The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II) - Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart
The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)
A Night on the Town, 1976

"The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)" is the name of a song written and recorded by Rod Stewart. It was released as a track on his album, A Night on the Town, in 1976. The song tells the story of a man who was killed in New York City. It is a two-part song: Part I, the more popular hit, was blended into the more melancholy and sombre Part II of the song.
The song's lyrics tell the poignant tale of a friend of the narrator's, a homosexual man, the titular Georgie. The song follows Georgie through his life. At some point in his life, Georgie tells his parents of his sexuality. His father responds by saying "How can my son not be straight after all I've said and done for him?" He leaves home, bound for New York, cast out by his parents. He becomes successful and popular in Manhattan's upper class. The narrator visits him in Summer 1975, when Georgie tells him he's in love and the narrator responds by saying that he is pleased for him. Georgie attends the opening night of a Broadway musical, but leaves early with his lover. They decide to take a short-cut through an alley, where Georgie is attacked and killed by a New Jersey gang. The narrator then quotes something Georgie once said to him about living life while you're young, before your life ends. The song ends with the narrator begging him to stay.

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