Top 10 Rod Stewart's Most Rocking Songs

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Our “Top 10 Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs” list showcases Rod’s most upbeat rock and roll songs throughout his career. This is not a greatest hits listing or a best songs list, so you will not find classics like “Maggie May” or “You Wear It Well,” which, while iconic, are more mid-tempo pieces than upbeat rockers. Of course, it’s all a matter of opinion, but we did what felt right.

We decided to dig into all aspects of Rod Sterwst’s career, from his solo albums to his work with the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. Most of the material is from his early period in the 1970s.

# 10 – Born Lose – Foot Loose And Fancy Free

We open our Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs list with the high-spirited song “Born Lose.” The song was released on the album entitled Foot Loose And Fancy Free. The album was released in 1977. The album featured Rod Stewart on lead and backing vocals, Gary Grainger and Jim Cregan on guitar and backing vocals, Phil Chen on bass guitar and backing vocals, Carmine Appice on drums and backing vocals, Billy Peek on guitar and backing vocals, and John Barlow Jarvis on keyboards and backing vocals.

# 9 – Let Me Be Your Car – Smiler

Continuing with our Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs list, we present this legendary duet with Elton John, “Let Me Be Your Car.” The song was released on the Smiler album in 1974. It was composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The album featured many guest appearances, with members of Rod Stewart’s band The Faces appearing throughout the record. It also included a guest appearance by Paul McCartney.

# 8 – “I Ain’t Superstitious” – Jeff Beck Group

We couldn’t put together a list of Rod Stewart’s most rocking songs without including at least one song from his time with Jeff Beck. The albums from the Jeff Beck Group are simply killer rock and roll records that showcase Jeff Beck’s extreme talent in crossing over into multiple genres of music, from jazz, rock, fusion, and blues. All of this can be found on the amazing album Truth.

# 7 – Miss Judy’s Farm – The Faces

In the number seven position on our Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs list is the first of two songs by the Faces to appear. Both songs are taken from the legendary album A Nod’s as Good as a Wink… to a Blind Horse, released in 1971. The album featured Rod Stewart on lead vocals, Ronnie Lane on bass, acoustic guitar, and percussion, Ronnie Wood on lead, slide, acoustic, and pedal steel guitars, Ian McLagan on piano and organ, Kenney Jones on drums, and Harry Fowler on steel drums. “Miss Judy’s Farm” was the album’s opening track.

# 6 – The Balltrap – A Night On The Town

Do you remember how big Rod Stewart’s A Night on the Town album was when it was released in 1976? This album was loaded with hits and is pretty much our favorite Rod Stewart album. Yes, we love all the rocking albums from the early ’70s, but there was something really special about this record. As always, Rod Stewart covered many different styles, but “The Ball Trap” was definitely the most rocking song on the entire record, with “Pretty Flamingo” coming in a close second.

# 5 – Twistin’ The Night Away – Never a Dull Moment

At the halfway point on our list of Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs is “Twistin’ The Night Away.” This track is featured on the album Never A Dull Moment, released in 1972. While the album includes the huge hit “You Wear It Well,” we’re highlighting the closing song, “Twistin’ The Night Away,” as one of Rod Stewart’s most rocking songs of his career. Originally written and recorded by Sam Cooke in 1962, this song showcases Stewart’s dynamic take on the classic, infusing it with his distinctive rock flair.

# 4 – Cut Across Shorty – Gasoline Alley

At the number four spot on our Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs list is the fan favorite “Cut Across Shorty.” This track was released on the album Gasoline Alley, which marked the second album of Rod Stewart’s solo career. The album debuted in 1970. “Cut Across Shorty,” written by Marijohn Wilkin and Wayne P. Walker, was originally performed by Eddie Cochran. This one truly cranks up the energy and showcases Stewart’s robust rock interpretation of a rock tune turned into a classic by his golden voice

# 3 – “Every Picture Tells a Story”

This is just one of those Rod Stewart songs that no one gets tired of, featured on the legendary Every Picture Tells a Story album. This was Rod Stewart’s third album, released in 1971. Standing as one of the greatest albums ever in classic rock history, it was fueled by the massive hit single “Maggie May” and the phenomenal rock track “I Know I’m Losing You.” The song was written by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood.

# 2 – I Know I’m Losing You

Speaking of the song “I Know I’m Losing You,” this standout track was featured on the album Every Picture Tells a Story. On this album, Rod Stewart delivered both lead and backing vocals, and Ronnie Wood played electric guitar, twelve-string guitar, bass guitar, also contributing backing vocals. Pete Sears was on piano, Micky Waller on drums, and Ian McLagan enhanced the sound with the Hammond organ and backing vocals. The album’s vocal depth was further enriched by additional backing vocals from an impressive lineup including Long John Baldry, Maggie Bell, Mateus Rose, Kenney Jones, and Ronnie Lane.

# 1 – Stay With Me

We close out our Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs list with the exceptional, magnificent song entitled Stay With Me. There was no doubt about this one coming in at number “Stay With Me” was released on the Faces third studio album, A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse (1971). This track not only marked their most significant success in the United States but also resonated strongly in the UK, where it was one of four singles to reach the Top 20. The song, narrates the fleeting encounter with Rita, whose somber demeanor prompts a candid proposition from the singer for a no-strings-attached night, with a clear stipulation for her early departure the next morning.

In the charts, “Stay with Me” clinched the number 17 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 and held the number 10 position for two weeks on the Cash Box Top 100. It soared to number 6 in the UK Singles Chart and number 4 in Canada. This is a classic!