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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER by CAROLINE FORD

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In 1981 Rod Stewart had a hit single with Young Turks. yet there is no reference to Turks in the lyrics and Rod sings “Young Hearts’: This has puzzled me for years...

Mike Simpson, Clitheroe, Lancs

Sir Rod Stewart is known for his storytelling lyrics, such as those in The Killing Of Georgie, — about the murder of a gay man —and Maggie May — about a young man’s intimate encounter with an older woman.

Taken from Stewart’s album Tonight I’m Yours, Young Turks also tells a story — of young couple Billy and Patti, who are full of dreams but have little money.

Feeling stifled, they leave home and set out for a new life together. They live wild and free, with Billy saying, “We got but one shot at life, let’s take it while we're still not afraid.” The song ends with Billy breaking the news to Patti’s parents that they had a baby boy.

The phrase “Young Turks” is not heard in the song, with the chorus “young hearts, be free, tonight”. This is because the title is used metaphorically to capture the energy and spirit of youthful rebellion and a desire for change.