Stewart's music career began in 1962 when he took up busking with a harmonica. In 1963, he joined The Dimensions as a harmonica player and vocalist. In 1964, Stewart joined Long John Baldry and the All Stars before moving to the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. Joining Faces in 1969, he also maintained a solo career releasing his debut album that year. Stewart's early albums were a fusion of rock, folk music, soul music, and R&B. His third album, 1971's Every Picture Tells a Story, was his breakthrough, topping the charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, as did its ballad "Maggie May". His 1972 follow-up album, Never a Dull Moment, also reached number one in the UK and Australia, while going top three in the US and Canada. Its single, "You Wear It Well", topped the chart in the UK and was a moderate hit elsewhere.
After Stewart had a handful more UK top ten hits, the Faces broke up in 1975. Stewart's next few hit singles were ballads with "Sailing", off the 1975 UK and Australian number-one album, Atlantic Crossing, becoming a hit in the UK and the Netherlands (number one), Germany (number four) and other countries, but barely charting in North America. A Night on the Town (1976), his fifth straight chart-topper in the UK, began a three-album run of going number one or top three in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia with each release. That album's "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" spent almost two months at number one in the US and Canada, and made the top five in other countries. Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977) contained the hit "You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" as well as the rocker "Hot Legs". Blondes Have More Fun (1978) and its disco-tinged "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" both went to number one in Canada, Australia and the US, with "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" also hitting number one in the UK and the top ten in other countries. Stewart's albums regularly hit the upper rungs of the charts in the Netherlands throughout the 70s and in Sweden from 1975 onward.
After a disco and new wave period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Stewart's music turned to a soft rock/middle-of-the-road style, with most of his albums reaching the top ten in the UK, Germany and Sweden, but faring less well in the US. The single "Rhythm of My Heart" was a top five hit in the UK, US and other countries, with its source album, 1991's Vagabond Heart, becoming, at number ten in the US and number two in the UK, his highest-charting album in a decade. In 1993, he collaborated with Bryan Adams and Sting on the power ballad "All for Love", which went to number one in many countries. In the early 2000s, he released a series of successful albums interpreting the Great American Songbook.
In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked him the 17th most successful artist on the "Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists". A Grammy and Brit Award recipient, he was voted at No. 33 in Q Magazine's list of the Top 100 Greatest Singers of all time. As a solo artist, Stewart was inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and he was inducted a second time into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Faces.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Stewart
Studio albums
An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (1969)
Gasoline Alley (1970)
Every Picture Tells a Story (1971)
Never a Dull Moment (1972)
Smiler (1974)
Atlantic Crossing (1975)
A Night on the Town (1976)
Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977)
Blondes Have More Fun (1978)
Foolish Behaviour (1980)
Tonight I'm Yours (1981)
Body Wishes (1983)
Camouflage (1984)
Every Beat of My Heart (1986)
Out of Order (1988)
Vagabond Heart (1991)
A Spanner in the Works (1995)
When We Were the New Boys (1998)
Human (2001)
It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook (2002)
As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Volume II (2003)
Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Volume III (2004)
Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV (2005)
Still the Same... Great Rock Classics of Our Time (2006)
Soulbook (2009)
Once in a Blue Moon: The Lost Album (2010)
Fly Me to the Moon... The Great American Songbook Volume V (2010)
Merry Christmas, Baby (2012)
Time (2013)
Another Country (2015)
Blood Red Roses (2018)
The Tears of Hercules (2021)
Pure Love
Rod Stewart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a true love can't be found
Till the blue skies come around
I'll be right by your side
Journey far and travel safe
Make this world a better place
And keep that smile upon your face
There may be oceans in between us now
But I think about you every minute now
No don't forget me now that we're apart
Just open up that great big loving heart
[Chorus]
And you'll always be
You'll always be
You'll always be a part of me
Take your time to embrace romance
Teach your children how to sing and dance
Love may hurt but it's worth the chance
I'll be right by your side
Try to be the best you can
She'll come crashing to every man
And always take the higher ground
I'll be right by your side
I hear your laughter echo through this house
I miss all of this there is no doubt
I wasn't perfect this I would admit
I was always tryin to make the pieces fit
[Chorus]
Don't ask me now the time has gone
I've loved you since the minute you were born
So many times we have laughed and cried
I see you now it fills my heart with pride
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Rod Stewart's "Pure Love" convey a sense of enduring friendship and unrequited love. The singer starts by telling his friend that he will always be there for them, even when things are tough and love seems out of reach. This message of unwavering support is repeated throughout the song, and the singer encourages his friend to live fully, travel widely, and teach the next generation how to love and be happy. Despite the distance between them, the singer assures his friend that they will always be connected, and reflects on their shared memories with affection.
Line by Line Meaning
If an old friend lets you down
When someone you have known for long disappoints you
And a true love can't be found
When you cannot find a person to love in a genuine way
Till the blue skies come around
Until things get better
I'll be right by your side
I will always be there for you
Journey far and travel safe
Travel as much as you can and stay safe
Make this world a better place
Help to improve the world we live in
And keep that smile upon your face
Be happy and positive
I'll be right by your side
I will always be there for you
There may be oceans in between us now
Physical distance may separate us now
But I think about you every minute now
I constantly remember and think of you
No don't forget me now that we're apart
Please don't forget about me now that we are not together
Just open up that great big loving heart
Allow yourself to love and be loved
[Chorus]
Refrain
Take your time to embrace romance
Take a moment to indulge in romance
Teach your children how to sing and dance
Pass on music and dance skills to your children
Love may hurt but it's worth the chance
Love is a risk, but it's worth taking
I'll be right by your side
I will always be there for you
Try to be the best you can
Always strive to be your best
She'll come crashing to every man
Women will be attracted to your character
And always take the higher ground
Choose to be the better person in every situation
I'll be right by your side
I will always be there for you
I hear your laughter echo through this house
I can still hear your laughter in this empty house
I miss all of this there is no doubt
I undoubtedly miss everything
I wasn't perfect this I would admit
I know I was not faultless
I was always tryin to make the pieces fit
I was always trying to make things work
[Chorus]
Refrain
Don't ask me now the time has gone
Do not ask me now that time has passed
I've loved you since the minute you were born
I have loved you from the moment you were born
So many times we have laughed and cried
We have shared so many joyful and sorrowful moments together
I see you now it fills my heart with pride
When I see you now, I feel very proud
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROD STEWART, KEVIN SAVIGAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-hv6mg5vx1e
An absolutely beautifully written and sung song. Will request that its played at my funeral ( hopefully not soon ) for my two sons. The words would say exactly everything i feel. Sir Rod, take a bow. Such a fabulously moving piece of music
@emmacallan7475
My mum requested this song for her funeral.
We lost her a year ago. I play this song a lot when I think of and miss her.
Such beautiful words…. Thank you to Rod Stewart for this beautiful song and to my mum in heaven for dedicating this song to her children 💗🙏🏼
@jackstertherandomer
I recently lost my sister who bravely battled cancer for 6 and a half years. We used to go to see Rod live and i have such happy memories. I was so close to her and when i heard this i felt like it was meant for me and my sister. Thank you Rod
@crowie1951
If your a parent, especially a Dad you cant help but be moved by this. To all of us who have children along way from home and cant put it into words this says it all. Thanks Rod.
@oldsoftrock4548
A message to the future generations. Don't let this song die.
@elfunko8998
My dad told me that this song reminded him of me. He passed in January of 2020. This song still makes me cry every time I hear it.
@SusieC510
I have asked for this to be played at my funeral for my two daughters. I can't always say how very proud of them and how much I love them but this fits the bill totally - thanks, Rod.
@louislategan7994
Beautiful song .As you grow older you treasure every moment with your children. 💕
@TenSpeedPress
After hearing this lovely song, I have decided I want it played at my memorial service. I have a son that I so adore and a lot of the lyrics fix perfectly. Thank you so much Rod, loved you in the 70's and still do today.
@pamelaade2226
TenSpeedPress I too thought that I would like this to be played at my funeral which God willing is an aeon away. I then thought that I want my two sons to know this beautiful song, and the deep love held in its words before I depart this earth. So. I’ve decided to send them both a copy of the lyrics and access to the music on Mothering Sunday, next year 2020.
I love my boys unconditionally and as new dads themselves, I hope they will take on the beautiful sentiments for themselves, and realise that I truly and purely love them.