1979 single by Rod Stewart

"Blondes (Have More Fun)" is a song written by Rod Stewart and Jim Cregan that was originally released as the title track of Stewart`s 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun. In some countries it was released as the third single off the album, following "Da Ya Think I`m Sexy?" and "Ain`t Love a Bitch". It only reached the Top 70 in the UK, topping out at #63 but reached #23 in Ireland.[2][3][4][5] The song was covered by Vince Neil on the Japanese version of his album Exposed.[6]

Music and lyrics

Stewart biographer Sean Egan described the music as a "slinky 1950s shuffle".[7] CD Review described the song as a "barrelhouse rocker."[8] The Beaver County Times described the song as "a rollicking Chuck Berry-style rocker, complete with honky-tonk piano."[9] Henry McNulty of the Hartford Courant described it as a "straightforward rocker" on which Stewart seems to be having fun and particularly praised the way the "rich, warm horns" set off the screeching lead guitar and tinkling piano.[10]

Egan considered the lyrics to be among Stewart`s most autobiographical, describing his preference for statuesque, blonde women and his interest is strictly on engaging in sexual intercourse.[7] Egan notes signs of hubris in the song, where Stewart refers to himself "in the third person and via a pet name" in the line "God knows, Rodder just needs to ball."[7]

Reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described the song as being a "winning track" in the same mold as "Da Ya Think I`m Sexy?" and "Ain`t Love a Bitch".[11] Circus writer David Fricke suggested that the "stocky, swaggering sound" that Stewart`s band achieves on the song "proves Stewart has not forgotten how to rock."[12] McNulty considered it to be "the most worthwhile song" on the album.[10] The Albany Herald wrote that the "hardrocking" song is one of the highlights among the songs of "up and down love affairs" on the Blondes Have More Fun album.[13] Rolling Stone critic Janet Maslin described it as one of the three "tolerable" songs on the album.[14] The Ottawa Journal similarly called it the best song on the album.[15] Author Sharon Davis described the song as Stewart`s last hit before 1983`s "Baby Jane."[16] Critic Dave Tianen rated the song as Stewart`s 4th worst (two notches better than 2nd place "Da Ya Think I`m Sexy,") saying that it "would almost be beneath RuPaul."[17] But critic Mark Brown considered it to be "wonderful."[18] Classic Rock History critic Tony Scavieli ranked it as Stewart`s 8th greatest song of the 1970s, stating that it "certified that Rod Stewart’s foray into disco [on "Da Ya Think I`m Sexy"] was just a small moment in time and that the album was not all disco."[19] Jason Anderson of Uncut called it a "decent blues boogie", praising the "greasy guitar licks, barrelhouse piano and Phil Kenzie`s raunchy sax."[20]

Live version

"Blondes (Have More Fun)" was included on Rod Stewart`s live video Live at the L.A. Forum.[21] A live version was also included on the 2014 album Live 1976-1998: Tonight`s the Night.[22] Graham Hicks of the Edmonton Journal felt the live version was preferable to the studio version, calling the live version a "rhythm and blues number" and stating that this proved that the "production" was responsible for the blandness of the studio version.[23]

Music video

The music video for the song was on MTV`s first day.[citation needed]