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Let’s hear it for teenage rebellion.

In 1981, Rod Stewart was at the peak of his career, pumping out the hits. He was on such a roll that for the song “Young Turks,” the guys in his band wrote some music, handed it to him, and he came up with the story of Billy and Patti, young lovers who run away together.

“Young hearts, be free tonight,” Stewart croons. “Time is on your side.” Maybe so, for a while. Their 10-pound baby boy probably changed things.

Many people think the title of the song is “Young Hearts.”  Not so. The title is “Young Turks,” which is 80s slang for being young, uppity, and anti-establishment. For Stewart, the song and the image were a perfect fit.

“Young Turks” is a rousing tune that appeals to everyone’s inner youth. It’s easy to root for the idealistic runaways — bearing in mind that they will grow up, and their kids will become teenagers themselves, leading the parents to gain a wholly new perspective.

Poetic justice at its finest.

“Rod the Mod” in his glory days. The hair. Oh, the hair.

Young Turks

By Rod Stewart, 1981
Written by Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, and Kevin Savigar

Billy left his home with a dollar in his pocket
and a head full of dreams.
He said somehow, some way,
it’s gotta get better than this.

Patti packed her bags, left a note for her momma.
She was just seventeen.
There were tears in her eyes
when she kissed her little sister goodbye.

They held each other tight as they drove on through the night.
They were so excited.
We got but one shot at life.
Let’s take it while we’re still not afraid.

Because life is so brief,
and time is a thief when you’re undecided.
And like a fistful of sand,
it can slip right through your hands.

Young hearts, be free tonight.
Time is on your side.
Don’t let ‘em put you down, don’t let ’em push you around.
Don’t let ’em ever change your point of view.

Paradise was closed, so they headed for the coast
in a blissful manner.
They took a two-room apartment
that was jumping every night of the week.

Happiness was found in each other’s arms,
as expected, yeah.
Billy pierced his ears,
drove a pickup like a lunatic.

Young hearts be free tonight.
Time is on your side.
Don’t let ‘em put you down, don’t let ’em push you around.
Don’t let ’em ever change your point of view.

Young hearts, be free tonight.
Time is on, on your side.

Billy wrote a letter back home to Patti’s parents,
tryin’ to explain.
He said “We’re both real sorry
that it had to turn out this way.

“But there ain’t no point in talking
when there’s nobody listening,
so we just ran away.
Patti gave birth to a 10-pound baby boy.”

Young hearts be free tonight.
Time is on your side.
Young hearts be free tonight.
Time is on your side.
Young hearts be free tonight.
Time is on your side.

Young hearts, gotta run free, be free, live free.
Time is on, time is on your side.

Time, time, time, time is on your side,
is on your side, is on your side.

Young heart, be free tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight. Yeah.