“Sex is cool”: The most bafflingly sexualised song of Rob Stewart’s career
Few rockers are as multifaceted as Rod Stewart.
Across more than five decades in the spotlight, Stewart has constantly reinvented himself while maintaining the unmistakable rasp that defines his voice. From blues-infused rock to glossy pop ballads and even the occasional detour into swing standards, his career has rarely stayed confined to one musical lane.
Known globally for his success with Faces and as a solo artist, the London-born musician is equally famous for his intriguing and unpredictable personality. Whether it’s his steadfast devotion to Celtic Football Club, his passion for model railways, or his unexpected and utterly random decision to address tabloid rumours on social media by assuring fans that he’s not selling his Los Angeles home, Sir Rod continues to surprise and captivate both fans and the public alike.
While Stewart has kept his career interesting by always keeping the public guessing, one aspect of his persona remains inextricably linked to sex. That reputation developed early in his career, when Stewart cultivated the image of a swaggering rock frontman who rarely shied away from cheeky or provocative subject matter. Over time, that playful irreverence became one of the defining characteristics of both his stage persona and his songwriting.
From the infamous, albeit false, rumour about him requiring his stomach pumped after servicing sailors to hits like ‘Maggie May’, which chronicles his early sexual experiences, Stewart has undeniably made a name for himself by exploring the risqué side of life. He even boldly described ‘Hot Legs’ as a “dirty, rude, shagging song,” leaving no room for doubt about his fondness for unapologetically embracing sexuality in his music. For any sceptics, his eight children serve as further evidence.
Stewart’s life and times are laced with the spirit of having a good old bonk, and it’s never been something he’s shied away from. In the true Dionysian spirit, the spiky-haired rocker is one of his era’s most prominent supporters of the health benefits of consensual copulation, and in one of his most recent efforts ‘Kookooaramabama’ from 2021’s comically named The Tears of Hercules, he made his thoughts on the matter very clear.
An eye-watering sexually charged track for a man in his late 70s, it would have been totally perplexing if any other artist’s name was attached to it apart from his. Yet, this is Sir Rod, and he knows how to have fun with his music and show us young folk not to take ourselves so seriously, even if it leaves us scratching our heads. Everybody does it, even older folk, he conveys in the track.
From the outset to the final second, ‘Kookooaramabama’ is an absolutely ridiculous number. It features Bananarama-esque backing vocals, a brash 1990s-esque sub, a cheesy, overdriven guitar line, a dash of funky, choppy chords for good measure, and blaring brass. A completely maximalist effort, it is afforded another visceral element with Stewart’s husky vocals perched on the suspiciously undulating sonics.
Depending on your perspective, the lyrics could either be viewed as a stroke of genius by Sir Rod, celebrated for their unapologetically explicit nature, or as a sign of sheer sex-driven madness. Some might argue that they indicate he’s reaching the twilight of a long career, and perhaps it’s time to consider keeping him away from the studio. For instance, the chorus is: “Sex is cool, and sex is nice / Sex will leave you in paradise / Sex is good for everyone / Come on, people, let’s have some fun right now”.
Elsewhere, the former Faces vocalist pipes boldly: “In the plane or the train, or the back of your car / On the beach or the park, wherever you are / Try it in the kitchen, when the kids are out / Spontaneous lust, is what it’s all about”. However, by far the most perplexing ode to getting it on comes during the break, when backing vocals whisper, “Oh, I like this”, and a short time later, “Oh, yeah, oh, yeah / Oh, yeah, oh, don’t stop, don’t stop” giving an unwanted peek into Stewart’s lewd imagination.
I suppose that for some, one listen to ‘Kookooaramabama’ will change their view of Stewart forever. It’s certain he doesn’t mind, though; it’s never stopped him before.
