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.
Later
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to talk it out with you
Try to get my message through
That's not all i want to do
Later
Later,
I want to feel your body close
Maybe help you fold your clothes
Later
I want to spread the news, don't want to soft soap you
We're meant to live and love together girl . . . oh babe
There's nothing i can do, oh darling
I love you
There's no way you can stay home, alone, babe
Later
I want to talk it out with you
Try to get my message through
That's not all i want to do
Later
Later...
The song Later by Cat Stevens is a love song in which the singer expresses his desire to deeply connect with his partner both emotionally and physically. Within the song, the singer is clear that he wants to communicate and share his thoughts with his partner. While he clearly desires a physical connection with his partner, the singer also wants to help in small ways to show his love for his partner. However, the singer is also focused on the greater need for human connection, reminding his partner that they are meant to love and live together. The song reaches its conclusion with a clear message: he loves his partner and there is no way she can stay home alone.
The lyrics in the song Later are poignant and specific, even in the lines that may seem mundane or unimportant. The desire to help his partner fold her clothes, for example, is a small way for the singer to show his love and support. The repeated line “Later” throughout the song adds a sense of anticipation and leaves the tale open-ended. While the singer is clear that he wants to be with his partner, he does not dictate how or when this will happen. The song is an expression of the deep human desire to love and be connected with others, and it is a beautiful ode to the power of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Later,
At some point in the future,
I want to talk it out with you
I desire to have a conversation with you,
Try to get my message through
To properly communicate with you with clarity,
That's not all I want to do
I have more objectives aside from just talking,
Later
At a later time to be determined,
I want to feel your body close
To share intimacy with you,
From your head down to your toes
Indicating the singer's desire to appreciate the whole you,
Maybe help you fold your clothes
Sharing in the mundane aspects of life, just to be part of it together,
I want to spread the news, don't want to soft soap you
It tells how the singer wants to share information with his beloved but without twisting it to sound better,
We're meant to live and love together girl . . . oh babe
Stresses the importance of being in unison to live and love together as intended,
There's nothing I can do, oh darling
Expressing the helplessness felt by the singer to control his feelings or actions toward his beloved,
I love you
The singer is in love with his beloved and wants her to know,
There's no way you can stay home, alone, babe
Inviting his beloved to enjoy life together and not be alone,
Later
Refers to meeting at a later time as previously indicated,
I want to talk it out with you
The importance of communication within their relationship,
Try to get my message through
Continues to stress the importance of proper communication for a successful relationship,
That's not all I want to do
Ending the song as it began, indicating there is still more the singer wants to do for his beloved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind