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.
Kitty
Cat Stevens Lyrics
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The men on the block, they just laugh at me
I work in the mornin', I work in the night
The men on the block, they just laugh at me
But when they're wiping their silver spoons
Palming the men for some bread,
I'll be laughing
When my little kitty gets out,
There's gonna be a party, a party no doubt
When my little kitty gets out
There's gonna be a party
And if my mind isn't coming so fast
The men on the block say I'm on the brink
And if my mind isn't coming so fast
And I ain't so dumb as some people think
'Cause when they're wiping their silver spoons
Palming the men for some bread
I'll be laughing, way way out of my head
The song "Kitty" by Cat Stevens is about a man who is struggling to make ends meet while working hard every day. Despite facing ridicule from the men on his block, he maintains a positive outlook on life and finds joy in the simple things, like the thought of his cat getting loose and throwing a party. He acknowledges that others see him as unintelligent, but insists that he is smarter than they think. The refrain emphasizes that, while others may have material wealth, he has something more valuable - a sense of humor and a carefree spirit that allows him to laugh his troubles away.
The lyrics showcase Stevens' ability to poetically describe the struggles of working-class life and the human desire for joy and freedom. Through the character of the singer, he celebrates the idea of finding happiness in the midst of difficult circumstances and staying true to oneself. The use of repetition, such as the refrain and the line "I work in the morning, I work in the night" emphasizes the sense of routine and monotony that the singer experiences, while the image of a party thrown by a cat adds an element of whimsy and humor.
Line by Line Meaning
I work in the mornin', I work in the night
I have a job that requires me to work both during the day and at night.
The men on the block, they just laugh at me
The men around me mock me and treat me with disrespect because of my job.
But when they're wiping their silver spoons
Despite their insult, these wealthy people are still preoccupied with maintaining their luxuries and affluent lifestyles.
Palming the men for some bread
They are secretly taking advantage of the less privileged men around them, just for a little extra.
I'll be laughing
I will find some sort of joy or satisfaction despite my own humble circumstances.
Way, way out of my head!
I will be so engrossed in whatever that makes me happy that I will lose my mind in the moment.
When my little kitty gets out,
When I finally catch a break or have something good happen to me,
There's gonna be a party, a party no doubt
I will make sure to celebrate and enjoy it to the fullest because it is a rare occurrence.
And if my mind isn't coming so fast
Even though I may not be as sharp or quick-witted as others around me,
The men on the block say I'm on the brink
People still judge me and think that I am struggling or not doing well.
And I ain't so dumb as some people think
Yet, I am not as naive or foolish as they assume. I have my own way of looking at and understanding the world.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAT STEVENS, YUSUF ISLAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind