History Music / AlStewart

* WhatMightHaveBeen: Stewart often writes the music and records all of the instrumental tracks for a song--or even a ''whole album''--before writing lyrics. The first set of lyrics for "Year of the Cat" told the story of an entertainer struggling with depression who [[DownerEnding killed himself.]] The original chorus was "Your tears they fall down like rain/At the foot of the stage."

* WhatMightHaveBeen: Stewart often writes the music and records all of the instrumental tracks for a song--or even a ''whole album''--before writing lyrics. The first set of lyrics for "Year of the Cat" told the story of an entertainer struggling with depression who [[DownerEndling killed himself.]] The original chorus was "Your tears they fall down like rain/At the foot of the stage."

* [[EspionageTropes Espionage]] is also a recurring theme: "Running Man," "Night Train to Munich," "Night Meeting"

Al Stewart is a British singer/songwriter/guitarist known particularly for exemplifying the 'confessional' school of songwriting in his early years and for his single "Year of the Cat".

* ConceptAlbum: ''Past, Present, and Future'' is a historical based album with a song for each decade of the twentieth century up to the time it was recorded. ''Between The Wars'' does the same for the period 1919-1938. ''Down in the Cellar'' is a concept album inspired by wine.

** "Post World War II Blues". The tune is bouncy, the lyrics are a catalogue of almost every major tragedy of the post 1945 years.

* GranolaGirl: Heroines like these turn up in a few of his songs, including "Year of the Cat" and "In Brooklyn".

* ConceptAlbum: ''Past, Present, and Future'' is a historical based album with a song for each decade of the twentieth century. ''Between The Wars'' does the same for the period 1919-1938. ''Down in the Cellar'' is a concept album inspired by wine.

* LyricalDissonance: "Post World War II Blues". The tune is bouncy, the lyrics are a catalogue of almost every major tragedy of the post 1945 years.

* ShownTheirWork: Exemplifies this trope with his historical songs which are all thoroughly researched and contain all manner of references to obscure individuals and little known historical incidents and anecdotes.

Al Stewart is a British singer/songwriter/guitarist known particularly for exemplifying the 'confessional' school of songwriting in his early years and for his single 'Year of the Cat'

Tropes associated with his work include

* ConceptAlbum. 'Past, Present and Future' was a historical based album with a song for each decade of the twentieth century. 'Life Between The Wars' did the same for the period 1919-1938. 'Down in the Cellar' was a concept album inspired by wine.
* HeyItsThatGuy. Yes, it is [[Music/{{Queen}} that]] Roger Taylor on percussion on ''Past, Present and Future''.
* HypocriticalHumour: A darker example with 'Night of the 4th of May'. The narrator begins by telling his girlfriend that he wants an open relationship and goes off with another woman at a party...and then gets huffy because his girlfriend does exactly the same thing.
* Creator/{{Hipgnosis}}: Did the cover art for five of his albums.
* GranolaGirl: Turns up as the heroine of a few of his songs including 'Year of the Cat' and 'In Brooklyn'
* LyricalDissonance: 'Post World War II Blues'. The tune is bouncy, the lyrics are a catalogue of almost every major tragedy of the post 1945 years.
** 'Last Train To Munich'. The music is bouncy Django Rheinhard style jazz. The lyrics are about how the narrator is sending his best friend on an espionage mission which will almost certainly lead to his death.
* PrecisionFStrike: On the song 'Love Chronicles'. Bonus points for using it in its literal sense as well.

* WordSaladLyrics: Generally Al works hard on the meaning of his lyrics but this trope came into play in 'Red Toupee' which was originally merely meant to be guide lyrics to a backing track from co-writer Peter White. However, they both thought the lyrics sounded so good they kept them as they were.

* TheGump: Al himself is a real life example. He met Music/YokoOno before any of Music/TheBeatles and shared a flat with Music/SimonAndGarfunkel (and was their roadie on their first big tour).

* HeyItsThatGuy. Yes, it is [[Music/{{Queen}} that]] Roger Taylor on percussion on ''Past, Present and Future''.
* Creator/{{Hipgnosis}}: Did the cover art for five of his albums.

* TheGump: Al himself is a real life example. He met YokoOno before any of the Beatles and shared a flat with Simon and Garfunkle (and was their roadie on their first big tour).

* HeyItsThatGuy. Yes, it is [[{{Queen}} that]] Roger Taylor on percussion on Past, Present and Future

* PrecisionFStrike: On the song 'Love Chronicles'. Bonus points for using it in its literal sense as well.

* {{Precision F-Strike}}: On the song 'Love Chronicles'. Bonus points for using it in its literal sense as well.

* PrecisionF-Strike: On the song 'Love Chronicles'. Bonus points for using it in its literal sense as well.

* HeyItsThatGuy. Yes, it is [[{{Queen}} ''that'']] Roger Taylor on percussion on Past, Present and Future

* {{Hey It's That Guy}}. Yes, it is [[{{Queen}} ''that'']] Roger Taylor on percussion on Past, Present and Future

* Concept Album. 'Past, Present and Future' was a historical based album with a song for each decade of the twentieth century. 'Life Between The Wars' did the same for the period 1919-1938. 'Down in the Cellar' was a concept album inspired by wine.
* HeyIt'sThatGuy. Yes, it is [{{Queen}} ''that''] Roger Taylor on percussion on Past, Present and Future