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.
Sad Lisa
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She must be hurt very badly
Tell me what's making you sad, Li?
Open your door, don't hide in the dark
You're lost in the dark, you can trust me
'Cause you know that's how it must be
Lisa Lisa, sad Lisa Lisa
Her eyes like windows, trickle in rain
Upon the pain getting deeper
Though my love wants to relieve her
She walks alone from wall to wall
Lost in her hall, she can't hear me
Though I know she likes to be near me
Lisa Lisa, sad Lisa Lisa
She sits in a corner by the door
There must be more I can tell her
If she really wants me to help her
I'll do what I can to show her the way
And maybe one day I will free her
Though I know no one can see her
Lisa Lisa, sad Lisa Lisa
The song "Sad Lisa" by Cat Stevens is a melancholic ballad that interacts with the singer and Lisa, an unknown character. The song details the actions of Lisa, who is experiencing a considerable amount of sadness, and the singer's attempt to assist her in overcoming her emotions. Stevens uses a variety of literary devices to depict the Lisa's desolation, such as "Her eyes like windows, trickle in rain upon the pain getting deeper" and "She walks alone from wall to wall, lost in her hall."
Stevens sings "Tell me what's making you sad, Li, open your door, don't hide in the dark. You're lost in the dark, you can trust me" to try and assist Lisa to open up and free herself from her present state. The song's chorus repeats the phrase, "Lisa Lisa, sad Lisa Lisa," emphasizing the extent of her sadness while creating a sense of sympathy for her. The lyrics are melancholic yet empathetic since the singer aims to help Lisa with her distress.
Line by Line Meaning
She hangs her head and cries on my shirt
Lisa is crying because she’s obviously badly hurt and upset, and she’s seeking comfort in the singer who she's hanging on to.
Tell me what's making you sad, Li?
The singer is asking Lisa the reason she's crying and wants to know what’s wrong.
Open your door, don't hide in the dark
The singer wants Lisa to come out of her closed world, open up, and not hide from him.
You're lost in the dark, you can trust me
The singer is assuring Lisa that he will help her, as she is feeling lost and alone in her sadness.
'Cause you know that's how it must be
Despite her sadness, there is acceptance on the part of the singer and Lisa that this is a normal human experience.
Her eyes like windows, trickle in rain
This line compares Lisa's teary eyes to windows in the rain, suggesting she’s upset because of something painful and personal.
Upon the pain getting deeper
Lisa’s sadness and pain is increasing and becoming more intense.
Though my love wants to relieve her
The singer is admitting that his love for Lisa makes him want to help her and ease her pain.
She walks alone from wall to wall
Lisa is wandering aimlessly around her own world, sad and lonely.
Lost in her hall, she can't hear me
Despite her proximity, Lisa's so trapped in her own misery that she didn't even realize the singer is trying to help her.
Though I know she likes to be near me
Despite her present emotional state, Lisa still enjoys the singer’s company.
She sits in a corner by the door
Lisa is sitting alone in the corner, including her own world and emotions.
There must be more I can tell her
The singer believes that he hasn't been able to convey his feelings and support for Lisa effectively.
If she really wants me to help her
The singer is leaving the option open for Lisa to ask for help, because he doesn't want to force anything on her.
I'll do what I can to show her the way
The singer is making a commitment to help Lisa to the extent that he can.
And maybe one day I will free her
The singer relays hope that at some point in the future, Lisa will be freed from the burden of her sadness.
Though I know no one can see her
Lisa is maintaining an outward sense of being distant and isolated despite being in considerable emotional distress.
Lisa Lisa, sad Lisa Lisa
This line emphasizes the continued sense of sadness and isolation around Lisa.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CAT STEVENS, YUSUF ISLAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind