The Faces, Rod Stewart, and the Hit That Never Was: A Tale of Musical Evolution and Missed Opportunities
There’s something undeniably captivating about the story of The Faces—a band that, for all its brilliance, often feels like a footnote in the grand narrative of rock history. But what if I told you that one of their greatest songs wasn’t even officially theirs? That’s the curious case of Rod Stewart’s 1972 track ‘True Blue,’ a song he himself described as ‘The Faces at their best.’ Personally, I think this track is a time capsule of what the band could have been—a bridge between their raw, boozy roots and the polished, self-indulgent rock of the early ’70s.
The Faces: A Band in Transition
Let’s take a step back. The Faces, born from the ashes of The Small Faces, were never just a band—they were a symbol of an era. Led by the inimitable Steve Marriott, The Small Faces defined the swinging ’60s with their high-energy, adrenaline-fueled rock. But when Marriott left, the band reinvented itself with Rod Stewart at the helm. Here’s where it gets interesting: while Stewart’s tenure launched his solo career, it also marked a shift in the band’s sound. The Faces moved away from their youthful, rebellious roots and embraced the overblown, self-indulgent rock of the ’70s.
What many people don’t realize is that this transition wasn’t just a stylistic choice—it was a survival tactic. The music landscape was changing, and The Faces were trying to keep up. But, in my opinion, this attempt to evolve was both their strength and their downfall. They wanted to stay relevant, but in doing so, they lost the raw charm that made them unique.
‘True Blue’: The Hit That Should’ve Been
Now, let’s talk about ‘True Blue.’ Written by Stewart and Ronnie Wood, this song is a masterclass in what The Faces could have achieved. It’s punchy, it’s booze-laden, and it’s got that reckless abandon that defined their early sound. What makes this particularly fascinating is that it was recorded in just 20 minutes—a testament to the band’s chemistry and spontaneity.
But here’s the kicker: ‘True Blue’ was released on Stewart’s solo album, Never a Dull Moment. Why? Because by 1972, The Faces were already on shaky ground. Stewart was dipping his toes into solo stardom, and the band’s identity was blurring. From my perspective, this song is a missed opportunity—a glimpse of what The Faces could have become if they’d managed to reconcile their past with their future.
The Broader Implications: A Band Ahead of Its Time?
If you take a step back and think about it, The Faces were a band caught between eras. They were too raw for the polished ’70s rock scene but too evolved to stay in the ’60s. This raises a deeper question: can a band truly reinvent itself without losing its soul? In the case of The Faces, the answer seems to be no. Their attempt to update their sound felt like a mutation, not an evolution.
What this really suggests is that sometimes, the pressure to stay relevant can kill the very essence of what makes a band great. The Faces weren’t just a band—they were a moment in time, a snapshot of an era when music was more about expression than careerism. Their decline wasn’t just about creative differences; it was about the changing priorities of the industry itself.
Rod Stewart’s Legacy: A Double-Edged Sword
Stewart’s solo success is undeniable, but it’s impossible to separate his career from his time with The Faces. Songs like ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Hot Legs’ are iconic, but they’re also a far cry from the raw energy of ‘True Blue.’ One thing that immediately stands out is how much Stewart romanticized his time with the band. Even decades later, he couldn’t resist comparing Oasis to The Faces—a move that felt both nostalgic and defensive.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how Stewart’s early solo work was essentially Faces music in disguise. He’d recruit his bandmates for sessions, blurring the lines between his solo career and the band’s identity. This irony isn’t lost on me—the very sound they were struggling to achieve as a band ended up defining Stewart’s solo breakthrough.
The Faces’ Legacy: A Fleeting Moment of Brilliance
The Faces’ success was short-lived, but that’s part of their charm. They represent the haphazard beauty of an era when music was more about the moment than the long game. Their story is a reminder that sometimes, the best art comes from impermanence.
In my opinion, ‘True Blue’ is more than just a song—it’s a ‘what if.’ What if The Faces had managed to evolve without losing their edge? What if they’d stayed together long enough to release it as a band? These questions don’t have answers, but they’re worth asking.
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of What Could Have Been
As I reflect on The Faces and ‘True Blue,’ I’m struck by the poignancy of their story. They were a band that tried to change with the times but ended up losing themselves in the process. Yet, in their fleeting moments of brilliance, they created something timeless.
Personally, I think the real tragedy isn’t that The Faces disbanded—it’s that they never fully realized their potential. ‘True Blue’ is a reminder of what they could have been: a band that bridged the gap between the raw energy of the ’60s and the polished rock of the ’70s. It’s a hit that never was, but in many ways, it’s the hit that defines them.
If you take anything away from this, let it be this: sometimes, the greatest songs are the ones that never get the credit they deserve. And sometimes, the best bands are the ones that burn out before their time. The Faces may have been short-lived, but their legacy—and songs like ‘True Blue’—ensure they’ll never be forgotten.
