Every Picture Tells a Story

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "Every Picture Tells a Story" by Rod Stewart, from his 1971 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this rollicking tune! Co-written with Ronnie Wood, this song is a high-energy narrative of a young man’s global Rod Stewart’s finest moments, bursting with raw, rootsy rock vibes. According to a 1971 interview in Louder, Stewart called the album’s hit single "Maggie May" a “freak” hit with “no melody,” yet admitted the album itself had “permanence and lasting value.” The song’s loose, almost chaotic energy came from a wild recording process, with Stewart assembling a crew of hard-drinking musicians, including the Faces, at Morgan Studios in London. As engineer Mike Bobak recalled, sessions were serious from 7 to 10 p.m., but after that, the crew hit the pub, with Stewart meticulously reviewing mix cassettes at home. The track features Maggie Bell’s fiery backup vocals and a mandolin player from Lindisfarne, whose name Stewart famously forgot, simply crediting “the mandolin player in Lindisfarne” on the sleeve.

Lyrically, "Every Picture Tells a Story" is a freewheeling tale of global adventures and lessons learned, from Paris to Peking. Some lyrics, like references to a “slit-eyed lady,” have been criticized as dated and offensive by modern standards, as noted in a Songfacts review, but the song’s raw, unpolished charm—complete with Stewart’s vocal slip on “Loo… look how wrong you can be”—captured a moment when rock reveled in its roughness. Fans on Reddit praise its visceral power, with one calling it a “sensation” that demands to be played loud. The song’s been covered by the Georgia Satellites and featured in films like Almost Famous, cementing its place as a rock staple.

Rod Stewart, born January 10, 1945, in London, kicked off his career in the early 1960s with a harmonica and a busker’s spirit. As detailed in his Biography page, he worked odd jobs—newspaper delivery, grave digging, even a stint in a funeral parlor—while dreaming of soccer stardom. Music won out when he realized, as he quipped in a Wikipedia entry, “A musician’s life is a lot easier, and I can also get drunk and make music.” He joined the Dimensions in 1963, then Long John Baldry’s All Stars, before hitting stride with the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. His raspy voice and bluesy edge shone, but it was joining the Faces in 1969, alongside his solo debut An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down, that set the stage for Every Picture Tells a Story’s breakthrough. Balancing the Faces’ raucous tours with his solo work, Stewart became a global star, later earning a knighthood and selling over 120 million records.

Stay connected with Rod Stewart through his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at the Rod Stewart Fan Club or join discussions in groups like the Rod Stewart Fans on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for this timeless rocker!

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "Every Picture Tells a Story" by Rod Stewart, from his 1971 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this rollicking tune! Co-written with Ronnie Wood, this song is a high-energy narrative of a young man’s global adventures, from Paris to Peking, packed with raw, rootsy rock vibes. According to a 1971 interview in Louder, Stewart called the album’s hit single "Maggie May" a “freak” hit with “no melody,” yet admitted the album itself had “permanence and lasting value.” The song’s loose, almost chaotic energy came from a wild recording process, with Stewart assembling a crew of hard-drinking musicians, including the Faces, at Morgan Studios in London. As engineer Mike Bobak recalled, sessions were serious from 7 to 10 p.m., but after that, the crew hit the pub, with Stewart meticulously reviewing mix cassettes at home. The track features Maggie Bell’s fiery backup vocals and a mandolin player from Lindisfarne, whose name Stewart famously forgot, simply crediting “the mandolin player in Lindisfarne” on the sleeve.

Lyrically, "Every Picture Tells a Story" is a freewheeling tale of lessons learned, but some lyrics, like references to a “slit-eyed lady,” have been criticized as dated and offensive by modern standards, as noted in a Songfacts review. Still, the song’s raw, unpolished charm—complete with Stewart’s vocal slip on “Loo… look how wrong you can be”—captured a moment when rock reveled in its roughness. Fans on Reddit praise its visceral power, with one calling it a “sensation” that demands to be played loud. The song’s been covered by the Georgia Satellites and featured in films like Almost Famous, cementing its place as a rock staple.

Rod Stewart, born January 10, 1945, in London, kicked off his career in the early 1960s with a harmonica and a busker’s spirit. As detailed in his Biography page, he worked odd jobs—newspaper delivery, grave digging, even a stint in a funeral parlor—while dreaming of soccer stardom. Music won out when he realized, as he quipped in a Wikipedia entry, “A musician’s life is a lot easier, and I can also get drunk and make music.” He joined the Dimensions in 1963, then Long John Baldry’s All Stars, before hitting stride with the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. His raspy voice and bluesy edge shone, but it was joining the Faces in 1969, alongside his solo debut An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down, that set the stage for Every Picture Tells a Story’s breakthrough. Balancing the Faces’ raucous tours with his solo work, Stewart became a global star, later earning a knighthood and selling over 120 million records.

Stay connected with Rod Stewart through his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at the Rod Stewart Fan Club or join discussions in groups like the Rod Stewart Fans on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for this timeless rocker!