About the song

“Maggie May” is a song written by Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton and performed by Stewart on his album Every Picture Tells a Story, released in 1971. The song topped the charts in the United States and Canada and reached number two in the United Kingdom. It has been covered by many artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, The Pogues, and Queen.

The song is about a young man who has a relationship with an older woman. The woman, Maggie May, is a prostitute who takes advantage of the young man’s naivety. The song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of lust and the importance of staying true to oneself.

The song begins with the young man waking up Maggie May and telling her that he has to go back to school. He knows that she is amused by him, but he feels like he is being used. He tells her that he is not a fool and that he knows what she is doing.

The chorus of the song is a plea for Maggie May to let him go. He tells her that he is not her kind and that he does not belong with her. He asks her to let him go so that he can find his own way in life.

The bridge of the song is a reflection on the young man’s relationship with Maggie May. He realizes that he was used by her, but he also acknowledges that he learned something from the experience. He learned that he needs to be careful who he trusts and that he needs to be true to himself.

The song ends with the young man leaving Maggie May. He tells her that he is going to find a girl his own age and that he is going to live his own life. He is no longer a fool, and he is no longer under her control.

“Maggie May” is a classic rock song that has been enjoyed by generations of listeners. It is a song about the dangers of lust, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the power of love.

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Lyrics

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got somethin’ to say to youIt’s late September and I really should be back at schoolI know I keep you amused, but I feel I’m being usedOh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more
You led me away from homeJust to save you from being aloneYou stole my heart and that’s what really hurts
The mornin’ sun when it’s in your face really shows your ageBut that don’t worry me none, in my eyes, you’re everythingI laughed at all of your jokes, my love, you didn’t need to coaxOh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more
You led me away from homeJust to save you from being aloneYou stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without
All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding handBut you turned into a lover, and mother, what a lover, you wore me outAll you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the headOh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more
You led me away from home‘Cause you didn’t wanna be aloneYou stole my heart, I couldn’t leave you if I tried
I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to schoolOr steal my daddy’s cue and make a living out of playin’ poolOr find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin’ handOh, Maggie, I wished I’d never seen your face
You made a first-class fool out of meBut I’m as blind as a fool can beYou stole my heart, but I love you anyway
Maggie, I wished I’d never seen your faceI’ll get on back home one of these daysOoh, ooh, ooh