Maggie May
Rod Stewart & The Faces Lyrics


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Wake up, Maggie, I think I got somethin' to say to you
It's late September and I really should be back at school
I know I keep you amused, but I feel I'm being used
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried any more

You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts

The mornin' sun when it's in your face really shows your age
But that don't worry me none, in my eyes, you're everything
I laughed at all of your jokes, my love, you didn't need to coax
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried any more

You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul, and that's a pain I can do without

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover, and mother, what a lover, you wore me out
All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried any more

You led me away from home
'Cause you didn't wanna be alone
You stole my heart, I couldn't leave you if I tried

I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school
Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playin' pool
Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand
Oh, Maggie, I wished I'd never seen your face

You made a first-class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

Maggie, I wished I'd never seen your face




I'll get on back home one of these days
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" tell the story of a young man who meets a seductive older woman named Maggie and becomes infatuated with her. The song's opening lyrics, "Wake up, Maggie, I think I got somethin' to say to you / It's late September and I really should be back at school," suggest that the singer is trying to end the relationship because it's time for him to go back to school. He feels like he's being used by Maggie and that she led him away from home just to save herself from being alone.


The singer's feelings are conflicting, however, as he admits that he loves Maggie and can't deny that she's stolen his heart. The line "You stole my soul, and that's a pain I can do without" suggests that he's aware of how much pain Maggie's caused him, but he's still drawn to her. The singer is frustrated that Maggie has turned from being a friend who once "lend a guiding hand" to a lover who's "wore him out" and only "wrecked his bed."


Overall, "Maggie May" is a classic rock song that tells a story of youthful infatuation and heartbreak. Through its powerful lyrics and upbeat melody, the song captures the complexity of human emotions and the pain of losing someone who you love.


* "Maggie May" was released in 1971 and was a huge hit, reaching number one on the US charts for five weeks.
* The song was initially the B-side to "Reason to Believe," but DJs began playing "Maggie May" instead and it quickly became more popular.
* The song was inspired by Rod Stewart's own relationship with an older woman named Susannah Boffey, who he met at a folk club in London.
* The opening riff of the song was inspired by an old British folk tune called "Henry Martin."
* The song was the first single from Rod Stewart's third solo album, "Every Picture Tells a Story," which was also a huge commercial success.
* The album's cover art, which depicts Rod Stewart holding a large guitar, was shot by photographer David Montgomery in front of the Saracen's Head pub in the town of Beaconsfield, England.
* "Maggie May" is considered one of Rod Stewart's signature songs and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
* The song's success helped establish Stewart's career as one of the most popular and influential rock musicians of the 1970s.
* "Maggie May" was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.
* The song's chorus, which features the line "You stole my heart, I couldn't leave you if I tried," has become one of the most famous pop culture references to the idea of being unable to break free from a toxic or damaging relationship.


Chords: G, D, C, G, D, C, Gmaj7, D, Cmaj7, Gmaj7, D, Cmaj7, Gmaj7, D, Cmaj7, Gmaj7.


Line by Line Meaning

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got somethin' to say to you
Rod is trying to get Maggie's attention as he has something important to say to her.


It's late September and I really should be back at school
Rod feels that he should be back at school as it's late September.


I know I keep you amused, but I feel I'm being used
Although Rod is keeping Maggie amused, he feels like she's using him.


Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried any more
Rod has tried his best in his relationship with Maggie.


You led me away from home
Maggie has led Rod away from home.


Just to save you from being alone
Maggie has led Rod away from home to avoid being alone.


You stole my heart and that's what really hurts
Maggie has stolen Rod's heart, which hurts him deeply.


The mornin' sun when it's in your face really shows your age
Rod is pointing out that the morning sun can reveal a person's age.


But that don't worry me none, in my eyes, you're everything
Although Rod sees that the morning sun reveals Maggie's age, it doesn't change how he feels about her.


I laughed at all of your jokes, my love, you didn't need to coax
Rod enjoyed Maggie's jokes and didn't need any encouragement to laugh.


You stole my soul, and that's a pain I can do without
Maggie has also stolen Rod's soul, which is a source of pain for him.


All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
Rod initially only needed a friend to help guide him.


But you turned into a lover, and mother, what a lover, you wore me out
However, Maggie has turned into Rod's lover, and he feels like she's worn him out.


All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head
Maggie has caused trouble in Rod's bed, and even kicked him in the head in the morning.


'Cause you didn't wanna be alone
Maggie has led Rod away from home because she didn't want to be alone.


You stole my heart, I couldn't leave you if I tried
Maggie has stolen Rod's heart, and he feels that he couldn't leave her even if he tried.


I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school
Rod is considering going back to school and collecting his books.


Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playin' pool
Rod is also considering making a living out of playing pool with his father's cue.


Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand
Another option Rod is considering is joining a rock and roll band that needs help.


But I'm as blind as a fool can be
Despite all of Maggie's faults, Rod is still in love with her.


Maggie, I wished I'd never seen your face
Rod regrets ever meeting Maggie.


I'll get on back home one of these days
Rod plans on returning home eventually.


Ooh, ooh, ooh
Sound effect of the song




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Martin Quittenton, Roderick Stewart

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Gileno Braga

Wake up, Maggie
I think I got something to say to you
It's late September and
I really should be back at school
I know I keep you amused
But I feel I'm being used
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore
You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts

The morning sun, when it's in your face
Really shows your age
That don't worry me none
In my eyes you're everything
I laughed at all of your jokes
My love you didn't need to coax
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore
You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and that's a pain I can do without

All I needed was a friend
To lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover
And mother what a lover!
You wore me out
All you did was wreck my bed
And in the morning kick me in the head
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore
You led me away from home
Cause you didn't want to be alone
You stole my heart
I couldn't leave you if I tried

I suppose I could collect my books
And get on back to school
Or steal my daddy's cue
And make a living out of playing pool
Or find myself a rock & roll band
That needs a helping hand
Oh, Maggie, I wish I'd never seen your face
You made a first-class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart but I love you anyway

Maggie, I wished I'd never seen your face
I'll get on back home one of these days



All comments from YouTube:

Mark von Wisco

Kenny Jones and Ronnie Lane were one of the best rhythm sections of their era.

Auke Kooi

Ronnie Wood was one of the best gitarist on acid, isn't it?

genatzvale'

Love Rod's amazing live voice and the way they play football!

NIGEL WILLMOTT

One of the best tracks of the early '70's. It's a shame Rod didn't stick with the band.

Robert Cruz

It's sad how time's fly. Someone told me at my mom's funeral years back, "we live to die!". Best wishes to Rod Stewart, his band members, and all those great musicians back in the old days who are still living that inspired us through their musical talents. RIP to those that have gone before us.

Trinidad Apodaca

each life bring us closer to our souls destiny

Andy Matthews

All we can take with us are memories.

Stevie John

WTF we live to die what you talking about mister

Claudia Engberg

One of my favorite songs. I was in the Navy when this song came out. Always wonderful, Rod.

Andy Tomaselli

every instrument is vital to the whole of this song, cool that Rod is playing with vocal delivery rather than just mimic the record

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