Rod Stewart names his 10 favourite songs of all time | Music | Entertainment

Sir Rod Stewart is no stranger to musical excellence, with a career spanning over five decades and a voice that has become iconic in rock and pop.

From his roots in rock and folk to exploring soul, R&B, and American standards, Stewart has achieved worldwide success and earned countless awards. Among his many accomplishments are two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the ASCAP Founders Award, and a knighthood in 2016.

With his impressive catalogue, Stewart is also a devoted fan of music, and in 2018, he revealed his personal “Tracks of My Years” during an interview with BBC Radio 2’s Ken Bruce.

Below, we explore Rod Stewart’s 10 favourite tracks of all time, showcasing the artists and songs that have left a lasting mark on his musical journey. These 10 songs represent a broad spectrum of musical genres, from early blues to contemporary hits.

‘Sonny Boy’ by Al Jolson is a classic that holds a special place for Stewart. Released in 1928 as part of The Singing Fool film, the song topped the charts for 12 weeks and sold over a million copies.

Stewart has fond memories of growing up with Jolson’s music, as it was part of his parents’ record collection: “He was what I grew up with, listening with my mom and dad. They loved him. My brothers loved him. We all loved Al Jolson. I was made to love Al Jolson. My big brother John took me to see the two movies they made about him, and I fell in love with him.”

He added, “This man sang without a microphone, which to me is incredulous. To get up and sing without a mic to 2000 people. So Al, thank you from upstairs.”

‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ by Little Richard is another one of Stewart’s all-time favourites. This rock and roll anthem became a staple of the 1950s, and Stewart fondly remembers his brother introducing him to Richard’s electrifying music: “When I was little, my brother Bob, who was a bit of a teddy boy, he brought this record [‘Little Richard’] home. I put it on time and time and time again – another one that was a big influence on me and then I met him. What a sweetheart of a man. Bless him.”

The song has also peaked at No. 7 on the R&B Best Sellers chart and was later covered by The Animals and sampled by Fergie in ‘Clumsy’.

Stewart’s admiration for Otis Redding’s soulful rendition of ‘Try a Little Tenderness’ is evident in his recollection of seeing Redding perform live in 1967: “I saw Otis at the Kuban state, and I cried my eyes out when he sang this song. What was interesting about the show is that he only played for 20 minutes, they have booked Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave and they all did 10, 20 minutes and the show was all over in an hour and a half.”

Redding became famous for his famous version of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby’s ‘Try a Little Tenderness’, and tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 26 on Dec. 10, 1967.

A lesser-known choice, ‘Cars and Girls’ by Prefab Sprout is a standout for Stewart. He praised frontman Paddy McAloon for his ability to blend pop and jazz influences in this track, calling it “just gorgeous.”

McAloon also contributed to Stewart’s 2018 album Blood Red Roses, though the two have never met in person: “This band, I’ll tell you, it’s just wonderful. He [McAloon] takes [his sound] outside the rock and roll genre. It’s jazz, almost. Long live Prefab Sprout.”

Stewart is also a fan of modern pop-funk, and ‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars is one of his favourite songs. The track became a global sensation in 2014, and Stewart praised both Ronson’s production and Mars’ performance.

He added: “Bruno Mars for me, I don’t wanna say he is a new Michael Jackson. I think he is a man on his own. He is doing something totally brilliant. This song, I believe, is one of the best records ever made into our world. I love it so much. The production, Mark Ronson, it just goes without saying, it’s just a different class. The actual brass riff that goes around, it’s been around [for a while], it’s a James Brown thing. But that is what makes it appeal to you and me.”

‘Lookin’ For a Love’ by Bobby Womack, another soulful ballad, is also one of Stewart’s favourites. Womack’s deep, emotive voice and heartfelt lyrics made this track stand out for Stewart, who has often cited Womack as one of the greatest soul singers of all time – even sampling the string arrangement from his song ‘(If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It’ in his 1978 hit ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy’.

Muddy Waters’ ‘I Feel So Good’ is a key track in Stewart’s list. Waters, a legendary figure in blues, shaped the genre with his electric sound. Stewart has long been an admirer of Waters’ work: “It was one of the first albums that I bought,” he revealed. “It was ‘Live at Monterey’, I think, it was a live album. Was also a great influence on the Faces because we used to play this song. I think we recorded it and just lovely, Little Walter on the Harmonica, Francis Clay, Willie Dixon on bass, just haunting!”

Billie Holiday’s rendition of ‘These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)’ has also been listed by Stewart, who expressed his admiration for the legendary jazz singer. Holiday’s ability to express complex emotions through her voice is something Stewart has appreciated, having performed a cover of her ‘Crazy, He Calls Me’ with Jools Holland on Radio 2’s Piano Room in 2024.

‘Three Steps to Heaven’ by Eddie Cochran is another song Stewart holds dear. Cochran, a pioneering figure in rockabilly and early rock and roll, influenced many artists, including Stewart. In an interview with The Guardian, when asked if he had any heores in the beginning of his career, Stwart answered: “I didn’t look at singers and think: ‘That’s how I want to move,’ but I sorta wanted to sound like ’em. I started off with Eddie Cochran – that rough-edged voice – and moved on to Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack and David Ruffin. I went from being a beatnik to a mod with long hair.

Finally, ‘Cupid’ by Sam Cooke rounds out Stewart’s list. Known for his ability to blend pop and soul, Cooke became one of the most influential voices of the 1960s. “Sam was probably the biggest influence after Eddie (Cochran). I remember going to work with my mate and we were listening to a little transistor radio. Then this heavenly voice came on, Sam Cooke ‘Cupid’. I never saw him sing. That is one regret. I wish I had gone to see him sing live”, said Stewart.