Smiler (album)
| Smiler | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 September 1974 | |||
| Recorded | November 1973-May 1974 | |||
| Studio | Morgan Studios, London and The Wick, Richmond | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:24 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Producer | Rod Stewart | |||
| Rod Stewart chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Smiler | ||||
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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.[1]
Musicians appearing on the album included members of Stewart's band Faces, as well as frequent collaborators Martin Quittenton (guitars), Pete Sears (bass & keyboards), and Mickey Waller (drums).