Favorite Songs from An Other Cup

[lke2]

Definetly Sun/C79. I would love to know where his inpiration came from for this song. It always proves to be an incredibly emotional experience everytime I hear it.

[Lucy13]

I noticed today while driving around listening to I Think I See the Light ... that during a break shortly after the "Coming to me, coming through me" part (about 2/3 through the song), he says "keep on shinin' "(or something to that effect) .. reminds me very much of his "here it comes/catch" in Pop Star!

[Golden Sands]

My favorite part of the song is when the xiao ruan comes in and Yusuf sings, "And if you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise." Even after listening to the song at least 100 times, I still hold my breath a little right then.

right on! One Day at a Time.. it took me 3 days at a time to understand song, but it's the best. it makes my heart smile. I think it's also a perfect example of a song that's spiritual/islamic but also universal without sounding "preachy".. the words "70,000 will enter, of them without reckoning" and "if you make the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise" are based on sayings of the prophet (pbuh).

Anyways, i voted for one day at a time.. but i'm not stopping there, i must express my love for the rest! so here's a ranking:
1-One Day at A Time
2-Heaven
3-Green Fields and Golden Sands (don't you love Golden Sands?)
4-I Think I See The Light
5-Midday-Maybe There's A World-The Beloved-Whispers
6-Butterflies-Misunderstood-In The End

love them ALL!

[Deleted]

portobella said:

polygor,

That is one of the great moments on this album! Some people are saying that Yusuf's voice is weaker than it used to be (I don't agree, though he sounds slightly different), but it still gives me chills....

Bella

Hi Bella

I'd say Yusuf's voice doesn't have the power that it had, (e.g. On the road to find out, Maybe you're right), and he struggles to hit the high note at the end of One day at a time, but overall his voice is very good.

[Deleted]

Could someone please explain the meaning of the Prophet's words: "And if you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise."

I'm not religious myself, but think that Yusuf has done very well to strike the right balance on An Other Cup between the secular and non-secular.

[Starlight]

I am not religious either and I agree that he has achieved a nice balance in this album. I do appreciate a spirituality and his songs often reflect the spiritual nature of things, without being specific to any particular religion. As far as Yusuf's voice goes, I think it is as good, strong, powerful, intense, etc. etc. etc., as ever. He was singing a different kind of song then. "Maybe You're Right" and "Road to Find Out"are more intense songs. I would wager to say if he sang these same songs right now, his voice would sound the same as he did singing them then. Maybe we will find out sometime since he has broken the barrier (although I would be surprised). Anyway, I am so glad Steve/Cat/Yusuf is back sharing his wonderful talent and uplifting (for the most part) music! Go Yusuf Go!

[Golden Sands]

I think "if you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise" comes from this saying (hadith):

'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "the messenger of God took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." The sub-narrator added: Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death."

so, now that i think i've found the saying, it turns out it wasn't exactly the word of the prophet but his companion ;D. But i think you can see how it relates to the theme of living 'one day at a time'.. there is also a similar saying by Jesus which yusuf quotes on his website:
"The world is a place of transition, full of examples; be pilgrims therein..."

[Deleted]

Golden Sands

Thank you for taking the time to explain the meaning of that verse.

[portobella]

zaidkh said:

I think "if you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise" comes from this saying (hadith):

'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "the messenger of God took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." The sub-narrator added: Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death."

so, now that i think i've found the saying, it turns out it wasn't exactly the word of the prophet but his companion ;D. But i think you can see how it relates to the theme of living 'one day at a time'.. there is also a similar saying by Jesus which yusuf quotes on his website:
"The world is a place of transition, full of examples; be pilgrims therein..."

This feels so beautiful to me. I have not read the Koran, but when I heard Yusuf sing those words, my feeling was, "Live NOW, live fully in each moment." I think that these words are one of the reasons why I particularly treasure "One Day at a Time".

Polygor, I do agree that his voice is not the same, although I also have the strong feeling that he is much less of a perfectionist than he was before, and that feels good to me. My sense is that, if he didn't hit a note quite right while recording for an album when he was a young man, that he would record it again, but perhaps he wouldn't do that today. In any case, his voice has lost none of its power for me, even if it may not have the same youthful vigor (fire?) as it once had.

Bella

[waterice]

Have only heard Heaven/ Where true love goes but absolutely love it and go around singing it all day.
I have always cherished the final part of Foreigner Suite of which Heaven is comprised.
He's still the man !!!

[ak25]

My vote goes to 'Midday', the horns are great

[Daddy-o]

My favourite songs vary but I share your fondness ak25 for 'Midday' - it would be an ideal choice for next single, it was a real treat to the eyes and ears on Later with Jools Holland as was the stunning reworked 'I Think I See The Light'.

[Tillerman]

Right now "In the End" is my fav on the album. I love his songs that use simple and profound lyrics. Anyone can relate to this song. Maybe there's a World is also extremely good. This album is deeply personal and I dig that!

[thewind]

would have figured more would have voted

[waterice]

Heaven is the one that keeps me singing along

[m@kansascity]

i woke up with Heaven this morning

[1976]

i woke up this morning with them bullfrogs on my mind

[m@kansascity]

birthday hangover :-)?

[1976]

no, Rory song

[Ortega]

I voted for Heaven/WTLG...

...but to be honst...there is no bad one on it and my fave changes from day to day...

[giuly]

Honestly, if you close your eyes and just listen to that voice, it doesn't really seems like 28 years have gone by!

[Starlight]

giuly said:

Honestly, if you close your eyes and just listen to that voice, it doesn't really seems like 28 years have gone by!

I agree, I also think that when I listen to a recorded interview. Vaun

[Ortega]

giuly said:

Honestly, if you close your eyes and just listen to that voice, it doesn't really seems like 28 years have gone by!

I think that his voice became even more gentle

[susan]

I really love "Maybe There's a World". His voice and the melody are classic examples of what makes him so unique and loved by so many. Greenfields,Golden Sands is also very beautiful.
The whole CD is great!

[waterice]

Hang on...I've changed my mind - The Beloved is superb !
I vote for it now.

[waterice]

O.K. Wait on for a sec.......
Might have to change my mind again. I'll get back to you.

Waterice

[Celticat]

"The Beloved" I find completely uplifting. The entire album gives me an incredible sense of peace, every time I listen to it.

Jackie

[18thavenue]

portobella said:

I can't say how much that Yusuf sounds like Nick Drake in this song, since I don't think I've ever listened to Mr. Drake. This song feels a little like some of Cat's songs to me (esp. the guitar work), but more settled and mature in its outlook, and very subtle and simple in its arrangement.

maxkansascity, this song is, hands-down, my favorite on the album. I don't find it melancholy at all; rather, it feels very peaceful, sublimely peaceful. I feel it in my heart, I play it over and over. It almost feels like "Maybe There's a World" in its intent, but instead of putting the experience of acceptance and openness into another (possibly different) world, it plants the experience in this world. Love it.

The instrument that lucy13 thinks might be a glockenspiel is a Chinese stringed instrument called a xiao ruan. It is also played in Whispers from a Spiritual Garden. Its delicate sound blends so beautifully with Yusuf's guitar and voice, I think. My favorite part of the song is when the xiao ruan comes in and Yusuf sings, "And if you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise." Even after listening to the song at least 100 times, I still hold my breath a little right then.

Bella

I have to go with Bella, polygor, et al. on this and choose "One Day at a Time" as my overwhelming favorite on this wonderful new album, which I cannot stop listening to after receiving it as a (requested ;D) Christmas gift.

Thanks to Golden Sands for explaining that great "If you meet the evening" line. That one always gives me the chills. In fact, the whole song does; I've probably listened to it 40 times in the past few days and I never tire of it!

In many ways, it reminds me of John Lennon, perhaps "Imagine" (I think someone somewhere compared Greenfields to Imagine, but to me, ODAAT is more like it). It has that serious/joyful tone that I consider the hallmark of the best Cat Stevens songs (Sitting, for example).

But then, it also has this stately rhythm, as if he's singing it as he walks down the halls of a great temple or something.

The part about "a child is born into this world, eyes blind" always give me chills. Also the ending about birds. He also quotes the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) on the album notes as to God taking care of the birds of the field; similar to Jesus's "Lilies of the field" sermon.

This song has made me tear up as I'm driving and listening to it. It really affects me.

My other favorites on the album (although I love them all) are, in rough order:

Midday (I love to listen to this first thing in the morning)

I Think I See the Light (I luuurve this version! Especially the bluesy guitar and how the song completely stops at a certain point, then starts up again. I also love how he can still sing "Shine, Shine, Shi--i-ine" with such conviction!! And that point where, as someone pointed out, he says "keep on shinin'" or whatever.

Maybe There's a World (reminds me of a good ol' CS song, like a gentler version of Peace Train or Longer Boats)

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (I am so thrilled he did this - he gets so much emotion in it and clearly feels the lyrics; to me, it really connects with us fans who've stood by him these last 28 years)

The Beloved (helps me understand Islam, I think)

When Butterflies Leave (I can't help it, I just love his voice!! Especially where he says, in a sort of conversational style: "Will not miss the dreams of yesterday" -- and this song seems to just keep the feeling of "One Day at a Time" going)

But there's not a bit of it that I don't enjoy listening to... I can't describe how wonderful to have something I thought we'd never have -- a new album from the former Cat and the current Yusuf!!!! I am in "heaven"!!!

Thanks for letting me rattle on! By the way, I just joined this group. Some of y'all may remember me as 18th_Avenue_Violins from CatStevens.com. Glad to be among y'all again!

Barbara (18thAvenue)

P.S. Thanks for explaining about the xiao ruan Bella! How did you know that!? And how do you pronounce it?

And now I have to go out and "take a walk out in the midday"! (OK, the late afternoon, but who's counting?? )

[julio]

i think these are all great songs but i have to go with midday.

[J Red]

If you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise. Don't sleep without letting those you really care about, know that you really care about them