Back in the fall of 1971, Rod Stewart released one of the best selling singles of the decade. It was 'Maggie May" on one side and "Reason to believe" on the other.
The record company released "Reason to believe" as the A-side because they thought that 'Maggie May" was too long (over 5 minutes) to get air play on Top 40 radio. (Let's remember that most hit songs back then were between 2-3 minutes long)
Eventually, the fans flipped the record and the rest is history:
"In October 1971 Stewart became the first artist in history to hold all four #1 positions in the British and American singles and albums charts.
While "Maggie May" topped the singles tally in both territories, "Every Picture Tells A Story" achieved the same feat on the album charts." (Songfacts)
While "Maggie May" topped the singles tally in both territories, "Every Picture Tells A Story" achieved the same feat on the album charts." (Songfacts)
Before releasing this solo record, Rod Stewart was the lead vocalist with Faces, a great British band. I understand that he was a soccer player, too. In the late 1970's, Rod Stewart's career exploded and he's been a great concert attraction ever since.
Here is the song that put Rod Stewart on top of the charts. It is # 131 of Rolling Stone's Top 500 songs:
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 any more
You led me away from home just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurt
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 everything
I laughed at all of your jokes my love you didn't need to coax
Oh Maggie, I couldn't have tried any more
You led me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and 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 led 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 on back to school
Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playing pool
Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand
Oh Maggie, I wish that I'd never seen your 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....."
Here is "Reason to believe", a song written by Tim Hardin and recorded by The Carpenters, too:
"If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give never think about myself
If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way just to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give never think about myself
If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Still I look to find a reason to believe...."
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give never think about myself
If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way just to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give never think about myself
If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Still I look to find a reason to believe...."
Tags: Rod Stewart and Happy # 40 to Maggie May To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!
