Rod Stewart has always had a deep love for soul music. While best known for his raspy rock vocals and chart-topping hits like ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’, the singer has long drawn inspiration from the greats of R&B and soul.
Rod Stewart’s career has spanned more than five decades, but his love for soul music goes back even further. Growing up in London in the late 1950s and early ‘60s, he was drawn to American rhythm and blues.
The records coming out of Motown, Stax, and Atlantic found their way into his record collection, shaping the sound that would later make him one of the biggest stars of the 1970s.
Though he started out in rock bands like The Jeff Beck Group and Faces, Stewart was always looking for ways to bring soul influences into his work. He covered Sam Cooke’s ‘Twistin’ the Night Away’, tackled ‘(I Know) I’m Losing You’ by The Temptations, and filled his early solo records with tracks that echoed the bluesy sound of the American greats.
But when it comes to personal favourites, ‘Lookin’ for a Love’ is one of the songs that has stuck with him the most.
Originally released in 1962, ‘Lookin’ for a Love’ was recorded by The Valentinos, a group made up of Bobby Womack and his brothers under the guidance of Sam Cooke. It was a lively, gospel-infused track with harmonies that lifted it beyond the standard R&B fare of the time. The song had an infectious rhythm, driven by handclaps and a steady groove, but it was Womack’s delivery that made it shine.
At just 18 years old, Bobby Womack had a voice that carried a weight beyond his years. He sang with a depth that made the lyrics feel like more than just another love song.
The song later found success again in 1974 when Womack re-recorded it as a solo artist. The new version was smoother, polished for radio, and climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. But for Stewart, both versions captured the magic that made Womack’s music special.
Stewart wasn’t just a fan from afar—he and Womack had a strong mutual respect. While they came from different musical worlds, their paths crossed multiple times throughout their careers.
In a 2008 interview, Stewart recalled being in awe of Womack’s ability to pour emotion into every line. He admired the way Womack could take a song and make it feel personal, as if he was living every word as he sang it.
Womack, on the other hand, recognized Stewart’s appreciation for soul and saw him as someone who understood what made the genre special. Though Stewart had rock star status, his roots in blues and soul were clear, and that wasn’t lost on Womack.
Perhaps the most interesting link between Stewart and Womack is found in one of Stewart’s biggest hits, ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’. Released in 1978, the song was a major shift in Stewart’s sound, blending rock with disco and funk. It became a global success, reaching No. 1 in multiple countries, but it also sparked controversy due to its similarity to other songs.
One of the key influences on the track was Womack’s ‘If You Want My Love, Put Something Down On It’. While ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ had its own melody and structure, Stewart borrowed elements from Womack’s string arrangement, using a similar lush orchestration in his own track.
This wasn’t an uncommon practice in the ‘70s, especially in the disco era when producers often lifted ideas from soul and funk records. Stewart, however, never shied away from acknowledging Womack’s impact. He openly credited Womack’s sound as an influence on his work, reinforcing the deep admiration he had for him as an artist.