Disco
The song was written by Rod Stewart, drummer and percussionist Carmine Appice, and Duane Hitchings. It was released on Stewart’s 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun and as a single backed with “Dirty Weekend” (in the U.K.) and “Scarred and Scared” (in the U.S.).
The subject matter is of two shy and nervous strangers hooking up at the club scene. Stewart says it was sort of his way of summing up the whole dance/disco period.
Evidently, the distinctive riff came from an instrumental by Brazilian Jorge Ben titled “Taj Mahal.” Ben filed suit. Stewart says it was completely unconscious plagiarism and he donated royalties from the song to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He also performed the song at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nationals General Assembly in January, 1979. Rolling Stone magazine has it on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Some of Stewart’s fans did not appreciate his detour into disco. However, “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” was international hit in 1978 and 1979. It rose to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Cash Box Top 100 Singles as well as #1 in Australia, Canada, Portugal, Spain, and The U.K. It went to #2 in Norway, New Zealand, and France; #3 in Belgium and Italy; #4 in The Netherlands; #5 in Ireland; #8 in Austria; #9 in Germany and Finland; #11 in Sweden; and #12 in Japan.
Rod Stewart was knighted at the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours. He continues to tour and perform.
