WHAT MAKES YOU LOVE HIM?

[Aisha]

Hi friends.

If you are reading this there is a high probability that you just LOVE Cat Stevens.  There are so many of us that do love him.  But have you ever sat down and asked yourself, "Why do I love Cat/Yusuf?, What is so special about him that will make me spend hours at websites and spend hours listening to him?"  And for some of us we can ask ourselves "Why is he so important to us that we would attempt to build a website for him?"  I think this could make for some interesting conversation.  Let's look at our feelings about this great man and try to pinpoint some reasons.

I joke around about Cat Stevens being extremely handsome.  Anybody would have to be blind not to notice his looks.  But good looks are a dime-a-dozen.  I think he is a musical genius.  He astounds me with his talent and unique ways of making music.  For example, he took quarters on his finger tips and clinked them together to get that soft percussion in "The Wind", and that is just one example.  Then we go into the lyrics to his songs.  They make me feel and think.  Sometimes they confuse me because they can mean so many different things at different times.  No two people seem to translate Cat's lyrics to mean the same thing....brilliant I say.  And then there is the man himself.  Whether he be Cat, Steve, or Yusuf he is one hell of a human being who just seems to give so much back to the world.  By supporting orphans, charities, refugees and building schools he shows us what lies within his heart.  

And then we see Yusuf, a man who stands up for what he believes in regardless to the cost.  I could only wish to be as strong as he is.  And then there is his humor and slight touch of absent-mindedness that makes him even more endearing.  Yes, these are some of my reasons for loving this great man.  How about yours.

Oh Vivian....I know you will have a long post so please use small fonts.

Love,
A'isha

[Vivian]

A'isha and I are in total agreement here! I also joke about how good looking Cat/Yusuf is and anyone who has eyes can see it, but there is really so much more to Cat/Yusuf than just his looks! Like A'isha said, he is a musical genius; and many of his songs are truly timeless and can easily span generations, carrying inspiring messages that just seem to grab at your heart and soul!

And then, of course, we all know what a kind heart Cat/Yusuf has! Throughout the years, he has started and sponsered many different charities that has helped put food on the tables, clothes on the backs, a roof over their heads and medical aid for thousands and thousands of war torn refugees, actually going into these war torn countries and personally lending a hand being not afraid to get his hands dirty along with everyone else! He has worked tirelessly for this and still does! No matter how rough things get, he is not afraid to stand up for what is right and speak out about the wrongs and injustices in the world! He is a man of true peace, and as we all know, Cat should be in the ROCK HALL OF FAME, and on this same token, Yusuf should be given the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE! Now being that Yusuf is a man with a humble heart,  I know he doesn't care about such things, but none the less, he truly deserves them!

Of course,  anyone who attends Yusuf's current lectures knows first hand how much he truly cares for his fans from his Cat Stevens days! He really spreads out the red carpet and makes them feel truly special! If anyone on God's beautiful Earth can have this man for a friend, they are truly blessed, just like Yusuf!

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

He's always been a little "different" from the rest.  I guess that's the main attraction for me-- if I had to put it into a nutshell.  He's always been so cool, so cultured, so ahead of his time -- a leader (trendsetter) rather than a follower.  And he's always had such an "honesty" about him (or so it comes across).  Such a "matter-of-fact"ness.

Aside from that.... uh... he had enormous musical talent.  Not just lyrically but melodically.  And even if people argue that, say, he wasn't as musically talented, as say, The Beatles... well, he had something else... he had pure soul.  Pure tenderness of heart.  A certain "fragility" (as is so often described) but without any loss of manliness.   You just want to reach out and give him a bit of yours when you hear him sing.  Sort of a deep, deep sadness throughout though... in... I'd say ... 3/4 of his songs.  There's just something about him that inspires openness of heart within oneself too.   You just want to "take care of him", somehow.