The One Sinatra Song Rod Stewart Felt He Was Meant to Sing

Rod Stewart has always possessed one of the most recognizable voices in rock music. That rough, weathered rasp gave his performances a personality that many singers could never replicate. Even during an era filled with powerhouse vocalists, Stewart stood apart because his voice carried both grit and vulnerability at the same time.

In the early years of his career, that voice helped define a string of classic recordings. His work with Faces and his early solo albums showed how comfortably he could move between blues, rock, and soul. Records like Every Picture Tells A Story and A Night On The Town highlighted a singer who knew how to balance swagger with emotional depth.

Yet Stewart’s musical journey has rarely followed a straight line. His catalog includes brilliant moments alongside controversial choices, and fans have long debated the directions he took in different decades. Still, one constant remained throughout his career: a deep respect for the great singers who came before him, especially the legendary Frank Sinatra.

When Rod Stewart Lost His Way

During the late 1970s, Stewart’s career began to shift in ways that some longtime fans found disappointing. After years of soulful rock and heartfelt ballads, he started leaning into flashier and more commercial material. Songs like “Hot Legs” in 1977 hinted at that transition.

The change became more obvious with “D’Ya Think I’m Sexy?” in 1978. The track was undeniably successful, but it represented a different side of Stewart. Instead of the raw storyteller who had defined earlier records, he began embracing a more playful and flamboyant pop image that divided listeners.

Through the following years, critics often argued that Stewart’s musical choices overshadowed the natural strength of his voice. The raspy tone that once felt authentic and expressive sometimes seemed exaggerated. For fans who remembered the depth of his early work, it felt like the singer had drifted away from what made him special in the first place.

Rediscovering the Great American Songbook

Decades later, Stewart surprised many listeners by turning toward a very different kind of project. Beginning in the early 2000s, he released a series of albums dedicated to classic American standards. These records revisited songs popularized by legendary vocalists such as Frank Sinatra and other mid-century crooners.

The Great American Songbook albums allowed Stewart to explore music that had influenced him long before he became a rock star. Instead of competing with his younger self’s gritty rock style, he leaned into charm and phrasing. The arrangements were softer, and his voice carried a relaxed confidence that suited the material.

Although the project was far removed from the blues-rock sound that made him famous, it clearly meant a lot to him personally. Stewart had grown up listening to traditional pop singers, and the series gave him a chance to pay tribute to that era. For him, these recordings were less about reinvention and more about honoring the music he loved.

The Sinatra Song He Always Wanted to Sing

Among the many standards he recorded, one song stood out to Stewart as especially suited to his voice. While working on the project, he suddenly realized there was a famous track missing from the lineup. In his own words, the thought struck him unexpectedly in the middle of the night.

He later recalled having a sudden realization: “I suddenly had a spasm in the middle of the night, and I thought — God, we haven’t done ‘I Get a Kick Out Of You’ and it’s perfect for me.” The Cole Porter classic had been closely associated with Sinatra, but Stewart believed the playful energy of the song matched his personality perfectly.

By recording “I Get a Kick Out Of You,” Stewart paid direct tribute to one of the singers he admired most. The performance highlighted his long-standing appreciation for traditional vocal music. At the same time, it served as a reminder that behind the flashy moments and stylistic detours, Stewart’s voice had always been capable of fitting comfortably into many musical worlds.