Smiler (album)


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 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, Pete Sears, and Mickey Waller.

Track listing

  1. "Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" – 3:43
  2. "Lochinvar" – 0:25
  3. "Farewell" – 4:34
  4. "Sailor" – 3:35
  5. "Bring It On Home to Me/You Send Me" – 3:57
  6. "Let Me Be Your Car" – 4:56
  7. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" – 3:54
  8. "Dixie Toot" – 3:27
  9. "Hard Road" – 4:27
  10. "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" Instrumental – 1:32
  11. "Girl from the North Country" – 3:52
  12. "Mine for Me" – 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