Smiler is the fifth solo album by English rock singer-songwriter Rod Stewart. It was released on 27 September 1974 by Mercury Records. It reached number 1 in the UK album chart, and number 13 in the US.
The album includes the UK top ten single "Farewell", co-written by Stewart and long time collaborator Martin Quittenton. While the single was also released in the US, it was its B-side "Mine for Me", a song written for Stewart by Paul and Linda McCartney"Mine For Me" The Paul McCartney Project. Retrieved 2015-12-26. that became a minor hit there, reaching number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The album also includes covers of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan songs, as well as a duet with Elton John of John's song "Let Me Be Your Car". Stewart also covered Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" where 'Woman' is switched to 'Man'. The release of the album was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records.
Musicians appearing on the album included members of Stewart's band Faces, as well as frequent collaborators Martin Quittenton (guitars), Pete Sears (bass & keyboards), and Mickey Waller (drums).
Reception
Track listing
"Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" (Chuck Berry) – 3:43 "Lochinvar" (Pete Sears) – 0:25 "Farewell" (Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton) – 4:34 "Sailor" – (Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:35 "Bring It On Home to Me/You Send Me" (Sam Cooke) – 3:57 "Let Me Be Your Car" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 4:56 "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:54 "Dixie Toot" – (Stewart, Ronnie Wood) 3:27 "Hard Road" (Harry Vanda, George Young) – 4:27 "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" Instrumental (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) – 1:32 "Girl from the North Country" (Bob Dylan) – 3:52 "Mine for Me" (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney) – 4:02
A 1991 CD compilation called 'back 2 back – 2 for 1' combined Smiler with Gasoline Alley. However, tracks 2, 9 and 10, were left out on this release.
Personnel Rod Stewart – vocals Ronnie Wood – acoustic & electric guitar, bass guitar Martin Quittenton – acoustic guitar Spike Heatley, Willie Weeks – bass guitar Elton John – piano and vocals on "Let Me Be Your Car" Pete Sears – piano, harpsichord, celeste Ian McLagan – Hammond organ Ray Jackson – mandolin Ric Grech, Dick Powell – violin The Memphis Horns – horns Paul McCartney – backing vocals on "Mine for Me" Irene Chanter – backing vocals Doreen Chanter – backing vocals Ray Cooper – percussion Tropic Isles Steel Band – drums Micky Waller, Andy Newmark, Kenney Jones – drums Chris Barber's Jazz Band Mike Bobak – engineering Bob Ludwig – mastering
Charts Chart (1974–75) Peak position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 8 Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) 28Japanese Albums (Oricon) 65
Certifications
References