Blondes Have More Fun: A Tribute To Rod Stewart – Album Review
Alright, let’s dive into Blondes Have More Fun: A Tribute To Rod Stewart, a cheeky little homage by Ian Johnston that dropped in 1979. Released under Chevron Music in the UK, this pop album is basically Ian’s way of saying, “Hey Rod, we see you, and we’re borrowing your vibes for a hot minute.” Spoiler alert: it’s not half bad.
Now, I’ll be honest—when I first saw the tracklist, my eyes nearly popped out. It’s like someone raided Rod Stewart’s greatest hits playlist and decided to cover every single one. From "Maggie May" to "Sailing," Johnston didn’t hold back. But hey, if you’re gonna pay tribute, why not go all in?
Let me zoom in on two tracks that stuck with me. First up, “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” Oh man, where do I even start? This song has always been peak swagger material, but Johnston somehow makes it sound less sleazy and more... charmingly awkward? It’s like he’s trying to charm his way into a party but forgot his tie at home. The sax solo (you knew there’d be one) still slaps, though—it’s impossible not to nod along. Honestly, hearing this version feels like catching your cool uncle attempting disco moves at a family barbecue. You cringe, but also kind of love it.
Then there’s “Sailing.” If you’ve ever heard the original, you know it’s dripping with nostalgia and oceanic vibes. Johnston doesn’t mess too much with the formula here, which works in his favor. His vocals are smooth enough to make you forget you’re listening to a tribute album. For a brief moment, you might even picture yourself on a boat, wind in your hair, until reality hits and you remember you’re just sitting in traffic. Still, props to him for nailing the emotional core of the song without overdoing it.
The rest of the album follows suit—faithful covers with just enough personality to keep things interesting. Tracks like "Hot Legs" and "You Wear It Well" feel like fun throwbacks, while deeper cuts like "The Killing Of Georgie" remind you how versatile Rod Stewart really was. Sure, some renditions lean a bit too close to karaoke night territory, but overall, it’s an enjoyable ride.
Here’s the kicker: as I listened through the whole thing, I couldn’t help wondering—why did they name the album after such a cheesy line? Like, yeah, blondes might have more fun, but what about brunettes? Or redheads? Isn’t music supposed to unite us across hair colors? Maybe that’s the real takeaway here: no matter your shade, you can rock these classics and own them.
So grab your vinyl player (or Spotify, whatever floats your boat), pour yourself a drink, and give Blondes Have More Fun a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up belting “Maggie May” in your living room. Trust me, the neighbors won’t mind—they’re probably doing the same thing.
