Le Mesurier, Kevin Savigar, Bernie Taupin)
“Here’s a song that’s brand new. Right here tonight. So, you don’t know it.” Although Rod introduces this song in front of an “audience”, truth be told this song, along with The Great Pretender were recorded in a studio, with the crowd added later.
This is the first Rod Stewart sing I remember hearing on a cassette tape that I bought that I totally adored. I remember like it was yesterday. After seeing Rod’s Concert Video, I asked my dad if I could get a Rod Stewart tape. My father said yes and took me to our local Target. There I found Absolutely Live, and I wore that tape out in my radical Fisher Price tape deck.
Guess I’ll Always Love You, is clever, catchy and a blast of a song. Hands down one my favorite Stewart songs from the 80’s. The lyrics are so good. “I used to think I was something real special, brag about the hearts that I broke, but you came along like a hurricane honey, and snapped me like a piece of rope, oh even after all this time, when I acted so stupid and blind, you took me in when I was out, you gave me hope when there was doubt.” And I love how Stewart decides that, “I guess I’ll always love you, I guess I’ll always care.”
Grade: A+
On The Rod Stewart Sessions, there is an alternate version of “Guess I’ll Always Love You”. Stewart makes fun of this live song in a mocking tone saying, “Right. No strain. Live performance in studio”. By stripping the crowd noise from the track you hear more clearly the nuance is Stewart’s voice.
In 2009, us fans were blessed with a lot of outtakes from the Absolutely Live Sessions, some I can’t believe Stewart put on tape.
246. The Great Pretender (acoustic version) (Buck Ram)
Another example of what ended up on the record is lightyears different on Stewart’s first go around for a song. Here, he strips The Great Pretender down to only him, a guitar and some background vocals. I can’t even describe how incredible this song is. Another instrument doesn’t even pop up until about half way through the song, and it is only a handheld tambourine.
If you ever needed to know the greatness of Rod Stewart it is on this track.
Grade: A+
247. It’s Coming Out of Your Royalties (Rod Stewart)
A funny, profane look into a joke that I am sure Rod never thought would see the light of day. In this song our Hero tells the listeners that he was asked by Warner Bros. records and Tom Ruffino who at the time was the head of their International Department to play something of the live album, to which Stewart replied, “Of course Tom, I’d do anything for you and Warner Bros records. So this is Rod Stewart and we are going to give you “The Great Pretender”. Some other bloke chimes in, “What a liar you turned out to be.” Stewart replies, “Shh. Don’t ruin it!”
The next three minutes are comedy gold. Stewart name checks several high-ranking including Mo Ostin the CEO of the whole company, telling the listener that Tom Ruffino is “is in the men’s room, just putting on a show!”
The song is a barroom style sing along, that is catchy, silly and completely not for the non-P.C. crowd. As he tells the Warner Bros. executives that “you’re a load of dickheads…”
Grade: A
248. My Dad’s Trousers (Rod Stewart)
Continuing the beer hall sound, Stewart’s charm and humor are on full display as he sings quite literally about his dad’s trousers.
With a scat and no musical accompaniment, he shreds his vocals and makes us laugh.
Grade: B-
Rod concluded his tour and headed back into the studio. Like Foolish Behaviour before, Stewart planned on making his next album a double album. Stewart’s real-life drama however was getting in the way. Not only did Tony Toon, Stewart’s personal assistant, spread a rumor about Rod and a bunch of sailors. And Rod was on the outs with his manager Billy Gaff. During the Tonight I’m Yours Tour, Stewart stated that he asked for an advance for his guitarist Robin Le Mesurier. Gaff apparently told Rod, “There was no money.”
Stewart was shocked as he had spent “three months touring.” Stewart said that he and Gaff spent the rest of the flight arguing and when Gaff did not return Rod’s calls, Rod fired him.
These events would inspire and hinder his next album, Body Wishes.
Body Wishes June 10, 1983
249. Dancin’ Alone (Rod Stewart, Robin Le Mesurier)
Although I believe Body Wishes might be Stewart’s most inconsistent album, it has my one of my favorite album covers and it opens with a brilliant one-two punch.
First, is a forgotten gem of a song. I told you earlier in this article series that every Rod Stewart album has one song that should’ve been a hit, on Body Wishes that song is Dancin’ Alone. An anthem for the singles, or the a rally call for not being down on yourself, Dancin’ Alone tells the toe tapping, Chuck Berry-ish tale of “on a boulevard in Paris, I met a good old friend of mine, come on over to my place, being yourself and bottle of wine…”
Stewart goes on tell us, “It was then I witnessed, something I’d never seen, Some satisfaction, Dancin’ Alone!” And to cap it off, the hyperbolic final verse, “I was feeling rejected but I wasn’t going home, in a moment of rash decision, I threw myself right on floor, I did a backflip and somersault, Yeah the crowd called for more, So if you’re tired of watching, being left on the shelf get your satisfaction, dancin’ alone!”
Straight barn burner!
Grade: A+
There is an alternate take of “Dancin’ Alone” on The Rod Stewart Sessions. Different lyrics, and a little more restrained, it doesn’t quite capture the energy of the final track, but is a good listen for Stewart fans.
250. Baby Jane (Rod Stewart, Jay Davis)
Of all of Rod Stewart’s 80’s songs, Baby Jane might be the most 80’s of them all, and it rules. Stewart looked back at Baby Jane in Storyteller and stated, “We began laying down the track with a guide vocal, and the very first words that came from my mouth were “Baby Jane”. Cries of “Eureka!” were heard from all over the studio, hats were tossed into the sky and grown men wept. We knew we had a good one.”
Stewart was right. Baby Jane is one of his best and most fun. The tale of Baby Jane is a woman in which Our Hero knew “when you had no one to talk to. But no your living in high society, Don’t forget I know secrets about you.”
Following that up with the winning chorus, “When I give my heart again, I know, it’s gonna last forever, no one tell me where or when, I know, it’s gonna last forever!”
A huge hit for Stewart, number one in the U.K., number fourteen in the U.S., the only bummer for me personally is it took until 2022 for me to hear him sing it live, and it was as magical as I hoped it would be.
Grade: A+
251. Move Me (Rod Stewart, Tony Brock, Jay Davis, Wall Stocker, Kevin Savigar)
An angry song about a crumbling relationship, which Rod was struggling with Alana Hamilton during the recording of Body Wishes, it seeps in to some of the songs on the album.
Although not the strongest song, it has it moments lyrically. “When I’m standing next to you even in a crowd, I might as well be on another planet.” The chorus isn’t strong however and it drags the song down.
Grade: C
An alternate take of Move Me can be found on the digital extended version of the album. It is the same song with a slightly different mix. The vocals are slightly brought forward, making them more in your face.
252. Body Wishes (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar, Robin Le Mesurier)
The synths are heavy on the title track with Stewart touching ever so slightly on the feel of Passion. While not the most complex song it is catchy and there is some sex appeal to it. The lyrics sometimes are a little silly, “You’re so close to shootin’ that you want to burst, somebody’s sponge needs squeezin’ body wishes.”
Grade: B-
An alternate take of Body Wishes can be found on the digital extended version of the album. It is the same song with a slightly different mix.
253. Sweet Surrender (Rod Stewart, Robin Le Mesurier)
An island vibe slowly builds to Stewart singing sweetly to his love. It is a departure from the rest of the album. Rod is also restrained as he sings the song, never over singing but almost as if he is singing it for just one person, which makes the song effective.
Nice guitar work throughout the song as well by Le Mesurier gives Sweet Surrender a nice feel.
Grade: A-
An alternate take of Sweet Surrender appears on The Rod Stewart Sessions, which strips a lot of the post production embellishments. Just Our Hero and guitars. Good stuff.
254. What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So in Love With You) (Rod Stewart, Jay Davis, Tony Brock)
Happy, go-lucky, fun lyrics pepper What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So in Love With You). I remember listening to this song all the time traveling with my dad in his van to our next camping location.
It is catchy, again with the steel drums it has an island feel to it, but more bouncy than Sweet Surrender. And the lyrics, classic “Can I tell you what you mean to me? You’re as central as the air I breathe, almost impossible to believe that you’re mine.”
Bonus points for the video being incredibly silly.
Grade: A+
On the digital extended edition of Body Wishes, an alternate version of What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So in Love with You) appears. It is the same song just with a different mix.
255. Ghetto Blaster (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar)
“Take us to your leader!” The kids plead in this limp attempt at invoking emotions of Pink Floyd’s The Wall Part 2.
I am not a fan of this song. I think it has more to with the music, it isn’t inspiring, it comes across as a synth laden, hollow attempt at bringing forth important issues. I will say Stewart gives an impassioned read.
Grade: C-
An early version of Ghetto Blaster appears on 2009’s The Rod Stewart Sessions. The mix is slightly different, the lyrics are slightly different and not finished as well, it doesn’t make the song better, it just gives you another version, the biggest departure is the kids are gone, Rod steps up in their place singing, “Take me to your leader.”
256. Ready Now (Rod Stewart, Wally Stocker)
The sax and the synths start with great urgency on a clear swipe at Billy Gaff, Stewart isn’t even hiding who this about.
Stewart and the music are pissed, “I’m bitter now, but wait and see, you ain’t heard the last of me, I’ll dance on your grave when they finally put you away, What’d I do to deserve all this evil attention, a thousand will never buy you redemption.”
Yikes, don’t cross Rod Stewart.
Grade: B-
257. Strangers Again (Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar)
Our hero pleads with his love, “don’t give up on us!” It seems like another swipe at Alana. The song is tinged with bitterness and remorsefulness, which most people experience in relationships.
Like a lot of the songs on Body Wishes, it seems the musically it isn’t the best as there are way too many synths and embellishments, giving some songs, including Strangers Again losing some of its power.
Grade: C-
An alternate take of Strangers Again can be found on the digital extended version of the album. It is the same song with a slightly different mix. The vocals are slightly brought forward and out front. Also, gone is the cooing of “strangers again” in the chorus.
258. Satisfied (Rod Stewart, Bernie Taupin, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar)
Closing out the album with what feels and sounds like a show stopping ballad, Stewart belts out the lyrics, pleading with a woman that a man needs her.
Stewart again, doesn’t get the props he deserves for songwriting as lyrics that are nuanced and heartfelt pepper Satisfied. “When the world outside is threatening, and all his dreams have been destroyed, take him in your arms watch all his guards, melt like a little boy.” And he closed the song with some truly poignant lyrics, “And they say the heart’s a hunter, but its truth you can’t deny, he may never be everything you want, but for you, he’d lay down and die.”
Grade: A
An alternate version of Satisfied appears on 2009’s The Rod Stewart Sessions. By removing a lot of the synths and keeping the most important instrument, Rod’s voice unfettered you hear all the nuances in his performance, which is an A+
The Rod Stewart Sessions and the extended digital edition of Body Wishes contained three songs that were left on the cutting room floor.
259. I Wish You Would (Billy Boy Arnold)
“And away we go!” Our hero shouts at the beginning of this outtake. The Yardbirds (with Jeff Beck) recorded this song in 1965, and Rod sticks pretty close to their version.
I like the outtakes where Stewart plays not only the lead singer but also the producer. Here is shouting out directions as the song goes through its runtime.
Not quite finished, but it has a nice rough feel to it with some inspired band play.
Grade: B-
260. Show Me (Rod Stewart)
Rod is clearly still working on this song as he borrows a phrase from Guess I’ll Always Love You, “I used to think I’m something real special.” And he also uses fill in mumble words as looks for a finished product.
What we do have is about 80% of a song that is heartfelt with some great singing by Stewart. I would have loved to hear this completed; I think Rod was onto something.
Grade: B-
261. Walkin’ (Rod Stewart)
I am going to go out on a limb and say this song was written by Stewart. It has some clever lyrics with the music that seems to be almost completely. It feels like the song was nearly complete and then abandoned, which also seems to be the fate of a lot of songs from the Body Wishes sessions.
Walkin’ is a jaunty tune that about missing the woman you love and seeing her all around town, nothing earth shattering but I am glad it is available to consume.
Grade: C+
262. E or A (Rod Stewart)
“We’re going to do this in fucking “E” right? And if I’m not in fucking “E” I’ll be in “A”.”
A drunken musical lesson taught be Stewart. Not on a song per se, but really funn.
Grade: Funny
Body Wishes felt a little unfocused after the incredible success of Tonight I’m Yours. It made it into the top 5 in the U.K. but stalled at number thirty in the U.S. Rod seemed to realize it as well as his next album would be shorter, more focused and more tailored to the United States fans.Stewart even called in an old friend for help, Jeff Beck.
Camouflage June 8, 1984
263. Infatuation (Rod Stewart, Duane Hitchings, Rowland Robinson)
Not wasting anytime signaling a new more aggressive album, the lead single and first song on Camouflage, Infatuation is a guitar crunching song about being obsessed with a woman and going to lengths to be with her. I have always said that this might be sneakily some of Rod’s best lyrics, with awesome rhymes, such as this gem “Heart beats silly like a big bass drum, losing all equilibrium, maybe I’m lucky, maybe I’m free, maybe this woman is all I need.”
Easily one of Rod’s best videos as well. It’s funny and tells the story of the song brilliantly. Infatuation is the first of three songs Jeff Beck appears on, but only the guitar solo. Michael Landau provides most of the electricity in the song. Infatuation still is a popular song in Stewart’s catalogue as he still plays it live a lot of times opening the show.
Grade: A+
On the extended version of Camouflage, an alternate mix of Infatuation can be heard. It loses the slow build up at the beginning, launching right away into the song with Beck and company ripping it up. Stripped down to the core, it is a fun listen.
264. All Right Now (Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers)
An overly slick remake to a Free classic, All Right Now is a rock ‘n’ roll classic. Stewart and band update All Right Now for an 80’s audience. Although it might feel a little unnecessary to cover, it still is an incredibly fun version.
Rod pours his heart into the cover as he is a fan of the band and the song, which comes through in his performance. My only complaint is the too clean, synth-y sound of the band.
Grade: B
An alternate mix of All Right Now appears on the digital extended version of Camouflage. Complete with Tony Brock on drums keeping count. Another mix that strips a lot of the synth, making it a little more in line with the original.
265. Some Guys Have All the Luck (Jeff Fortang)
First released by The Persuaders, and then Stewart heard it first as sung by Robert Palmer. What is truly fascinating with Some Guys Have All the Luck is each version is different the others.
Our Hero for his part combines the two versions and also changes the actual verses and the chorus. This is how The Persuaders version goes, “Some guys have all the luck, some guys have all the pain, some guys have a little sunshine in their lives, mine is only filled with rain”. Robert Palmer’s “Some guys have all the luck, some guys get all the fun, some guys have all the luck, all the luck, ooh, ooh what you gonna do when your luck begins to run.”
Stewart’s version also has an awesome breakdown after the third verse;
“If you were here with me, I’d feel so happy I could cry, you are so dear to me, I just can’t let you say goodbye.”
I would be curious on which version is the closest to how it was originally written. The lyrics on Stewart’s almost make me think that he wrote some of them. He did mention in his autobiography that the song was pieced together by several people looking for the complete version.
Stewart brings the chorus to the forefront and makes the song more of a heartache and longing. Stewart’s is also the catchiest and poppy-est of the bunch. Stewart’s also charted the highest at number 10 on the Billboard Charts.
Grade: A
266. Can We Still Be Friends (Todd Rundgren)
Originally released by Todd Rundgren in 1978, Can We Still Be Friends is given an 80’s update by Rod with synths and drum machines fighting for attention.
Rod’s version is a little more bitter in the vocal delivery, Rundgren is more longing.
Not the most essential song on the album but a fun 80’s time capsule.
Grade: C+
There is an alternate take of Can We Still Be Friends on the digital extended edition of Camouflage. The lyrics are the same, the music is slightly different.
267. Bad For You (Rod Stewart, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan)
I love Bad For You. It is sexy, in a really radical 80’s way. I have mentioned before that I love Rod’s down and dirty songs. Where I believe Dirty Weekend is trashy fun, Bad For You is dangerous fun. The song finds Our Hero stalking his lover, “when you turn around, I’ll be standing there.”
Bonus points for it being incredibly awesome live. On The Rod Stewart Concert Video, Stewart is wearing a pink suit, canary yellow shirt and socks and Ray-Bans, singing the song on his knees and arching all the way back, you should seek the video out. It is what a rock star looks like.
Grade: A+
To hear the Concert Video version of Bad For You, seek out Tonight’s the Night: Live 1978-1998. You will find his San Diego performance on it, unedited. That is my favorite version of the song.
268. Heart is on the Line (Rod Stewart, Jay Davis)
A ballad, 80’s style. It is slightly over produced, but it still hits the mark. Our Hero pleads that “love stop making a fool out of me.”
Heart is on the Line is catchy from beginning to end. Every time I listen to it, I find myself tapping my foot and singing it out loud. I hidden gem for sure.
Grade: B+
269. Camouflage (Rod Stewart, Kevin Savigar, Michael Omartian)
The weakest song on the album is also one of two songs that has a songwriting credit from producer, Michael Omartian. It’s loud and somewhat obnoxious, a lot like the 80’s…
Anyways… Camouflage tells the story in which Our Hero gets excited when a woman who looks like she is DTF, teases him and backs out at the end, you know, Camouflage!
On a positive note, it will teach you how to spell c-a-m-o-u-f-l-a-g-e, which is harder than it sounds.
Grade: D+
270. Trouble (Rod Stewart, Michael Omartian)
Another ballad that is a little slower than Heart is on the Line. But by allowing the song to breath a little more, it shows of Stewart’s voice which gives this song quite a bit of weight.
The lyrics are sweet, with my favorite being “Hope it all goes well in the future for you my dear, Hope you find where your heart truly belongs, I don’t know about me and tomorrow, ‘cause you’re gonna be a hard act to follow”
Grade: B
There is an alternate take of Trouble on the digital extended edition of Camouflage. The lyrics are the same, the music is pretty close, the biggest change is in the chorus. Stewart instead of just singing the lyrics sort of whispers them.
Although The Rod Stewart Sessions did not contain any songs from the Camouflage sessions, the live album, Tonight’s the Night: Live 1978-1998 contains two absolute incredible songs.
271. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding, Steve Cropper)
An absolute stone cold classic, and Rod Stewart totally owns and crushes it. His heart is poured into every performance that he has done of this song. I am not sure when he first performed it, I can only pin down 1984 as its first appearance in a Rod Stewart show. For more Dock of the Bay goodness, seek out the YouTube video of Stewart with Nile Rodgers and the All-Star Band, live at The Apollo, holy cow.
Grade: A+
272. Hungry Heart (Bruce Springsteen)
Our Hero takes one of The Boss’ most famous and most loved songs and totally reinvents the song. Stripping it down, slowing it down, singing it like only Rod Stewart can gives the song a whole new meaning.
And I do mean stripped down version. There is only a guitar and the voice. It is an unbelievable cover. Also, there has to be a studio version of Stewart’s version somewhere, I mean they had to practice it right?
And one last note. I found this song bootlegged years ago. And after the performance the guy recording it said “I can’t believe it!” Stewart blew everyone out of the water with this cover, it is that stunning.
Grade: A+
Located during the end credits of The Rod Stewart Concert Video you will find a previously unheard song.
273. We’ll Meet Again (Hugh Charles, Parker Ross)
A short and sweet acapella version of the standard classic first made popular by Vera Lynn. The boys do a fine job in the short amount of time they perform the song.
Grade: B-
Although Rod did not enjoy the sales that he has become used to, both Body Wishes and Camouflage had their moments. Rod looked to get back on track in the second half of the 1980’s. Stay tuned for Part 8-In Which Our Hero Continues His Chart Topping Ways By Staying Forever Young.