The First Cut Is The Deepest

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some groovy vibes as we spin Rod Stewart’s soulful cover of The First Cut Is The Deepest from his 1976 album A Night On The Town here at THE ZOO! This track, originally penned by Cat Stevens in 1965, was transformed by Stewart into a heartfelt rock ballad that hit number one in the UK charts in 1977. Recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, the song’s rich orchestral backing and Stewart’s raw, raspy vocals bring a deep emotional punch to lyrics about love’s lasting wounds. Fun fact: Stewart wasn’t the first to cover this gem—soul singer P.P. Arnold had a hit with it in 1967—but his version’s vulnerability and sweeping arrangement made it a timeless classic, later reimagined by artists like Sheryl Crow in 2003.

Another cool tidbit about The First Cut Is The Deepest comes from its place in Stewart’s career. In 1976, he was riding high, blending rock, pop, and soul while embracing his playboy image. The song’s release on A Night On The Town marked a deliberate shift, with the album split into a “fast side” and a “slow side” to showcase his versatility. Stewart’s take on the track, with its lush production, was a nod to his ability to take a folk-soul composition and make it his own, cementing his status as a global superstar. Fans on Rod Stewart’s official Facebook often share how this song’s lyrics hit home, with some posting about blasting it during road trips or heartfelt moments, keeping the Zoo Freak spirit alive.

Let’s rewind to how Rod Stewart, the man behind this iconic track, kicked off his legendary career. Born Roderick David Stewart on January 10, 1945, in Highgate, North London, he was the youngest of five kids in a working-class family with Scottish and English roots. Growing up above his parents’ newsagent shop, young Rod was mad about soccer and music, often singing Al Jolson tunes around the family piano. His early dreams leaned toward becoming a professional footballer, and he even signed an apprentice contract with Brentford Football Club in his teens. But the grind of equipment duties over actual playtime pushed him toward his other passion: music. By the early 1960s, Stewart was swept up in the folk and R&B scenes, growing out his hair and embracing a beatnik vibe that had his parents raising eyebrows.

Stewart’s music journey started humbly. In 1962, he was spotted playing harmonica at London’s Twickenham train station by singer Long John Baldry, who invited him to tour. Rod busked across Europe with folk singer Wizz Jones, playing for tourists to scrape by. Back in London, he joined bands like Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions in 1963, then hopped through groups like The Hoochie Coochie Men and Shotgun Express. His big break came in 1966 with the Jeff Beck Group, where his gritty voice shone on albums like Truth. In 1969, he joined Faces (formerly Small Faces) and launched his solo career with An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down. The 1971 album Every Picture Tells A Story, with the smash hit Maggie May, catapulted him to global fame, blending rock, folk, and soul into a sound that’s kept Zoo Freaks dancing for decades.

For more on Rod Stewart, check out his official website at rodstewart.com, where you can find tour dates and news about his latest projects, like his 2025 “One Last Time” North American tour. Follow him on Facebook, where he’s got over 4.7 million fans, or on Instagram for pics of his Vegas residency and family moments with wife Penny Lancaster. On X, Rod shares updates about his music and his whisky brand, Wolfie’s. Zoo Freaks can also connect with fellow fans on the Official Faces website for nostalgia about his Faces days or join the Rod Stewart Fans Facebook group to swap stories and vinyl finds. Keep it wild, Zoo Crew!