Ain't Love a Bitch

Last updated

"Ain't Love a Bitch"
AintLoveaBitch.jpg
Single by Rod Stewart
from the album Blondes Have More Fun
B-side
  • "Last Summer" (US)
  • "Scarred and Scared" (UK)
Released 1979
Genre Rock and roll
Length4:39
Label Riva Records (UK), Warner Bros. (rest of the world)
Songwriter(s) Gary Grainger, Rod Stewart
Producer(s) Tom Dowd
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
(1978)		"Ain't Love a Bitch"
(1979)		"Blondes (Have More Fun)"
(1979)

"Ain't Love a Bitch" is a song written by Gary Grainger and Rod Stewart. Stewart released it on his 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun , and it was one of four songs on the album co-written by Stewart and Grainger. [1] The song was released as a single in 1979, reaching #11 on the UK charts, and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. [2] [3] [4] [5] It spent 8 weeks on the UK charts and 6 weeks on the US charts. [3] [6] The song also reached the Top Ten in several countries, including Ireland. [7] Billboard magazine placed Stewart #7 on its list of the Top Single Artists of 1979 on the strength of "Ain't Love a Bitch" and its predecessor, "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". [8]

Contents

Stewart performed the song on Dave Allen's Dave Allen at Large . [9] A video of the song was included on the DVD included in the deluxe editions of the compilation album Some Guys Have All the Luck / The Definitive Rod Stewart. [10]

Background

Rolling Stone critic Janet Maslin excoriated the song as being "unexpectedly sensitive, with a soft, strum-along melody and a bunch of namby-pamby characters doo-doo-doing a background chorus while Stewart croons about old girlfriends." [11] She further criticizes the song for taking material that could have been tough and making it sound "like the 1400th cover version of 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco.'" [11] CD Review commented on the references within "Ain't Love a Bitch" to Stewart's earlier song "Maggie May", describing the music as "bouncy". [12] High Fidelity objected to the lyrics blaming women for love's problems. [13] The Albany Herald also noted that the song is autobiographical, and incorporates elements from Stewart's "musical and personal past." [14] Stereo Review described the song as a "repellent frat-house love song". [15] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described the song as being in the same mold as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". [16] Author Barry Alan Farber described the line "Ain't we all a little juvenile" as encapsulating the way people retain pieces of their adolescence into adulthood. [17] Cash Box called it a "return to the...balladeering of 'Tonight's The Night'" after the disco success of "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and said the song has "gentle, soothing acoustic guitar work, strings, and light drumming." [18] Record World said that "The rhythm is light and [Stewart's] vocals have a music hall quality." [19]

Chart performance

Chart (1979)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [20] 5
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)11
US Billboard Hot 100 22

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Stewart</span> British singer and songwriter (born 1945)

Sir Roderick David Stewart is a British rock and pop singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry. With his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 250 million records worldwide. He has had 10 number-one albums and 31 top ten singles in the UK, six of which reached number one. Stewart has had 16 top ten singles in the US, with four reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. He was knighted in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to music and charity.

<i>Blondes Have More Fun</i> 1978 studio album by Rod Stewart

Blondes Have More Fun is British musician Rod Stewart's ninth album, released in November 1978. As was the popular musical trend at the time, it is Stewart's foray into disco music. The album was commercially successful, reaching number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US, but was critically divisive. The lead single "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" became one of Stewart's biggest hits, peaking at No.1 in both the UK and US.

Blow-Up is a DJ duo from California.

Dejuan Walker, better known by his stage name Suga Free, is an American rapper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?</span> 1978 single by Rod Stewart

"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", also written "Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy", is a song by British singer Rod Stewart from his ninth studio album, Blondes Have More Fun (1978). It was written by Stewart, Carmine Appice and Duane Hitchings, though it incorporates the melody from a song "Taj Mahal" from Jorge Ben Jor and the string arrangement from the song "(If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It" by Bobby Womack.

James Cregan is an English rock guitarist and bassist, best known for his associations with Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Rod Stewart. Cregan is a former husband of the singer Linda Lewis and worked with her as a record producer. He has also worked with London Quireboys, Glass Tiger, Katie Melua and formed Farm Dogs with Bernie Taupin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Legs</span> 1978 single by Rod Stewart

"Hot Legs" is a single by Rod Stewart released in 1978 as the second single for his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The single performed moderately on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching at number 28 but performed better on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 5. In the UK, "Hot Legs" and "I Was Only Joking" charted together as a double A-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Was Only Joking</span> 1978 single by Rod Stewart

"I Was Only Joking" is a song written by Gary Grainger and Rod Stewart released by Stewart in 1978 as the third single on his 1977 album, Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The song performed well, reaching the Top 40 in various countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, "I Was Only Joking" charted as part of a double A-side with "Hot Legs".

<i>Greatest Hits, Vol. 1</i> (Rod Stewart album) 1979 compilation album by Rod Stewart

Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 is Rod Stewart's 1979 Warner Bros. Records best-of compilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Jane (Rod Stewart song)</span> 1983 single by Rod Stewart

"Baby Jane" is a 1983 song by British singer Rod Stewart. It was a significant hit worldwide and remains his final UK number one single to date.

"I Don't Want to Talk About It" is a song written by American guitarist Danny Whitten. It was first recorded by American rock band Crazy Horse and issued as the final track on side one of their 1971 eponymous album. It was Whitten's signature tune, but gained more fame via its numerous cover versions, especially that by Rod Stewart. Cash Box magazine has described it as "a magnificent ballad outing."

<i>Tonight Im Yours</i> 1981 studio album by Rod Stewart

Tonight I'm Yours is the eleventh studio album by Rod Stewart released in 1981. It features hints of classic rock, pop and new wave. The album had three hit singles, with the title track "Tonight I'm Yours ", "Young Turks", and "How Long".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have I Told You Lately</span> 1989 single by Van Morrison

"Have I Told You Lately" is a song written and recorded by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison for his nineteenth studio album Avalon Sunset (1989). It is a romantic ballad that is often played at weddings, although it was originally written as a prayer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay with Me (Faces song)</span> Song by the band Faces

"Stay with Me" is a song by English rock band Faces, written jointly by lead singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ronnie Wood. Released from the band's third studio album A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse (1971), it became their only major hit in the United States, although they had a further three Top 20 singles in the UK chart. The song has also appeared on various Faces compilations and on albums by both songwriters. The lyrics describe a woman named Rita, who has a face that she has "nothing to laugh about", and with whom the singer proposes a one-night stand, on the condition that she be gone when he wakes up.

"Some Guys Have All the Luck" is a song written by Jeff Fortgang, which has been a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 twice, first by The Persuaders in 1973 reaching No. 39, then by Rod Stewart in 1984 where it hit No. 10 in the U.S. and No. 32 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blondes (Have More Fun)</span> 1979 single by Rod Stewart

"Blondes (Have More Fun)" is a song written by Rod Stewart and Jim Cregan that was originally released as the title track of Stewart's 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun. In some countries it was released as the third single off the album, following "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Ain't Love a Bitch". It only reached the Top 70 in the UK, topping out at #63 but reached #23 in Ireland. The song was covered by Vince Neil on the Japanese version of his album Exposed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passion (Rod Stewart song)</span> 1980 single by Rod Stewart

"Passion" is a song by Rod Stewart that first appeared in 1980 on his album Foolish Behaviour. It was the lead single and biggest hit from the album. The song was also released as a 12-inch promotional single with an extended running time of 7:30.

The Blondes 'Ave More Fun Tour was a worldwide concert tour held by British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart to promote his album Blondes Have More Fun. The tour began on 20 November 1978 in Paris and ended on 28 June 1979 in Los Angeles, California.

"Ain't Got No Home" is a song written and originally recorded by American rhythm-and-blues singer and pianist Clarence "Frogman" Henry. It was released as a single in the United States on December 15, 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somebody Special (Rod Stewart song)</span> 1980 song by Rod Stewart

"Somebody Special" is a song by British singer Rod Stewart, which was released in 1981 as the third single from his tenth studio album Foolish Behaviour (1980). The song was written by Stewart and Steve Harley (lyrics), and Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan and Gary Grainger (music). It was produced by Stewart, with co-production by the Rod Stewart Group and Jeremy Andrew Johns. "Somebody Special" reached number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

References

  1. ↑ Ewbank, T.; Hildred, S. (2005). Rod Stewart: The New Biography. Citadel Press. pp. 174–175. ISBN   978-0-8065-2644-7.
  2. ↑ Lazell, B. (1989). Rock Movers and Shakers. Billboard Publications. p. 286. ISBN   978-0-8230-7608-6.
  3. 1 2 "The Official Charts - Rod Stewart". The Official Charts. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine . 3 March 1979.
  5. ↑ "Blondes Have More Fun Billboard singles". Allmusic . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Whitburn, J. (1985). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard Publications. p.  305. ISBN   978-0-8230-7518-8.
  7. ↑ "The Irish Charts - All There Is To Know". irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Top Single Artists of 1979". 22 December 1979.
  9. ↑ "TV Guide". Vol. 28. 1980. p. 26.
  10. ↑ "The Definitive Rod Stewart". Allmusic . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  11. 1 2 Maslin, J. (8 February 1979). "Blondes Have More Fun". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Ain't Love a Bitch". Vol. 8, no. 1–6. CD Review. 1991. p. xliii.
  13. ↑ "Ain't Love a Bitch". Vol. 29, no. 1–6. High Fidelity. 1979. p. 294.
  14. ↑ United Press International (31 January 1979). "Rockers Modify Attitude Towards Disco". The Albany Herald . p. 11.
  15. ↑ "Ain't Love a Bitch". Vol. 42. Stereo Review. 1979. p. 130.
  16. ↑ Erlewine, S.T. "Blondes Have More Fun". Allmusic . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  17. ↑ Farber, B.A. (2007). Rock 'n' roll wisdom: what psychologically astute lyrics teach about life. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 110. ISBN   978-0-275-99164-7.
  18. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 28 April 1979. p. 17. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 28 April 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ain't Love a Bitch". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.