When Rod Stewart teamed up with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a brand new rendition of his hit single, “Maggie May,” they created a version of the pop song that’s unlike any heard before!
The unmissable clip went YouTube-viral in 2019, topping 8.3 million views to date. Even five years on, fans still can’t get over how legendary this rendition is.
Rod doesn’t just sing “Maggie May” in this new version – he fine-tunes his voice as an instrument, his gruff rock tones an electric contrast to the sweeping atmospheres of his orchestra as they transform this iconic track into a cinematic masterpiece.
The original single was a full-band pop-rock hit: guitarists, bassist, drummer, and prog organ amping up the summer mood as Rod’s lyrics deal with an inevitable breakup. Readers can reminisce over the original single (while catching a glimpse of Rod’s outrageous haircut) in his 1971 Top Of The Pops performance in the second video below!
But for this new viral clip, Rod gives the Royal Philharmonic center-stage, holding off his rock band until the second verse, where they plush out the fantastically uplifting ambience of the orchestra.
Sitting amidst the instrumentalists and tapping his ornately embroidered black slippers to the beat, Rod (aged 75 in this clip) genuinely seems to be having the time of his life as he recreates one of the greatest hits of his career under a brand new light.
Released in 1971, “Maggie May” was Rod Stewart’s very first chart-topper; peaking at #1 on the Singles Charts in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. It was then featured on Rod’s third studio album, 1971’s “Every Picture Tells A Story,” which soon became Rod’s first #1 album, boasting over 2.5 million sales.
This wasn’t the only song Rod Stewart re-recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Rod created a whole studio album with them! Entitled, “You’re in My Heart: Rod Stewart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,” the deluxe edition re-imagines 22 of Rod’s greatest hits, including “Reason To Believe,” “The First Cut Is The Deepest,” and even a version of “It Takes Two” with Robbie Williams replacing Rod’s original duetist, Tina Turner.
Fans have been filling the comments section beneath this viral “Maggie May” performance with praise, with one top-commenter speaking for hundreds of fans when they wrote, “I’m surprised [Rod] still sounds so great. At his age, I was expecting a faded and strained version of his old self. Well done.”
Rod Stewart once again demonstrates his timeless appeal with this unforgettable collaboration, blending his iconic style with the majestic sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This “Maggie May” rendition is a testament to his enduring artistry.
