Introduction
“THIS ONE IS FOR THE WOMAN WHO STOOD BY ME…” — ROD STEWART’S HEARTFELT SONG FOR PENNY LANCASTER REVEALS A LOVE STORY THAT TOUCHED AN ENTIRE AUDIENCE
For more than six decades, Sir Rod Stewart has stood before some of the largest audiences in the world, captivating millions with his unmistakable raspy voice, magnetic stage presence, and unforgettable songs. From “Maggie May” to “Sailing” and “Forever Young,” the legendary British singer has created a musical legacy that few performers could ever hope to match. Yet some of his most moving moments have not involved spectacular stage productions or thunderous applause. They have come when the music becomes deeply personal, when the rock legend momentarily sets aside his public persona and allows the audience to glimpse the devoted husband behind the microphone.
One particularly meaningful example came during his 2007 concert tour, shortly after his marriage to Penny Lancaster. At a performance reviewed by The Guardian, Stewart dedicated “Have I Told You Lately” to his new wife. It was a simple gesture, but one filled with emotional significance. Here was an entertainer celebrated for his flamboyance and extraordinary career, choosing one of the most tender songs in his repertoire to acknowledge the woman with whom he had begun a new chapter of married life.
There is something especially touching about the song itself. Originally written and recorded by Van Morrison in 1989, “Have I Told You Lately” became one of Stewart’s most beloved interpretations after he recorded it for his 1991 album Vagabond Heart. His famous live performance for MTV Unplugged in 1993 helped establish it as a defining ballad of his later career. Its gentle melody and message of gratitude offer an emotional contrast to the lively rock-and-roll numbers that made him famous.
When Rod Stewart sings a song like this, the distinctive roughness of his voice becomes an unexpected source of tenderness. Unlike singers who rely upon perfect vocal smoothness, Stewart communicates emotion through character, experience, and the unmistakable sound of a man who has lived much of what he sings about. His voice carries the weight of passing years, hard-earned wisdom, and memories accumulated across a remarkable lifetime. For listeners who have grown older alongside him, that quality can make his quieter performances especially powerful.
The relationship between Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster began in the late 1990s, when Penny approached the singer for an autograph and later had the opportunity to photograph him during a performance. Their relationship developed over time, eventually leading to their marriage in Italy in June 2007. Together, they have welcomed two sons, Alastair and Aiden, and created a family life that has remained important to Stewart throughout the later decades of his career