I Was Only Joking

Album: Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rod Stewart co-wrote this with guitarist Gary Grainger. Although it is intensely personal, this is a song with which any man of a certain age will identify, especially one who has failed to live up to his potential, lost the love of his life, or screwed up big time. And surely most of us can fill at least one of those categories.

    Although written from a male perspective, most women too could say the same. By the time he recorded "I Was Only Joking," Stewart was already an A-list performer; he would go on to amass a fortune of over $200 million, yet even the mega-successful have regrets.

    The Susie alluded to herein was known as Susannah Boffey when she met him as a 17-year-old art student in 1961. At the time, he was an unknown Roderick Stewart. In 1963, she gave birth to a daughter who was fostered out and eventually adopted by a wealthy couple from East Sussex. In 2010, Sarah Streeter was finally admitted to her father's family.

    "I Was Only Joking" alludes too to alcohol, which was only one of the substances he imbibed along the way. Drugs and alcohol are of course an occupational hazard for successful rock musicians due to the lifestyle.
  • The radio edit runs to 4:50 seconds while the album version runs a full 6:07. Released as a double-A-side single with "Hot Legs," it reached #5 in the UK. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • Stewart offered his thoughts on this song in his Storyteller liner notes: "Songs that are closest to the heart are the easiest and by far the most satisfying to write. Much about my spirited and slightly delinquent youth here - all in all, a general review of my checkered past. Beautiful guitar work from the Somerset Segovia himself, Jim Cregan, creating a very wistful narrative in the key of E. Delightfully executed by all and sundry."

Comments: 4

  • Anthony from New JerseyAnyone ever listen to this song, even remotely carefully? Saw the album up on Apple Music and I clicked on the song to listen to it. The thing is I’m like “WAIT! I RECOGNIZE THIS! Where from?” Then I figured it out. For the most part melody wise, this is a copy of Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas”. The way it’s sang and the melody for all intents and purposes IS that song! I was like “NO WAY!” But it’s true. I dare anyone here to tell me otherwise if you go and listen to that song (If you have it) and then listen to Stewarts “I Was Only Joking”. I don’t man, VERY strange. The lyrics are of course different but the notes and the tone/style of the vocals are the same! Check it out.
  • Ts from UkSensational song which says so much about my life... Will be played at my funeral.
  • Brad from FlJim Cregan plays a wonderful bridge on this song (at least he does at Hyde Park the Hot Rod in 2010).
  • Debby from UsaRod has admitted that this song was about his first love, Sussane Boffey, who gave birth to his first child Sarah.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Church Lyrics

Church LyricsMusic Quiz

Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.