Summer Of 1971 – August 13th – Rock Legend ROD STEWART Released Dramatic Single ‘THE KILLING OF GEORGIE’ Today 55 Years Ago
Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history
13 August 2026
Scottish rock legend ROD STEWART released his dramatic
self-penned single THE KILLING OF GEORGIE – Pt.I and II
on August 13th, today 55 years ago.
It tells the story of a gay man who was killed in New York City.
It appeared on his A Night On The Town LP. The song spent
ten weeks on the UK Singles Chart, reaching a peak position
of No. 2.
Lyrics
“In these days of changing ways
So-called liberated days
A story comes to mind of a friend of mine
Georgie boy was gay I guess
Nothin’ more or nothin’ less
The kindest guy I ever knew
His mother’s tears fell in vain
The afternoon George tried to explain
That he needed love like all the rest
Pa said, “There must be a mistake
How can my son not be straight
After all I’ve said and done for him?”
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 2]
Leavin’ home on a Greyhound bus
Cast out by the ones he loves
A victim of these gay days it seems
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[Verse 3]
Georgie went to New York town
Where he quickly settled down
And soon became the toast of the great white way
Accepted by Manhattan’s elite
In all the places that were chic
No party was complete without George
Along the boulevards he’d cruise
And all the old queens blew a fuse
Everybody loved Georgie boy
[Interlude]
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 4]
The last time I saw George alive
Was in the summer of ’75
He said he was in love, I said I’m pleased
George attended the opening night
Of another Broadway hype
But split before the final curtain fell
Deciding to take a short cut home
Arm in arm, they meant no wrong
A gentle breeze blew down Fifth Avenue
[Interlude]
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 5]
Out of a darkened side street came
A New Jersey gang with just one aim
To roll some innocent passer-by
There ensued a fearful fight
Screams rang out in the night
Georgie’s head hit a sidewalk cornerstone
A leather kid, a switchblade knife
He did not intend to take his life
He just pushed his luck a little too far that night
The sight of blood dispersed the gang
A crowd gathered, the police came
An ambulance screamed to a halt
on Fifty-Third and Third
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
[Verse 6]
Georgie’s life ended there
But I ask who really cares
George once said to me and I quote
He said, “Never wait or hesitate
Get in kid, before it’s too late
You may never get another chance
‘Cause youth’s a mask but it don’t last
Live it long and live it fast”
Georgie was a friend of mine
Oh yeah
