What is Your Favorite Cat Song and Why?

[Nickleby]

I'm just wondering what Cat song is your favorite and why? It's always interesting to hear why people are connected to Cat Stevens music.

My two favorites are "Where do the Children Play?" and "Father and Son." I like "Father and Son" because I remember listening and singing along to it with my mom when I was barely five years old. I like "Where do the Children Play?" because the lyrics grabbed my guts when I first heard it. I hope that our world hasn't reached the point where there is no room for children, but I'm afraid that, in many ways, it has.

Also, what is your least favority Cat song? My least favorite would have to be "Majik of Majiks." The sound of that song hasn't passed the test of time. To me, it sounds like a bad "Greatest American Hero" episode looks. But, that being said, even "Majik of Majiks" and "Greatest American Hero" are better than most of the drek mucking up the airwaves today.

So ... discuss.

[Vivian]

It's never been easy to pick a favorite Cat song, but rather different songs affect me in different ways depending on my mood at the time. For example:

Sad lisa-I could have easily been the character in that song. This was during my often troubled teenage youth, which was often very painful.

Moonshadow-the song that first introduced me to Cat back in 1972, will always stay close to my heart for that reason. Being that it is known as the optimist anthem, probably explains this.

How can I tell you-Now, how can any song be more romantic. No other explanation is necessary.

I love my dog-Heck, when I had my dogs, I felt the same way.

Oh Very Young and The Little Ones-These songs hold a special meaning to me in a different way. Any family who has lost a child can probably relate, as my family has when we lost my young niece to a heart defect that went undetected, ten years ago, at the age of four.

King of Trees-Any environmentalist can relate to this.

As far as least favorite songs, I don't think I have any.

Peace,Vivian

[Celticat]

My favourite has always been Into White. The melody and words just melt me to a place far away ...

Sad Lisa, Lady D'Arbanville and How Can I Tell You are next on the list. Just cause I love them!

And finally Tuesday's Dead ... not only cause I love the song but I have always been able to relate to it. For some reason Tuesday has always been a "flat" day of the week for me.

Jackie

[Justin]

Nothing beats Kypros

[Jancat]

My favorite? "Don't Be Shy"

I've been quite taken with this song ever since I heard it for the very first time at Cat Fest in 2001 - PK and Debbie did such a lovely version of it. Then I saw "Harold and Maude" (also for the first time!) that evening, and I couldn't get that song out of my head - nor did I want to!

Why do I like it? Simple lyrics expressing a powerful thought, a simple, but catchy, melody, both combined to form an unforgettable song. And the fact that it isn't "jazzed up" with any other instruments or orchestration makes it absolutely "complete" in, and of, itself.

I will love this song 'til the day I die.

[chxo]

Father and son
Moonshadow
Peace Train

I couldn't chose just one!

Father and son
Well, what can you say? The first time I heard this song I remember I was in the car with my mom and she was playing her greatest hits cd (which is now mine) and by the time the song was over I was in tears. For one, the lyrics are so pure and simple.. but the music set to it is beautiful. Next I find is his voice in it..keeping in mind that all his songs sound absolutely beautiful but in this one you can almost hear the emotion in it. This is the song that makes me cry every time I hear it, which has been many, MANY times.. and every time I always get goosebumps and tears. LOVE IT!

Moonshadow
I think the reason I like this one so much is because it was the first one I ever heard.. I was probably 7 or 8 and it was on an oldies station and once again, I was in the car with my mom and she made me listen to it.. but I remember the feeling I got when I was listening to it, but being in the Spice Girls stage I was in, I didn't really look more into the artist behind the song. Then, years later, I heard it again and instantly remembered the tune and the guy's amazing voice. Hearing this song again opened up a doorway of more Cat Stevens' songs ..and I guess the rest is history!

Peace Train
This is probably the most popular Cat song.. but I still love it and the words because they remain true today. The song I took as a song of hope for the world...I WANT CAT TO COME BACK

[boneheadedwoman]

Rubylove
Bitterblue
Tuesday's Dead
O Caritas
Sitting
Into White
On The Road To Find Out
Oh Very Young
Music
Novim's Nightmare

Not necessarily in that order, but the reason is the same each time (except perhaps for Rubylove, which is just absolutely joyful). In each song, the lyrics are intriguing, and the music complements them beautifully.

I haven't listened to the entire Catch Bull At Four CD for a long time (actually not since I had it in vinyl) but my hubby got it for me for Christmas. Now I'm captivated by The Boy With The Moon And Star On His Head. I know why he left it off the Box Set, and I agree with his reasoning. But there's something about that song that.....my heart cannot forget!

[Nickleby]

Hello again,

It's been a while since I posted anything. But I survived finals, had a wonderful Christmas, and I even got "Teaser and the Firecat" on CD. I've been listening to it a lot and have found that I love the song "How Can I Tell You?" Here's why:

I've always loved poetry. When I got married I really wanted to write my wife a poem and give it to her as a gift. Unfortunately, everything I wrote sounded trite, cliche, and just plain stupid. I wrote one good line: "I am defined by women." Aside from that good line, nothing else was even half decent. For the first time I realized that there are emotions and feelings that words cannot describe--something I never thought possible. So, instead of giving my wife a new poem, I read one of Elizabeth Barrett Brownings "Sonnets From the Portuguese" at the wedding luncheon. It wasn't my first choice, but it had to do because my words were meaningless tools that could only create a Hummel figurine when I wanted Michelangelo's Pieta.

And then I heard "How Can I Tell You?" I hugged my wife and said, "This is what I wanted to write. This is how I feel."

And that's why I like this song.

[hummingbird]

Wow Nickleby, what a lovely story.

I think the best expressions of love are the simplest. That's what makes How Can I Tell You such a powerful song.

-jen.

[Celticat]

Nickleby I love your story .... How Can I Tell You is one of the most touching songs love songs ever written and without a doubt my favourite.

Jackie

[poulsman]

"Tuesday's Dead" - Even Cat didn't know what it was about!

"Another Saturday Night" - So easy to dance to

"How Can I Tell You?" - So beautiful!

"The First Cut Is The Deepest" - Could be the best song ever written

"Here Comes My Baby"

"Blackness Of The Night"

But then again, all songs are good except "Land Of Freelove" hate it

[Tillerman]

My favorite cat song is Sun/C79. Cat is truly the greatest. This is the only man in music history to make a song about roadsex and a bastard child and yet he made it so powerful and moving. Hey if Cat Stevens came to me, sang this song
I'd say Dad you were just a star doing your thing. I particularly like the lines
"We met in the backrow behind the stage
she had the best figure by far."
Then he does a little smug laugh remebering how fine this young gentleman ex-junkie mother was back in the day.
He goes on,
"A thousand hours now I've looked in your eyes,
but I still don't know what color they are!"
Anyways, I'm not a chovinist but I think the diversity in Cat's writing should be viewed in all its brilliance, even the songs he wrote that make Yusuf now cringe.


TEXT

[Katmandu]

I've always thought that Sitting had very powerful lyrics.

[Tillerman]

I agree Sitting does have very powerfull lyrics. Also the way he partially sings/chants the last parts of the line.
"You're gonna wind up where you STARTED FROM!"
He sings with such passion on the last chorus.

[Celticat]

Sitting is incredibly powerful ... I agree. When Cat sings "I feel a power growing in my hair" I can almost feel it happening too!

Jackie

[Vivian]

I just know by next week, Indian Ocean will be my favorite.

Peace,Vivian

[Tillerman]

It feels like forever we've been waiting but Yusuf will deliver a masterpiece. He has never failed us before.
Peace

[Vivian]

Tillerman said:

It feels like forever we've been waiting but Yusuf will deliver a masterpiece. He has never failed us before.
Peace

Yusuf could never fail us.

Peace,Vivian Of course it would be a masterpiece. Now if only I could access it. GRRRRR

Peace,Vivian

[Joanna]

Wow, how can I pic one?

After giving it some thought I have to say How Can I Tell You. Thats the song I find myself listening to mostly and also the song that brings back the most memories for me. It's perfect!

[FJSimon]

Nickleby said:

Hello again,

It's been a while since I posted anything. But I survived finals, had a wonderful Christmas, and I even got "Teaser and the Firecat" on CD. I've been listening to it a lot and have found that I love the song "How Can I Tell You?" Here's why:

I've always loved poetry. When I got married I really wanted to write my wife a poem and give it to her as a gift. Unfortunately, everything I wrote sounded trite, cliche, and just plain stupid. I wrote one good line: "I am defined by women." Aside from that good line, nothing else was even half decent. For the first time I realized that there are emotions and feelings that words cannot describe--something I never thought possible. So, instead of giving my wife a new poem, I read one of Elizabeth Barrett Brownings "Sonnets From the Portuguese" at the wedding luncheon. It wasn't my first choice, but it had to do because my words were meaningless tools that could only create a Hummel figurine when I wanted Michelangelo's Pieta.

And then I heard "How Can I Tell You?" I hugged my wife and said, "This is what I wanted to write. This is how I feel."

And that's why I like this song.

Nickleby,

How Can I Tell You is the most heartfelt expression of emotion I can think of. It has a most haunting melody and the opening bars never fail to stop me in my tracks. IMHO It must be musical perfection.

Best,

FJS

[Bamboozle]

Rubylove
Moonshadow
Two Fine People
Majik of Majiks
Father and Son
The Wind
How Can I Tell You
It would be impossible to choose just one, like everyone else each song brings with it its own emotion and how I was feeling at the time. When I sadly lost my precious sister many years ago How Can I Tell You brought be comfort, Rubylove brightens any day, the only song I dont particularly like is Lady D'Arbanville.

Meg

[WorkingClassHero]

Peace Train. It came on the radio just as I was driving to the bus stop to finally meet face-to-face with the woman who would become my wife. We had lunch together and talked about the irony of me hearing that song on the radio....

"Now I've been happy lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Something good's bound to come"

peace, salaam... get on the peace train!

[sherry]

I think cat is a brilliant song writer there should be more people like him. i cant believe there are people out there who are famous singers who either cant write their own songs or just taking the credit of other brilliant writers.

I think he had a lot to tell people and he managed to send the message out there through his songs.

They have a lot of meaning and im talking about all his songs, so for me its hard to pick one favourite.

peace,
Sherry xx

[Vivian]

At this moment, my favorite is Indian Ocean....Okay, I know, It's Yusuf, but what can I say. I've waited 30 years for this. It's an absolute gem.

Peace,Vivian

[Daddy-o]

Today, it's The View From The Top. I like the classical melody. Last week it was How Many Times. Great words, the loneliness is so touching. It's so hard to pick THE song.

[valleycreeper]

Either "Where Do the Children Play?" or "Trouble". The top ten would be from those two albums.

The ones that matter most to me are songs that are not pleasing at first, and not "comfortable". I have never been in any place in my life where I have been the least bit comfortable, so that would be the reason, I guess. I prefer the more ironic, up-in-the-air, unresolved, traumatic popular culture of the late 60s/early 70s to anything else.

"Where... Children Play?" sums up the painful epiphany some of us (me anyway) had, that life WAS made for emotional experience, even euphoria, but society very definitely wasn't. And that's where we're forced to live. In fact, society was built (perhaps unintentionally and mindlessly) to beat the life and spirit out of you.

[hemovesme]

I cant decide, I guess it depends on my mood. I have quite a few favs - here is the list;

"trouble" - I love the emotion

"Father and son"- well who doesnt love this one

"how can I tell you" - this one really affects me, such a beautiful song

"sitting"- yes I agree, its a very powerful and uplifting song, instant high

"how many times" - so moving and raw..love it

"if you want to sing out sing out"- another uplifting song, always puts me in a good mood.

oh yeah...... miles from nowhere, dont be shy, tuesdays dead, can't keep it in........etc etc etc.... how do you choose? pretty much luvem all
cya Penny xxx

[talismanmatt]

Its really hard to choose a favourite but ive been listening to 'Into White' on repeat and it has to most astounding effect to me!I feel like im in a different world. Its so hard to explain. The melody the texture of the instruments and his voice, its just beyond beautiful... Im also partial to on the road to find out i really love the guitar parts and the lyrics ...searching ,I can relate im still on my journey.
The Wind also hits the spot great melody
Of course I'll have a dozen more favourites next week!