28 March 1991
Sandwiched between two number one singles by Bart Simpson, Rod Stewart had been something of a blond spiky-haired cartoon himself for much of the ’80s: the spandex-clad synth-rock playboy, the ‘D’Ya Think I’m Sexy’ ladies’ man, and the like. However, at the turn of the decade he made a clear effort to implement some quality control and revert to his early ’70s line of blues and soul covers. His 1989 compilation Storyteller and 1991 album Vagabond Heart included a genuinely likeable chart-friendly version of Tom Waits’ ‘Downtown Train’, a few bright homages to Motown and Philly soul, and a first pass at Van Morrison’s ‘Have I Told You Lately’. That said, his biggest hit from this period was this, not an oldie but an ’80s songwriter-for-hire job that borrows the melody of ‘Loch Lomond’ for its chorus, hence its old sound and its appeal to Rod the professional Scotsman. It even has bagpipes!
‘Rhythm Of My Heart’ is a sentimental song covered in glossy Trevor Horn production, so even by the second verse it gets a bit cloying. What redeems it from melting into total gloop is, as with the other tracks alluded to above, Rod’s rediscovered knack for finding a decent song that suits him. He sells the homesick, lovelorn chorus with a worldly-wise warmth, and I must admit that I like the mid-section where he swoops in excitedly: “Oh-oh I got lightning in my veins!” This is all a notable improvement on the tired, gaudy ’80s L.A. synth-rock of ‘Baby Jane’, so fair play to Rod for not only bucking up his act but staging something of a career renaissance. Also, let’s be thankful at this point in time for a number one that’s an actual record by an actual singer, as opposed to merchandise from a cartoon – be that ’90s Simpsons or ’80s Rod.
