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.
Where Do The Children Play?
Cat Stevens Lyrics
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Building jumbo planes
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train
Switch on summer from a slot machine
Yes, get what you want to if you want
'Cause you can get anything
I know we've come a long way
But tell me, where do the children play?
Well, you roll on roads
Over fresh green grass
For your lorry loads
Pumping petrol gas
And you make them long
And you make them tough
But they just go on and on
And it seems that you can't get off
Oh, I know we've come a long way
We're changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Well, you've cracked the sky
Scrapers fill the air
But will you keep on building higher
'Til there's no more room up there?
Will you make us laugh?
Will you make us cry?
Will you tell us when to live?
Will you tell us when to die?
I know we've come a long way
We're changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
The song "Where Do The Children Play?" by Cat Stevens talks about the industrialization of the world, the advancements in technology and human progress in terms of materialism, amidst a concern about what we are leaving our children with. The lyrics imply that humans have come very far in terms of technology, and it has benefitted us greatly, however, we also need to question if this relentless pursuit of progress is worth the sacrifice of the environment and nature. The first verse talks about the ease with which we can get anything we want nowadays, and how life is becoming convenient for us. The second verse talks about the hustle-bustle of the industrial world, how infrastructures like tarmacked roads and fuel rigs have replaced the freshness of green meadows, but there seems to be no end to this expansion of industrialization.
The third stanza raises questions on the purpose of this progress. Will we just keep building higher until there is no more room, and what will be the cost of this? Will these advancements bring happiness, or will they make us more detached and mechanical? And finally, the last stanza brings us back to the focus of the song, the children - what will they inherit from us, and how can we ensure that we leave behind a world worth inheriting? Through his lyrics, Cat Stevens encourages listeners to reflect on society's focus on material progress and its detrimental impact on nature and our future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I think it's fine
I don't really have a problem with people pursuing bigger and better things.
Building jumbo planes
Even if that means investing time and resources into creating huge aircrafts.
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train
Or even exploring space and the unknown using futuristic modes of transportation.
Switch on summer from a slot machine
It's possible to use technology, like a slot machine, to experience a warm summer day even in the midst of winter.
Yes, get what you want to if you want
It's important to have the freedom to pursue your desires and obtain what you want.
'Cause you can get anything
In today's world, it is possible to get everything you want if you have enough resources and determination.
I know we've come a long way
As a society we have progressed a lot, with innovations and advancements in technology, relationships, and ways of living.
We're changing day to day
Things are changing rapidly due to the pace of technological and social progress.
But tell me, where do the children play?
But despite all this progress, I can't help but wonder, are kids really free to be kids in this changing world? Where is their space to play?
Well, you roll on roads
People are always on the go, moving and traveling quickly down the smooth new roads that have been developed.
Over fresh green grass
Through the countryside and the natural world, leaving a path behind and often neglecting the importance of the environment.
For your lorry loads
In trucks carrying goods that will inevitably accumulate and take up space in the world.
Pumping petrol gas
Burning fossil fuels, causing pollution and degrading the environment.
And you make them long
People have become obsessed with roadways, and it seems like they will continue to stretch on and on, complicating more and more of the natural world.
And you make them tough
Roads are created to be durable and long lasting, but at what cost to the environment?
But they just go on and on
Roads continue to spread like veins, winding throughout the world.
And it seems that you can't get off
It can feel like once you're on a certain path, it's difficult to break away and change direction.
Well, you've cracked the sky
Man has found ways to go beyond the limits of the world to explore the vast space.
Scrapers fill the air
Tall buildings and structures crowd the skylines, creating an artificial horizon that is almost suffocating.
But will you keep on building higher
Will there be an end to creating bigger, higher and more impressive structures?
'Til there's no more room up there?
At what point will we realise that there are limitations to the spaces that we can occupy?
Will you make us laugh?
Will we be able to find joy and happiness even amidst this never-ending construction?
Will you make us cry?
Or will we only shed tears at the thought of constantly expanding, leaving no room for the natural world or simple pleasures?
Will you tell us when to live?
Will we become so reliant on technology and progress that they will dictate when and how we live our lives?
Will you tell us when to die?
Or will we lose touch with our own mortality, expecting technology to somehow make us immortal?
I know we've come a long way
Despite my questions and doubts, I do acknowledge how far our society has come on many levels.
We're changing day to day
But we must continue to question and reflect on our changing world so we can ensure progress is not made at the expense of our humanity and the environment.
But tell me, where do the children play?
We need to create a world that is not only conducive to progress and change, but which also values and preserves the innocence and curiosity of children, allowing them to play in a natural environment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind