#698 – EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY – Rod Stewart - 1/9/2020

Happy birthday tomorrow, Rod the Mod! 75 years old and still rocking (albeit a la Vegas). He’s a lot more polished and commercial these days, but to those who love(d) him (Rhonda & Michelle) he’s never too old.

This is the title track from Rod’s best release front to back. Stewart was known for his ability to cover others’ lyrics even better than the original songwriter (see: REASON TO BELIEVE, THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST, I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT). But he also could pen a tune himself. The three standout tracks that come from this album (MAGGIE MAY, MANDOLIN WIND & EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY) all are Rod’s lyrics.

Much in the same way Blazing Saddles would never be released today for fear of offending sensibilities, neither would the lyrics to this tune. Rod himself omitted some of the cruder references in his more recent performances, so as not to offend. But I love it FOR its depiction of another not necessarily better time, but certainly a less fragmented and petulant one. The visceral meaning of the song – learning from one’s trials and tribulations – would be diminished without the crude nature of the lyrics. Here is the original version, keeping its funk after all these years. Happy birthday Rodney. I was only joking……

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqi_m-pMuoI

1971