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.
Love Is in the Air
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea
And I don't know if I'm just dreaming
Don't know if I feel sane
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when you call out my name
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Love is in the air
In the rising of the sun
Love is in the air
When the day is nearly done
And I don't know if you're an illusion
Don't know if I see it true
But you're something that I must believe in
And you're there when I reach out for you
Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
"Love is in the Air" is a romantic and uplifting song written and performed by Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) in 1978. The song celebrates the feeling of love that is all around us, from the whisper of the trees to the thunder of the sea, and especially in the eyes and voice of a loved one. Stevens sings that while he may not know if he is foolish or wise to believe in love, it is a feeling that he must hold onto and cherish.
The first verse sets the tone for the entire song with its repeating motif, "Love is in the air, everywhere I look around." This emphasizes the ubiquity and all-encompassing nature of love. The second verse adds a layer of uncertainty and doubt to the lyrics, as Stevens wonders if he might be dreaming or seeing an illusion when he feels a connection to his lover. Despite this hesitation, however, he concludes that love is something he must believe in, even if it cannot be entirely understood or explained.
The final verses achieve a sense of completeness and closure, with the repeated lyric "love is in the air" forming a musical and emotional crescendo. The song is ultimately a celebration of the power of love and its ability to uplift and transform our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is in the air
Love is present or can be felt everywhere, in all things and situations
Everywhere I look around
Love can be observed or sensed in everything I see
Every sight and every sound
Love can be perceived or heard in every visual or auditory experience
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
I'm unsure if my belief in love is rational or not
Don't know if I'm being wise
I'm uncertain if my perception of love is prudent or not
But it's something that I must believe in
Despite my uncertainty, I feel compelled to trust in love and its power
And it's there when I look in your eyes
I can see and feel love when I gaze into your eyes
In the whisper of the trees
Love can be heard in the gentle rustling of leaves or the sway of branches
In the thunder of the sea
Love can be felt in the powerful roar of the ocean waves
And I don't know if I'm just dreaming
I'm unsure if my perception of love is realistic or just a fantasy
Don't know if I feel sane
I'm uncertain if my belief in love is rational and lucid
But it's something that I must believe in
Despite my uncertainty, I feel compelled to trust in love and its power
And it's there when you call out my name
I can sense and feel love when you speak my name or call out to me
In the rising of the sun
Love can be experienced in the beauty of sunrises and new beginnings
When the day is nearly done
Love can also be experienced in the serenity of sunsets and the closure of events
And I don't know if you're an illusion
I'm uncertain if my perception of you and the love we share is real or not
Don't know if I see it true
I'm unsure if my perception of love is accurate and valid
But you're something that I must believe in
Despite my uncertainty, I'm drawn to believe in the love we share and its authenticity
And you're there when I reach out for you
I can always sense the presence of love when I seek comfort or closeness with you
Love is in the air
Love continues to pervade all things and surroundings
Oh oh oh
An expression of sentiment or emotion, possibly exultation or joy
Contributed by Alexis L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@renattofabre7289
Esta bella canción no es de Cat Stevens, sino de John Paul Young, aún así es un gran tema, propio de una gran época, donde la música era letra y vibración, poesía e historias. Saludos desde Guayaquil.
@gillesprovost
un vrai plaisir d endendre cette chanson, du bon vieux disco.............
@somabsoluto486
Nao e o Cat e sim o john paul young.
@TheUtubeReply
Not Cat but MARTIN STEVENS who is known around the world with a song made in Australia by JPYoung
@EllaSouthportfair
hahahahahahaahhahahaahhaha as if cat would sing this..... OLOLOLOLOLOLOLO
@relaxmarco
Best 240p I ever heard
@connections4williamssyndro831
This is wrong!, Cat Stevens never sung this song, Its John Paul Young bro!
@SD7268
John Paul Young !!!! not Stevens !! big error !!!!
@moek8924
SD7268 nope, it's Cat Stevens
@moek8924
SD7268 oops you're right I looked it up