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.
But I Might Die Tonight
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doing just what they all say
Work hard boy and you'll find
One day you'll have a job like mine
'Cause I know for sure
Nobody should be that poor
To say yes or sink low
I don't want to work away
Doing just what they all say
Work hard boy and you'll find
One day you'll have a job like mine, job like mine, a job like mine
Be wise, look ahead
Use your eyes he said
Be straight, think right
But I might die tonight!
"But I Might Die Tonight" is a poignant song from Cat Stevens, in which he expresses his desire to break free from the constraints of a society that expects everyone to work hard and conform to established norms. The first stanza depicts the common expectation placed on people to obey authority figures who insist on the necessity of working hard in order to achieve success, only to find out that it may not provide a fulfilling life. Stevens shirks the idea of having a humdrum job, as he believes that this lifestyle can compromise one's independence and happiness. Instead, he desires to embrace life in his own way, with the freedom to make his own choices and express his individuality, whilst still achieving a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
In the second stanza, Stevens assumes the voice of an older, wiser figure who exhorts listeners to be wise, to use their eyes and to think right. However, the final line ("But I might die tonight") marks a poignant reminder that our lives can end at any given moment. This serves to remind people that life is fleeting, and it is crucial to make the most of the time we have to pursue our dreams and live life to the fullest, despite the expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to work away
I don't want to spend my life doing what society pressures me to do
Doing just what they all say
Conforming to societal expectations
Work hard boy and you'll find
If you work hard you will eventually succeed
One day you'll have a job like mine
You will achieve the same success I have if you follow society's expectations
'Cause I know for sure
I am certain that
Nobody should be that poor
No one should suffer from poverty
To say yes or sink low
To accept submission and surrender or to suffer the consequences
Because you happen to say so, say so, you say so
There is no reason to blindly follow the rules society has set for you
Be wise, look ahead
Be intelligent and plan ahead
Use your eyes he said
Be observant and pay attention
Be straight, think right
Be honest and make good decisions
But I might die tonight!
Even if I do everything I am supposed to do, there is still a possibility that I may die suddenly without living life to the fullest.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind