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.
Sitting
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somewhere not so far from here
All I know is all I feel right now
I feel the power growing in my hair
Sitting on my own, not by myself
Everybody's here with me
I don't need to touch your face to know
I keep on wondering if I sleep too long
Will I always wake up the same or so?
I keep on wondering if I sleep too long
Will I even wake up again or something?
Oh I'm on my way, I know I am
But times there were when thought not
Bleeding half my soul in bad company
I thank the moon I had the strength to stop
I'm not making love to anyone's wishes
Only for that guide I see
'Cause when I'm dead and lowered low in my grave
That's gonna be the only thing that's left of me
And if I make it to the waterside
Will I even find me a boat or so?
And I if I make it to the waterside
I'll be sure to write you note or something
Oh I'm on my way, I know I am
Somewhere not so far from here
All I know is all I feel right now
I feel the power growing in my hair
Oh life is like a maze of doors
And they all open from the side you're on
Just keep on pushing hard boy, try as you may
You're going to wind up where you started from
You're going to wind up where you started from
In the song "Sitting", Cat Stevens seems to be introspective and reflective about his journey in life. The opening lines of the song suggest that he is headed towards a destination, both physically and metaphorically. He feels the power growing in his hair, which could be interpreted as an indication of his growing confidence and self-awareness.
He then describes sitting on his own, but not feeling lonely because everybody is with him. This may suggest that he is in a reflective state of mind where he can feel connected to everyone around him, but may not need physical presence to have a relationship with others.
The lines "I keep on wondering if I sleep too long will I even wake up again or something?" could be interpreted as a fear of the unknown or of death. It seems like he is questioning whether he will wake up the same or something different, which could be a metaphor for him wondering if he will continue on the same path or if he will take a different direction in life.
Stevens then describes a time when he was in "bad company" and was bleeding half of his soul. He is thankful that he had the strength to stop, implying that he overcame some kind of difficulty or challenge in his life. He then talks about how he is guided by something beyond himself, and that this is the only thing that will be left of him after he is gone.
The final lines of the song talk about life being like a maze of doors, and that they all open from the side you are on. It seems like he is saying that life can be confusing and difficult, but that you have to keep pushing forward, even if you end up where you started.
Overall, "Sitting" is a song about reflection, growth, and the journey of life. It seems like Cat Stevens is exploring his identity and questioning his place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I'm on my way, I know I am
I have a sense of direction and purpose in my life.
Somewhere not so far from here
The place I'm headed to is within reach.
All I know is all I feel right now
I trust my instincts and emotions to guide me forward.
I feel the power growing in my hair
I sense strength within me as I move towards my goals.
Sitting on my own, not by myself
I am alone but I do not feel lonely, as I feel connected to something greater than myself.
Everybody's here with me
I feel a spiritual presence around me, like I'm surrounded by loved ones and supportive forces.
I don't need to touch your face to know
I can sense the love and connection without physical touch.
And I don't need to use my eyes to see
I can perceive things beyond what my senses can detect, like intuition and inner wisdom.
I keep on wondering if I sleep too long
I contemplate whether inattention or rest will cause me to miss opportunities or lose myself.
Will I always wake up the same or so?
I wonder if I'll grow or change, or remain stuck and static.
Will I even wake up again or something?
I face the prospect of death and the unknown, and question whether my existence will continue beyond my physical life.
But times there were when thought not
I've experienced moments of doubt and uncertainty along my journey.
Bleeding half my soul in bad company
I've been in the presence of negative influences, which have drained me emotionally and spiritually.
I thank the moon I had the strength to stop
I am grateful for my inner strength and resilience, which have helped me break free from toxicity and negativity.
I'm not making love to anyone's wishes
I am living life on my own terms, without compromising my values or desires to please others.
Only for that guide I see
I am following an internal compass, using my intuition and values to navigate through life.
That's gonna be the only thing that's left of me
When I die, my legacy will be the impact I had on the world and the values I embodied, not material possessions or external accomplishments.
And if I make it to the waterside
If I reach a new phase of life or major transition.
Will I even find me a boat or so?
I question whether I'll have the resources or opportunities to move forward in this new phase.
I if I make it to the waterside
Repeating my earlier thought about reaching a new phase or transition.
I'll be sure to write you note or something
I will communicate with loved ones and express appreciation for their role in my journey.
Oh life is like a maze of doors
Life is a complex and intricate journey, with many options and paths available.
And they all open from the side you're on
Your experiences and choices shape your perceptions and opportunities.
Just keep on pushing hard boy, try as you may
Persist through obstacles and have faith in your abilities to achieve your goals.
You're going to wind up where you started from
In the end, your journey will be a cyclical one, but you will have grown and learned new things along the way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Substantial Reservations
Oh I'm on my way, I know I am
Somewhere not so far from here
All I know is all I feel right now
I feel a power going in my ear
Sitting on my own now by myself
Everybody's here with me
I don't need to touch your face to know
And I don't need to use my eyes to see
I keep on wondering if I sleep too long
Will I always wake up the same (or so)?
And keep on wondering if I sleep too long
Will I even wake up again or something
Oh I'm on my way I know I am
But times there were when I thought not
Bleeding half my soul in bad company
I thank the moon I had the strength to stop
I'm not making love to anyone's wishes
Only for that guide I see
Cause when I'm dead and lowered low in my grave
That's gonna be the only thing that's left of me
And if I make it to the waterside
Will I even find me a boat (or so)?
And if I make it to the waterside
I'll be sure to write you note or something
Oh I'm on my way I know I am
Somewhere not so far from here
All I know is all I feel right now
I feel the power growing in my hair
Oh life is like a maze of doors and they all
Open from the side you're on
Just keep on pushing hard boy, try as you may
You're going to wind up where you started from
You're going to wind up where you started from
A lesser Gracie
Let's all tell our age. I am 65 and have ALWAYS been a Cat Steven's fan. His voice is so unique, such range, and so handsome here with the long hair and beard, and you can just tell when he performs he puts his all into it, he is passionate about the lyrics he sings. What a man.
Preston420
I’m 18 and I love cat stevens haha
Calistyle
22 love this man
Don Reid
57...I hear you, man.
Gunnar Thorberg
56
Rob Dillman
I'm over 65 and I agree 👍
musicmankenn
One of my fav Cat songs. Just can't see how anyone can't like this. When Cat was on, he knew how to make you feel things thru his music.
Rubiyn Karfunckel
<3
Elijah Jakobsen
Right? His music is pretty unreal, and it's close to neverending talent.
You should check out Aphrodite's Child now, 6 years later (55 years later) "while you're on it", but I'm fairly certain that you've given them a listen prior to this..
Stephen DaParma
Mos def