Rod Stewart ~ Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? 1978 Disco Purrfection Version

I finally got around to doing something with Rod Stewart’s 1978 “sellout“ disco song “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy“ four years after I first thought about doing it. I got my paws on the instrumental and a capella tracks to come up with this Disco Purrfection version. The original disco remix is a classic in itself and there was nothing new I could have brought to the turntables using that version. Back in da day, Rod took a LOT of heat for this one. I don’t get it since the Rolling Stones had also succumbed to the disco beat with “Miss You“ and were not subjected to the same vitriol. I don’t agree that “Rod Stewart has completely betrayed his talent“ by recording this one. His songs have always been telling a story and this is no different except that it is sexually charged, but not unlike “Tonight’s The Night“ that had previously spent 8 weeks at #1. I remember it more because of the copyright lawsuit filed on behalf of worldbeat jazz guitarist Jorge Ben who had recorded a song he called “Taj Mahal“. That song is a 1972 disco stomper with the simplest of disco production, most memorable for the “doo doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo“ wordless chorus that effectively is the same six syllable phrasing of “If you want my body, and da ya think I’m sexy, come on baby let me know“ with the identical melody. Rod knew a good hook when he heard one and that one was big enough to hang his hat on. He capitulated to the suit and then turned around and donated all of the royalties of “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy“ to UNICEF and performed it on “Song For UNICEF“ on January 10, 1979 which happened to be his 34th birthday. He smartly moved on the smouldering rock of “Passion“ in 1980 then was on to the next thing and issued “Tonight I’m Yours“ a new wavish affair that hit with “Young Turks“ and the title track going Top 20. “Baby Jane“ was a loping tune that also went Top 20. He got all the way to #6 pop with the gritty and nastily fun “Infatuation“, a song produced by Michael Omartian. He has maintained a connection with the record buying public since then, especially after having signed with Clive Davis then new “J“ label, his last release was 2015’s “Another Country“. He signed with Capitol Records in 2013 and still remains a formidable concert draw as evidenced by his Las Vegas stint which ends this September 1st, 2017.