"Maggie May" Quotes

Context

This line is from the song "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart, from the album Every Picture Tells a Story (1971).

Wake up, Shmoopers, we think… no, we know we've got something to say to you: and that's that this is the very first line of the song "Maggie May," waking up listeners to the sultry tones of Rod Stewart and the bittersweet, semi-autobiographical love song that follows.

After Maggie wakes up, what Rod has to say isn't exactly positives. "I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used," he croons. He loves her, yes, but he doesn't feel like things are working out. She's not just waking up for the day; she's getting a wake-up call to the reality of their relationship.

We wonder if Maggie wishes she'd pretended to stay asleep, or if she's glad to kick Rod out of bed.

Where you've heard it

You've probably heard this on the easy-listenin' oldies station, at your dentist's office, or when you've fallen asleep and someone tried to wake you up (especially if your name is Maggie).

Additional Notable References

• A romance writer named her heroine "Maggie Mae" and calls that character's debut novel Wake Up Maggie.
• This classic tune also been covered by the band Blur.
• Heath Ledger in Lords of Dogtown. Enough said.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Nothing pretentious about this one. We just hope for your and Maggie's sake that you're bringing breakfast in bed—not bad news—when you wake her up next time.