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.
Father & Son
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just relax, take it easy
You're still young, that's your fault
There's so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
To be calm when you've found something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Why, think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
How can I try to explain? 'Cause when I do he turns away again
It's always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I know, I have to go
It's not time to make a change (away, away, away)
Just sit down, take it slowly
You're still young, that's your fault (I know)
There's so much you have to go through (I have to make this decision)
Find a girl, settle down (alone)
If you want you can marry
Look at me (no)
I am old, but I'm happy
All the times that I cried (stay, stay, stay)
Keeping all the things I knew inside
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it (why must you go)
(And make this decision)
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them they know not me (alone)
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go
"Father and Son" by Cat Stevens is a poignant song about the relationship between a father and son. The song is written in two parts, with the first part sung by the father, who is trying to advise his son. In the opening lines, the father tells his son that he shouldn't rush to make changes in his life and that he should relax and take things easy. He reminds the son that he's still young and has a lot to learn, and encourages him to settle down and find a girl to marry. The father reassures his son that he's happy in his own life, even though he's old.
In the second part of the song, the son responds to his father, challenging his advice and expressing his own doubts and fears. He tells his father that he knows it's not easy to stay calm when something is going on, but he also reminds him that he has to think about everything he has before making any rash decisions. The son then expresses his frustration at not being able to make his father understand his perspective and his desire to break free from his current situation.
The song ends on a bittersweet note, with both the father and son recognizing that they are at a crossroads and that they must make their own decisions, even if it means going their separate ways.
Overall, "Father and Son" is a deeply emotional and moving song that captures the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of growing up and making your own path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not time to make a change
There's no rush to decide your future
Just relax, take it easy
Don't worry about things too much
You're still young, that's your fault
You have the luxury of time, but it also means you have a lot to learn
There's so much you have to know
You have a lot of learning and growing to do
Find a girl, settle down
If you find someone you love, consider settling down with them
If you want you can marry
Marriage is an option, but don't feel pressured into it
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
Even though I'm old, I'm content with my life
I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy
I understand that it's difficult to navigate life at your age
To be calm when you've found something going on
It's hard to stay calm in the midst of chaos
But take your time, think a lot
Take your time to process, think things through carefully
Why, think of everything you've got
Be grateful for all that you have in life
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
Your time is precious, so don't put off pursuing your dreams
How can I try to explain? 'Cause when I do he turns away again
It's hard to communicate with someone who doesn't want to listen
It's always been the same, same old story
This has been a recurring issue
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
I wasn't allowed to voice my own opinions from a young age
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I have to leave to find my own path
I know, I have to go
Leaving is necessary for my personal growth
Just sit down, take it slowly
Slow down and relax
I have to make this decision
I need to make this choice for myself
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them they know not me
I have to follow my own path, even if it's not what others expect of me
All the times that I cried
I've gone through my share of struggles and hardships
Keeping all the things I knew inside
I've kept my thoughts and feelings hidden for too long
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it
It's tough to confront my problems, but it's even harder to pretend they don't exist
Why must you go (alone)
Why do you have to leave?
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I have to leave to start a new chapter of my life
I know I have to go
I'm certain that leaving is the right decision for me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@dougthePogingguitarist
love this song
@bryanquichocho1280
This song is one of many favorites from Cat! Thx dude🤙🏾.
@ozziegreen4850
Stay blessed ; stay sane in this insanity❣️
@christianschneider4926
:)
@abdelkaderbenaricha5312
I can't write or speak English properly, but I know that passionate people like me can understand me and feel me through these little big sentences." I am a very sensitive and passionate person until I have tears in my eyes.. And when I listen to this song I think of my father, a great man who died of cancer when I was very young. Then I grew up and I think of him, when he said, my son, I am really sick buying myself a piece of cake. Life without him and his compassion is cruel. I feel very alone. .
I live with great sadness in my heart to be praised by my relatives and friends.
@jaeveena
I'm leaving this comment here so after a month or a year when someone likes it, I get reminded of this song <3
@ahmadismail6626
Reminder🙂
@AlisonJacobson77Ching
❤
@AlisonJacobson77Ching
Beautiful insight, & human being...this speaks to my Soul. 'Then' to ' Now'. From the child, to the parent, parent love for child, 'seeing' own parents,...Lifetime relevance, this Loop of Life~ moving past ' self'.. to foresight, reflection & understanding. 50 years of viewpoints for me...such an ever evolving song, in this ever evolving journey. Thank you, each & every time. 🎶❤