Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971) were both certified triple platinum in the US by the RIAA. His 1972 album Catch Bull at Four sold half a million copies in the first two weeks of release alone and was Billboard's number-one LP for three consecutive weeks. He also earned two ASCAP songwriting awards in consecutive years for "The First Cut Is the Deepest"; the song has been a hit single for four different artists. Some of his other hit songs include, "Father and Son", "Wild World", "Peace Train", "Moonshadow" and "Morning Has Broken".
In December 1977, Stevens converted to Islam and adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year. In 1979, he auctioned all his guitars for charity and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.Stevens became a convert to Islam in 1978 after a near-death experience. He adopted the name Yusuf Islam and became an outspoken advocate for the religion. Following his conversion, Yusuf abandoned his previous career as a pop star, with which he had always been uncomfortable. Song and the use of musical instruments is an area of debate in Islamic jurisprudence (law) and is the primary factor Cat Stevens retreated from the pop spotlight. At one point he wrote to the record companies asking that his music no longer be distributed, but his request was denied. Following Ayatollah Khomeini’s February 14, 1989 death fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, he made statements that were interpreted as endorsing the killing of Rushdie. On February 21, 1989, Yusuf Islam addressed students at Kingston University in London about his conversion to Islam and was asked about the controversy in the Muslim world and the fatwa calling for Salman Rushdie’s execution. He replied, “He must be killed. The Qur’an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die.” Despite this he has received several awards for his work in promoting peace in the world, including the 2003 World Award, the 2004 Man for Peace Award, and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace. Known professionally by the single name Yusuf, in 2006 he returned to pop music with his first album of new pop songs in 28 years, entitled An Other Cup. On 5 May 2009, he released the album Roadsinger. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Old Schoolyard
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had simplicity and we had
Warm toast for tea and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
You were my sweet love, my first sweet love
My lovey dove, my love lovey dove
No matter what place, whichever the place
I still see your face, your smiling face
In childish dreams, inside my dreams
Like king and queen, god save our dreams
N'though time may face, though time may fade
It ain't never too late, to learn about love
Learn about love
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
The lyrics to "Old Schoolyard" by Cat Stevens are a nostalgic reflection on the innocence of childhood and the bonds formed through shared experiences. The song opens by asking the listener to remember the days of the old schoolyard where laughter was abundant, and imaginations ran wild. In contrast, the second verse speaks to the times when tears were shed, but the simplicity of life made it easier to find comfort in warmth and love.
The chorus repeats the sentiment of remembering the schoolyard, and how it allowed for the exploration of all kinds of things, creating a sense of companionship and love that is still remembered. The third verse centers around a specific person, Stevens' "sweet love," who he remembers fondly through the years as he reflects on the dreams and aspirations of childhood that he shared with this person.
Ultimately, the song speaks to the universal experience of growing up and how the memories of childhood remain important. The lines "though time may fade, it ain't never too late, to learn about love" speak to the idea that while we may grow older and lose our childlike wonder, it is never too late to rediscover the joy and connection that we experienced in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
Let's reminisce about the fun and youthful times we had in our old schoolyard.
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you
We recall how much we used to laugh and enjoy our time together.
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Back then, we were creative, carefree, and in need of love and companionship.
Oh and I remember you
I remember you, my dear friend and possibly even my first love.
We used to cry a lot, oh don't you
We also recall the times where we would cry and be emotional in the old schoolyard.
When we had simplicity and we had
Warm toast for tea and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
In simpler times, we found joy in the small things like warm toast and sweet companionship.
You were my sweet love, my first sweet love
My lovey dove, my love lovey dove
You were someone special to me, possibly even my first love or crush, my beloved darling.
No matter what place, whichever the place
I still see your face, your smiling face
Even in different places and times, I can still clearly picture your happy face and it brings me joy.
In childish dreams, inside my dreams
Like king and queen, god save our dreams
In my fantasies and dreams, we rule together like royalty, hoping that our dreams are blessed and fulfilled by a higher power.
N'though time may face, though time may fade
It ain't never too late, to learn about love
Learn about love
Despite the passage of time and the fading of memories, it is never too late to discover or rediscover love and its meaning.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidcollins7703
CAT STEVENS: IZITSO (Cat’s Masterpiece)
Cat’s best, and most popular albums might be Teaser and the Firecat and Tea for the Tillerman, but his last three (Numbers, Izitso and Back to Earth) were and will always be my all-time favourites. Critics often praise Catch Bull at Four and Buddha and the Chocolate Box and although I agree that they are very good albums – I much prefer Izitso.
They say this is Cat’s most “pop” album, whatever that means. All I know is that it’s an under-rated masterpiece and my absolute favourite Cat Stevens record, from start to finish. It’s got that “1977” feel to it in terms of the instrumentation (Cat continues his experiments with the synthesiser) and it’s more relaxed and laid back. Never has Cat sounded so happy and content and in love. Who would have guessed how dark things would get on his next album, or that he would turn his back on the whole industry, and indeed his identity; there’s no evidence of that here.
We start with the classic synth-pop of (Remember the Days) of the Old Schoolyard which is followed by perhaps his most under-rated song, Life (check out those chord changes). Whether Cat ever smoked a joint in his life I don’t know, but you can definitely hear its influence here. After that is his most rockin’ tune, Killin’ Time followed by another of his interesting instrumentals Kypros (which has both a Greek bouzouki and Middle Eastern vibe to it). Then the first of three mellow ballads that make up the body of Izitso - Bonfire, Crazy and Sweet Jamaica (very similar stylistically and yet very different). Between all that is the classic, (I Never Wanted) To Be a Star which although pointing to him quitting the business, never sounds dark or melancholic in any way (listen to that sweet guitar refrain at the end). Then Cat does a complete 180 with the unique electro-sounding Was Dog a Doughnut? (His humour obviously very much alive) And finally, the country-tinged Child for a Day (Dolly Parton should have covered this).
What more can you ask from an album? And yet critics seem to miss this time and time again, although thankfully the buyers didn’t (it was certified gold). And check out that album art-work (don’t you just love 1970s album covers?)
10/10 A+
@ef2931
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you?
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love, yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to cry a lot, oh don't you?
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had simplicity and we had
Warm toast for tea and we laughed
And needed love, yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
You were my sweet love, my first sweet love
My lovey dove my love, lovey dove
No matter what place, whichever the place
I still see your face, your smiling face
In childish dreams, inside my dreams
Like King and Queen, God save our dreams
N'though time may face, though time may fade
It ain't never too late to learn about love
Learn about love
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you?
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love, yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
@LivingOnaPrayer123
This is the most underrated singer/musician/songwriter of all time. His music is so authentic. A lot of people have never heard of him and are missing out. So glad my dad always used to play his songs whilst driving in the car so I had the privilege of growing up with his music
@slydoll7877
Dude. He's not underrated at all. He's world famous and well known.
@frankjamesbonarrigo7162
@@slydoll7877 I was going to say the same
@lobbo26
Many commercial radio stations do not play it's songs however during 1970s and 1980s was very popular.He music distinctively composed so it is not commercials pops music..
@DonaldWallace-vi8uv
I can't quite get my head around the concept that some young folks HAVEN'T HEARD OF THE CAT...
@davidbateman-fe8vu
Underrated? His brilliant recordings are well appreciated and many of his peers have recorded his songs.
@johnmaccabi1667
When I listen to Cat Stevens I always come back to a good old friend. Thank you Yusuf.
@edwardcreegan236
Two very different people, Cat and 'Yusef'. Buyer beware.
@user-xd3jg7bf3w
Very good músic,Cat Stevens was a very special singer
@MrZerosphere
Many wish our days in the old school yard was as sweet as this