Rod Stewart: "Sing It Again Rod" Album (1973)

Rod Stewart’s Sing It Again Rod was released as an LP album in the UK by Mercury Records (catalog number 6499 547) on August 10, 1973, as a compilation album.

It serves as a retrospective of Stewart’s early solo work, primarily drawing from his first four albums released between 1969 and 1972: An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (1969), Gasoline Alley (1970), Every Picture Tells a Story (1971), and Never a Dull Moment (1972). The album was designed to capitalize on Stewart’s rising popularity during this period, both as a solo artist and as a member of Faces, and it showcases his roots rock and pop rock sound, infused with folk and blues influences.

Notable for its distinctive die-cut cover shaped like a whisky glass, reflecting Stewart’s larger-than-life persona and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. The sleeve was designed by Shakey Pete Corriston, with photography by Cosima Scianna, Emerson Loew, and Steve Azzara. Some editions included attached postcards or a thick paper inner sleeve.

The album compiles 12 tracks, showcasing Stewart’s early solo hits and notable covers. All tracks were produced by Rod Stewart, with contributions from collaborators like Ronnie Wood and Martin Quittenton. Below is the tracklist with credits and durations:

Side A:

Reason to Believe (Find a Reason to Believe) (3:45) – Written by Tim Hardin

You Wear It Well (4:10) – Written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton

Mandolin Wind (5:25) – Written by Rod Stewart

Country Comfort (4:41) – Written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Maggie May (5:12) – Written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton

Handbags and Gladrags (3:58) – Written by Mike d’Abo

Side B:

Street Fighting Man (4:59) – Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards

Twisting the Night Away (3:07) – Written by Sam Cooke

Lost Paraguayos (3:50) – Written by Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood

(I Know) I’m Losing You (5:03) – Written by Cornelius Grant, Edward Holland, Norman Whitfield

Pinball Wizard (from Tommy (1914–1984)) (3:09) – Written by Pete Townshend

Gasoline Alley (4:02) – Written by Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood

Sing It Again Rod captures Rod Stewart at the peak of his early career, blending raw, rootsy rock with soulful and folk-inflected ballads. The album highlights his ability to reinterpret classic songs (e.g., Tim Hardin’s “Reason to Believe,” Sam Cooke’s “Twisting the Night Away”) alongside original compositions like “Maggie May” and “You Wear It Well,” which became signature hits. “Maggie May,” in particular, was a global smash, topping charts in the UK and US in 1971, and it remains one of Stewart’s defining songs. The compilation also reflects his collaboration with key figures like Ronnie Wood (later of The Rolling Stones) and his knack for merging covers with original material to create a cohesive, heartfelt sound. The album’s roots rock and pop rock style, combined with Stewart’s gravelly vocals, resonated with audiences in the early 1970s, a period when he balanced his solo career with his work in Faces. The whisky glass-shaped sleeve and the album’s title evoke Stewart’s playful, hard-partying persona, which became a hallmark of his public image.

The album reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, a place it held for 3 weeks, as part of an initial run of 19 weeks, the album was reissued in 1976.