Stay With Me
March 18, 2010 1:13 AM   Subscribe

Arguably the greatest song of 1972.

WARNING: contains footage of Rod Stewart
posted by philip-random (69 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: fairly weak sauce. Please let me know if I missed something -- vacapinta



 
Eponysterical?
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:14 AM on March 18, 2010


I agree with you, but this is a terrible FPP.
posted by Roman Graves at 1:17 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Yeah, I'm kinda drunk too.
posted by telstar at 1:41 AM on March 18, 2010 [3 favorites]


His singing is a little pitchy.
Football pitchy.
posted by From Bklyn at 1:41 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]




I'd better intervene to save this thread.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:46 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


I just listened to an old song on YouTube.
posted by Usher at 1:47 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


I prefer this: All The Young Dudes

Or Ballpark Incident
posted by quarsan at 1:47 AM on March 18, 2010


It Never Rains In Southern California was probably the first song I can remember... in 1972 in California on my little AM transistor radio. I ought to be recalling this over a beer or something.
posted by crapmatic at 1:48 AM on March 18, 2010




Hey Barbara Bach, who's that mean ol' Jezebel wearing your striped skivvies?
posted by biddeford at 2:07 AM on March 18, 2010






Well I'll give you this: the video shows the pre-dissolution Rod.

Now I'm trying to think up reasons that's good.
posted by telstar at 2:17 AM on March 18, 2010


In 1972, Merle Haggard released "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)." Don Gibson released "Woman, Sensuous Woman," Faron Young released "Four In the Morning," and Loretta Lynn released "One's On the Way," all of which went to number one. Likewise, the Staples Singers released "I'll Take You There," and James Brown released "Get on the Good Foot," also number one hits.

And you're telling us Rod Stewart and the Faces' "Stay With Me" was the best song of the year?

Let me introduce you to my record collection. I'll take you there.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:17 AM on March 18, 2010 [4 favorites]




FWIW, I agree it's a good tune, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I'm glad you posted the link. I would not have seen it tonight otherwise.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 2:18 AM on March 18, 2010


I'll Take You There.

No more need be said. Arguably.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:19 AM on March 18, 2010


Sorry for the quoting, folks!
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 2:19 AM on March 18, 2010


So, InsertNiftyNameHere, is this an example of a good day on Metafilter? No wonder you're so often disappointed in this place!

Also, Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" came out in 1972. No British wannabe of that era touched the R&B artists they were imitating so earnestly.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:23 AM on March 18, 2010


I think it's also pertinent to point out that Dr. John's Gumbo was released in 1972.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:24 AM on March 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Besides, there were better songs released in 1972.
posted by koeselitz at 2:27 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


(Except, arguably, Van Morrison, and he was Irish anyway. And of course Stewart was Scots, albeit from Muswell Hill, London. So "British" is a bit of a slur on either one. Van put out "St. Dominic's Preview" in 1972, easily as good as anything Faces ever did.)
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:28 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


(Thank god no one has yet mentioned Stairway to Heaven, whoops.)
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:29 AM on March 18, 2010


Wikipedia: 1972 in music
posted by koeselitz at 2:29 AM on March 18, 2010


Is this before or after the stomach-pumping?
posted by bardic at 2:31 AM on March 18, 2010


Besides, everybody knows the Faces were much better when they were still Small.
posted by koeselitz at 2:33 AM on March 18, 2010


This song is at least 38 years old. If, in 1972 when this video was made, a music historian looking 38 years into the past might have said "arguably the best song of 1934"...drum roll... here is that song!
posted by telstar at 2:43 AM on March 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


fourcheesemac: "So, InsertNiftyNameHere, is this an example of a good day on Metafilter? No wonder you're so often disappointed in this place!

Also, Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" came out in 1972. No British wannabe of that era touched the R&B artists they were imitating so earnestly.
"

I don't believe I ever said anything about "disappointment" or feeling any emotion "often." I expressed an opinion. If you find that fact interesting in some way, great.

Now, as for the topic at hand, I'm going to have to say that "Superstition" by Stevie trumps the featured selection. Of course, that is merely yet another opinion of mine. I hope the fact that I expressed that doesn't upset you in some way.

BTW, that post of mine that you reference did seem to end up serving as a great way for me to quickly identify the nice respondents from the, shall we say, not so nice respondents.

We now rejoin our regular programming regarding music from 1972...
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 2:58 AM on March 18, 2010


Gotta admire a man who can find a haircut and outfit and stick to it for forty years.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 3:00 AM on March 18, 2010 [4 favorites]


If, in 1934 when Shirley Temple was singing The Good Ship Lollipop, a music historian looking 38 years into the past might have said that "arguably the best song of 1896" was When the Saints Go Marching In.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:00 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Holee crap, Yes' Roundabout came out in 1972? (Thanks Koeslitz.) This contest is over!
posted by telstar at 3:03 AM on March 18, 2010


Labi Siffre batting for Britain in 1972 (album version to get the year right) - It Must Be Love
posted by Abiezer at 3:13 AM on March 18, 2010


And of course Stewart was Scots, albeit from Muswell Hill, London. So "British" is a bit of a slur on either one.

You do know that Scotland is part of Britain, right?

And this is arguably the greatest....etc....
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:15 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Ah, InsertNiftyName, I'm just giving you good natured shit. No offense.
posted by fourcheesemac at 3:20 AM on March 18, 2010


I came here to argue.
posted by hypersloth at 3:21 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


InfiniteJest -- it is now. Them's fighting words for some.
posted by fourcheesemac at 3:21 AM on March 18, 2010


on preview, I beg to differ.
posted by hypersloth at 3:23 AM on March 18, 2010


I came here to argue.

About what?
posted by telstar at 3:29 AM on March 18, 2010


wah!

That's not even a good performance. Oh boy, that is going to be one hell of a hangover this morning sir random.
posted by caddis at 3:30 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Music isn't a contest.
posted by belvidere at 3:36 AM on March 18, 2010


In 1896 when "When the Saints Go Marching In" was published, a music historian looking 38 years into the past might have said that "arguably the best song of 1858" was the "Can-Can".

In 1820 blah blah blah doo be doo be doo, "Hail to the Chief".

In 1782... okay, now you got me.
posted by rory at 3:36 AM on March 18, 2010


Oops, in 1782.
posted by rory at 3:38 AM on March 18, 2010


fourcheesemac: equally, suggesting that Scotland isn't British would be fighting words for a lot of Scots - just ask the Rangers fans...;-)
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:42 AM on March 18, 2010


2525
posted by Saddo at 3:44 AM on March 18, 2010


Actually, Rod even released "You Wear It Well" in '72, which was a better song.
posted by Roman Graves at 3:55 AM on March 18, 2010


Little Feat released Sailin Shoes in 1972. A few great songs on that disc; it changed my musical tastes.
posted by coldhotel at 4:11 AM on March 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Infinite Jest: "fourcheesemac: equally, suggesting that Scotland isn't British would be fighting words for a lot of Scots - just ask the Rangers fans...;-)"

It's SHITE being Scottish! We're the lowest of the low. The scum of the fucking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don't. They're just wankers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by wankers. Can't even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We're ruled by effete assholes. It's a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won't make any fucking difference!
posted by bwg at 4:11 AM on March 18, 2010


Actually, for most Scottish people I know, the fightingest words you can probably come up with would be to quote Trainspotting to them as an outstanding example of what Scottishness means.

Also, Rangers up, Celtic down.
posted by koeselitz at 4:17 AM on March 18, 2010


bwg: My heart's in the Highlands.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:17 AM on March 18, 2010


And, hey, bwg, you've got the finest beverages in the world.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:20 AM on March 18, 2010


I liked this 1972 song SLYT (or Double-LYT) better. (Here's a working link to replace the one in the FPP.)
posted by Jaltcoh at 4:20 AM on March 18, 2010


Flagged as offensive.
posted by Pollomacho at 4:21 AM on March 18, 2010


Big Star's "Thirteen" has got to be close to the top of the list, as Infinite jest points out.

Dark Side of the Moon came out in 1972.

I could go the rest of my life not ever, ever hearing "Heart of Gold" again.
posted by maxwelton at 4:21 AM on March 18, 2010


At least no one's mentioned the tired old fried mars bar.

And, 13 POINTS CLEAR :)
posted by the cuban at 4:22 AM on March 18, 2010


Oh aye, and Rod Stewart is one of those select few that's supported both Rangers and Celtic.

Not normal.
posted by the cuban at 4:24 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Just stumbled across this Christgau essay on Mott the Hoople from 1972, which does a good job explaining why hard rock was so interesting then. It was both earthy and detached- he suggests British bands knew that couldn't be naturally funky, so they had a rollicking bluntness and campiness to compensate for the detachment for what they really wanted.
posted by bendybendy at 4:25 AM on March 18, 2010


Can't believe nobody brought up the other best song of 72..
posted by hypersloth at 4:28 AM on March 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


koeselitz: "Actually, for most Scottish people I know, the fightingest words you can probably come up with would be to quote Trainspotting to them as an outstanding example of what Scottishness means."

I didn't quote it as an example of what being Scottish means; I'm not Scottish nor have I spent any time there, so how the Hell would I know that?

I quoted it because it's funny: neither the Scottish nor the English come out looking better than the other, which was my intent given the never-ending argument about whether Scotland is or isn't part of Britain.

But if I'd wanted a quote that suggests Scottishness I'd have chosen a line from Braveheart:

"The trouble with Scotland is that it's full of Scots."
posted by bwg at 4:36 AM on March 18, 2010


flapjax at midnite: "And, hey, bwg, you've got the finest beverages in the world."

Me? I'm a Canuck, so unless you're referring to our many and varied beers ...
posted by bwg at 4:38 AM on March 18, 2010


Wikipedia: 1972 in music
Bands disbanded:
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Martha and the Vandellas
MC5
Them
The Velvet Underground
That was a bad year.
posted by tellurian at 4:40 AM on March 18, 2010


Okay, I'm new to MeFi, maybe I don't understand the rules, but I thought that trolling (especially with a SLYT post like this) was discouraged here. I mean, seriously, is this sort of rubbish condoned? Because I could do something equally ludicrous:

Arguably the greatest automobile of 1972.

And come on now. Rod Stewart? Seriously? This post is so horrid, I can't even restrain myself from being trolled even while complaining of the trolling.

The only "Best" I can associate with Rod Stewart: The Best Way to make an album unlistenable.

I will never forgive Rod Stewart for ruining this album, which pretty much wiped out Jeff Beck's nascent solo career.
posted by charlie don't surf at 4:41 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


If I were composing a list of musicians who are now generally considered lame but who were once the coolest shit around (and legitimately quite talented), it would go like this:

1. Aerosmith
2. Elton John
3. Rod Stewart.
posted by emd3737 at 4:43 AM on March 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


That was a bad year.

Musically I don't think 1972 even rises as high as "a bad year." Allow me to illustrate: here is the Billboard Top 10 of 1972.

1. American Pie - Don Mclean
2. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
3. Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert 0'Sullivan
4. Without You - Nilsson
5. I Gotcha - Joe Tex
6. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
7. The Candy Man - Sammy Davis, Jr.
8. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
9. A Horse With No Name - America
10. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
posted by charlie don't surf at 4:48 AM on March 18, 2010


The best song of 1972 is an anthem for high school dropouts everywhere.
posted by NoMich at 4:56 AM on March 18, 2010


Musically I don't think 1972 even rises as high as "a bad year."
I think you missed the 'Bands disbanded' bit.
posted by tellurian at 4:58 AM on March 18, 2010


Musically I don't think 1972 even rises as high as "a bad year."

Say whaaaat? "Let's Stay Together", "I Can See Clearly Now" and "Me and Mrs. Jones" are the very definition of great. And "I Gotcha" is big fun. So nyaaaah.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:59 AM on March 18, 2010


Charles Mingus released Let My Children Hear Music in 1972. Please, go listen to some of the samples on amazon, particularly Adagio ma Non Troppo, and consider maybe broadening your perspective a little.
posted by creasy boy at 5:02 AM on March 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


That was a bad year.

Hey! I was born....
posted by Infinite Jest at 5:12 AM on March 18, 2010


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