#catstevens #yusuf #reaction Rapper FIRST time REACTION to Yusuf / Cat Stevens - Father & Son! Join this channel to get access to perks: / @blackpegasusraps
You are being a great dad!! As a female (hahaha, despite my "handle", named after my cat!) my strongest, strongest recommendation is that your kids try and excel in their studies, and find something they can train in (does not have to be university!) so that they are able to support themselves financially, independently. This is the most important thing, IMO, for girls/women. To have options when it comes to taking care of THEMSELVES. Really enjoy your content, thanks for what you do on this channel.
Song's a conversation. When he sings in a lower register he's talking from the father's p.o.v. and when he goes higher he's sharing the son's p.o.v. The implication is that they're both doing their best to share how they feel but the other isn't really listening for their own specific reasons. The dad is trying to give advice from his place of experience but dismissing the kid, and the kid is frustrated at not being listened to and refusing to take the advice because of the classic "you don't understand me, dad" reaction.
Yes! Listen to @jmhaces! (I got so frustrated listening to BP on this one! 😅) Have loved this song since I was young. (I’m 65.) My two favorite lyrics in this were and are these from the son’s point of view: “From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen” and “if they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them they know-not me.” Unfortunately, BP is right about family. I’m the youngest sibling and have only one child who will not be capable of doing for me. Future can seem a little scary sometimes … Haven’t read all the comments yet. I’m sure someone will tell him that Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) is alive and well; at least he is as far as I know.
It's also about the cycle repeating. The old try to share important advice with the young but the young don't listen. Then they get old, realise the advice was good and try to impart it to their own kids, who don't listen etc etc.
@@laughingachilles That's only half the story. ;) The other half is the old having forgotten what it is to be young, to have a new world before them, and thinking that their experience is the only thing that is real. That the old don't understand that the only way to live life is to experience it yourself. It cuts both ways... and what makes this song such a timeless masterpiece is that it never takes sides, never tries to make one side "right" or "wrong".
It's about a son's separation from the traditional life of his father. The "father" sings in a steady, assured tone, while the "son" sings with a more desperate tone, basically saying "accept me as my own man with my own dreams."
You’re right about the dual roles, but it’s actually got more nuance. When he’s playing the son, he’s replaying himself as the father as he was as a son. Cat Stevens was (is) a brilliant songwriter.
Cat's story was so surprising at the time: he had wild success as a young singer, but left the world of fame to immerse himself in Islam. He reappeared 20 years later, ready to sing to the world, as Yusuf Islam. All his songs are thoughtful, heartfelt, beautiful.
What can you say about Cat Stevens? Magic, pure magic. Every song he wrote just seemed/felt important beyond other artists, yet he once accepted an award with a speech that basically was "Everything... I ever wrote... performed... or did... was wrong." Everyone should fall deep down the Cat Stevens rabbit hole. A magical artist from a magical time.
@@auntieprimrose4138hahaha, totally unrelated but I agree. I was mesmerised watching Rick Wakeman play 2 pianos plus keyboards on either side of him at the same time in the 1970s Journey to the Centre of the Earth tour in Sydney.
This one not written by Yusuf of course, but by the 1930s English children's book author Eleanor Farjeon, to an older Scottish tune. It became a very popular hymn and, growing up in the 50s and 60s, Cat would probably have sung it often, as I did, at school assembly, if not in church. His rendition is a wonderful tribute to the writer/s. It was a huge hit and helped popularise the hymn further, as well as being another example of crossovers between popular music and other forms, at a time of much creative exploration of such fusions.
Yes, he's still around. He's 76. It's a song from 1970 when there was a huge gap between parents and their hippy kids. So, it's about him fighting with his father about how to live his life. And he has to get away from his father to live his life the way he wants. At least that's always been my take. Great reaction to it. Thanks!
Cat Stevens records and tours under his name, Yusuf Islam, now. Son wants to leave home; father says he still needs to learn under Father's roof. Both of them are at an impasse. Love your videos.
The 2 voices,one old, one young and yearning for freedom. Think Cat would be the son in real life,if he was relating to himself. I loved his singing as a teen
Cat Steven’s wrote his first hit at seventeen, The First Cut is the Deepest, around ‘65/66, and has been covered and been a major hit for many artists, including Cheryl Crowe and Rod Stewart. Quite unbelievable for a seventeen year old to write such lyrics……it was just a premise of what was to come, quite unbelievable.
Like Dylan… Cat Stevens is a poet first, a songwriter and a man of peace. His songs are amazing. "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", and my favorite "Morning Has Broken". I hope you enjoy this journey. ❤
Point of interest - Morning Has Broken was not written by Stevens, but is an old Christian hymn from 1931. Still sung in church services today, but certainly made famous to a much wider audience by Cat Stevens.
@@marigail9234 I agree completely! I was in high school when this song was playing on the radio. Then to my surprise one morning in church, this hymn was part of the service. I can’t remember ever singing it in church before that day, and wonder if it was chosen because of the new popularity of Cat Stevens version.
Thank you for mentioning this one...He also has Miles from Nowhere, Wild World, Can't Keep it In, Moonshadow, Trouble, etc. He has offered so much to those who he reaches. Thank you again for sharing this piece.
Back in 2010 Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hosted the Rally to Restore Sanity or Fear on the Washington Mall. At one point Jon brought out Cat to do Peace Train and Stephen interupted bith Ozzy and Crazy Train. They went back and forth for a minute before they compromised and brought out the O'jays to do Love Train.
The lower talking tone is the voice of the father, the higher, more animated tone is the son. It is about a son wanting to leave follow his dreams and his father trying to getting him to settle down and follow the norm.
Cat Stevens music has always touched me so deeply - please try more songs - he’s a brilliant musician. You’re mixing his message up a bit. He’s relating as the son, having a hard time bc his father wants him to follow in his footsteps & do everything he did. The son doesn’t want to follow his dad’s path- he has his own path to follow. But he’s always felt pressured & pushed to do things his dad’s way. A beautiful reminder to parents to let their kids follow their own dreams.
I always see as two people who are both right because each has a different perspective at that stage in life. A wise man knows in the end what's important are the people you love, a young man is imaptient to live life, to experience the heights and depths of emotion and the thrills of the world. The young one cannot really see it from the old one's perspective and the old one understands the youth but knows where real happiness is to be found. Each has to go through what they go through.
Yusef is depicting an argument between father and son over the son's future. The father is urging restraint and sticking with traditional values and ways of living while the son is expressing his desire to bresk free, find his own path and explore the world. Beautiful song about a timeless battle that occurs generation after generation. Peace Train is also one of his greatest hits, using the metaphor of a train to symbolize the belief that the peace movement has an inexorable momentum. It is especially relevant in today's day and sge.
Cat Stevens’ prime was the 1970s. He was, is, and always be one of my favorite artists. He wrote beautiful songs. Peace Train is an amazing song that you should listen to/react to. Cat Stevens converted to Islam, changed his name, and stopped performing. THANKFULLY, he began performing again a few years ago. He is such a beautiful gift to this world. We all can use a little Cat Stevens in our life.
Parent trying to protect his son from what’s coming- The son saying you don’t understand I have to go do it myself. Same as it’s always been and always will be
Most people don't catch on right away that he his singing from both the father and the son's perspectives, the father in the lower register, and the son in the higher (and angst ridden) register.
Cat Stevens exploded in the early 70’s. My oldest brother bought the 8 track tape, Tea for The Tillerman and played it all the time. My mom loved it. It reminds me of Cats in The Cradle, a generational song.
This is one of the best . As a Father it really hits emotinaly . First heard it in the seventies as a young man now a Grandfather and it still brings me to tears.
He was a mega star, mega, in the late 60's early 70's before he walked away from the music biz. Just an incredible singer/song writer and a seeker really. Much of his music asks the big questions about Life and what it means to be human in a crazy world. Huge catalogue. Huge. Not long ago, after a 30 year hiatus, he started singing and recording again as Yusuf Islam. You might recognize from back in the day his songs Another Saturday Night and Peace Train. You will probably enjoy many of his songs, but Where Do The Children Play and Miles From Nowhere are two that might especially resonate with you. His Tea For The Tillerman and Teaser And The Fire Cat LP's are amazing. So good. Thanks for sharing this one!
This song basically saved my life. I had those parents, the ones that nothing I did was good enough,I have light skin in a dark skinned hispanic family and that should say it all. At 18 I left finally but as a teenager this song kept me going and believing in myself. I left Mr Stevens a comment on his page about this song and it's meaning and he actually took the time to answer me.Says a lot about his beautiful heart.
The fact that you are recognizing all the responsibilities of raising children reveals that you will continue to be a wonderful father because you have care and concern. We all stumble raising our children but as long as the love, care and concern are there it all works out.
Cat Stevens walked away from fame and fortune when he became a Muslim. He had the world by the tail and he could see what happens when someone becomes famous and he chose not to have that type of life but he decided his and family was more important than anything that fame can give him. He will always be one of the greatest emotional male singers EVER!! And as a father he has the ability to make your heart melt over the emotions of being a father.
Your reaction to this great song tells us a lot about how good you are as a person and a father. This songs gives me chills too every time I listen to it.
So many beautiful songs from Steven Georgiou - aka Cat Stevens - aka Yusuf Islam. My class sang "Morning Has Broken" at our Elementary School graduation ceremony. It's still one of my favorite songs of all time. Check out "Peace Train" and "Moonshadow"...unique voice/ unique lyrics. Yes, he is still alive.
Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf) was huge back in the 70's and then disappeared because he went on a spiritual journey and ended up a Muslim. Initially, he denounced his music but eventually came back to claim it and now is touring again. He has a lot of hits from the 70's. In a interview he said this song was about war but I think it can be interpreted many ways. My take has always been that he was in conflict with his father and had to leave home to sort through things on his own and decide for himself how to live rather than be told. I have always loved his music.
A classic! Cat Stevens was my childhood, always on my parents record player. Then Cat ‘rejected’ fame, converted religion and dedicated his life to charity work. He changed his name to Yusuf. He ‘reappeared singing his songs again in the early 2000’s. I remember being bought to tears when he appeared in the Ronan Keating version of this song. His Another Cup album is always on my playlist, and have been lucky enough to see him in concert. Please react to ‘How can I tell you’!
father and son is about a conversation between father and son. the soft voice is father speaking and the loud almost yelling parts are the son replying to his father. I'm old enough to have grown up around this era and a music lover to this day. Any young teen growing up in the era related to this song. Thanks for the memory, although I have to admitt I still own and listen to this music most people are just now beginning to appreciate.
I was teaching my son how to play the guitar and he asked me if I would play this song with him during his graduation act. Tears appeared spontaniously while I answered him: "You really want to see me cry, dont't you...". We melt into a hug and cried together... 🥺 Bless you, bless them 💝
I've little doubt that you are a fine, loving and protective parent; giving your children an opportunity to grow into self-actualized citizens. That's all we can aspire, dad ~
Cat Steven is still around and performing. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam and converted to Islam after a close brush with death in late 1977. His songs Peace Train, Wild World, Moonshadow, Oh Very Young, and more are all great songs as well.
If you set a good example and spend time with them it’s the best way to be a parent. Just “be” with them. You don’t need fancy vacations or expensive “things”. Anyway, your concern tells me you are already a good parent. Cat Stevens had a string of great songs in the early 70’s. 🌺✌️
Hey Peg, you’ll get it on your next listen, same went for all of us fogies in the early 70’s. Like you said, the soft, “talking” parts, are the father speaking to his son, the more passionate parts are the son speaking to the father. Cat started in the early 70’s,making stunning music, this one, Peace Train, Morning has broken, Wild World..which he wrote for a young actress when she left him to go to Hollywood. A few years and a successful music career later, he gave it all up, literally putting his guitar away, became Muslim and disappeared somewhere in the east. Broke my heart. But…as all things go, 35-40 years later he returned. Still Muslim but trusting himself once again, began to play music once again. And in the process, made a lot of people (myself included) happy. Very thoughtful reaction, I enjoyed it very much
I’m playing this video now, sitting at work in my car with the door open and had an amazing experience. A sparrow just landed on my mirror and sat turning its head as if listening it the flew ove my car and landed on the passenger side door and continued to listen for thirty seconds or more turning it’s head from side to side. It’s as if this song attracted it. I stand amazed
You’re killing me with these throwbacks! Cat Steven’s is one of my absolute favorites🤩 This song is absolutely beautiful❣️ Hard to listen without getting emotional…your daughters are richly blessed to call you dad BP🙏 Enjoy those precious little angels…trust me my friend the days can be long but the years fly bye🎀💝🎀
I graduated high school in 1973. This was one of the anthems of my generation along with Harry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle." Viet Nam war, Civil Rights movement. It was a time of change and upheaval. These song's are as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.
Cat In The Cradle is a MUST for you, from Cat Stevens. PG your a good man and your kids will be just fine. My pops is gone now and my time is just around the corner. Respect Time.
Love Cat Stevens. Saw him prior to becoming popular. Among the premiere folk singers of the Classic R 'n R era / 'late 60's- early 70's.🎵😎 He later became interested in Eastern philosphy and has come back as Yusef . . .
My Dad was a huge Cat Stevens fan... He went to every one of his London shows and had all of Cat Stevens' albums on vinyl -twice; 1 to play and 1 to keep. At my Dad's request, we played all Cat Stevens songs and his funeral last year. 💔❤️
Oh god, the wonderful Cat Stevens! There is so much emotion and fragility in his voice. He had his great time in the 70s, and there are a whole bunch of wunderful songs. I like most "Morning has broken" , "the first cut is the deepest" and last but not least: "Lady D'arbanville", gives me chills every time.
I’m 76 and lived through this time before Cat converted to Islam, hence the hyphenated name, and Cat was just Cat. I know what the generational climate and turmoil was like back then. With respect BP, this is simply about a young man who is tormented because he has come to the point in his psychological development where he realizes the his father/parents think they know best and will not be flexible enough to open themselves up to who their son is vs their perception of him. “From the time I could talk I was told just to listen…If they were right I’d agree but it’s them they know, not me.” To me the meaning is singular and pretty well stated. This is an ongoing generational dynamic but it became volatile for many of us during the ‘60’s. Read the lyrics without looking at the video and you might interpret this song quite differently.
Wonderful reaction Sir!! When this song came out in the 70s I was young and I completely understood and identified with the son's point of view, but as I aged and became a Mother I understood the Father's view. This song is timeless and simply beautiful
You can't miss that this is a conversation. I am old but I'm happy = father. I know I have to go = son. Had this conversation with my Dad and years later with my son.
Cat Stevens is from the 70's and a brilliant overlooked musician. Father and Son is written as the father singing the first verse, the second verse is the son and so one. The lower voice is the father and the higher voice is the son.
I remember hearing this as a child. Profound. Masterpiece. Such deep emotion 54 years later. Thank you for this. All the best to everyone. Be kind. Always.
I know of Cat Steven's, but never heard this song. But, WOW does this hit hard right in the heart. Our 3 oldest have grown up and moved out and are all doing their own thing. I am so proud. Our 4th child, Oliver, will always need to live with us. He is such a special young man: at barely 20yrs old, he is precious, happy, smart, and so much more. But he is in a little boy's body and has a little boy's brain (mostly). He also has so many physical and medical challenges as well. But he has never known life any other way and we are determined to give him the very best life and be the very best parents, with the same vigor we had with his older siblings. You are right, having children grounds us in this world and leaves us the most important legacy of all after we are gone. I cannot thank you enough for expising me to this song by Cat Stevens. I am also grateful for your commentary and for expressing how this song made you feel.
My momma used to say she wanted this played at her funeral. She loved this song. She decided not to have a funeral, so it didn't get played. I lost her in December. Hearing this is emotional. I have been listening to this song for 50 years. I love the song "O Caritas" from the Catch Bull at Four album. Cat Stevens is a deep dive.
BP, I really enjoy your reactions. I’ve loved Cat Stevens since I was in Jr High. Yes, that makes me a 65 year old senior. The years go fast. I have to tell you, towards the end when you said when you get older and start losing people, if you don’t have children, you have nothing…it stabbed my heart. There are many of us who would have loved to have had children but couldn’t for various reasons. Holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be painful. I’ve lost my parents and 2 brothers so I know what it’s like to start losing close family members. But I still have my husband and other family and friends. Life still goes on and we have to make the best of the hand we’ve been dealt. Congratulations on your new baby. Blessings to you and your family.
Cat Stevens is 75 now I think, I don't know if he's touring this year, but he did concerts last year including Glastonbury. Lots of fav songs, including 'Matthew and Son', 'Peace Train', 'Morning has Broken', 'Wild World' and 'Moonshadow'. The one you've just reacted to, is beautiful and timeless, thanks so much for the reaction. 😊😊
Notice how his voice changes when he's singing as the father and as the son. It's about a son who is ready to take off and live his life, and a father who wants him to live a quiet traditional life. A British artist, Cat Stevens was big in the late 60s/early 70s. Great songs like "Wild World", "Morning Has Broken", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", and "Where Do The Children Play". He wrote a song called "The First Cut is the Deepest" that's been a hit for many singers. In the late 70s he converted to Islam and dropped out of music for many years, then came back to performing about 18 years ago.
Being almost 70, this was from one of my my favorite albums in '70-71, Tea For the Tillerman. The songs are so sweet, I've given it to friends with new babies, the songs are like lullabies. Saw him in '16 or so in NYC after 40-50 years of not performing. He's a jewel.
Yes, Cat is still around, recording and touring. He was big in the 70’s, a terrific songwriter and recording artist, but above all a spiritual seeker of the highest order. Virtually everything he wrote will hit you in the heart. In this song his “going” is leaving home to begin living life on his own terms. The narrative is from the son’s viewpoint, resisting his father’s admonitions to conform to his own view of how his son’s life should be lived. Check out these songs of his, all equal to or better than this one IMO: On the Road to Find Out, Where Will the Children Play, Morning Has Broken, Oh Very Young, Wild World, Peace Train, Moon Shadow and Sad Lisa. Thanks for the heartfelt reaction! The “tragic” story about Cat is that at the height of his fame he decided that Islam was the route to pursue in his spiritual search. There was a strong public blowback to this, and beyond that, in accordance with religious strictures he stopped making music -at least publicly and for a living - for many years. He eventually reappeared about 15-20 years ago as Yusef-Cat Stevens, and continued his musical career.
He was popular in the 70's. He has so many fantastic songs that he wrote and he was quite big at the time. He became a Muslim and is now known as Yusuf. I was a huge fan and still listen to his music.
The way i interpret it it's him singing both parts of a call and response song. The father says meet a girl, settle down etc. The son is replying that he needs to live his life his own way. The son has to go away. He is such a great songwriter. ❤
