Supplied note - not independently verified
This folk-rock song became Rod Stewart's breakthrough hit as a solo artist, topping charts worldwide.
View background statusRod Stewart
19 catalog entries, grouped by year.
ARTIST ESSENTIALS
Explore Artist EssentialsRod Stewart: a curated listening guide
Explore the acoustic storytelling, soul interpretations and brighter pop settings of his solo recordings.
25 selections with release evidence; 13 beyond the yearly lists.
About Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart is a British singer whose rasping voice connects blues, folk, soul and popular ballads. His early performing work included the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, while a parallel solo career produced Gasoline Alley and Every Picture Tells a Story. Maggie May and You Wear It Well paired storytelling with acoustic textures and rock rhythms. Later recordings broadened his repertoire through interpretations of songs such as Sailing and Downtown Train. Guitarist Ronnie Wood was an important collaborator in Stewart's early solo work.
Artist background sources
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Rod Stewart, 1994 induction essay
Michael Hill essay supports vocal style, early groups versus parallel solo career, named solo repertoire and Ronnie Wood collaboration; anecdotal origin stories and group-credit mapping omitted. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
1971
Supplied note - not independently verified
A cover of Tim Hardin's 1965 folk song about maintaining hope in a troubled relationship.
View background status1976
Artist background available
Rod Stewart is a British singer whose rasping voice connects blues, folk, soul and popular ballads. His early performing work included the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, while a parallel solo career produced Gasoline...
View background status1977
Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
Rod StewartRelease: 1976Source checked | Recent carryover
Source year-end #1Artist background available
Rod Stewart is a British singer whose rasping voice connects blues, folk, soul and popular ballads. His early performing work included the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, while a parallel solo career produced Gasoline...
View background status1978
Supplied note - not independently verified
Stewart wrote this song reflecting on his youthful experiences and the passage of time.
View background statusYou're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)
Rod StewartRelease: 1977Source checked | Recent carryover
Source year-end #37Supplied note - not independently verified
Stewart wrote this song as a tribute to his then-girlfriend, actress Britt Ekland.
View background status1979
Supplied note - not independently verified
Inspired by a Brazilian song and disco trends
View background status1981
Supplied note - not independently verified
A disco-influenced track from Stewart's "Foolish Behaviour" album.
View background status1982
Supplied note - not independently verified
A story song about young lovers running away to start a new life.
View background status1984
Supplied note - not independently verified
Stewart was inspired by his own experiences with obsessive love and attraction.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Originally by The Persuaders, the song was inspired by the seeming unfairness of success and fortune.
View background status1986
Supplied note - not independently verified
Written for the movie "Legal Eagles," this song explores physical attraction.
View background status1989
Supplied note - not independently verified
Stewart's infatuation with his then-girlfriend, model Kelly Emberg.
View background statusMy Heart Can't Tell You No
Rod StewartRelease: 1988Source checked | Recent carryover
Source year-end #50Artist background available
Rod Stewart is a British singer whose rasping voice connects blues, folk, soul and popular ballads. His early performing work included the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, while a parallel solo career produced Gasoline...
View background status1990
Supplied note - not independently verified
Cover of Tom Waits song
View background status1991
Supplied note - not independently verified
Scottish and Irish folk music
View background statusArtist background available
Rod Stewart is a British singer whose rasping voice connects blues, folk, soul and popular ballads. His early performing work included the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, while a parallel solo career produced Gasoline...
View background status1993
Supplied note - not independently verified
A cover of Van Morrison's 1989 song, interpreted as both a love song and a prayer.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
A cover of Tim Hardin's 1965 folk song about maintaining hope in a troubled relationship.
View background statusALL 66 ANNUAL COLLECTIONS
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.