My Favorite Rock Song of All Time

"Maggie May"

My favorite rock and roll song of all time is Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May.” No other tune carries folly and heartbreak of two lovers with such grace. The lyrics are conversational:

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got somethin' to say to you
It's late September and I really should be back at school

The instruments are pretty damn conversational too--electric, acoustic and twelve-string guitars, the celeste, and mandolin. The drums speak early rock and roll with a back beat that tears open the heart of the listener, of course, never forgetting its manners.

The song starts with just an acoustic guitar played by Martin Quittenton, who co-wrote “Maggie May” with Rod Stewart. Mr. Quittenton gives the intro an English folk song feel. The bass at times is untraditional, more melodic, higher register, because the bass has something to say too. The celeste lives up to its French name of heavenly, a delicate accompaniment of broken chords and arpeggios.

The mandolin and bass take over near the song’s close and we get an English folk song conversing with a melodic bass part, or perhaps it’s the instrumental version of the younger man saying to the older woman he loves,

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

Here’s the rest of the lyrics. Enjoy!

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