The story behind Rod Stewart's 'Maggie May'

“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart catapulted his solo career when it was released in 1971, and it’s based on a real life event that happened to the rock star. Find out more about this timeless tune in this episode of Behind The Song.

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Michael Collier
Video Editor: Julian Romano

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam. She is a transplant from Los Angeles, where she was a video director at Fender, Executive Producer at Yahoo Music, playlist curator for ITunes, worked in rock management with artists like the Foo Fighters and Beck, was on the radio at KCRW, and she was a DJ at online radio pioneer site Soundbreak. She has not worked a day in her life.

Follow Behind The Song on TikTok @behindthesongpodcast.

[angusmoffat]

Absolutely, one of my ten songs of all time. A masterpiece!

[robertthacher-dvkn]

Maggie Mae was the biggest hit he ever had. Who could forget the fall of 1971 when that song owned the charts!

[joemacdonald]

Rod Stewart has a Signature voice that cannot be mistaken. There is no doubt when you hear that voice.

[clarkbonelli]

My dad told a story of playing high stakes poker in the middle of the night, getting drunk with a funny English guy at Caesar’s in Lake Tahoe in the 80’s. He said he couldn’t believe this crazy man was throwing down 20 grand at a time….multiple times, and kept losing. He had no clue who he was, and as he drove out later that day….he saw Rod’s mug up on the marquee. He still didn’t know who he was but figured his kids would. 😂

[mamapetillo]

I’ve always adored this song.
From hearing it playing on the AM radio in my mom’s station wagon, to traveling thru the woods to the coast.
I’m in my 50’s now, and still feel a wave of Saturday morning/childhood joy well up with only those first four chords.
I expect this to be played at my funeral.
If it isn’t, I’m gonna spend my afterlife planting this song into everyone I know’s head, for eternity cause Wake Up Maggie I Think I Got Somethin To Say To You

[canyonwrensong]

The first time I heard the song "Maggie Mae", it was on the radio as I was getting a ride to my junior high school (7th grade) in LA. I immediately knew this would be a big hit. I had never had that kind of clear insight before about a song. There was nothing like it on the radio. It's odd how the corporate suits couldn't hear it, but the suits don't always know. ..Thank you for the back story. I had never heard it before your broadcast. Great job!

[paulaneary]

I was born in '63. Grew up listening to Rod Stewart. He was here in Santa Barbara a few years ago, completely regret not attending the concert. Enjoying your channel.

[Notmehimorthem]

Rod is a wonderful lyricist - very very very underated, probably the best the UK has.

[gordonwallin]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[c.e.anderson]

Went I see him when I lived in Vegas in 1988..
After a hours or so dude came out said Roddy was too ill to perform. Pissed we were. Great theater in a fairly new casino with great seating.
He rescheduled and at the show he apologized profusely . He was VERY involved with the audience .
Then he proceeded to perform every song he ever recorded and some covers. Almost 3 hours!
And when Maggie started, about the time after the mandy part when the drumm fill introduces the full band he started shouting g stop stop and waving his hands. The band was looking at each other and when they finally all quieted he said "" I just love that part still after all these years let's do it again"
You can imagine the reaction. Standing ovation.
Then it started over.
All the show he was talking and telling short tales and egaging with people down front.
Phenomenal showman.
My roommate and recording partners girlfriend worked for some paper or something and had 2 comp tickets at a table near front of stage and other paper guy didn't show up.
No phones back then and she didn't know where we were seated but my buddy said later he would have let me go down there if she could have let us know.

[julenepegher]

A Great story! Rod had great hair, as a young teen in the 70’s me and my friends got our hair cut like Rod. ❤️ those great days of the 70’s and Rod Stewart and Faces!

[heathercrumpler]

We named our dog “Maggie May” after this song. She showed up on our at our house when my sister and I were 14. I loved that dog and still do. I am 46 now, so she would be long gone. We had to give her away because we moved to an house that didn’t allow dogs. We got her fixed first and I remember the putting a heating pad on her belly, to help ease pain. Then we gave her to my best, Amber, who had someone line up to give her to a family. I hope she had a wonderful life. I think she a Bernese Mountain dog. She was a stray, or we assume she was because no claimed her. We had a year or two with her. I miss her and love her always.

[pamelaparrish]

I am 64 and i heard his voice and it was mesmerizing. He made music videos way before MTV i would watch variety shows if they said he would be on it it wasn't live it was a video. Maggy May is my security question for favorite song. Then came Tonight's the Night and i didn't have a clue what he was singing about but it must be something good. The last time i saw him in concert was about 30 years ago and our seats were front row on the lower level right by the stage. Toward the end all the women on the floor got to go up on stage and hug and dance with him. My husband caught me as i was going over the rail to jump down. It was about a 25 foot drop and he said if it was closer i would let you go but its too far. I told him one of the security guards would catch me if he lowered me down far enough but he pulled me back to seat and said the kids would be mad if he let me get hurt. That was the closest i ever got. And i had long blonde hair and blue eyes just his type. Its still not too late!

[johngore]

I’m 62 and been listening to music since I was 6 ( 1967) though my older siblings and have a very eclectic taste in music. And find your analysis at least the ones I’ve seen to be well thought out articulate and presented with accuracy and knowledge. Keep up the great work. Cheers from Montreal.

[williamkey]

Loved this song from the first time I heard it. Thank you rod.

[alfconde]

Unbelievable and fantastic story, Janda. Oh I am so delighted knowing this story. You’re becoming my Paul Harvey and Casey Kasem equivalent in story telling. This is from Tokyo fan. Thank you.

[rebeccahunter]

Thanks for this. It was so interesting. 🤓
I cane across your page today and am already addicted.
I love hearing about the history of songs.
I will be back for sure.

[petertornabeni]

Janda, you have a terrific voice and I appreciate your efforts in all you bring to this podcast !!

[michaelwashington]

One of the greatest rockers rock and roll for ever

[breigesheppard]

My god ROD is the best of the best love him 54yrs He can sing just any old thing thanks for all those years 👏💚🍀🙏🏻