Part 3: In Which Our Hero Wakes Up, Kicks a Woman Out of Bed and Becomes a Superstar
From 1968-1970, Rod Stewart released 5 albums as a solo artist or a part of a band. Stewart was gaining traction as a lead vocalist. With his folky/rock infused solo recordings to his and The Faces legendary live gigs, he was on the cusp of superstardom. The critics loved him, the women really loved him and us boys related to him.
Before Rod became a household name though, he had a couple of stops along the way, the first is around Christmas, 1970.
74. Away in a Manger (traditional?)
I have no idea exactly where this is from, I know it’s a TV special and I also have no idea how I stumbled across it, but wow.
I am not the biggest fan of religious music, but I do love Christmas and Rod is in top vocal form on this short song. Stewart could sing the phone book and it probably would be great. You can find this on YouTube, which you most definitely should.
Grade: A
Long Player, February, 1971
75. Bad ‘n’ Ruin (Ian McLagan, Rod Stewart)
“Mother don’t you recognize your son?” A song about leaving home and returning in rough shape. The singer pleading with his mom to let him back into her home.
I always thought of this song as autobiographical as well, Stewart commented several times that when he left his home to busk in France and around Europe he returned home a mess. Giving the song a jaunty tune makes this a wink and a nod feel, captured in lively music and Rod’s unmistakable charm.
Grade: A+
76. Tell Everyone (Ronnie Lane)
This song is so great. A Ronnie Lane song through and through. With understated music peppering beautiful lyrics that are longing and poignant, this song is a winner. I love when Rod sings lead and backing vocals. Here it is lightly use to emphasize several keys moments of the song.
No matter how many times I listen to songs like this, I can’t help think how great and under appreciated The Faces were at ballads. With lyrics that ache and have a sense of longing, “May the smile on your face, come straight from your heart.”
Grade: A+
77. Sweet Lady Mary (Ronnie Lane, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
A beautiful song about a woman and the man who tried to love her. The lyrics by Rod are haunting, stunning and full of pain. Stewart’s phrasing is on full display, so too is the bands restrained playing. It gives the song a dream-like quality.
Grade: A
78. Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney) Recorded Live at the Fillmore East 11/10/1970
The Faces were always a great live band. They felt that they never reached their potential in the studio, thus on Long Player they have two live recordings.
Released on Paul McCartney’s first solo album, The Faces rock it up a bit. They also have Rod and Ronnie Lane take turns singing the song. It’s a rip roaring cover one that succeeds on Stewart and Lane’s chemistry.
Grade: A
79. Had Me a Real Good Time (Ronnie Lane, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
If I had to pick a song that most exemplifies The Faces, it’s Had Me a Real Good Time. The lyrics are awesome about a drunk Rod Stewart searching the neighborhood for a “skinny girl to invite him into her high class world”.
The other party goers are not impressed with a young Rod Stewart, as after he fell on he floor, “was escorted by a friendly slag, ‘round the bedroom out back.” Why this song is so brilliant, funny and incredible is that it paints a vivid picture of Rod Stewart being too drink to make it in high society. Oh, how I wish I could hear this song live. It is brilliant. My favorite song on this album.
Grade: A+
80. I Feel So Good (Big Bill Broozny) Recorded Live at the Fillmore East 11/10/1970
Another rollicking song that perfectly captures The Faces live. Stewart is in top vocal form. The band is loose and killing it. The one downside, is that it goes on a little too long as it clocks in at nearly 9 minutes. But it is a fun 9 minutes.
Grade: B
The following songs appear on the 2015 rerelease of Long Player
81. Whole Lotta Woman (Marvin Rainwater)
The best opening ever, as The Faces are all drunk, yelling at each other, making jokes, and then launching into song.
It is fun, it is loose and awesome. A cheeky song about how much lovin’ you need to do to keep your woman happy is not very PC now, but in the hands of The Faces it becomes more fun and like they are in on the joke, the only bummer, it ends too soon.
Grade: A-
82. Too Much Woman (For A Henpecked Man) (Ike Turner) Recorded Live at Fillmore East 11/10/1970
I have a couple versions of this song, this is the most clean and best sounding one, my other versions are on totally legal and legit releases…
This song has a nice groove, with the band all slowly building up as the song continues. The original is a funky version, sung with gusto by Tina Turner.
Grade: B
83. Love in Vain (Robert Johnson) *Five Guys Walk Into a Bar Version
I chose the Five Guys Walk Into a Bar, due to Rod dedicating it to Mick Jagger as he is no longer single. The song itself is a slow burn with Rod really showcasing his incredible vocal powers. A restrained Faces backing band is each given a chance to flex their muscles.
After The Faces and Rod Stewart were flirting with being superstars, Rod would break through in the biggest possible way, on his third album, Every Picture Tells a Story, Rod would do something that does not happen very often. Rod’s single “Maggie May” and album reached number one at the same time, only 11 other artists accomplished this feat.
Every Picture Tells a Story, May 28, 1971
84. Every Picture Tells a Story (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
One day, I am sure Rod Stewart will be recognized as a great songwriter. I know he has won awards but it seems that he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. In this rambling, brilliant rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece, Stewart takes us on a journey through his early days of performing across Europe. HIs lyrics are insanely clever, “Combed my hair in a thousand ways, but I came out looking just the same.”
Shout out to Ronnie Wood for co-writing a fun, great song, that builds and builds until Rod and Maggie Bell end the song with the phrase, “Every Picture Tells a Story, don’t it?”
Grade: A+
85. Seems Like a Long Time (Theodore Anderson)
Rod gets serious on “Seems Like a Long Time” as he asks many rhetorical questions. The song has a gospel feel to it, with Rod crushing it with his phrasing of the lyrics. The song continues to build, and then ends with just Stewart and a piano, slowly adding guitars and drums as the song fades out.
Grade: A
86. That’s All Right (Arthur Crudup)
A song made popular by Elvis Presley, Rod adds more instruments and dirties it up nicely. Elvis’ version is the most well known and is well done. I prefer Rod’s more rocking version. Rod also adds some runtime to the song letting the band loose and a chance to shine.
Grade: A
87. Amazing Grace (traditional; Arranged by Rod Stewart)
You know “Amazing Grace”. One of the most recognizable songs ever, however you might not know the Rod Stewart version. Which is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs you will ever hear.
To find this song, keep listening to “That’s All Right”, when it ends a stunning guitar comes through the speakers. Just Rod and a guitar. It is a crowning achievement. One of my most favorite songs by Rod that is forgotten.
Hats off to Todd Phillips, who used it brilliantly in his road trip comedy, “Due Date”.
Grade: A+
88. Tomorrow Is a Long Time (Bob Dylan)
Rod covers Dylan again with a stunning folky song peppered with wonderful guitar work and a violin to die for. I mentioned earlier how I love when Stewart also sings the background vocals, here it is on full display. Much like a lot of early Dylan covers, Rod tightens it up, sings it better and makes the song that much better, Dylan’s version is great, just not as great as Rod’s.
Grade: A+
89. Maggie May (Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton)
Making a somewhat loose retelling of how he lost his virginity, Rod Stewart’s unequaled rock/folk masterpiece is a biting, cynical, funny trip down memory lane. Stewart has said many times that “Maggie May” almost didn’t make the cut. That sounds incomprehensible now, but Rod’s argument at the time is there is no real chorus, the song just rambles on.
Although he is right, it also is brilliantly structured, insanely catchy and tells a great story. Add in a lively mandolin and you have one of the greatest, most unique songs ever.
According to Stewart, a DJ in Cleveland flipped the original A-Side, “(Find a) Reason to Believe” and changed his life forever.
Rod was also making himself relatable, which is one of the most important parts of his charm. His charm and witty lyrics are sprinkled throughout, “The morning sun when
it’s in your face, really shows your age” but he recants that bitterness immediately as the next line is, “but that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything” His struggle to reconcile with an older woman who used him for sex and his love for her for the same reason is another reason why “Maggie May” resonates. He ends the song with “Maggie! I wished I’d never seen your face!”
*Fun note, if you can track it down, in his live performance of “Maggie May” at Budokan, which again I have in a totally legit and legal way he adds a another verse, full of bitterness and anger. “You’re the ugliest woman that I’ve ever seen, the ugliest woman that I’ve ever seen you’re just so damn ugly, you’re so damn ugly woman, I wanna kick your face in, kick your face in, yeah”*
90. Mandolin Wind (Rod Stewart)
This is Rod Stewart’s best written song. Maybe. Possibly. A beautiful story of surviving the harsh winter of the American west. A winning folk song that builds to an epic ending, it also has some truly wonderful lyrics. From the opening, “When the rain came, I thought you’d leave. ‘Cuz I knew how much you loved the sun.”
My favorite part however is the hauntingly aching last verse, “I recall the night we knelt and prayed. Noticing your face was thin and pale. I found it hard to hide my tears. Felt ashamed. I felt I let you down.” We do not know if the wife of the narrator dies, but the melancholy in Rod’s stunning reading leads me to believe that she did. One of his greatest songs and one I hope he will sing live again, soon, like maybe in Denver on August 1, 2023.
Grade: A+
91. (I Know) I’m Losing You (Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland, Cornelius Grant)
A Temptations song that is given a mean rock ‘n’ roll vibe. The Temptations give the song a nice R&B funk sound, The Faces help Stewart make it more aggressive. Rod is on point with a rough and ready reading. The breakdown is awesome, with the boys humming the tune.
Grade: A
92. Reason to Believe (Tim Hardin)
The original A-Side single to “Maggie May” is a heartbreaking song about trying to forgive someone who’s done you wrong by having “A Reason to Believe.”
Lost in “Maggie May”’s incredible run to the top of the charts is that “Reason to Believe” actually made it to number 62, without the help of “Maggie May”.
*This song proved to be incredibly popular with Rod Stewart’s fans for decades. He notes in Storyteller, that “Amazing reaction to this one live, considering how long ago it was recorded.” He would use this instinct to release this song, 22 years later as the second single from his album Unplugged…and Seated. It would soar to number 19 and in a cool bit of trivia the combined 41 weeks of “Reason to Believe” on the Hot 100 is the most by a Rod Stewart song.
Grade: A+
In 2009, a 4-disc box set was released called The Rod Stewart Sessions which contained previously unreleased material from Rod’s career from 1971-1998. The set is remarkable because it really lets the fans in on how Rod creates his songs. Some songs are not that much different, others are incredibly different. In those instances I will include them in this series.
93. Maggie May (Early Version)
The early version of “Maggie May” starts almost the same, except where you expect “Wake up Maggie”, the song keeps going. It doesn’t stop there. As the first words out of Rod’s mouth are “Just because of you, all of my nights are blue.” The lyrics are completely different.
Rod stated in his autobiography and other places that “Maggie May” only took two takes. So, he must have heard this version of the song he decided it did not work and he went back to the drawing board. The music is there, the timing is there. The clever lyrics still carry the song. The song is not finished as Rod mumbles words and hums as he tries to fit lyrics to the music. The early take is still a treat and fun, with a possible title of “Since You’ve Been Gone” as it’s the phrase that keeps peppering the chorus, just a guess though.
Grade: B+
Stewart had hit it big with Every Picture Tells a Story, and he wasn’t done releasing music in 1971. The Faces first two albums were great, but a common complaint is that they were not tight enough. Some songs seemed to just keep going. The Faces brought in Glyn Johns the producer of The Beatles’ Get Back sessions. It did wonders as The Faces released their best album, with the greatest album title ever.
A Nod is as Good as a Wink…To a Blind Horse November 17, 1971
94. Miss Judy’s Farm (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
From the groovy guitar work to Stewart’s barking, the album gets off to a dirty, rocking start. The song about young men who work on a farm, and also work on Miss Judy. Miss Judy had a mean dog, treated the boys horribly and they attempted to burn down her barn for “whipped in the barn until dawn”.
I am pretty sure only The Faces could produce a song like this, having said that it is awesome. I love this song, in all its non-p.c.glory.
Grade: A+
95. Love Lives Here (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane, Ronnie Wood)
I mentioned earlier that The Faces did not get enough credit for their ballads. This is hands down not only their best ballad but one of their best songs.
Rod is in top form. The longing and missing of where you used to live, physically and metaphorically is painted with vivid lyrics and wonderful music. The opening sets the mood immediately, “It’s hard to believe that this is the place, where we were so happy all our lives.”
Grade: A+
96. Stay with Me (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
The Faces only hit, but what a hit it is. The awesome guitar that starts the song, followed by the drums and bass. The song, is about hooking up with a someone and only wanting them there for the night. With an opening shot of “In the morning, don’t say that you love me, cuz I only kick you out of the door.”
This is rock ‘n’ roll at its absolute best. Guitars, top notch vocals and above all else catchy lyrics and fun. The breakdown at the end is a fast, piano key burning crescendo of musicians in peak performance.
Grade: A+
97. Debris (Ronnie Lane)
Ronnie Lane takes over lead vocals on a mellow song with Stewart popping up to help a couple of times. Lane sings three songs on A Nod is as Good as a Wink… to a Blind Horse. Lane was great at at painting pictures through lyrics, and while not as talented as Stewart as a singer, he more than could hold his own on his wistful compositions.
Grade: B+
98. Memphis (Chuck Berry)
Released by Chuck Berry in 1959, “Memphis” is a song about trying to reach your 6 year old daughter. The Faces drop a verse and make the music brighter. The song is also about 2 minutes longer with lots of music breaks.
Rod again flexes his vocal prowess as he conveys warmth and heartache in a brilliant reading. The best part is “The last time I saw Marie, she’s waving me goodbye, with hurry home drops on her cheeks that trickled from her eyes, Marie is only six years old, information please, try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.”
Grade: A
99. Too Bad (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
I love the opening of this song. With the producer saying “Rod? Ron I mean…” before the piano and the music launching into a bang up of a rock song.
The song, in which our hero is thrown out of a party, yet again. And “all we wanted to do was to socialize” Another highlight, when Rod sings “What an insult” Ronnie’s guitar does a cool twinge. Songs like “Too Bad” and “Had Me a Real Good Time” let us all in on the party that The Faces were having, and we wanted to be a part of it.
Grade:A
100. That’s All You Need (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
A heavy guitar opens the song with Rod launching right into the story by telling you “Sit right down if you can spare me a minute”. He weaves a tell about how he is a disappointment to his family and how he gets advice from them all, but maybe a “quick listen is all you need”. The breakdown of the song is classic and a trademark of Stewart and Wood’s writing.
Grade:A
Rod Stewart was on a roll. Every Picture Tells a Story rocketed to number 1 on the Billboard Charts, followed six months later by The Faces’ A Nod is as Good as a Wink…To a Blind Horse peaking at number 6.
Of course the pressure was on for a follow up, Stewart delivered and than some. I believe that Never a Dull Moment to be the best Rod Stewart album as it combines the best of him and the best of The Faces.
Never a Dull Moment July 21, 1972
101. True Blue (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
In a tongue and cheek opening, Stewart laments about never being a millionaire, or owning a “fast, back mid-engine Porsche.” But the song soon breaks down on wanting to just be home, missing your family even if his dad “as a lot more money than sense.” The song ends with a car racing off and getting home, which according to Rod took longer than the song to record.
Grade: A
102. Los Paraguayos (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
Getting away from everyone and escaping to Central America, with a woman who might be a little young. A song that most definitely wouldn’t fly today, but sometimes all we need is some South American sun. Where “True Blue” was a Faces song, “Lost Paraguayos” is a Rod Stewart song through and through. Folky and rock sprinkled with a dash of wit and regret.
Grade: A
103. Mama, You’ve Been on My Mind (Bob Dylan)
Hands down one of my absolute favorite Rod covers of Bob Dylan. Dylan wrote it in 1964, but would not release it until 1991 on a series of “bootleg” albums. I am not sure where Rod heard it first as it was recorded a handful of times by other artists. There is a George Harrison version that is pretty great too, but Rod outclasses them all.
Stewart sounds more confident and sure in his reading of the song. Dylan sounds more heartbroken. I always wonder if Rod would ever just do an album of Dylan covers? If he did it would be amazing.
Grade: A+
104. Italian Girls (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood)
“She was tall, thin and tarty, and she drove a Maserati.” A high class Italian woman hooking up with a “creep in an army surplus Jeep” is the story of this brilliant Stewart and Wood collaboration.
What makes this song such a gem is the opening 3/4 of the song our hero sings about not caring about his Italian Girl because he “will be gone with the morning sun on my back”, slowly breaks down to a song of longing for the aforementioned woman. I will continue to say this until someone, somewhere listens and recognizes the brilliance of Rod Stewart’s song writing.
Grade: A+
105. Angel (Jimi Hendrix)
Although this appears on Rod’s album, The Faces are the musicians and this could have easily been on their album as well. Anyways, Rod covers Jimi Hendrix and I think Jimi would approve. Jimi died in 1970 and “Angel” wasn’t released until 1971. Hendrix’s version is a little more subdued but equally as brilliant.
Rod Stewart embraces the challenge of covering Hendrix and makes the song much more arena ready, meaning he emphasizes the chorus to make it much more sing-along.
Rod’s version appears in the movie “Charlie’s Angel” and for a little bit was part of his set list.
Grade: A
106. You Wear It Well (Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton)
The formula for “Maggie May” is given another go with my favorite Rod Stewart song. I love everything about this song. The longing for love, the witty lyrics and lazy-driving music make this a winner.
“You Wear It Well” separates itself from “Maggie May” by featuring a violin instead of a mandolin. This gives the song a more jaunty feel, while not straying far from the winning Rod Stewart formula.
Grade: A+
107. I’d Rather Go Blind (Billy Foster, Ellington Jordan)
Etta James absolutely owns “I’d Rather Go Blind”. Rod Stewart makes it his own as well. My favorite cover Stewart has ever done. HIs reading, his heartache, his emotion and the stirring guitar work by Ronnie Wood makes this a showstopper.
Rod started putting this back into his live performances when he was touring with Carols Santana. If you want to watch and see two masters at work and send chills up your spine, seek out the YouTube video of their performance in Vegas.
Grade: A+
108. Twistin’ the Night Away (Sam Cooke)
I could explain why I love this song by Rod, but I think he does it much better. Rod explains in Storyteller, “A Sam Cooke song. I could never sing it better, so we just took it in a different direction. The last track recorded for Never a Dull Moment, it speeds up and down, but the feel is right and that’s what counts.”
Stewart’s version is great, but this isn’t the last time he would record it, he would update the song, which I will tackle when we get to 1987.
Grade: A
Hidden on the 8-track and cassette tape of Never a Dull Moment is a classic, country song.
109. What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me)
This song is so wonderful. It is straight country, with steel guitars and a rambling guitar. Rod does not remember where he recorded this or when. It does appear as the B-side to “Angel” and another song I wish he would sing live.
Grade: A
The Rod Stewart Sessions from 2009 gave us some early versions of songs appearing on Never a Dull Moment.
110. Italian Girls (Early Version)
Completely different lyrics. We hear Rod trying to find lyrics that work for this song. It sounds like he landed on the theme of “Italian Girls” and he is working throw his process. Some of the lyrics survive into the final product, but overall it’s a work in progress, the coolest part is hearing Rod the musician/producer call out chord changes, a couple of times he shouts, “Into the A!”.
Grade: B
111. You Wear It Well (Early Version)
Much like “Maggie May” Stewart is trying out lyrics that fit with the music. In this early version he lands on “You Wear It Well” as the end of the chorus quickly, he also stumbles through some of the lyrics as he just doo-wops and adds nonsense words to fill in the timing.
But I do love the line, that I wish made it into another song, “And I fell on the hardwood floor, just because I adore, your underwear”.
Grade: A-
Stay tuned for Part 4: In Which Our Hero Loses a Band, but Gains a New Home