I agree! My stepmom had this album and I was a teenager in the 70s who listened to KISS and Pink Floyd. As a 60 year old today, this song hits me emotionally.
Have always love Cat Steven's music. He is a great singer songwriter with a very unique sounding voice. One of my first albums I ever bought was his "Tea For The Tillerman". The whole album is great. So is the album "Teaser & The Firecat". His first big hits were "Matthew & Son" & "The First Cut Is The Deepest" in 1967. He has had so many great songs in his career such as "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken" etc. He is still recording & performing live & his voice still sounds great.
That was one of my first albums too.wild World was used on a commercial. It’s funny you speak about him as giving advice but he has been on a life looking for himself. He has changed, looks, names multiple times. His songs are great so listen to more that the person spoke about in one of the other comments. I agree anything on the album Tea For The Tillerman.
Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Jim Croce, John Denver, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel….. these are some of my favorite artists. I realized that I didn’t include any female artist, but Karen Carpenter is up there, Joni Mitchell, Carol King and Carly Simon.
His music offers so much. He was given a true gift and he truly offers it to so many people. I grew up with his musical wonders & still to this day love his incredible creations. When I was going through cancer treatments I would listen to his: 'Miles from Nowhere' ... it is a good one. Thank you for listening to this one. =)
This is one of my favorite songs to this day. My son is going on 50 and he grew up with this song. We sang it to each other all thru his teen age years. I LOVED YOUR EXPRESSION DURING THE LAST VERSE WHEN THEY SING TO EACH OTHER. WE CAN GET THRU IT. PARENTING.. . ALL THRU STAGES OF LIFE. CHILD, FATER, GRANDFATHER. OR MOTHER IN MY CASE. ❤LOVE YOU MICHAEL.
One of the most astonishingly talented musicians in history. In 2 years he released 3 absolutely brilliant albums - Teaser and the Firecat, Tea for the Tillerman, and Mona Bone Jakon. All are gorgeous from start to finish. He wrote the songs, sings the songs, and plays many of the instruments.
Huge star throughout the 70s. Converted to Islam in 1977, changed his name to Yusuf Islam in ‘78 and continued to perform, then in ‘79 he sold all his guitars and immersed himself in his new religion for about 15 years. Later reappeared performing Islamic music until 2006 when he released a new pop folk album. He’s a true icon with a lot of great songs to explore. Next you should check out Morning Has Broken and Wild World. Glad to see you’ve finally discovered him.
He was raised Greek Orthodox and searched hard for a few years before settling on Islam. At its core, it's a religion based on love, but he made this decision before 9/11 and the extremists factions that corrupted the message. He didn't think performing his music was in keeping with the muslim faith but, after his self enforced exile from music for so many years, his imam told him it's perfectly fine and acceptable.
This man!! Cat Stevens is and still is the best humanitarian alive! I started listened to him since I was 14… I’m 65 now. He’s 75. I still have all his albums! I grew up with him and WOW did he ever make my teenage years better! I adore this man! ❤️
Cat Stevens has quite a story to his successes and his step away from a life of fame and fortune -- We played and played his albums and it was a large part of my growing years --- The cult classic movie Harold and Maude is entirely scored (except the pool scene) by Cat Stevens music -- It is a must see film that is quirky moody inspirational and fun -- For a next listen my fav is Trouble
I've heard this song dozens of times, and love the lyrics, but couldn't figure out the overall message. Mr D, you nailed it with just one listen... Great reaction!
Great song, and great reaction. Each verse alternates between the father and son viewpoint. Parents want to impart their wisdom born of experience. But, every generation experiences life so differently that even wise advice may not ring true. To spread one's wings, one may "have to go" and have their own experiences to grow.
I’m glad you’re finding Billy Joel and now Cat Stevens. Two of the best songwriters out there. This song is one of my favorites. You’re right, that line always breaks my heart - “from the moment I could talk, I’ve been ordered to listen.” No way to teach. And again, when you said you learn from teaching - could not be truer. Please check out all of Tea for the Tillerman and then go on from there. Enjoy. You’re going to receive amazing gifts from both artists.
That is my other fave line, that you also pointed out - “if they were right, I’d agree.” People will keep you down, because they offer their opinions when they do not know you, only themselves. So true - we agree.
I hope you can find the time to listen to a number of Cat Stevens' albums straight through - Teaser and the Firecat, Tea for the Tillerman and Mona Bone Jason. Beautiful music and lyrics all. He was the quiet heartthrob of a lot of girls and women. His music never gets old
hi michael, hope you're good. it's a very beautiful song and, i believe, written for something his father said to him when he was younger.i listened to him a lot in my teens and early twenties. really nice reaction there michael. now, would you please listen to bones - imagine dragons live in vegas or talk talk - life's what you make it or nights in white satin by the moody blues. i know that you would like all 3 of these songs, if i could only get you to hear them. take care my man.
I grew up with Cat Stevens, Cris de Burgh, The Supremes, ABBA, Elvis, The Beatles, sound track from Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the best Transvestite from Transylvania, Rocky Horror Picture Show. As in singing the songs from the last one at the tender age of 5 while cleaning the house. Welcome to life of a teen mother who still wanted cool music in her home. If my aunts visited there was Queen, Styx Ram Jam, and no Black Betty's child wasn't mine either, never donated an ovum before I was walking. Open yourself to some great music made back then but beware there is some that will make your ears bleed as well.
Oh dang... I forgot to tell you that this album, "Tea For The Tillerman", came out the year of my firstborn son. Thanks for letting me be okay if you're reaction channel 😁
He re-recorded the whole album 50 years later, and for this song the "son" parts were an alternate take from 1970. It's even more beautiful when he's lived the life of the father.
Tongi did a nice job but Cat composed it and gave it pathos in his playing and singing. This is my favorite song of his but there are many close seconds. Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens was enormously popular in the 1970's until the suits from the music industry spoiled his taste for it. Longer Boats, Sad Lisa, Moonshadow, Peace train, Hard World, Oh Very Young, Hard Headed Woman, Where Do The Children Play... all classics. Enjoy this journey into his greatness.
Love The Cat. I was so mad at him when I was a kid and he quit singing to dive deeply into Islam. I didn't understand at that age. Apparently he is back now
This is one of those rare instances where the official video for the is actually worth a damn. Watch it, and all the hidden nuance in the song will be apparent.
I don't think this is the song Tongi covered. He did "Monsters" which is about a son and his father. At least I have not heard him do this song - may have missed it.
I do love his music, and when he left music It definitely bummed me out. I currently have a some issues with his politics, as there is some dispute about his support of the Iranian fatwa against Salman Rusdie. Anyone who sings peace train, and is then ambivilant (at least) about assassinating a guy for writhing a book is not my cup of tea.
Just keep in mind that Iam had to condense the lyrics down to a minute and a half. It's hardly the full meaning of the song. Just with his golden voice, Iam still brought people to go back and check out the original artist, Cat Stevens, just as he did over the course of the Idol performances for other artists. Not bad for an 18 year old.
I hope you are wanting to be a motivational speaker when you get middle-aged. You will be in demand in whatever role you become e.g. teacher, head of HR, politician, or, , , , .
This is a very difficult song to understand. There are two voices - the father trying to impart his wisdom, and the son frustrated that his father isn't listening to him. The song was written in the context of a huge generation gap during "the 60s" when the young were resisting the values of their parents. This is not a healthy relationship song.
Questions are always welcome from children, teens and young adults. But their opinions are worthless because its pure ideology which is super misleading and worthless. So young people should listen to learn and eventually if they have listened well combined with their own experiences, they can be super-stars!
