Queen and Paul parted ways amicably in 2009, with Paul remarking that he would like to get back together in the future to raise money for charity. Paul has since reunited with Bad Company, and they toured in 2010. Over the years, he's also successfully toured and released albums with his own group centered around him. Paul is ranked number 55 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". His work has been long influenced by American blues and rock n roll, and he helped play a role in the 70s arena rock and hard rock scenes both in the U.K. and the U.S.
The Stealer
Paul Rodgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my feet was a burning ground
She stood on the corner merrily as can be
I said hey good lookin won't you come with me
She said yeah
I am the stealer
Came to steal your love
The world was right
I said "tell me baby wha'cha doin' tonight"
I'm goin' round the corner
Where the music's loud
I'm tired of the city
Won't you come on round
I said yeah!
I'm the stealer
Come to steal your love
Steal your love oh yeah!
Goin' round the corner
Where the music's loud
I'm tired of the city
Won't you come on round
I said yeah
I am the stealer
Come to steal your love
Steal your love
Steal your love
Steal your love
I am going to steal you love away
I am going to steal you love away
Steal your love.
The Stealer by Paul Rodgers is a rock and roll classic, released in 1971. The song opens with the singer sharing his burning desire to find love, determined to venture down to the center of town to search for it. He encounters a woman on the corner who is merry and carefree. He approaches her, using his charms to woo her, but she quickly reveals that she is the Stealer, a character who has come to steal his love. Undeterred by her confession, the singer continues to pursue her, insisting that he is the one who will steal her love away.
The song's message is a cautionary tale about the dangers of love and how one can never truly possess it. The songwriter explains that true love is never really yours to keep, and that no matter how hard you try, someone or something will always come and take it away. The Stealer is a symbol of these forces, representing how love can be fleeting and how people are often powerless to prevent it from being taken away.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the centre of town
I ventured into the heart of the city
And my feet was a burning ground
My feet were burning from walking so much
She stood on the corner merrily as can be
A woman was standing on the street corner, appearing cheerful
I said hey good lookin won't you come with me
I asked the woman to join me
She said yeah
She agreed to come with me
I am the stealer
She proclaims to be the 'stealer'
Came to steal your love
Her intention is to take away my love
The sun was shining
The weather was good
The world was right
Everything seemed to be in order
I said "tell me baby wha'cha doin' tonight"
I asked the woman what she was doing that night
I'm goin' round the corner
She is going around the street corner
Where the music's loud
There is loud music in that area
I'm tired of the city
She is tired of the urban environment
Won't you come on round
She invites me to come with her
I said yeah!
I agreed to come with her
I'm the stealer
I learn that she is 'the stealer'
Come to steal your love
Her goal is to take away my affection
Steal your love oh yeah!
She reiterates her intention to steal my love
Goin' round the corner
She repeats where she is going
Where the music's loud
She repeats the location with loud music
I'm tired of the city
She repeats her dislike for the city
Won't you come on round
She repeats her invitation for me to go with her
I said yeah
I repeat my agreement
I am the stealer
She repeats that she is the 'stealer'
Come to steal your love
She repeats that her purpose is to take my love
Steal your love
She continues to emphasize her goal
Steal your love
She repeats her objective
Steal your love
She makes a final repetition of her plan
I am going to steal you love away
She foreshadows her actions
I am going to steal you love away
She repeats her plan
Steal your love.
She concludes once again by affirming her intention to take my love
Contributed by Aiden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
richard white
Paul is the greatest blues/r&b best vocalist of all time.
Ade Bryan
Fantastic! Free was one of my all time fave bands, this is great to hear!!
emperorsdragon
Have to agree, so many have tried and they all fall well short. Kossoff & Fraser still rule after 42 years.
Cameragirl803
Great old song! Love Paul Rodgers and loved FREE!! Thanks for posting!!:):):)
TheBettyboo62
Was there!!!! Its was brilliant!!! He was amazing, best live performer EVER!!!!! An just hot!!!! xxxxxx
TheBettyboo62
Just How good is this man? Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
emperorsdragon
Have to agree, so many have tried and they all fall well short. Kossoff & Fraser rule.
VideoRanger1
Real freaking rock! no folkwhine crap of the new bands or hip hop dancers just ass kicking vocals and riffs.
Declare57
Damn, I'm Paul's age now and that sucker looks great! Paul Kossoff is the most influential, under-appreciated guitarist of all time! One of my Fave Free tracks!!!
LEEDSPETER001
I too loved free. Have you seen the live version of ''Heartbreaker'' on youtube? Put in ''Free Heartbreaker Rare'' It's live in Japan. Poor sound quality but a great performance. Best wishes Peter