Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells a Story poll

"O. Henry" was only printed on the center label of the original vinyl LP release, not on the sleeve. It is also omitted in the track listing of CD versions, as in some pressings of the album and most Stewart compilations, the "O. Henry" intro is incorporated into the full "Maggie May" track.

― World Series champion San Francisco Giants (Bee OK), Thursday, 9 December 2010 05:02 (2 years ago) Permalink

1. "Mandolin Wind," 2. "Every Picture Tells a Story," 3. "Maggie May." For me, no other album ever has a better three best.

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 05:07 (2 years ago) Permalink

Great clip:

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 05:23 (2 years ago) Permalink

one of THE albums ever. voted Tomorrow Is a Long Time since I was afraid no one else will. every song here deserves a vote or seven

― gospodin simmel, Thursday, 9 December 2010 10:27 (2 years ago) Permalink

So difficult.
The old vinyl side 2 is perfect. Feel it should go to a Rod composition, but Reason to Believe is my single favourite song here.
And the UK cassette in the early 90s had "Henry" (no "O") listed as a separate track.

― ithappens, Thursday, 9 December 2010 10:58 (2 years ago) Permalink

title track is da bomb.

― nicky lo-fi, Thursday, 9 December 2010 12:44 (2 years ago) Permalink

2nd side is end-to-end great, but, yeah, title track for me too. Love the builds and drops, it's funny, & somehow overcomes Rod repeatedly calling the woman he purportedly loves a 'slit-eyed lady'.

― portrait of velleity (woof), Thursday, 9 December 2010 12:59 (2 years ago) Permalink

I don't know that anyone will agree, but the one song on here I could absolutely do without is the Temptations cover; I'm not a fan of the original, either. It's been a while since I listened to the Elvis cover, but I suspect I'd feel the same about that. When you're at the zenith of creativity, and coming up with songs of your own like "Mandolin Wind" and "Maggie May" (or "Gasoline Alley" and "You Wear It Well"), worshipful covers of your mentors just don't seem necessary.

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 13:09 (2 years ago) Permalink

Going with The Temptations cover.

― EZ Snappin, Thursday, 9 December 2010 13:27 (2 years ago) Permalink

"Mandolin Wind."

― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 9 December 2010 14:30 (2 years ago) Permalink

"(I Know) I'm Losing You"

― Darin, Thursday, 9 December 2010 16:25 (2 years ago) Permalink

The album needs the Temps cover because that's the only moment of real electric tension. Without that the instrumental moods are too unvarying. It's the grit in Rod's oyster.

― ithappens, Thursday, 9 December 2010 19:48 (2 years ago) Permalink

Hard to choose among all the gems on this album. I hate to be that guy but I really think it's Maggie May.

― Brad C., Thursday, 9 December 2010 19:54 (2 years ago) Permalink

I also voted "Maggie May" but what can you say about that; always a startled "oh" @ its mandolin solo at the end, takes the wind right out of me, so clear-eyed. I wouldn't change a thing.

― Euler, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:08 (2 years ago) Permalink

The album needs the Temps cover because that's the only moment of real electric tension.

I can see an argument for it along those lines; 12 "Mandolin Wind"s would not be a good thing. One the merits, though, I've never gotten anything out of it, although clearly there are people who do.

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:16 (2 years ago) Permalink

Mawkish, icky story that I'm not ashamed to admit: tearing up to "Mandolin Wind" a few years ago as I drove through the countryside on a beautiful fall day.

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:19 (2 years ago) Permalink

how would 12 mandolin wind's be a bad thing???

― iatee, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:23 (2 years ago) Permalink

yeah I've never really liked Rod's "(I Know) I'm Losing You"; just a bleating grind.

― Euler, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:25 (2 years ago) Permalink

"Mandolin Wind" is unearthly: it sounds ancient, like a Celtic rune or something.

― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:27 (2 years ago) Permalink

how would 12 mandolin wind's be a bad thing???

Let me rephrase: too much of a good thing. Or too samey, which I think was ithappens' point. (Obviously, I love "Mandolin Wind.")

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:28 (2 years ago) Permalink

the hooting after the "coldest winter in fourteen years" part at the end is a highlight of the album for sure: I know that feeling.

― Euler, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:31 (2 years ago) Permalink

I'm listening to it right now. I think my favorite line is "so the next few lines could really hurt". Meta-tastic!

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:35 (2 years ago) Permalink

I think the Eagles may have sung a similar line circa 1979.

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:39 (2 years ago) Permalink

The Eagles were talking about penetrating young pussy though.

― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:45 (2 years ago) Permalink

You're muscling in on my joke with a better one.

― clemenza, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:48 (2 years ago) Permalink

yeesh when the drums come in on "Mandolin Wind", so great

― Euler, Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:51 (2 years ago) Permalink

have no idea which is the Elvis cover or the Temps cover, this was all new material to me when I first heard it

the drumming on (I Know) I'm Losing You = monstrous. The band is just unbelievable on this record, so loose and powerful

― fuckin magnates, why don't they work (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 9 December 2010 23:54 (2 years ago) Permalink

Reason To Believe

This is just another example why 1971 could have been the greatest year for albums, ever.

― kornrulez6969, Friday, 10 December 2010 02:10 (2 years ago) Permalink

so effortlessly great

― calstars, Friday, 10 December 2010 02:26 (2 years ago) Permalink

I know this album is still held in high regard but it's not enough. It should be there with There's A Riot Going On and Exile On Main Street as a no brainer when discussing 70's greatness

― gospodin simmel, Friday, 10 December 2010 02:46 (2 years ago) Permalink

yeah...and the rod stewart album (or old raincoat or whatever the UK vers is called) is nearly as good too!

― 311 did 4/20 (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 10 December 2010 02:49 (2 years ago) Permalink

and the faces! oh the faces! the other rolling stones that haven't been beat to death by classic rock radio but with a better singer!

― 311 did 4/20 (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 10 December 2010 02:50 (2 years ago) Permalink

I like Gasoline Alley best out of the first three Stewarts. The Faces boxset is epic.

― EZ Snappin, Friday, 10 December 2010 02:50 (2 years ago) Permalink

― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 10 December 2010 02:53 (2 years ago) Permalink

never heard gasoline alley i really need to get that.

what a fucking great singer he was.

― 311 did 4/20 (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 10 December 2010 02:57 (2 years ago) Permalink

Gonna put Gasoline Alley on right now.

― Trip Maker, Friday, 10 December 2010 03:42 (2 years ago) Permalink

I really think I prefer GA as an lp experience over EPTAS.
But it's a trifling difference, all this music is great.

― Trip Maker, Friday, 10 December 2010 04:20 (2 years ago) Permalink

Rod repeatedly calling the woman he purportedly loves a 'slit-eyed lady'.

― Canadian Club & Dr. Pepper (Myonga Vön Bontee), Friday, 10 December 2010 06:43 (2 years ago) Permalink

Generally not too big on his early output, but he did release a couple of fine singles then, one out of which being "Maggie May".

― You're Twistin' My Melody Man! (Geir Hongro), Friday, 10 December 2010 11:45 (2 years ago) Permalink

Yep. Any rightminded person would prefer the post Atlantic Crossing stuff to the Mercury albums.
Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm Facepalm

― ithappens, Friday, 10 December 2010 11:50 (2 years ago) Permalink

I think my favorite line is "so the next few lines could really hurt".

I've always heard this as "I never was good with romantic words, so the next few lines come really hard."

― fit and working again, Friday, 10 December 2010 20:16 (2 years ago) Permalink

just bought a mint vinyl copy of this for 2 euros.. really liking what i'm hearing so far..

― Deluxe Merseybeat Wig (Jack Battery-Pack), Friday, 10 December 2010 20:26 (2 years ago) Permalink

I've always heard this as "I never was good with romantic words, so the next few lines come really hard."

I didn't quote the preceding line, which sets it up, but that's exactly what's going on.

― clemenza, Friday, 10 December 2010 20:45 (2 years ago) Permalink

so is this the consensus pick for best rod album? i think i like never a dull moment more.

― mizzell, Friday, 10 December 2010 21:21 (2 years ago) Permalink

I'm definitely on board with anyone who wants to argue that "You Wear It Well" is his greatest song; I did a top 100 countdown on the radio once, and indeed had that as my favorite song ever.

― clemenza, Friday, 10 December 2010 21:38 (2 years ago) Permalink

― EZ Snappin, Saturday, 11 December 2010 02:12 (2 years ago) Permalink

so happy to see so much love for this album. the 15-second intro to "maggie may," and then the way the first chord strikes up, may be my favorite moment in pop music ever -- right up there with the opening of "be my baby," the fadeout of "madame george," anything.

― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Sunday, 12 December 2010 18:38 (2 years ago) Permalink

Title track, but I love the Georgia Satellites' version as much.

― progspeed you! black metallers (aldo), Sunday, 12 December 2010 19:43 (2 years ago) Permalink

"You Wear It Well" is a great song, yet a bit too much of a rewrite of "Maggie May" to really score with me. See also "The Same Old Song" and "Standing In The Shadows Of Love" for referance.

― You're Twistin' My Melody Man! (Geir Hongro), Sunday, 12 December 2010 20:06 (2 years ago) Permalink

"You Wear It Well" is a great song, yet a bit too much of a rewrite of "Maggie May"

That's a reasonable objection, but for me it takes everything that's brilliant about "Maggie May" and kind of...I don't know how to put it; it's four minutes of complete and utter mastery, like when Dylan sings "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" in Don't Look Back. Amazing lines tumble forth: "Madam Onassis got nothin' on you," "think of me and try not to laugh," "I don't object if you call collect." It'll never be as famous as "Maggie May," but if I could only have one, "You Wear It Well" it would be.

I posted this on another thread a few months ago, but a second time won't hurt (someone clued me into the fact they're probably lip-synching, making the lyric sheet extra-amusing):

― clemenza, Sunday, 12 December 2010 21:55 (2 years ago) Permalink

At the EMP Pop Music Conference in 2007, I asked Greil Marcus, knowing his answer, if Rod Stewart had done anything after EPTAS worth closer scrutiny (I posited "Young Turks"). He said he experienced a "palpable letdown" when Never a Dull Moment's first number "True Blue" started and he cringed at its opening couplet.

― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 12 December 2010 22:29 (2 years ago) Permalink

I never played the LP more than a couple of times--he could well be right about that one particular song. But if he extends the comment to cover "You Wear It Well," I think he's as wrong about that as he is about P.T. Anderson's use of music in Boogie Nights.

― clemenza, Sunday, 12 December 2010 22:46 (2 years ago) Permalink

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

― System, Monday, 13 December 2010 00:01 (2 years ago) Permalink

He's wrong. I love NADM almost as much as EPTAS.

― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 13 December 2010 00:10 (2 years ago) Permalink

the real question is: You Wear It Well or Gasoline Alley?

― gospodin simmel, Monday, 13 December 2010 01:29 (2 years ago) Permalink

On a 100-point scale: "You Wear It Well," 100; "Gasoline Alley," 99; "Mandolin Wind," 98.5; "Every Picture Tells a Story," 98.2; "Maggie May," 97; "Handbags and Gladrags," 90. But some days "Handbags and Gladrags" gets a 100.

― clemenza, Monday, 13 December 2010 01:35 (2 years ago) Permalink

Voted for "Reason to Believe" narrowly over the title track. No bad choices.

― that's not my post, Monday, 13 December 2010 05:46 (2 years ago) Permalink

Couldn't resist posting the Faces doing "Maybe I'm Amazed." No disrespect to Ronnie Lane but it really kicks in when Rod takes over.

― that's not my post, Monday, 13 December 2010 05:50 (2 years ago) Permalink

thinking about starting a poll for best rod stewart album on mercury...

― mizzell, Monday, 13 December 2010 18:43 (2 years ago) Permalink

I need to hear more from the Faces. Only know a few songs (Stay With Me, Ooh La La, Debris and You Can Make Me Dance).

I read great things about the box-set (Five Guys Walk Into A Bar) but is it too much for a first listen?

― gospodin simmel, Monday, 13 December 2010 18:51 (2 years ago) Permalink

Naw, get that. Its at my public library!

― Trip Maker, Monday, 13 December 2010 18:55 (2 years ago) Permalink

In some ways, Five Guys is the best intro to the Faces. The mix of live and studio recordings tells a much better story than just the studio albums. They also have a really good greatest hits now - the Definitive Collection is two discs of pure awesome.

― EZ Snappin, Monday, 13 December 2010 19:28 (2 years ago) Permalink

yeah i actually jumped right in on the box set and have never regretted it...you can find it fairly cheap on amazon used usually

a bargain at twice the price if you love classic rock.

― in my world of Hmong ppl (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 13 December 2010 19:46 (2 years ago) Permalink

the box is AWESOME! worth the price for the live version "Losing You" alone.

― You're Twistin' My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Man! (Ioannis), Monday, 13 December 2010 20:06 (2 years ago) Permalink

Check out That's All You Need, an absolutely killer Rod Stewart Faces song.

http://s0.ilike.com/play#The+Faces:That%27s+All+You+Need:258969:s37344583.10246370.14335981.0.2.126%2Cstd_5879f831b34143b4be513778aaebfca8

― kornrulez6969, Monday, 13 December 2010 20:35 (2 years ago) Permalink

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

― System, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 00:01 (2 years ago) Permalink

oh come on

― iatee, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 00:06 (2 years ago) Permalink

people just voting for the underdog

― iatee, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 00:06 (2 years ago) Permalink

I know it's a classic and all, but I've never warmed to the title track. Kinda bugs me.

― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 00:15 (2 years ago) Permalink

It wasn't my choice, but I don't see picking the title song as being anything puzzling or unusual.

― clemenza, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 01:05 (2 years ago) Permalink

i voted for maggie may, but the title track is easily one of the 3 or 4 best things stewart ever did.

― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Tuesday, 14 December 2010 01:33 (2 years ago) Permalink

right, but 2 of the others are also on this album, and they're better than the title track

― iatee, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 01:34 (2 years ago) Permalink

I agree, but picking "Every Picture Tells a Story" here wouldn't be like picking, I don't know, "Sloop John B" off Pet Sounds, or naming H.E.A.L.T.H. as your favorite Altman film--it would seem to fall well within the realm of individual preference. I know that Greil Marcus, for one, has singled out the title song when writing about Every Picture Tells a Story's greatness. (Cue to someone jumping on to explain how H.E.A.L.T.H. is Altman's masterpiece.)

― clemenza, Tuesday, 14 December 2010 01:58 (2 years ago) Permalink

every time i pull out this album it ends up being the only thing i listen to for a week. everything works -- even the elvis cover, which i used to hate, works as the one 'ok, let's go back to being the faces for a few minutes' moment on the album. 'mandolin wind' could probably last for 20 minutes and i wouldn't get sick of it. this is probably all-time top ten for me.

― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Monday, 29 October 2012 06:45 (6 months ago) Permalink