🔘 Mine For Me – Single: Nov. 1974

A smooth, soulful mid‑’70s ballad, “Mine For Me” finds Rod Stewart leaning into a warmer, more melodic sound shaped by Paul McCartney’s songwriting touch.

Released on November 4, 1974, “Mine For Me” served as the second single from Rod Stewart’s sixth album *Smiler*. Issued in the United States by Mercury Records under catalogue number 73636, the single paired Stewart’s distinctive rasp with a tender composition written by Paul McCartney. Backed with “Farewell,” the release showcased Stewart’s shift toward a more polished, soulful pop style during the mid‑’70s. Although *Smiler* received mixed critical reception, “Mine For Me” stood out as one of its strongest tracks, blending Stewart’s emotive delivery with McCartney’s melodic sensibility. The single helped maintain Stewart’s commercial momentum in the US market during a transitional period between his early Mercury years and his later Warner Bros. era.

Label: Mercury Records

Catalogue Number: 73636

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre)

Released: November 4, 1974 (US)

🔘 Track List

US 7" Single — Mercury Records – 73636 — 1974

A. Mine For Me

B. Farewell

Written by: Paul McCartney (A) / Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton (B)

Produced by: Rod Stewart

Recorded: 1974

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released November 4, 1974

• A-side: Soul‑leaning ballad written by Paul McCartney

• B-side: “Farewell” — from *Smiler*

• Chart debut: December 1974

• Performed on: US radio and promotional rotation

• Recorded at: 1974 *Smiler* sessions

🔘 The Story

“Mine For Me” emerged during a transitional moment in Rod Stewart’s career. As he completed his final album for Mercury Records, Stewart was balancing his solo success with his commitments to Faces, while also exploring a more polished, soulful sound. The involvement of Paul McCartney — who wrote the song specifically for Stewart — added a notable pop pedigree to the project. McCartney’s melodic instincts paired naturally with Stewart’s expressive vocal style, resulting in one of the more refined and emotionally resonant tracks on *Smiler*.

The single’s B‑side, “Farewell,” offered a contrasting tone, reflecting Stewart’s folk‑rock influences and his long‑standing collaboration with guitarist and co‑writer Martin Quittenton. Together, the two tracks showcased the stylistic range Stewart was navigating during the mid‑’70s.

While “Mine For Me” was released only in the United States, it contributed to Stewart’s continued visibility in the American market and demonstrated his ability to interpret material from other major songwriters. The single also marked one of the final steps before Stewart’s shift to Warner Bros., where he would enter a new phase of international superstardom.

🔘 Variants (US)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Mercury – 73636 — US — 1974

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — Mercury – 73636 — US — 1974

• Issued in standard Mercury company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

US — Billboard Hot 100

90 — December 14, 1974

83 — December 21, 1974

78 — December 28, 1974

72 — January 4, 1975

67 — January 11, 1975

63 — January 18, 1975

60 — January 25, 1975

59 — February 1, 1975

59 — February 8, 1975

66 — February 15, 1975

92 — February 22, 1975

Total Weeks: 11

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Written by Paul McCartney specifically for Stewart

• B-side: “Farewell” — also featured on *Smiler*

• Production: Rod Stewart

• Sleeve notes: Standard Mercury Records company sleeve

• Historical placement: Second single from *Smiler*; final Mercury era

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Included on various Stewart anthologies

🔘 Related Material

• *Smiler* (1974)

• “Farewell” (1974)

• “Sailing” (1975)

• *Atlantic Crossing* (1975)

🔘 Discography

Farewell — 1974

Mine For Me — 1974

Sailing — 1975

Three Time Loser — 1975

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1974 — Recorded during *Smiler* sessions

✦ Nov 4, 1974 — US single released

✦ Dec 14, 1974 — Enters Billboard Hot 100

✦ Feb 1, 1975 — Peaks at No. 59

✦ Feb 22, 1975 — Completes 11‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A warm, melodic detour in Stewart’s mid‑’70s catalogue — soulful, polished, and lifted by McCartney’s unmistakable songwriting charm.

#ReleaseChronicle #RodStewart #MineForMe #1974 #MercuryRecords #Smiler

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Mercury Records, Discogs, Billboard, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.

🔘 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.