Peak
13
Weeks
10
Score
1,410
Chart Year
1972
"You Wear It Well" was written as a collaboration between Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton. You'll know Martin Quittenton from Steamhammer, as well as his frequent work with Rod Stewart. The subject of this song is Stewart writing a letter to an old flame - and having a pretty good attitude about it. What she is wearing well might be her current life, the years passing by, or the birthday gown he once bought her. This song falls squarely into Stewart's central body of work as another folksy blue-eyed soul ballad. You'll notice how similar this song sounds to another Stewart hit, "Maggie May," from the previous Rod Stewart album, Every Picture Tells a Story. Well, Quittenton collaborated with Stewart on that one, too! Along with this song, other charting singles from the Never a Dull Moment album include a cover of Jimi Hendrix' song "Angel," and "What Made Milwaukee Famous." The line, "Madame Onassis got nothing on you" is a reference to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - former First Lady to and widow of President John F. Kennedy. At the time of this song, Jacqueline - often referred to as "Jackie O" - was the spouse of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis until his death in 1975, widowing her again. Jackie O made quite a reputation for herself as a woman of grace, charm, and style, prompting the London Evening Standard to comment, "Jacqueline Kennedy has given the American people… one thing they have always lacked: Majesty." Rod Stewart was still active in the band Faces when he released "You Wear It Well." His bandmate Ronnie Wood (later of The Rolling Stones) played guitar on this track. Another Faces member, Ian McLagan, also made a key contribution. "I've always loved the combination of acoustic guitar with loud snare drum and Hammond organ - played here by the delectable Ian McLagan of loud, obtrusive sock fame," Stewart wrote in his Anthology liner notes.
I had nothing to do on this hot afternoon But to settle down and write you a line I've been meaning to phone you but from Minnesota Hell it's been a very long time You wear it well A little old fashioned but that's all right Well I suppose you're thinking I bet he's sinking Or he wouldn't get in touch with me Oh, I ain't begging or losing my head I sure do want you to know that you wear it well There ain't a lady in the land so fine Remember them basement parties, your brother's karate The all day rock and roll shows Them homesick blues and radical views Haven't left a mark on you, you wear it well A little out of time but I don't mind But I ain't forgetting that you were once mine But I blew it without even tryin' Now I'm eatin' my heart out Tryin' to get a letter through Since you've been gone it's hard to carry on I'm gonna write about the birthday gown that I bought in town When you sat down and cried on the stairs You knew it did not cost the earth, but for what it's worth You made me feel a millionaire and you wear it well Madame Onassis got nothing on you Anyway, my coffee's cold and I'm getting told That I gotta get back to work So when the sun goes low and you're home all alone Think of me and try not to laugh and I wear it well I don't object if you call collect 'Cause I ain't forgetting that you were once mine But I blew it without even tryin' Now I'm eatin' my heart out tryin' to get back to you After all the years I hope it's the same address Since you've been gone it's hard to carry on
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 26, 1972 | 87 | 39 |
| 2 | Sep 2, 1972 | 67 | 59 |
| 3 | Sep 9, 1972 | 45 | 81 |
| 4 | Sep 16, 1972 | 39 | 87 |
| 5 | Sep 23, 1972 | 27 | 99 |
| 6 | Sep 30, 1972 | 21 | 105 |
| 7 | Oct 7, 1972 | 17 | 109 |
| 8 | Oct 14, 1972 | 13 | 113 |
| 9 | Oct 21, 1972 | 13 | 113 |
| 10 | Oct 28, 1972 | 29 | 97 |