You led me away from home/
just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that’s what really hurts.

Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” is a song about a relationship between a college boy and an older woman. The author is bitter that the relationship is over but feels grateful for the experience. In other unrequited love songs we’ve talked about here, there is often some deep bitterness or genuine grief.

In “Maggie May”, we feel like the narrator is going to be ok. Maggie May treated him well, she encouraged him to stay in school and she loved him and satisfied his needs. It appears she may have broken things off for his sake. She left him better than she found him.

The choice of instruments in the song really helps it stand out. Steward uses a mandolin as the main string instrument in the intro and sprinkled throughout. The lyrics are well done. We understand what Stewart is talking about upon first hearing it and it makes the hearing experience that much more impactful. Stewart’s unique voice is hit or miss for people and it works great with this song. It really captures a time period in a young man’s life, and I bet many wish they could be “adopted” by a Maggie for a summer.

Maggie May Lyrics

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you
It’s late September and I really should be back at school
I know I keep you amused, but I feel I’m being used
Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

You led me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age
But that don’t worry me none in my eyes, you’re everything
I laughed at all of your jokes, my love you didn’t need to coax
Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

You led me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover, and, mother, what a lover you wore me out
All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head
Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

You led me away from home ’cause you didn’t wanna be alone
You stole my heart, I couldn’t leave you if I tried

I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school
Or steal my daddy’s cue and make a living out of playing pool
Or find myself a rock ‘n’ roll band that needs a helping hand
Oh, Maggie, I wished I’d never seen your face

You made a first-class fool out of me
But I’m as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

Maggie, I wished I’d never seen your face
I’ll get on back home one of these days
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Songwriters: Martin Quittenton / Roderick Stewart