Rod Stewart's Top 10 Songs (2023)

Maggie May (1971)

"Maggie can' launched Rod Stewart's solo career with a bang that was heard around the world. It reached #1 on the UK and US pop singles charts at the same time as the album.Every picture tells a story. Stewart's reputation as a gifted storyteller was established with this tale of a young man who is fascinated by an older woman and comes to terms with the likely effects of his obsession. The witty, respectful (by Maggie) and self-deprecating lyrics are a masterpiece of pop music. Maggie May was originally released as a B-side to Reason To Believe. However, American DJs quickly fell more in love with "Maggie May" and it rocketed to number 1 on the charts. In the US it was the second biggest hit of 1971.

In 2015, Rod Stewart told theWall Street Journal, “I didn't think much of Maggie May at first. I think it's because the record company didn't believe in the song. I didn't have a lot of confidence at the time."

Prior to his solo success, Rod Stewart gained recognition through his work with guitarist Jeff Beck and rock group The Faces. His debut albumAn old raincoat will never let you downhad little commercial success, howeverGasoline Alleyfared better by breaking into the top 30 on the US album chart and setting the stage for itEvery picture tells a story.

"Tonight is the Night (It's All Gonna Be Alright)" (1976)

"This night is the night' is one of the most unabashedly seductive songs in pop history. In the song, Rod Stewart makes his intentions towards a young virgin very clear. The extended version of the album ends with erotic whispers and moans from Swedish actress Britt Ekland, Stewart's girlfriend of the time. Britt Ekland appears in the accompanying music video, but we never see her face. Radio stations often edit the ending of the song as too sexually explicit for broadcast. He was also originally credited with the BBC for the line "Spread your wings and let yourself in." Today's the Day.” “Tonight's the Night” stayed at #1 on the US chart for eight weeks and climbed to #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. A live recording of "Tonight's the Night" is available atUnplugged... and seatedAlbum.

Much of "Tonight's the Night" was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. However, the final vocals were recorded at James William Guercio's Caribou Ranch studio in Colorado, where Elton John recorded his Caribou album.

"Train to Downtown" (1989)

The words of adored singer-songwriter Tom Waits and the familiar raspy voice of Rod Stewart were a magical combination on this hit single. Tom Waits included his version of the song on the album.Rainhundein 1985. Rod Stewart's version reached #3 on the US pop chart while also topping the adult rock and contemporary radio charts. It was Rod Stewart's highest charting song in the United States in 11 years. He received a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal. "Downtown Train" was a new track included on Rod Stewart's massive four-disc.tellerAnthology released November 1989. A shorter one-disc collection entitledinner city trainit was released in March 1990.

Guitarist Jeff Beck, one of Rod Stewart's early employers, plays slide guitar on Rod Stewart's version of "Downtown Train." Patty Smyth Covered"inner city train' in 1987 and propelled his version into the Top 40 on the Rock Radio chart in 1987. Rocker Bob Seger recorded the song in 2011 and it climbed to the top 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

"You Think I'm Sexy" (1978)

"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" remains one of Rod Stewart's most controversial records and remains one of the most commercially successful disco forays by a major rock artist. Stewart lost a plagiarism lawsuit that found the chorus was copied from a song called "Taj Mahal" by Brazilian musician Jorge Ben Jor. The song itself is a very simple and straightforward story of a man who meets a girl at a bar and goes home for late night fun. The record was a #1 hit in both the US and UK. Rod Stewart donated his royalties from "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" to UNICEF.

Some critics complained that Rod Stewart was selling himself to disco, but if that was the case he was in good company.Los Rolling Stones,Pablo McCartney, jElton JohnAll Disco discs were released simultaneously. "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" topped the disco charts in the US and, alongside its pop hit, also reached the top 5 of the soul charts. It's the heart of the album.Blondes have more funwhich reached #1 and sold over two million copies.

The pop and disco hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" introduced Rod Stewart to a whole new generation of fans, but also angered many who enjoyed his harder rock work with Faces. Despite critical attacks since its releaseRolling Stonelisted "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

"Have I already told you?" (1993)

"Have I Told You Lately" is a perfect example of the later power of Rod Stewart's career as a interpreter of the songwriting work of others. Written by Van Morrison, "Have I Told You Lately" becomes one of Stewart's trademarks thanks to her mastery of the song's emotions that are simultaneously sensitive and powerful. This performance was part of Rod StewartUnplugged... and seatedAlbum that grew out of their performances on MTVsnot connectedSeries. Van Morrison included the song on his album.Avalon Sunset. His version peaked at #12 on the adult contemporary chart, while Rod Stewart's rendition spent five weeks at #1.

"I told you recentlyis included in the 1991 albumwandering heart, but was not released as a single until the live version came out two years later. Another live recording of "Have I Told You Lately" can be heard on Rod Stewart's deluxe version of the 2013 album.Time.

Many observers believe Van Morrison was referring to his relationship with God in "Have I Told You Lately," but Rod Stewart turned it into an earthy love song. Van Morrison recorded a version of the song with Irish band Chieftains in 1995. She received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. In 1997 he performed it live with Sinead O'Connor at theLate-Show mit David Letterman.

"You're in My Heart (The Final Acclamation)" (1977)

Many reviewers called it lazy, but to others it's a great pub chant. Lyrical,"You're in my heartpraises a staunch couple, allegedly ex-girlfriend Britt Eklund, who remain faithful despite attempts by others to throw Rod Stewart off course Rod Stewart himself has said the song could have been about anyone he met during that time . Another line that seems to point in Britt Eklund's direction is the reference to the "Beardsley prints", i. H. the Victorian artist Aubray Beardsley. Eklund was known for having a fondness for "United". They are Glasgow Celtic and Dundee United. "You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" reached #4 in the US, #3 in the UK, and #1 in Canada and Australia.

"You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" was the biggest hit single from Rod Stewart's album.Loose foot and free from imagination, Persecutiona night on the town. It reached #2 on the albums chart and also included the top 30 charting singles "Hot Legs" and "I Was Only Joking".

"Young Turks" (1981)

Con "young turksRod Stewart discovered the new wave beat of the '80s and it sounded cosy. The lyrics are another example of Stewart's great storytelling ability, with a tale of Billy, Patti, teenage dreams of freedom and the reality of teenage pregnancy. The term "Young Turks" was used as slang for rebellious youth from a Turkish reform party trying to curb the power of the rulers of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Rod Stewart's song reached #5 on the US pop chart.

Rod Stewart's band says they tried to get ahead when they recorded "Young Turks." He used sequencers and drum machines to put the recording together. Composer Duane Hitchings credits Devo's popularity as the inspiration for the uptempo synth beat.

The accompanying music video was directed by Australian Russell Mulcahy. He is known for the new wave classics "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors and "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. It was filmed in downtown Los Angeles in the summer of 1981. It is considered to be the first major music video played on MTV featuring breakdance. Rod Stewart also filmed a live performance of the song on a Los Angeles rooftop.

"All for Love" with Bryan Adams and Sting (1993)

"All for Love" is a big-budget romantic ballad created for the film's soundtrack.The Three Musketeers. It was inspired by the Musketeers' motto "All for one and one for all". The star power ofBryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart immediately took the romantic hit to the top of the charts in many countries around the world. It stayed at #1 on the US pop chart for three weeks, sold over a million copies and was certified platinum. It peaked at number 2 in the UK. Co-written and co-produced by Bryan Adams, the hit came two years after hitting number 1 worldwide with another film ballad, '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You'. "" theRobin Hood: Prince of ThievesSoundtrack. The Swedish band E.M.D. In 2007 she covered "All For Love" and it reached #1 on the pop singles chart in Sweden.

"All For Love" was co-produced by Chris Thomas, a key figure in the development of pop and rock music in the UK. He got some of his first big studio experiences as a stand-in for George Martin on sessions for thebeatles white album. He also played keyboards on four songs on the album. Post credits including mixing Pink Floydthe dark side of the moon, produced the Sex Pistols and helped direct Chrissie Hynde's early work with the Pretenders.

"Passion" (1980)

"Passion" is the flag-bearer for a string of Rod Stewart hits that end up being unforgettable but still containing an instantly catchy melody line. "Passion" updated the disco sound of "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" with some '80s rock guitar, and the result propelled Stewart back into the pop top five. "Passion" is a single from the album.stupid behavior. It reached the top 20 of the UK Pop Singles Chart.

The albumstupid behaviorwas the follow-up to Rod Stewart's hit albumBlondes have more fun. His success was much more silent. The collection of songs ended a run of four consecutive top 10 albums on the pop charts by peaking at number 12. Rod Stewart didn't make it back into the top 10 until eleven years laterwandering heart. "Somebody Special," the only other single to chartstupid behavioralbum, peaked at number 71 on the pop charts.

"Forever Young" (1988)

When "Forever Young" was first written, the resemblance was to a song of the same name by Bob Dylan from his 1974 albumwaves of the planetit was recognized. Eventually, Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan agreed on a royalty-sharing deal for the new song. Rod Stewart says "Forever Young" is a heartfelt song about his children. He said he suddenly realized he'd missed about five years of his son Sean and daughter Kimberly's childhoods due to his busy touring schedule. Rod Stewart identifies it as one of his personal favorites of the songs he has recorded. It has become a fan favorite, although it only peaked at number 12 on the US pop singles chart. It rose to number 3 on adult contemporary radio. "Forever Young" was frequently used in advertising campaigns. Duran Duran's Andy Taylor co-produced "Forever Young" and plays the guitar solo.

There are at least four other recorded versions of "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. The greatest hits album of 1996If we fall in love tonightcontains a completely new recording of the song. A version with only solo piano accompaniment appears on the 2009 release.The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998. LifeMTV unpluggedRendition of "Forever Young" featured on Rhino Records' Collector's Edition re-releaseUnplugged... and seatedin 2009. A 2013 live recording of "Forever Young" appears on Rod Stewart's 2013 deluxe edition of the album.Time.