“Young Turks” by Rod Stewart
(Words/Music: Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, and Kevin Savigar, Album: Tonight I’m Yours, Warner Bros. 1981)

Friday afternoon is a great time for some Rod Stewart. Actually, anytime is a great time for Rod Stewart.

They held each other tight as they drove on through the night they were so excited.
We got but one shot of life, let’s take it while we’re still not afraid.
Because life is so brief and time is a thief when you’re undecided.
And like a fistful of sand, it can slip right through your hands.

evilgirl333x2:

Artist: Revolting Cocks
Track: Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (Rod Stewart Cover)
Album: Linger Ficken’ Good…And Other Barnyard Oddities
Year: 1993

Such a lovely, poignant, and touching remake. 

(Source: radio666, via musical-moodswings)

“Stay With Me” by Rod Stewart and the Faces
(Words/Music: Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, Album: A Nod Is As Good As a Wink…To a Blind Horse, Warner Bros. 1971)

When I started reading England’s Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock, and Beyond by Jon Savage, I was ready to be schooled in the history of punk rock (especially in England) as the title suggests and I knew this would mean some exploration of the roots of punk rock. However, I was not ready for so many references to the Small Faces (which became just Faces when Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood joined) since I had always associated them with the rock ‘n’ roll establishment against which punk was rebelling. However, they get mentioned on numerous occasions because Malcolm McLaren was very much interested in utilizing fashion to affect social and cultural change and Small Faces were associated with one of the major fashion groups at the time: The Mods. Additionally, McLaren loved the idea of modernizing previous counter culture or underground fashions such as zoot suits and, along with Vivienne Westwood, ran an occasionally profitable clothing store which became the center of these scenes. However, the music we come to associate with that period is glam rock - which, in its own way, was a backlash against the hippie culture that dominated the 60s.

As for the song itself, its simplicity hearkens back to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll which were devoid of musical rules and any sort of hierarchy. Lyrically, the song regales in the debauchery and hard living which would come to be associated with punk as well. Finally, the instrumentation has a certain amount of chaos (albeit organized and well-constructed) that McLaren would attempt to institute in the Sex Pistols. So as a bunch of mish-mashed hooligans swaggered through the streets of London in the early 70s during the heyday of glam rock, this could be their theme song and a predecessor to the punk movement coming in the next half of the decade.

More Faces: AmazonMP3 - last.fm - AllMusic - eMusic

awordoraline:

Rod Stewart - Passion

Once in love you’re never out of danger

I forgot all about this classic Rod Stewart song. He did so many great songs during the late 70s/early 80s. He and his hair were everywhere.

Fake Fact: Rod Stewart was once made an honorary citizen of the state of Wisconsin in recognition of the amount and quality of cheese he produced.

“Young Turks” by Rod Stewart

(Words/Music: Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, Kevin Savigar, Album: Tonight I’m Yours, Warner Bros. 1981)

By the time Rod Stewart made it to the 80s, he had already been through two legendary guitarists (Ron Wood and Jeff Beck), extricated himself from The Faces, gone through a disco phase (“Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”), become famous for shooting a video in which a set of legs (belonging to Tina Turner) played a prominent role (before there even were videos), and created one of the most unique hairdos in music (his famous spiked mullet). By the end of the 80s, Stewart would reunite with Jeff Beck and also be one of the first artists to release a box set. But somehow, he never seems to get the credit for his achievements or for being on the cutting edge. I guess there’s always going to be a feeling that he’s too mainstream to be cutting edge, a follower rather than a trendsetter, and someone whose act is always second to someone else’s.

Almost 30 years after it first came out, I almost consider “Young Turks” a companion piece to another 1981 hit: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, but one that just hasn’t reached the same level of popularity (see previous paragraph). Both songs are about young adults who run away to find a better life. With these two songs influencing my early musical tastes, is it any wonder that one of my favorite songs (and albums, for that matter) would be “Born To Run,” one of my favorite books would be On the Road, and I would be drawn to any song, book, or movie which involved travelling? The ironic part of this story is that, aside from moving 7 hours away from my family, I haven’t done much travelling myself. And although I’m no longer a “young turk,” travelling is definitely part of my future plans. 

More Rod Stewart: AmazonMP3 - last.fm - AllMusic - eMusic

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