I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old

[purplemoon]

Among the lesser known, underrated songs of Cat Stevens,
"I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old"
is a gem. It was first released on the 1990 compilation,
The Very Best of Cat Stevens.

When was the song composed? What was the inspiration?
The quality of the lyric and melody is reminiscent of other
very early CS songs from the musical Revolussia.
But surely a Russian monarch would not sing about
super markets. Was it conceived as part of another musical?
Was this Steven Georgiou's homage to his father?
Something else?




Lyrics:

I buy the nicest things from a super market store
Vitamin-land in marzipan and I know just what they're all for.
I've organized my useless life in a way I've never done before
Even visit the dentist now.

Refrain:
But I've got no time for silly chitter-chatter
I'm on my way.
Cause while my blood's still warm and my mind doesn't matter,
I'm hoping to stay
Because I've got a thing about seeing my grandson grow old.

I just can't wait to see that city on the moon,
With air conditioned gardens that'll play your favourite tune.
I'll see my feet upon that street if it's the last thing that I do
Even sweep the roads to be there.

Refrain
Refrain

[valleycreeper]

I have no information, sorry, but I like the song, and it gives me the impression of being from around 1972. A new CS song appearing was a real surprise, since his albums are so short. I mean, he can't have a lot of extra material lying around, or the albums would be longer...

[peacock]

Ooh - I read something about this song somewhere, an interview I vaguely remember about the "ho ho" being inspired by Buddy Holly I think. Gonna have to find it now.

[peacock]

Aha, found it.

I've Got a Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old. Yusuf Islam: This was in that transition period when I was beginning to write a softer, more reflective type of song. It was me starting to want to get back to the sound of my own demos, and doing things myself with my own licks on guitar, without relying on a session man. In the middle I do 'aho, ho' which is very Buddy Holly. It didn't quite fit into any particular style. The middle of my crossroads.

That and a lot of other great insight here: www.billdeyoung.com/cssongby.htm

I really like this song. I think it sounds kind of bluegrassy.