Stewart’s original version was released as a single with “Reason To Believe” as the B-side. Disc jockeys liked the flip side better and played “Maggie May” instead, which became the hit.
Rod did the song for MTV unplugged in 1993 and the song peaked at #19 in the Billboard 100 in 1993.
This was written by folk singer Tim Hardin, who originally recorded it in 1965 and performed it at Woodstock four years later. Hardin wrote some popular songs and was a very influential musician, but he had severe drug problems and died in December 1980 at age 39.
From Songfacts
At first listen, this song can seem rather sweet, but it’s anything but. The girl “lied straight-faced” while he cried, but still he can’t get over her. He knows if he gives her the chance, she’ll make him forget about it because he keeps looking for a reason to believe she’s not that kind of person.
Stewart released this again in 1993 as a live, acoustic version for MTV Unplugged. Appearing on the album Unplugged… and Seated, this is the version that charted.
Bobby Darin recorded a version of this in 1967.
The 1993 Unplugged version was recorded at an MTV special with Ron Wood, who played with Stewart in The Faces. It was the first time they performed it together in 22 years. Stewart commented that his wife at the time, Rachel Hunter, was one year old when it was first released.
Reason To Believe
If I listened long enough to you
I’d find a way to believe that it’s all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
If I gave you time to change my mind
I’d find a way just to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
If I listened long enough to you
I’d find a way to believe that it’s all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
A very good song, which I remember of fondly. I liked the acoustic instrumentals in the unplugged version.
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I had forgotten about the 93 version completely until I wrote this…I remember it though and liked it.
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I really enjoyed that unplugged CD back in the day.
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This is a very pleasant song.
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Rod does a good job on the song. I first heard this song sung by Glen Campbell.
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Wow I can safely say I’ve never heard that before. It’s good…most of what Glen does is good.
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We had that album as well as the Gentle on My Mind album, both which have a lot of the same kind of songs. Yes, he does.
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I remember him with his own variety show…I love his music…I also remember him and Tanya Tucker being together…she was a hand full.
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Oh my it has been a long time since hearing/reading that name. I vaguely remember them being together. I don’t remember his variety show.
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She had a farm called Tuckahoe Farms that is a few miles from me. I worked there when I was 18…she moved before I started there but I heard stories.
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Why would she name it that? Not a good choice, imo. What did you do at your job there?
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I know…I’m not sure how she got to that…I never asked. A juvenile court judge owned it when I worked there. I fed racehorses mostly and did odd jobs.
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Sounds like a big ranch. Judges make good money! Do you ride horses?
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It was pretty big…No when we have gone horse riding…I always say….I want your oldest slowest horse. I want one that knows the trail.
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lol. My dad took us kids to ranches to ride horses as kids, and it was fun, but a few times I got stubborn ones that ran back through the brush towards the barn. Not fun!
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Good song we don’ t hear enough
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