This is more than just a romantic ballad — it is a whispered prayer wrapped in melody. Rod Stewart’s interpretation of “Have I Told You Lately” transcends the ordinary love song, becoming a gentle, heartfelt ode to gratitude, companionship, and quiet devotion. First written and recorded by Van Morrison in 1989, the song was beautifully reimagined by Stewart in 1993, in a live acoustic performance that captured hearts around the world.
Rod Stewart’s version was released as part of his Unplugged…and Seated album — a collection known for its stripped-down, emotionally raw interpretations. “Have I Told You Lately” quickly stood out as a highlight, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and becoming a wedding favorite for decades to come. Yet its enduring magic lies far beyond its chart position.
From the first tender guitar chords, there is a sense of intimacy — as if the singer is sitting across from you, speaking softly into the silence. Stewart’s voice, weathered and warm, doesn’t just sing the words — he lives them. There’s a gravelly honesty in his tone, carrying years of experience, love, loss, and reflection. When he sings, “Have I told you lately that I love you?” it doesn’t sound rehearsed — it sounds remembered.
The lyrics walk a fine line between romantic and spiritual. Lines like “You fill my heart with gladness / Take away all my sadness” resonate with the kind of love that is healing, not demanding. It is the voice of someone who has known darkness, and found light in the presence of another. There’s no urgency in this song, no pleading — only gratitude. It is a love that comforts rather than consumes.
The arrangement, true to the “unplugged” format, is simple but elegant. Acoustic guitar leads the way, joined by subtle piano and string flourishes. The restraint in instrumentation gives the lyrics room to breathe. Each pause feels intentional. Each note lingers just a moment longer. This is music that invites stillness — a quiet reminder of the power of presence.
What makes Stewart’s version special is the way it blends the personal and the universal. His voice, rough around the edges yet filled with warmth, makes the song feel lived-in. This isn’t young love, wild and impulsive — this is the love that grows in silence, the kind that knows how to sit in grief and still be grateful. The kind of love that isn’t afraid to say: “You’re the best thing in my life.”
“Have I Told You Lately” has been performed at countless weddings, memorials, and intimate gatherings — places where words often fail, but music speaks. It has comforted those in loss, reminded others of the quiet beauty in devotion, and marked moments of vulnerability with dignity. It’s not a song of grand declarations, but of whispered truth.
To this day, Rod Stewart’s rendition remains one of the most beloved versions of this timeless classic. It is not just a love song, but a benediction — a gentle reminder to say the things we feel before the moment passes.
A quiet anthem for love, gratitude, and the beauty of simply being there
Let this song find its way to your heart