Maggie May, by Rod Stewart

rod stewart has always in the top ten of my favorite rock and roll singers, but when he went into a disco phase with songs like do ya think im sexy and hot legs, i thought he was losing it, so i wrote a song for him in his earlier romantic style (Esmerelda | Bill White and John Olufs | Bill White) . one day i was driving around with a friend who had written him a song that was a hit, and i told him about the song i had written and he suggested we stop by his house and play it for him. i was excited about the idea, but when we arrived at his house i was too shy to want to go in and said id just drop the song off at the chappell music offices and let some professional song peddler pitch it to him. word came back that his manager didnt think it was right for him at this time because the disco songs were doing so well that he was going to ride it out as long as that wave lasted. some years later, another friend of mine wrote a hit for him, but mine never saw the light of day. anyway, this morning i was browsing the youtube and found a clip of him singing maggie may on the letterman show, it really knocked me out. i used to be able to sing this song in his styles, and he could still belt it out…whereas, i no longer had the range to attempt it. but watching him inspired me to try to find a way i could , with my diminished voice, to find my own style to cover the song. unfortunately, i sound like keith carradine part of the time and have a few moments when i dont sound too bad. since this post rocktober club is pretty small, i thought id post it just because it was fun to do, although it is not going to set the world on fire, probbly wouldnt even ifnight a gas fire in a fake fireplace, but here it is nonetheless.

2 Likes

But it’s such a special song and your style is so poignant! I can hear it in an a collection of early 70s style similar to Brandy. Nicely done!

I’m afraid I’m of an age that Disco Rod was the first version I heard. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy was the playground song we all giggled at and I suppose Sailing was somewhere in my consciousness but it was a long time before i associated it with Rod.

This sounds really good. The lyrics may be from a young man’s perspective, but hearing it with an older voice makes it seem more reflective rather than bitter.

And I always enjoy your stories.

2 Likes

I don’t hear what you’re talking about because the whole song sounds great!! And that story is wild! So close. :blush:

Thanks. I listened o it again and really, it isnt as bad as I thought.

1 Like