Randy

[paulo]

Hey,

I'm not sure if this question has been answered before but could someone please provide me with some insight into the underlying meaning of the song 'Randy' (Back to Earth 1978)

LYRICS

oh Randy if they knew
i think they'd take me away
just for loving you you
all alone in my own quiet way
cause that's the way that i want it

wish i could see you now
you and your cherry black eyes
my heart would never lie down down
cause that's the way that my arrow flies
and that's the way that i want it

you never said it would rain
you only told me that the sun would come again
you never said it would rain
oh Randy if you did
it wouldn't mean a thing
it wouldn't hurt me a bit
cause only you can break my wings
and that's the way that i want it

you drew my face in the sand
and ever since that day you made me what i am
you drew my face in the sand
oh Randy if i could
there's nothing i wouldn't give
to live with you for good
'cause that's the way i'd like to live
and that's the way that i want it

Randy oh my Randy
Randy oh my Randy
Randy oh my Randy


I can only conclude it is some form of plutonic love between two friends or a deeper metaphor for something else. I'd appreciate some help here.

[flemmishfangent]

It's a mistery for us but i love the song very much Regine

[kaytou]

this subject has been exausted at other forums in the past. Some seemed obsesed that it was about a homosexual relationship..yada,yada. I seem to remember that Yusuf explained that it was just another creative concept tune, about nothing.He simply made it up and he liked the name Randy.

[Silent Sunlight]

In my world, Randy = Miranda = female's name. I'm also friends with a male Stacey and a male Tracy.

[paulo]

Yeah that's sort of what I thought too-


I didn't think it was about a gay relationship, simply because CS had become YI by the time the album was released and he wouldn't want to compromise his journey into islam with anything that violates the articles of the religion. Whilst I don't agree with the major religion's stance on gay issues for one moment I accept that not everyone shares the same outlook on the world.

[sueinhollywood]

Sure sounds like a gay thing to me or a race/ethnic thing. Or why would they take him away for loving Randy?

Bruce Springsteen wrote a great song Backstreets about a similar thing. Lots of speculation on whether Bruce had a gay relationship. In my opinion, a writer can write whatever they choose. It isn't necessarily personal or autiobiographical is it? And if it is, so what? Religion or society says you can't love someone of the same sex or race or nationality or whatever. Doesn't mean you stop feeling.

Whatever it means, it looks like a choice was made and it wasn't the way the songwriter would like to live (which was with Randy).

Interesting........

[Vivian]

Feb 20, 2009 15:32:59 GMT -5 Silent Sunlight said:

In my world, Randy = Miranda = female's name. I'm also friends with a male Stacey and a male Tracy.

I once knew a male named Kimberly, and Gerold Ford's real name was Leslie. I also knew a female named Craig, so names don't necessarily determine sex.

Now, I don't think of this as a gay issue or a race issue. It could simply mean there was supposed to be an ARRANGED marriage, and he was backing out of it, because he loved someone else. It doesn't matter who, just someone who the parents didn't pick out for their son.

Peace,Vivian

[Corey]

Another possibility is that it could be him writing from the perspective of a friend who had this experience.

[Deleted]

Or another possibility is that the song is about nobody in particular.

[flemmishfangent]

I did not think Randy could be a guy's name i was always thinking of a girlsname and i was more thinking of a child Regine

[jsdonze]

Mar 3, 2009 8:01:55 GMT -5 flemmishfangent said:

I did not think Randy could be a guy's name i was always thinking of a girlsname and i was more thinking of a child Regine

Regine, in the U.S. [and possibly other English-speaking places] Randy is usually a guy's name. It is often a nickname for "Randall" or even "Randolph."

I've known one or two females named Randy, but most of the Randys [Randies?] I've know have been guys. Since "randy" is used as somewhat vulgar slang in the U.K., I'd be kind of surprised if it was a commonly encountered name, for males or females. But then, I've been surprised before.

Not trying to perpetuate the debate, just clarifying.

joni...

[downunder72]

Maybe it was one of his older songs that he had written, and never got around to record it, with a musical or movie in mind. Randy sounds alot like his earlier work to me. He might have needed a song to complete his last album, and found Randy as a last resort. He just wanted to finish the album, and get out of the business.

[sueinhollywood]

Sure would be nice if he would get on here and clear things up for us!

He could post under an assumed name, like STEVE:)

[paulo]

But I guess that there are some things we will never know (and indeed we probably shouldn't know) about certain songs. I just consider it as part of the great mystery and enigma surrounding this great singer-songwriter- there are secrets deep within his work that only he knows the significance of.

[downunder72]

I think quite often, during adolescence many question and explore their sexual identity. So if Randy is about a guy, it was a very natural process of growing up. I think he had a great talent to write songs for a broad spectrum of people. There will always be a song or more, if not most, that you can identify with, and that's the secret, and beauty of his songs.

[Daddy-o]

My middle name is Hilary... do you want to make something of it!!?

[downunder72]

Mar 4, 2009 11:15:40 GMT -5 Daddy-o said:

My middle name is Hilary... do you want to make something of it!!?

I think you have made your point quite well. ;D

I guess we have spent too much space and time about nothing, and there's no reason to continue with this topic. Someone has a question, someone else answers, and so it goes on. Just killing time I suppose. It's just a name, and in the end, it really doesn't matter.

[downunder72]

Thanks Glaucus for shedding some light on the mystery. ;D

It all makes sense now.

I think everyone can finally put this subject to rest.

[sueinhollywood]

FYI re RANDY

I was hanging out in Barnes and Noble bookstore yesterday killing time in the music section as usual...


I was reading Sheila Weller’s “Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon — and the Journey of a Generation” , and she describes Carly as finding Cat Stevens' world "confusing" because it included both girls and boys. "Everyone is a little bit gay, aren't they"? is Carly's response in the book.

Actually this book is quite interesting as it follows these ladies' unique lives and careers through some interesting times.

I really wanted to buy Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns" which is out now in paperback but I wasn't gonna shell out sixteen dollars!

Anyway so what he was a beautiful young man and if I were a guy I'd go for him too.


.

[flemmishfangent]

I got the book in paperback for 10 EURO also the kite runner that i already have read ,i know it's sounds crazy but i wait to read a Tousant Splendid suns to a special moment because The Kite runner was so beautyfull LOL Regii i'm also a fan of Joanne Haris the writer of Chocolat ,the most lovely book of her is for me is blackberry wine Regii

[sueinhollywood]

I thought the Kite Runner was one of the best books I've read in the last few years! He is such a wonderful writer.

I also enjoyed the movie.

I am looking forward to 1000 Splendid Suns.

I will have to read more from the author of Chocolat, Thanks Regine!

[doorcat]

I think alot of Cat's songs are about himself. "Randy" is a term also that means sexually frisky. He talks about being alone. (Cat also has talked about ..before he read the Qur'an..he never knew anything could be as perfect as him). This song could be about masturbation. ....just a speculation.

[doorcat]

I think alot of Cat's songs are about himself. "Randy" is a term also that means sexually frisky. He talks about being alone. (Cat also has talked about ..before he read the Qur'an..he never knew anything could be as perfect as him). This song could be about masturbation. ....just a speculation.

[downunder72]

Doorcat, why do I get the strange feeling you're meeowing on the wrong door step. ;D

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2009 22:07:37 GMT -5 kaytou said:

this subject has been exausted at other forums in the past. Some seemed obsesed that it was about a homosexual relationship..yada,yada. I seem to remember that Yusuf explained that it was just another creative concept tune, about nothing.He simply made it up and he liked the name Randy.

Some people seem obsessed that "Lady D'Arbanville" is about a woman.

Very old thread I know, but somehow that comment eluded me then. And quite frankly, I couldn't resist.

[flemmishfangent]

this is what i found on Youtube under the song

Cat Stevens at the time is actually about Randi Oakes from CHiPs.
TobyHalicki089 1 jaar geleden
very very nice song.back to earth understimed album
SuperMiguelin 2 jaar geleden
This song should be played on My Name Is Earl....Earl has a brother named Randy who is often a child-man,kinda an idiot like but lovable lol
leegeddyfan 2 jaar geleden 4
De reactie is verwijderd
leegeddyfan 2 jaar geleden
So beautiful melody and words. I love it!! I´m so tuched...
youtu.be/yZbwq-Vf40s

[Sootoo]

I met a girl in the early 80s who said this song was written for her. She would have been around 14 or 15 when the song came out. Her name was Randi. He was a family friend.

Mar 26, 2012 10:26:52 GMT -5 flemmishfangent said:

this is what i found on Youtube under the song

Cat Stevens at the time is actually about Randi Oakes from CHiPs.
TobyHalicki089 1 jaar geleden
very very nice song.back to earth understimed album
SuperMiguelin 2 jaar geleden
This song should be played on My Name Is Earl....Earl has a brother named Randy who is often a child-man,kinda an idiot like but lovable lol
leegeddyfan 2 jaar geleden 4
De reactie is verwijderd
leegeddyfan 2 jaar geleden
So beautiful melody and words. I love it!! I´m so tuched...
youtu.be/yZbwq-Vf40s

[Kevin Duignan]

Cherry black eyes? It's another song where Cat sings about his dog!!!! His first hit song was about his dog; and I think his dog is in some early pictures with a beardless Cat.

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