Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2014 12:27:27 GMT -5
I was very happy to be able to purchase the boxed set recently (yeah, I am a little late to the parade, I know). I was curious about the song "I Want to Live in a Wigwam", since I have an interest in Native American peoples and cultures and wondered why Cat would write a song with this title.
The first thing I noticed is that Cat had an unusual, most likely British, pronunciation of the word "wigwam".
I like how, as the song progresses through the first 4 verses, a new musical instrument seems to be added for each verse. Then there's that lovely instrumental interlude after verse 4; it has a touch of Greek ambience to it.
I was caught by surprise when the melody changed at the "I'm glad I'm alive" section of the song, and the ending with "We gotta get a Heaven, get a guide" is such foresight considering the song was written so early in his career. It's like he was a wandering soul who always knew where he wanted to go.
Just a really cool song that I had never heard before.
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Post by blossom on Aug 27, 2014 13:15:09 GMT -5
I was very happy to be able to purchase the boxed set recently (yeah, I am a little late to the parade, I know). I was curious about the song "I Want to Live in a Wigwam", since I have an interest in Native American peoples and cultures and wondered why Cat would write a song with this title. The first thing I noticed is that Cat had an unusual, most likely British, pronunciation of the word "wigwam". I like how, as the song progresses through the first 4 verses, a new musical instrument seems to be added for each verse. Then there's that lovely instrumental interlude after verse 4; it has a touch of Greek ambience to it. I was caught by surprise when the melody changed at the "I'm glad I'm alive" section of the song, and the ending with "We gotta get a Heaven, get a guide" is such foresight considering the song was written so early in his career. It's like he was a wandering soul who always knew where he wanted to go. Just a really cool song that I had never heard before. THANK you :)t4tillerman. Yes for me all his early songs were 'Seeking'....and spoke to my condition back then..and still do...so special..I love this song it cheers me up EVERY time I hear it, and I had not listened to it for a while,,,,thanks for the memory!! |
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Post by joyatri on Aug 29, 2014 20:19:23 GMT -5
Yes, thank you, t4tillerman, for reminding me that I need to get that boxed set. And that I bought the 45 record of "I want to live in a wigwam" in the early 1970s. The reverse side was "Morning has broken." I still have all my Cat Stevens albums from the 70s, but that 45 record has gone missing. No way I would have gotten rid of it, so its disappearance is a mystery. Very sad.
I also like the "progression" in the song that you mention and as Blossom mentions, I also find it "uplifting."
I was always bothered by his pronunciation of "wigwam." I used to think that he had never heard how the word was pronounced, so was pronouncing it incorrectly.
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tediber
Wild World Member
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Post by tediber on Aug 31, 2014 2:50:09 GMT -5
Just catching up with this thread!
I also love this song - it makes me smile every time.
But... I have a question. I, too, am British and I pronounce the word the way that he does. I've never heard it said differently. We just say "Wig-wam", the way it's spelled. Is this wrong? Please could someone enlighten and educate me, because I'm really intrigued.
Jo x
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Post by peritura on Aug 31, 2014 4:44:43 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 13:24:44 GMT -5
...and now the British version: www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/wigwamSlightly different in the second syllable. I could ask a Native American I know, but I think both versions are fine; it just varies depending on where you live. Just like all the beautiful variety in the song... wigwam, igloo, commune, tree hut... it brings the meaning of the song to life. |
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