Rod Stewart, 1974 (Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images)
Rod Stewart has just released Greatest Hits Vol 1 on vinyl and it has reminded us of just how many great hits he has actually had! That raspy vocal and sultry swagger has been imitated by many but not often executed with the same level of conviction as Rod. He's a brilliant entertainer, which anyone who has seen him live will attest to.
Here's a rundown of our six fave Rod Stewart hits taken from the recent vinyl release.
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Written by Cat Stevens, this song has been a hit for several artists, most notably the original 1967 recording by soul legend PP Arnold (read more about her here), and then 10 years later in 1977 for Rod Stewart. It was released as a double A-side single with "I Don't Want to Talk About It". It was a huge success, and spent four weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in May 1977 and peaked in the Top 20 at #19 here in Oz.
You're In My Heart
A number 1 single in Australia! Written and recorded by Rod Stewart for his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The song was a very popular single, reaching the top ten of many national charts, including number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 2 in Canada.
Maggie May
Another number 1 single in Oz, this time holding the spot for 4 consecutive weeks! From his album Every Picture Tells a Story, released in 1971. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked this song number 131 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
This live unplugged version really shows off that raspy vocal tone that makes him instantly recognisable.
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
Written by Stewart, Carmine Appice and Duane Hitchings, incorporating the melody from the song "Taj Mahal" by Jorge Ben Jor, and the string arrangement from the song "Put Something Down On It" by Bobby Womack.
This song featured on Stewart's 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun, and was released as a single in November that year. It spent one week at the top of the U.K charts in December, and four weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. Billboard ranked it #4 on its Top Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It also topped the charts in Australia for two weeks.
Sailing
"Sailing" was recorded by Rod Stewart for his first album recorded in North America; Atlantic Crossing, in 1975. Reaching #1 for four weeks in the UK in September 1975, it is his biggest UK hit despite not having much impact in his new adopted homeland of the U.S. Another #2 in Australia.
Don't Want To Talk About It
Written by Danny Whitten and first recorded by Crazy Horse, it was Whitten's signature tune, but gained more fame via its numerous cover versions, especially this Rod Stewart version.
For more great Rod Stewart hits, and a few from the Faces for good measure, check out our 'I Like: Rod Stewart' playlist...
For your chance to win the Greatest Hits collection on vinyl, click here.
