Released 37 years ago this November
The Best of Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart · 1989
72 min · 16 tracks · new wave
A polished collection of timeless ballads and upbeat anthems, showcasing Stewart's raspy vocals and emotive storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Maggie May Start here — This track is arguably Stewart's signature song, blending folk rock with a narrative about youthful love and regret, showcasing his unique vocal style.
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Sailing — A powerful ballad that demonstrates Stewart's ability to evoke emotion through simple yet poignant lyrics, serving as a defining moment in his career.
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Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? — This track encapsulates the disco influence on Stewart's work in the late '70s, combining catchy hooks with playful lyrics reflecting the era's flirtation with fame and allure.
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I Don't Want to Talk About It — A deeply emotional song that highlights Stewart's talent for conveying vulnerability, making it resonate widely among listeners grappling with heartache.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation captures Rod Stewart's commercial peak but lacks a strong cohesive narrative.
What we noticed
- Tracks are sequenced to alternate between slower and faster tempos, creating a dynamic flow throughout the collection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- nostalgic reflections on love
- heartfelt storytelling with warmth
- for road trip playlists
- casual gatherings with friends
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer experimental, avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — A comprehensive collection that highlights Stewart's signature sound and appeal.
- Themes
- heartbreak ballads· disco-era allure
- Career context
- Released in late 1989, this compilation came during Rod Stewart's commercial peak, following the success of his album 'Out of Order' from 1988. By this point, Stewart had solidified his status in rock and pop music with a string of hits spanning nearly two decades.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Cocker· David Bowie· Elton John
Tracklist
- 1 Maggie May Start here 4:59
- 2 You Wear It Well 4:21
- 3 Baby Jane 4:46
- 4 Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? 4:19
- 5 I Was Only Joking 4:51
- 6 This Old Heart of Mine 4:12
- 7 Sailing 4:23
- 8 I Don't Want to Talk About It 4:51
- 9 You're in My Heart 4:30
- 10 Young Turks 4:34
- 11 What Am I Gonna Do (I'm So in Love With You) 3:37
- 12 The First Cut Is the Deepest 3:52
- 13 The Killing of Georgie, Part I and II 6:29
- 14 Tonight's the Night 3:36
- 15 Every Beat of My Heart 4:42
- 16 Downtown Train 4:36
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Stranger
Billy Joel
Features polished production and emotive storytelling, blending rock with pop sensibilities.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
Shares a theatrical flair and emotional depth in songwriting, with catchy melodies and rich arrangements.
Tunnel of Love
Bruce Springsteen
Explores themes of love and heartbreak with a blend of rock and introspective ballads.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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