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Cat Stevens - On The Road To Find Out

Cat Stevens - On The Road To Find Out Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Tea For The Tillerman
Released: 1970

On The Road To Find Out Lyrics

Well I left my happy home
To see what I could find out
I left my folk and friends
With the aim to clear my mind out

Well I hit the rowdy road
And many kinds I met there
And many stories told me on the way to get there

So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out
So much left to know, and I'm On The Road To Find Out

In the end I'll know
But on the way I wonder
Through descending snow
And through the frost and thunder

I listen to the wind come howl
Telling me I have to hurry
I listen to the robin's song
Saying not to worry

So on, and on I go, the seconds tick the time out
So much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out

Well I found myself alone
Hoping someone would miss me
Thinking about my home and the last woman to kiss me

Well sometimes you have to moan
When nothing seems to suit you
But never the less you know
Your locked towards the future

So off and on you go, the seconds tick the time out
There's so much left to know and I'm on the road to find out

And I found my head one day
When I wasn't even trying
And here I have to say
Cause there is no use in lying, lying

Yes the answer lies within
So why not take a look now
Kick out the devils sin
Pickup, pickup a good book now

Yes the answer lies within
So why not take a look now
Kick out the devils sin
Pickup, pickup a good book now

Yes the answer lies within
So why not take a look now
Kick out the devils sin
Pickup, pickup a good book now

Writer/s: YUSUF ISLAM, CAT STEVENS
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

On The Road To Find Out

This is about a young man who wants to see the world for himself, so he sets out on a journey into the world where he can clear his mind and see what he can discover.

"On The Road To Find Out" was inspired by a deep spiritual emptiness in the composer's life. He was not writing about traveling in a literal sense but in finding out who he was and the purpose if any of his existence. Cat Stevens had fame and fortune thrust upon him at an early age, and like so many people in a similar position he looked at what he'd accomplished and realized it had brought him neither happiness nor peace of mind. This was one of the songs he wrote after recovering from tuberculosis, a disease that had all but been eradicated in the Western world by the time he contracted it, and which in his case was caused by personal neglect and fast living.
In 1977, he converted to Islam after several years of serious contemplation of religion. He played his final concert in November 1979 then withdrew totally from music for over two decades. In 2004, after his return as Yusuf Islam, he featured in a TV documentary where he told presenter Alan Yentob that his songs were a narrative to his life – none more so than "On The Road To Find Out."

The last couplet reads "...the answer lies within, so why not take a look now? Kick out the Devil's sin, pick up, pick up a good book now."
When asked about this he told Yentob that – as far as he recalled - he had originally written "pick up the Good Book now" - an obvious allusion to the Bible, but had altered it to avoid its being taken up by "Bible bashers."

Although they are separated by three decades, and the latter is written in the third person singular, "On The Road To Find Out" is strikingly similar in content to "Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)," which was inspired by an entirely different subject, but has been and can be interpreted as a voyage of self-discovery.

Cat Stevens - Was Dog a Doughnut?

Cat Stevens - Was Dog a Doughnut? Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Izitso
Released: 1977

Was Dog a Doughnut? Lyrics

Was Dog a Doughnut? Song Chart

Cat Stevens surprised his fans with this strangely titled techno-pop instrumental. He explained to Uncut magazine in 2014: "In the '70s, there was an article that made me furious, but also made me laugh, called 'Was God An Astronaut?' The whole premise of putting God into a space rocket was so outrageous I just decided to have a go and wrote that song."

This is not to be confused with Stevens' other canine-titled cut, his 1966 UK hit "I Love My Dog."

Cat Stevens - (Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard

Cat Stevens - (Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Izitso
Released: 1977

(Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard Lyrics

Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to cry a lot, oh don't you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had simplicity and we had
Warm toast for tea and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Oh and I remember you

You were my sweet love, my first sweet love
My lovey dove, my love lovey dove
No matter what place, whichever the place
I still see your face, your smiling face
In childish dreams, inside my dreams
Like king and queen, god save our dreams
N'though time may face, though time may fade
It ain't never too late, to learn about love
Learn about love

Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love yes, I do
Oh and I remember you

Writer/s: YUSUF ISLAM, CAT STEVENS
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

(Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard Song Chart

Stevens wrote this for Linda Lewis, who sang on his 1972 album Catch Bull At Four and accompanied Stevens on his 1974 Bamboozle tour. Clive Davis of Arista Records signed Lewis on the strength of her performance of this song, which she released on her 1975 album Not A Little Girl Anymore. Lewis had a UK hit with a cover of "It's In His Kiss (Shoop Shoop Song)." (thanks, Richard - Toronto, Canada)

This was Stevens' last hit. Later that year, he changed his name to Yusuf Islam and became a Muslim.

This was inspired by the playground at St. Joseph's in London, where Stevens went to school.

Elkie Brooks sang on this with Stevens. She became a very successful singer with a string of UK hits in the '70s and '80s.

Cat Stevens - Moonshadow

Cat Stevens - Moonshadow Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Teaser And The Firecat
Released: 1971

Moonshadow Lyrics

[Chorus:]
Oh, I'm bein' followed by a Moonshadow, moon shadow, moonshadow---
Leapin and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow---
And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, Oh if I won't have to work no more.

And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colours all run dry,
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, Oh if I won't have to cry no more.

[Chorus]

And if I ever lose my legs, I won't moan, and I won't beg,
Yes if I ever lose my legs, Oh if I won't have to walk no more.

And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth, north and south,
Yes if I ever lose my mouth, Oh if I won't have to talk...

Did it take long to find me? I asked the faithful light.
Did it take long to find me? And are you gonna stay the night?

[Chorus]
Moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow.

Writer/s: YUSUF ISLAM, CAT STEVENS
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Moonshadow Song Chart

Stevens wrote this about finding hope in any situation. Be present and joyful. See life as it is, right now, and don't compare it to others' lives, or other times in your life. Every moment in life is rich and unique; whether we are aware of it or not, we are always leaping and hopping on a moonshadow - the inescapable present moment. If we are wrapped up in our whirlpools of worry and concern about what could be, or what has been, we are missing the richness of life as it is.

In the bridge of the song, Stevens seems to be speaking of faith, indicating clearly that, although he is experiencing this ecstasy in the present, despite all the losses and suffering of existence, it is the light that has found him, and not the other way around. He is surrendering to a power greater than himself - the "faithful light." (thanks, Ted - Victoria, Canada, for above 2)

When he appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour in 2009, Stevens said of this song: "I was on a holiday in Spain. I was a kid from the West End (of London) - bright lights, ect. - I never got to see the moon on its own in the dark, there were always streetlamps. So there I was on the edge of the water on a beautiful night with the moon glowing, and suddenly I looked down and saw my shadow. I thought that was so cool, I'd never seen it before."

Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, considers this his favorite of his old songs. It's one of the songs that convinced him to release a Greatest Hits record of his work as Cat Stevens. He felt its uplifting message could help people.

Director John Landis wanted to use this song in his 1981 horror comedy An American Werewolf in London. The film featured a number of songs with "moon" in the title ("Moon Dance", "Blue Moon", etc.) but Stevens, who had recently converted to Islam, refused permission because he did not like the subject matter of the film. (thanks, Bob - The Colony, TX)

Stevens has in recent years called this song the "Optimist's anthem." (thanks, Mary - Little Rock, AR)

This song was used for a "Teaser And The Firecat" animation. The cover of the album came to life as the boy and cat ride on the moon while this song plays. It can be found on the Cat Stevens - Majikat (Earth Tour 1976) DVD. (thanks, christy - Southlake, TX)

Artists to record this song include LaBelle, Roger Whittaker and Mandy Moore.

Cat Stevens - Peace Train

Cat Stevens - Peace Train Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Teaser And The Firecat
Released: 1971

Peace Train Lyrics

Now I've been happy lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Something good's bound to come

For out on the edge of darkness
There runs the Peace Train
Peace train take this country
Come take me home again

Peace train sounding louder
Ride on the peace train
Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah
Come on the peace train
Peace train's a holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah
This is the peace train

Get your bags together
Come bring your good friends too
Because it's getting nearer
Soon it will be with you
Come and join the living
It's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer
Soon it will all be true

Peace train sounding louder
Ride on the peace train
Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah
Come on the peace train

I've been crying lately
Thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating?
Why can't we live in bliss?

For out on the edge of darkness
There rides the peace train
Peace train take this country
Come take me home again

Peace train sounding louder
Ride on the peace train
Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah
Come on the peace train

Come on, come on, come on the peace train

Writer/s: YUSUF ISLAM, CAT STEVENS
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Peace Train Song Chart

When he appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour in 2009, Stevens said of this song: "Musically, I was revisiting a very Greek-sounding riff - the kind of thing you'd hear on a Greek island. The words were attached to that time, my peace anthem. It ended every show that I did and was quite a show stopper. It was a very important song for me because it stated one of the big goals of my life which was heading straight for that peace."

This was Stevens' first US Top-10 hit. It was not released as a single outside of America because Stevens' European label, Island, wanted to encourage people to buy the albums rather than the 45s.

This became a hippie anthem, and was often used by protesters to spread a message of peace.

In 1987, 10,000 Maniacs covered this, but the song was dropped from future copies of their In My Tribe album in 1989 after Stevens, who had changed his name to Yusuf Islam, condoned the death wish on Salmon Rushdie for defaming the Prophet in his book The Satanic Verses.

In 2003, Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, re-recorded this for a compilation album called Hope, which was a benefit for children in Iraq. It was his first English language recording since 1978. The US and Britain had invaded Iraq, which was perceived by many to be an attack on Muslims. Stevens explained: "As a member of humanity and as a Muslim, this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution to the dangerous path some world leaders today seem to be taking."

In 2010, John Stewart and Stephen Colbert staged a Train Wreck, having Stevens perform this song at their Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, DC, only to have Ozzy Osbourne interrupt with a performance of "Crazy Train."

The bit didn't go over well with Salman Rushdie, an author who had a fatwa issued against him that Stevens supported. When Rushdie complained to Stewart, the Daily Show host said that he shouldn't have done it. "Death for free speech is a deal-breaker," said Stewart.

Cat Stevens - I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun

Cat Stevens - I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Matthew And Son
Released: 1967

I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun Lyrics

I've been demoralized too many times
But now I realize, Ah ah, no more.
I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun
I'm gonna get me a gun
And all those people who put me down
You better get ready to run,
'cause I'm gonna get me a gun

I know my destiny is like the sun
You see the best of me when I have got my gun
I'm gonna get me a gun
I'm gonna get me a gun
And all those people who put me down
You better get ready to run,
'cause I'm gonna get me a gun

So you think you can push me around
And make me run
Well I'm gonna tell you now
I'm gonna get me a gun
I'm gonna get me a gun
And all those people who put me down
You better get ready to run,
'cause I'm gonna get me a gun

Gonna get me a gun

Writer/s: ISLAM, YUSUF
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun Song Chart

Stevens wrote this song for a musical about Billy The Kid that was never produced. It is noteworthy that in the late '60s and early '70s, gun-toting revenge fantasies such as the Death Wish series gained great popularity. This is partly attributable to the Baby Boomers, having lived in a vacuum of free love and communes through the '60s, began to settle down, get jobs, and suddenly own property, at which point they saw the value of defending it.

A promotional poster featuring guns was issued by his record company. Stevens denounced the poster years later when he became a Muslim.

According to the book Sociology in Perspective by mark Kirby, this is one of the songs banned from the radio by the BBC during the Gulf War. A song about guns is likely to cause controversy, but not likely to encourage actual violence. Michael Moore's 2002 documentary Bowling for Columbine examines the American fascination with guns, and counters all the media speculation of the effects of music and video games on the perpetrators of the Columbine high school massacre by suggesting that maybe a culture steeped in violence with guns and ammunition readily available everywhere had something to do with it.

Along with "I Love My Dog" and "Matthew And Son," this was one of the songs Stevens would play while touring with Jimi Hendrix and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Cat Stevens - Matthew And Son

Cat Stevens - Matthew And Son Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Matthew And Son
Released: 1966

Matthew And Son Lyrics

Up at eight, you can't be late
For Matthew And Son, he won't wait.
Watch them run down to platform one
And the eight-thirty train to matthew & son.

Matthew & son, the work's never done, there's always something new.
The files in your head, you take them to bed, you're never ever through.
And they've been working all day, all day, all day!

There's a five minute break and that's all you take,
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake.

Matthew and son, the work's never done, there's always something new.
The files in your head, you take them to bed, you're never ever through.
And they've been working all day, all day, all day!

He's got people who've been working for fifty years
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody cares
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears

Matthew and son, Matthew and son, Matthew and son, Matthew and son,
And they've been working all day, all day, all day!

Writer/s: CAT STEVENS
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Matthew And Son Song Chart

This was inspired by a sign Stevens saw in a shop window while riding a bus in London. By the time it got to his stop, he thought up the story of the worker that became the main character in the song.

This was Stevens' first Top-10 hit in England. It's the title track of his first album.

This was recorded with an orchestra.

This is the first track on Stevens' 2000 Greatest Hits compilation. After converting to Islam, Stevens (who became known as Yusuf Islam) made only religious music, but came to accept that his previous work had a lot of meaning and agreed to release it as a Greatest Hits album.