Click On Title To Link To YouTube's Film Clip Of Rod Stewart Doing "Maggie May"
CD REVIEW
Every Picture Tells A Story, Rod Stewart, Mercury Records, 1971
I have spent some time in this space going over the litany of rock & roll groups and individuals who collectively formed the musical consciousness of my generation, the “Generation of ‘68”. The Rolling Stones, The Doors and the Beatles immediately come to mind. The performer under review, Rod Stewart, now known more for his fine (mostly) crooner covers of old time pre-rock songs fits into the second layer of those who entertained us and made us scream for more rock & roll. And, someone can add to this to refresh my memory, Rod Stewart was one of the early proponents of the rock concert as entertainment extravaganza in the old English music hall tradition. I can remember going to a Rod Stewart concert in the old days where he had circus acts, complete with fireworks and colored smoke in between his performances (and maybe as part of the performance as well). Such visual effects are practically de rigueur these days but then it was unusual.
Be that as it may the main thing about a Rod Stewart song in the old days as reflected in this CD is that energy he put into each song his own as here with “Maggie May” and “Every Picture Tells A Story”, or covers. In the end though, for me at least for male singers it is that gravelly voice that he brought to the performance highlighted here by “Mandolin Wind”.
The Best Of Rod Stewart, Rod Stewart, Mercury Records, 1976
Again the first paragraph above tells the Rod Stewart story. As noted there the main thing about a Rod Stewart song in the old days as reflected here is that energy he put into each song his own as here with “Maggie May” and “Every Picture Tells A Story” and “Gasoline Alley”, or covers like The Stones “Street Fighting Man”. In the end though, for me at least for male singers it is that gravelly voice that he brought to the performance highlighted here by “Mandolin Wind” and “Cut Across Shorty”.
Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley
I think I'm goin' mad and it's makin' me sad,
it's a yearnin' for my old back door.
I realize maybe I was born to lead,
better swallow all my silly country pride.
Goin' home, runnin' home,
down the gasoline Alley where I started from.
Goin' home, and I'm runnin' home,
down the Gasoline Alley where I was born.
When the weather's better and the rails unfreeze,
and the wind won't whistle `round my knees,
I'll put on my weather suit and catch you in the train.
I'll be home before the milk's upon the door.
Goin' home, runnin' home,
down the gasoline Alley where I started from.
Goin' home, and I'm runnin' home,
down the Gasoline Alley where I was born.
(instrumental)
But if anything should happen and my plans go wrong
should I stray to the house on the hill,
let it be known that my intentions were good,
I'd be singing in my alley if I could.
And if I'm goin' away and it's my turn to go,
should the blood run cold in my veins,
just one favor I'd be askin' of you,
don't bury me here, it's too cold.
Take me back, carry me back,
down to Gasoline Alley where I started from.
Take me back, won't cha carry me home,
down to Gasoline Alley where I started from?
Mandolin Wind lyrics
(Rod Stewart)
When the rain came I thought you'd leave
'cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
then I know I love ya
Oh the snow fell without a break
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya
Oh I never was good with romantic words
so the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
but I'll teach you one day
because I love ya
I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no
The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
could never, never change your mind
And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love ya
And I love ya
Lordy I love ya
Every Picture Tells A Story lyrics
Spent some time feelin' inferior
standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
but I came out looking just the same
Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing don't lose your head
to a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out
Paris was a place you could hide away
if you felt you didn't fit in
French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person
Down along the Left Bank minding my own
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peacful riot
when all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused
I moved on
Down in Rome I wasn't getting enough
of the things that keeps a young man alive
My body stunk but I kept my funk
at a time when I was right out of luck
Getting desperate indeed I was
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh my dear I better get out of here
'for the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no no
I moved right out east yeah!
On the Peking ferry I was feeling merry
sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit eyed lady
by the light of an eastern moon
Shangai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh people I was glad I found her
Oh yeah I was glad I found her
I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be
The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God I was glad I found her
And if they had the words I could tell to you
to help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it
Maggie May lyrics
Wake up Maggie
I think I got something to say to you;
it's late September and I really should be back at school.
I know I keep you amused
but I feel I'm being used
oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried anymore.
You lured me away from home
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts.
The morning sun
when it's in your face
really shows your age
but that don't worry me none
in my eyes you're ev'rything.
I laughed at all of your jokes
my love you didn't need to coax
oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried anymore.
You lured me away from home
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my soul
that's a pain I can do without.
All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
but you turned into a lover
and
Mother
what a lover !
You wore me out.
All you did was wreck my bed
and in the morning kick me in the head
oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried anymore.
You lured me away from home
'cause you didn't want to be alone.
You stole my heart
I couldn't leave you if I tried.
I suppose I could collect my books and get back to school.
Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playing pool.
Or find myselfe a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand.
Oh
Maggie
I wish I'd never seen your face.
You lured me away from home
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts.
The morning sun
when it's in your face
really shows your age
but that don't worry me none
in my eyes you're ev'rything.
I laughed at all of your jokes
my love you didn't need to coax
oh
Maggie
I couldn't have tried any face
you made a first-class fool out of me
but I'm as blind as a fool can be
you stole my heart but I love you anyway.
Maggie
I wish I'd never seen your face.
I'll get on back home one of these days.
