Rod Stewarts favorite song is by a soul legend, but | Music News

Rod Stewart, best recognized for his distinctive rock vocals and chart-topping hits like ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’, has at all times had a deep love for soul music.

His profession spans over 5 many years, but his ardour for soul music dates back even additional. Raised in London during the late Nineteen Fifties and early ’60s, he was captivated by American rhythm and blues.

The data from Motown, Stax, and Atlantic discovered their method into his document assortment, influencing the sound that will later make him one of the largest stars of the Seventies.

Despite beginning out in rock bands like The Jeff Beck Group and Faces, Stewart persistently sought methods to include soul influences into his work. He lined Sam Cooke’s ‘Twistin’ the Night Away’, took on ‘(I Know) I’m Losing You’ by The Temptations, and stuffed his early solo albums with tracks that mirrored the bluesy sound of the American greats, stories the Express.

Among his personal favourites, ‘Lookin’ for a Love’ is one song that has remained with him all through the years.

The Valentinos, a group led by Bobby Womack and his brothers, initially recorded ‘Lookin’ for a Love’ in 1962 underneath the steering of Sam Cooke. The monitor was a full of life, gospel-infused piece with harmonies that elevated it past the usual R&B choices of the period.

The song’s infectious rhythm, pushed by handclaps and a regular groove, was made even more fascinating by Womack’s supply.

At simply 18 years outdated, Bobby Womack possessed a voice that bore a depth past his years. He sang with such profundity that the lyrics felt like more than simply one other love song.

Womack re-recorded the song as a solo artist in 1974, and it discovered success as soon as again. The new model was smoother, polished for radio, and ascended to No.1 on the Billboard R&B chart. However, for Stewart, each variations encapsulated the magic that made Womack’s music particular.

Stewart wasn’t merely an admirer from a distancehe and Womack shared a robust mutual respect. Despite hailing from completely different musical worlds, their paths intersected a number of instances all through their careers.

In a 2008 interview, Stewart reminisced about being in awe of Womack’s capability to infuse emotion into each line. He admired how Womack might take a song and make it really feel personal, as if he was dwelling each phrase as he sang it.

Womack, nevertheless, acknowledged Stewart’s deep appreciation for soul music and noticed him as a fellow artist who actually understood the essence of the style. Despite Stewart’s rock star standing, his roots in blues and soul had been evident, one thing that Womack didn’t overlook.

An intriguing connection between Stewart and Womack could be traced back to at least one of Stewart’s greatest hits, ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’. Released in 1978, this song marked a important shift in Stewart’s musical type, mixing rock with parts of disco and funk.

The monitor was a worldwide success, topping charts in a number of international locations, but it additionally stirred controversy resulting from its resemblance to different songs.

A key affect on this monitor was Womack’s ‘If You Want My Love, Put Something Down On It’. While ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ had its own distinctive melody and construction, Stewart integrated parts from Womack’s string association, utilizing related lush orchestration in his own song.

This apply of borrowing concepts wasn’t uncommon within the ’70s, notably during the disco period when producers regularly drew inspiration from soul and funk data. Stewart, nevertheless, by no means hesitated to acknowledge Womack’s affect on his music.

He overtly credited Womack’s sound as an affect on his work, underlining the profound respect he held for him as an artist.