With the heart of a rebel for 35 years: *Vagabond Heart* celebrates its anniversary

In its album review in May 1991, Rolling Stone wrote of a “personal testament” and “Stewart’s most compelling work since the early 70s”. Indeed, the release of Rod Stewart’s 16th studio album, Vagabond Heart, on 25 March 1991 marked something of a new era. In the 1980s, the entire music world was inundated with shallow synth-pop, a trend that Rod Stewart also embraced, which did not go down well with all his fans who had followed him since his days with The Faces. Despite the number-one hit ‘Baby Jane’, the singer had somewhat lost touch with what had made him strong and distinctive at the start of his career with The Faces and in his early years as a solo artist.

With ‘Vagabond Heart’, “Stewart has wisely chosen to explore the connections between who he was and who he is,” according to Rolling Stone. The result is a very well-balanced mix of full-throttle rock, such as ‘Rebel Heart’ and ‘Moment Of Glory’, and soulful ballads, where ‘No Holding Back’ and ‘If Only’ stand out. But the duet with Tina Turner (“It Takes Two”) and the emotional “Have I Told You Lately”, both of which remain staples of the 80-year-old’s concert setlists to this day, also contributed to the album’s success. And of course, let’s not forget the opening track “Rhythm Of My Heart”, which is now regarded as Sir Rod’s statement against the war in Ukraine and is performed by the singer at almost every concert, always accompanied by his clear political message.

Allow me a brief personal digression here. It was in the spring of 1991 when I was on my way to Cologne, where a Rod Stewart concert as part of his “Vagabond Tour” was due to take place that evening in the sports hall (the Kölnarena, or Lanxess Arena as it is known today, did not yet exist back then). I remember driving to Cologne back then, the windows rolled right down in the summer heat, with Rod Stewart blaring from the speakers of my car cassette player, singing ‘Rebel Heart’ and ‘Go Out Dancing’, and crooning ‘If Only’ and ‘You Are Everything’. The album Vagabond Heart had completely blown me away back then, as they say today, and wasn’t just on repeat in the car.

What I’m trying to say is: Vagabond Heart was an absolutely brilliant album not just for me, but for millions of Stewart fans all over the world, and it hasn’t lost any of its brilliance to this day.

Michael from Germany wrote: “The best Rod Stewart album of the 90s”. Carlo from Italy spoke of “one of the best albums of Rod Stewart’s career”. And Somerset from the UK said: “Vagabond Heart is one of the best Rod Stewart albums ever. There isn’t a single song on the album that disappoints.” Roger from the USA echoed this sentiment, emphasising that there “isn’t a single bad song” on the album and recommending Vagabond Heart to anyone who loves “great music”.

These fan opinions were also reflected in the sales figures and chart positions. In Australia, Vagabond Heart shot to number one in the charts; in Canada, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, the album reached number two in the charts; and in Germany, it climbed as high as number three. The album was not quite as successful in the US, where it only managed to reach number ten.

However, this did not detract from its overall success. In Australia, VH went quadruple platinum; in Canada, triple platinum; and in Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, it went platinum. In France (number 29 in the charts), it at least achieved gold status.

Tracklist Vagabond Heart In a remastered version released in 2008, Stewart added a live version of “Sweet Soul Music”, as well as earlier versions of “Downtown Train” and “Rebel Heart”, and the rock-driven, stomping “Somebody To Hold”. In 1992, a complete video recording of a Vagabond Heart tour concert from 14 February was released. The concert took place at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

1. Rhythm Of My Heart
2. Rebel Heart
3. Broken Arrow
4. It Takes Two (duet with Tina Turner)
5. When A Man’s in Love
6. You Are Everything
7. The Motown Song
8. Go Out Dancing
9. No Holding Back
10. Have I Told You Lately
11. Moment Of Glory
12. If Only

In a remastered version released in 2008, Stewart added a live version of “Sweet Soul Music”, as well as earlier versions of “Downtown Train” and “Rebel Heart”, and the rock-driven “Somebody To Hold” . In 1992, a complete video recording of a Vagabond Heart Tour concert from 14 February was released. The concert took place at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.