Rod Stewart: Mandolin Wind

“Mandolin Wind” is one of my favorite Rod Stewart songs from his acclaimed album “Every Picture Tells a Story.” In the US, Mercury Records released the song as the flip of Stewart’s cover of the Temptations’ “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” which only charted at 24. I can remember buying this single on the strength of the flip and not the “A” side.

The song features Ronnie Wood on pedal steel guitar, Martin Quittenton on acoustic guitar, Sam Mitchell on slide guitar, and of course Ray Jackson on mandolin. Despite the title, the mandolin is not featured as prominently until the end of the song unlike Jackson’s playing on the LP’s lead single “Maggie May.” Jackson was the mandolinist in Lindisfarne.

Lyrics

When the rain came I thought you'd leave
'cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
then I know I love ya
Oh the snow fell without a break
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya
Oh I never was good with romantic words
so the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
but I'll teach you one day
because I love ya
I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no
The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
could never, never change your mind
And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love ya
And I love ya
Lordy I love ya