Rod Stewart, Who Wrote You Wear It Well?

The songwriting credit for Rod Stewart’s 1972 classic ‘You Wear It Well’ has always been Rod Stewart / Martin Quittenton. Why did Rod Stewart credit it to Ronnie Wood at his Melbourne show?

Rod Stewart - Photo By Ros O'Gorman

Introducing the song, Rod talked about Ronnie. “I saw him a few weeks ago. He has given up the drink, he has given up the drugs, he has given up the cigarettes and he is really fucking miserable,” Rod joked.

But when introducing his 1972 classic Stewart said he wrote it with Ronnie. “We wrote this in his mums kitchen,” Rod said.

‘You Wear It Well’ was the hit single from Rod Stewart’s 1972 album ‘Never Dull Moment’.

Ronnie Wood did co-write two songs on the album, ‘True Blue’ and ‘Los Paraguayos’ but he didn’t write ‘You Wear It Well’.

He also played guitar on the album as did all of the other Faces, Ronnie Lane (bass), Kenny Jones (drums) and Ian McLagan (organ).

The real co-writer Martin Quittenton also played guitar on the album.

Quittenton also co-wrote Rod’s ‘Maggie May’ from 1971’s ‘Every Picture Tells A Story’ and ‘Farewell’ from 1974’s ‘Smiler’.

Regardless of a little historical faux pas Rod Stewart performed a flawless show at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

The setlist was:

Love Train (from Soulbook, 2009)
Tonight’s The Night (from A Night On The Town, 1976)
Having A Party (from Unplugged and Seated, 1993)
The First Cut Is The Deepest (from A Night On The Town, 1976)
Baby Jane (from Body Wishes, 1983)
Forever Young (from Out Of Order, 1988)
Downtown Train (from Storyteller, 1989)

Unplugged set:
Have I Told You Lately (from Vagabond Heart, 1991)
You Wear It Well (from Never A Dull Moment, 1972)
I Don’t Want To Talk About It (from Atlantic Crossing, 1975)
Ooh La La (from The Faces Ooh La La, 1973)
Tom Trauberts Blues (from Storyteller, 1989)

Sweet Little Rock and Roller (from Smiler, 1974)
Proud Mary
Rhythm Of My Heart (from Vagabond Heart, 1991)
Twisting The Night Away (from Never A Dull Moment, 1972)
You’re In My Heart (from Footloose and Fancy Free, 1977)
Hot Legs (from Footloose and Fancy Free, 1977)
Maggie May (from Every Picture Tells A Story, 1971)
Sailing (from Atlantic Crossing, 1975)

Do You Think I’m Sexy (from Blondes Have More Fun, 1978)

REVIEW: Rod Stewart at Rod Laver Arena, February 17, 2012