Midday (Avoid City After Dark)

[Golden Sands]

Hey y'all.. Many people like the song Midday. Some have suggested it should be the next single from An Other Cup.

I like the song too, but I can't rap my head around it .. i like to take a walk out in the midday too, but why avoid city after dark? maybe someone can help me out. explain why you like the song.. what does it mean to you?

[thewind]

This song somewhat reminds me of his New York song... Even though it sounds nothing like it... Some city's are not safe to walk the streets at night... I like the song... I wish near the end as it was fading out... He came back louder with a few more of his ahhh's and repeated avoid city after dark... louder trumpets... "Kicking and a stomping"... I just wanted more... It's a great song... I want more of it... ahh ah yea more of avoid city after dark

[m@kansascity]

i think the 'dark' reference is more a metaphore for living your life in the light (for him, God) and to avoid the risks you get by living without a God - living in the dark side of the life

the song musically is very powerful to me, it have all the great melodic power cat stevens ever had since the 60s, is probably the most commercial song in the album but is powerful song to be performed live, reminds me of certain paul simon 70s songs

[Golden Sands]

maxkansascity said:

i think the 'dark' reference is more a metaphore for living your life in the light

that's a good one! didn't think of that..
it does sound like some of paul simon's songs, which i like very much.. maybe someday they'll put a concert on together. Yusuf's "Father and Son" along with Simon's "Father and Daughter"! ;D

[m@kansascity]

you know that story of clive davis, columbia records president, back in 1972 or 1973, to coinvince paul simon to go back to play concerts, he took him to see cat stevens i think in a london concert, they were also suppose to perform some songs together that night but simon didnt want to do it

[cristalina]

I might be completely wrong here but isn't there something about Muslims not going out after the evening prayers (in the dark, maybe). I'm not sure if it was Yusuf that said something like that.

[Lucy13]

Right on, max. That's the impression I got too -- that dark is metaphorical for falling away from God.

Now... onto trivialities... I find it cute that Yusuf (like Cat) still likes to title his songs with plenty of slashes and parentheses... LOL

[Golden Sands]

you know that story of clive davis, columbia records president, back in 1972 or 1973, to coinvince paul simon to go back to play concerts, he took him to see cat stevens i think in a london concert, they were also suppose to perform some songs together that night but simon didnt want to do it

never heard of the story, but thanks for sharing it.. let's hope simon changes his mind this time around!

I might be completely wrong here but isn't there something about Muslims not going out after the evening prayers (in the dark, maybe). I'm not sure if it was Yusuf that said something like that.

I think there is a saying that the prophet didn't like talking much after the night prayers.. and muslims generally don't go out to bars and nightclubs. So that could be why, but it sounds too simple...

[Vivian]

I agree with the metaphore bit. Many of Cat's songs were filled with similiar metiphores, in a yearning and searching sort of way.

Peace,Vivian

[Turan]

cristalina said:

I might be completely wrong here but isn't there something about Muslims not going out after the evening prayers (in the dark, maybe). I'm not sure if it was Yusuf that said something like that.

I think Yusuf said something about avoiding 'night life' implying night clubs with alcohol etc.

I did go ask a friend who said not in shariah.

You know in the Middle East in the summer the night is the nice time.

[harmonie]

lucy13 said:

Now... onto trivialities... I find it cute that Yusuf (like Cat) still likes to title his songs with plenty of slashes and parentheses... LOL

This could be the subject of a whole new thread!!

[thewind]

We can attach so many meanings to any of his songs...

[Lucy13]

harmonie said:

This could be the subject of a whole new thread!!

Just leave it to me!!

[kareema113]

www.mountainoflight.co.uk/talks_avoiding_darkness.html

[cristalina]

Thanks for that link kareema, it was very interesting

[izitso??]

Hi to all!!

A new TV clip(well!! i think it's a new one) in the video section of yusuf's site with midday/avoid city after dark.
Linda

[bookworm]

Thanks, Linda,
Nice clip! Mariachi band and white suit and all!
-Sue-

[Lucy13]

Lovely! I especially love the bridge/flower scene.

[Vivian]

I have to play my CD while watching the clip because my sound system doesn't work. The scenery is very lovely, perfect choice for such a beautiful song.

Peace,Vivian

[nanners]

When I attempt to play the video, it gets to a part with a toy sailboat and then ends. I have tried repeatedly today, same thing. Is that all they've put up, or do you know of another problem? Thanks. - N

[flemmishfangent]

For me it's the same.It begins with the for guys who playing the guitar ,then the drunken person.Yusuf is standing on the bridge singing and playing but his voice don't go together with the song and then it ends.Regine

[m@kansascity]

same here, only few seconds

[SuzieQ]

Here is the long awaited Full version of the MIDDAY VIDEO

Don't forget to click "Full Screen"


NICE ONE YUSUF

[m@kansascity]

"sorry, the clip you are trying to play is not currently available in your area"

what area should i be???

thanx the same

[izitso??]

same message
"sorry, the clip you are trying to play is not currently available in your area"

Linda

[Vivian]

Same here.

Peace,Vivian

[bookworm]

SuzieQ,
Thanks for the link. The video is excellent. Great job, Yusuf.
Best,
Sue

[nanners]

suzieq said:

Here is the long awaited Full version of the MIDDAY VIDEO

Don't forget to click "Full Screen"


NICE ONE YUSUF

Sorry.

Your machine does not meet the minimum system requirements in order to download AOL Video.
System requirements
Operating System

* - Windows 98
* - Windows ME
* - Windows 2000
* - Windows XP
* - Mac OS X v10.2 and above

Browser Versions

* - IE 5.5 or higher
* - Netscape 7 or higher
* - AOL 7.0 or higher
* - AOL for Mac OS X
* - FireFox 1.04 or higher
* - Safari 1.1 or higher

Hardware

* - A Pentium-class multimedia computer with a sound chip or dedicated sound card
* - PowerPC 450Mhz or higher with a sound chip or dedicated sound card
* - A 28.8kbps or faster Internet connection (a connection speed of greater than 56k is recommended)
* - A minimum of 5MB of free disk space
* - An internet connection



None of which is accurate. My computer meets all the requirements and I'm on a T-1 line. Perhaps I'm not supposed to ever see this one...

[m@kansascity]

i tried now from work where i have a Mac, i got this:

We're sorry, content protected by Digital Rights Management is not available on the Macintosh.

[1976]

... which reminds me of this good ol' thread, my eyetalian friend:

tinyurl.com/38dwkw




edit to add: heeey... you've edited your "computer expert" post, not fair ;D