He converted to Islam. That is the only thing I know that is controversial.

@dennisjohnson2772

3 жыл бұрын

And it isn't,really

@DiconDissectionalReactions

3 жыл бұрын

It's not controversial at all, someone said something way worse on one of my videos about him, could be complete bs. Had another person tell me they burned all his records, so just thought I'd say, "hey we can enjoy the great music without agreeing on everything":)

@dennisjohnson2772

3 жыл бұрын

People burned Beatles records at one point over a comment,rage mob stuff. Yussef always came of as a seeker and espoused the peaceful elements of Islam. Whatever,I'm 56 and grew up on this great music that we also did in choir back then. Morning has Broken being one. Keep up the great reactions,young man.

@rosmeeker1964

3 жыл бұрын

@@DiconDissectionalReactions It was calling for the death of the author Salman Rushdie after the publication of 'the Satanic Verses.' He has since discussed his regrets about that part of his life. Most of his audience were peace freaks and so his musical audience wasn't into that message. ('Peace Train' is also a great song.)

@LadyIarConnacht

3 жыл бұрын

@@DiconDissectionalReactions It was considered very controversial at the time because it was associated with the black power movement which was considered violent and almost terrorist. Today, you would have to do something like run away and join ISIS. He was sort of flirting with Christianity for a while, too, which made some church folks consider him "theirs" so they reacted quite badly when he went the other way.

He sang about peace and love. It was the message then and should be the message today. Good job Daniel for knowing that music supersedes all ! "Morning Has Broken" and "Peace Train" are some favorites. ✌❤🌻😷🎶

@joconnell8145

3 жыл бұрын

Morning Has Broken, I remember that as well being on my dad's tapes.

@melissayost4888

3 жыл бұрын

Morning Has Broken is a hymn. We sang it around Easter all the time

he made excellent music and by the lyrics you can tell he is a loving person.

This whole album is a masterpiece. "Miles from Nowhere" is a brilliant track from it.

@MissAstorDancer

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, "Miles from Nowhere" is a GREAT song!

@robertburke5354

3 жыл бұрын

Every song on Tea For The Tillerman is great. It is, indeed, a masterpiece.

@ilovemusicnia

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, Miles from Nowhere was "my song" when I was thirteen. I totally related to it. Great song. And I loved Tea for the Tillerman too. I remember I was listening to it once when I was also about that age. It was pouring rain outside and there was a leaky skylight above me. Just as the end of the song was playing...for that happy day, for that HAPPY DAY...the sun burst through the clouds and light came pouring out over me. At thirteen years old, in the beauty of the song, it was a Moment. And I haven't forgotten it.

Exactly, it's all aboiut the music, rock on Daniel...

You are well on your way to become wise young sage ✌️♥️

@lynette.

3 жыл бұрын

I thoroughly agree.

@robertburke5354

3 жыл бұрын

Yes indeed. Daniel is wise beyond his years.

Never saw this as sinister in my day it just meant goodbye and take care.

This is one of my all time favorites. "Sad Lisa" is an amazing song. Check that out.

@MissAstorDancer

3 жыл бұрын

I want to give a BIG second vote for "Sad Lisa"! What a deep and profound and very enigmatic song! Daniel, I would bet money you would really like and appreciate it for those reasons!

@mikephalen3162

3 жыл бұрын

"Sad Lisa" is my second favorite song of his.

Yusuf Cat Stevens!!! He converted to Islam in '77 and changed his name to Yusuf Islam! There's nothing wrong with faith conveersion. Music=music

@827dusty

3 жыл бұрын

Why so defensive? Alice Cooper is a Born again Christian, is that important in terms of his music?

@zamaurijones2725

3 жыл бұрын

827dusty oh I wasnt trying to be defensive I was using the exclamation marks just cause lol.

@corvus1374

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with faith conversion so long as you don't use it to advocate for the murder of people.

@Nina5144

3 жыл бұрын

He converted after nearly drowning.

In my world it's always been about forgiveness. If you can't forgive somebody else, and you can't get forgiven, right? It really boils down to that. Treat others as you want to be treated. Peace and love!

I always took it as a genuine wishing someone you love the best even though they are breaking your heart.The words "I'll always think of you as child" made me feel like they got together when they were young and he is having a hard time thinking she can make it out there.I think he is genuinely worried and warning here to be careful,because it is a wild world out there.

@maryannschumacher1370

Жыл бұрын

Exactly! ♥️

:) While watching you listen to this song ~ I wondered if he knew how many people grew up listening to his songs ... how many lives he has touched ... what a beautiful gift he has shared! :) Great choice, Daniel! :)

Morning has Broken, one of the most beautiful songs ever.

Cat Stevens has a lot of great songs. You may like Morning Has Broken. It was very popular with church youth groups, in the seventies.

@MissAstorDancer

3 жыл бұрын

Cat's version of "Morning has Broken" is just beautiful! Just a tidbit for you, Daniel - the amazing piano on it was arranged and performed by the great Rick Wakeman of Yes!!!!!

@papercup2517

3 жыл бұрын

It was a popular hymn, too, well before Cat Stephens covered it. We used to sing it at school assembly in England in the 60s. The lyrics were written by a lady called Eleanor Farjeon, who wrote wonderful children's books too. :-)

"Morning Has Broken" performed and arranged by Cat and Rick Wakeman from YES. A must if you can ever get to it. Beautiful song here, great analysis as always.

Saw him in concert early 70's, absolutely brilliant concert, dual acoustic guitars with Alan Davies - great

You’re such a good, kind young man, Daniel. Stay in that lane and you’ll be fine. ❤️

Love your reaction and if you really like this you will love Peace Train....my all time favorite from Cat Stevens✌❤🎶

He has so many great songs, On the Road to Find Out is off the same album & he also has a great soulful love ballad that was a hit called How Can I Tell You (That I Love You) which is worth checking out too.

I always love this song. Great choice Daniel

Cat Stevens has great music. My favourite song is Morning has Broken. Please do a reaction to this song. Just a side note Morning has Broken can be found in the song hymnal where I go to church

Cat Stevens is the greatest of his genre. And I see Sweet Baby James Taylor nearly yearly on the 4th of July Already subbed/age 70 . . .

Another dimension of this song is its production. Audiophiles often refer to his records during this period as analog masterpieces. Production can be a creative art in itself.

Good thinking. Have you done “Morning has broken “? It is a great spiritual hymn. I really enjoy your reactions. 👏

He did a cover called Morning is broken..... always put my soul at ease, just a beautiful song.

Love Cat Stevens. 63 yrs old and he was and is not wrong.

I bought this album when it came out! I was 9👌👍 I still love it!!!💙🎵🎶✌️it was my first non Beatles album!✌️😁

Cat Stevens' songs always make me tear up....that emotion in his voice is so powerful. God bless him and ignore the haters. Thanks for sharing

Hi Daniel. New subscriber here. Correct, it’s all about the art and Cat Stevens art was incredible. Tea for the Tillerman is almost a greatest hits album. Every song is killer and almost everyone of my generation who is into music knows every song. Virtually every song on the album was played on old school FM radio back in the day. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed!

Cat Stevens is a beautiful old soul, and everything he wrote was brilliantly done. There is a bio documentary about him you would love, thought it's loaded on here in 10 minute blocks. Here is a musician and writer with a heart as beautiful as his music. The intolerance of some who cannot embrace the world because they can't get out of their own backyard should never influence art! Never let anyone tell you what you like or believe, and don't let peoples' comments get under your skin. Keep em coming😊

The girl is Patti D'Arbanville. She was a model and actress. That's why he brings up getting by on a smile. She had several other famous dalliances. Very beautiful.

Cat Stevens/Yusuf Muhammed is one of the most universally spiritual singer/song writers you'll come across. He's spiritual without being preachy or dogmatic. He's a very gentle soul. He said something ill-advised many years ago which reflected poorly on his religion and he regrets that mistake. He never wished anybody harm despite what many say who want excuses to hate Muslims. I will say that what he said about Islam teaches about blasphemers is no different than what many say that Christianity supposedly says, since both religions rest on the Old Testament of the Bible. What many forget is that Islam also holds Jesus as a prophet and his message of love and redemption is part of that religion. Are there conflicting messages in Islam? Yes, as there are in every religion. It is up to us to deal with these conflicts and either reject religion altogether or to explore those conflicts to find deeper truths. You are a very intelligent and thoughtful young man and I wish you well in figuring out the complexities of humankind.

The entire album is worth doing. This song and Peace Train were his big hits. I prefer his smaller songs on Tea and Teaser. Ps, Father and Daughter?

@diogenesagogo

3 жыл бұрын

Teaser & The Firecat? Bitterblue my favourite Cat Stevens track.

@Hartlor_Tayley

3 жыл бұрын

Moon shadow

Most of your recent offerings have been from artists that I avidly listened to when I was your age. The lyrics, the vocalizations, the instrumentation, all spoke to me as a teenager when I was grappling with issues like unrequited love, lust, breakups, and the state of our world. Music was so vitally important to us as a generation. It gave voice to what we were feeling, thinking, and forged a connection between us as young people dealing with serious things such as the war in Vietnam, civil rights, women's rights, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. I am so pleased that you have found this music and that you appreciate the artistry of the men and women who are no longer young or considered relevant to the youth of today.

Great song, Great reaction, too! A couple strong recommendations from this same album: Miles from Nowhere & On the Road to Find Out.

I never really took this song to be manipulative. I don't think of it as a way to stop her from going, but rather a warning that when she leaves (because she IS leaving), to be aware the world is a harsh place. Cat Stevens later came out and said it was really a song he was singing to himself that he just morphed into a "goodbye" end of relationship type song. (edit: I really need to watch all the way through before commenting because you obviously covered this already, LOL)

For pure fun check out his If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out

Cat Stevens wrote several beautiful ballads. "Morning Has Broken." "Peace Train"

MORE CAT STEVENS!! Even his new records are great.

I love Cat Stevens songs, especially with its crisp guitar strumming. Also enjoy his artwork on a lot of his albums; Tea for the tillerman, Teaser and the Firecat, etc.

Cat Stevens was so huge in the early 70’s, great songs & great lyrical meaning songs.

Great song and here are some of his other best songs,Morning Has Broken,Where Do The Children,Can’t Keep It In,On The RoD to Find out,Old Schoolyard,(I Never Wanted) To Be A Star!

My older sister bought this record back when I was a kid. I always thought it was about two people who lived in a commune. A sheltered environment. And now she wants to taste the outside world. What protects her inside the commune will not be sufficient in the wild world. A smile won’t protect her...being a ‘nice girl’. She will end up doing things she would not have done otherwise and he will not be there to help her. He loves her, but he will let her go, spread her wings, but he’s grieving.

Can't t see that Cat Stevens ever did anything wrong. Don't see a controversy. Thanks for playing this song. Brings back a lot of memories. It's so pretty.

I think Cat Stevens music is gentle and positive for the most part. The idea that he was singing the song for himself really makes sense . It also reflects the fact that he was in a relationship that was ending so it serves two purposes and that explains perhaps many references to girl.

In the time this was written, women were just emerging from the protection of men. Even in the 1970s, parents still sent their daughters to college to meet a husband to take care of her. It's hard to explain from here, but a story about a young, pretty girl going out into the world on her own, would be a little terrifying to those she was leaving. At least, that's what I saw in their faces, as I hitchhiked out of town.

@DiconDissectionalReactions

3 жыл бұрын

How did you do? Was it anything you thought it would be?

@rileyearl1

3 жыл бұрын

@@DiconDissectionalReactions I think you're asking about hitchhiking? It was a serendipitous, joyful adventure! So many great memories. Lots of years later, when I finally thought of a good reason to go to college at age 35, I realized the traveling was the same as education, your brain and life are engaged in the experience. I never did meet a nice doctor to marry, but did earn a degree in Comparative Lit with emphasis on Fairy Tales and Feminism. I like your reactions. So many times I realize I never analyzed one thing about a song, just learned the lyrics from the album cover and felt the music!

@DiconDissectionalReactions

3 жыл бұрын

@@rileyearl1 I was indeed asking about the life experience:) That's so cool! Getting a degree and relying on oneself seems like the best arrangement for self dependence, so awesome job getting there! I hope I make it there as well. Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Thanks for taking the time to respond! We are Legion:)

I always interpreted the song as being a father offering advice to his daughter, as she’s ready to leave home!

There is only one Cat Steven's, his songs with their amazing lyrics and beautiful musical arrangements are timeless.

Girl...That makes it a Pop song! Even though he may have been writing about himself, He knew what he was doing. He's a composer for the peoples...And the little girls, too.

Cat Stevens has inspired generations, and his journey was foretold in his music. The Search for truth has it's darkness. The journey of Cat Stevens was True, pure and it was told about in music. Beautiful music that touches the soul.

Cat Stevens was always a very spiritual man. He wrote one of the greatest hits on his spirituality at the time titled "Morning Has Broken." It was about "God's recreation of a new day."-Cat Stevens

If only we could all stop judging others. Good for you Daniel for not doing that. Love Cat Stevens. Still have all his albums. ✌🏻❤️

As you'll see in some comments below, Peace Train, Morning has broken and Moonlight shadow are musts. But there are a lot more that were not necessarily "hits" but are still quite enjoyable.

My favorites are "the wind" and "moon shadow". Both have wonderful lyrics. The wind is rather short so maybe you could double up with another cat stevens song if you choose to react to it. His "majikat" tour spawned a dvd that i have that is really great front to back with extra features including the story of why he converted which is interesting. Great songwriter and performer.

@papercup2517

3 жыл бұрын

Mmmm...Moonshadow is gorgeous...

Cat changed his name and religion following a near drowning accident. This man has just made beautiful music and not harmed anyone. Have you covered How Can I Tell You? A beautiful CS song

Again... backing off from your initial perspective, finishing the song and introspection. .. subscriber!! First-time I ever subscribed. .. good job young man! (And I will advocate for you )

@DiconDissectionalReactions

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome! Glad you're enjoying the videos:)

Cat Stevens had so many great songs in the early 70’s that fit perfectly into the mood of the time. Peace Train, Morning Has Broken, The Wind-the entire Tea for the Tillerman album was worn out by the Class of 1972.

Oh yeah, brings back some childhood memories, my dad made a lot of his own mix tapes (reel to reel) and had several Cat Stevens tunes. Never really considered anything about the lyrics as a kid and when I got into hard rock in my teens never listened to it again until right now. Now that I've heard them again I can clearly say I still have no clue. LOL!! It just sounds like someone giving a friendly warning to someone younger getting ready to head out into the cold cruel world. Catchy little tune for sure, great reaction!

I commented earlier, but would also like to add "Into White" as a must listen. A beautiful song; kind of like a lullaby.

Cat Stevens was a great musician who left the lime light to follow his religion. That's all. He's awesome and his music even more!!! You'll love his stuff. Tea for the tillermam is a great album.

Thank you for being grown up about something chinese whisper changes the truth only he knows. Love his music.

One of the most handsome male popstars ever. Okay, I like his music, too. It's a very true and honest statement with a little trigger in it. Maybe, you can take a look, ehm an ear to My Lady D'Arbanville.

His music was usually deeply spiritual and acoustically soothing and he was on top of the world when he suddenly quit music for 25 years to study and experience his new faith. He wrote the full soundtrack for the unusual, but lovely romantic comedy film "Harold and Maude". Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

"On the Road to Find Out" Tea For The Tillerman is definitely one of the greatest albums of all time.

Loved your wise words before the reaction, great outlook to have. Two other Cat Stevens faves are Trouble and The Wind. Cheers!

I have always loved Cat Steven's music and lyrics, ever since I was a little kid. I remember being very confused by his conversion to Islam when I was young. The one thing I could really not understand was his disavowing of his own music (especially the beauty of his words). As I have gotten older (and now much older) I have come to respect him as a seeker - like all of us, he sought his own path and continues to seek his own meaning in life. Yes, he has said and done things in the name of that journey with which I strongly disagree, but I have to respect his journey.

All in on Morning Has Broken. Some others that haven't been mentioned much here: Hard-Headed Woman, The Wind, Sitting, Silent Sunlight, Oh Very Young, The Hurt. Too many to list, so I'll leave you with three oddballs you can really sink your teeth into: O Caritas, 18th Avenue, and Foreigner Suite. The latter is either loved or hated and was a shocking departure from the formula that had been so successful to that point.

This song was about him! Lisa from Daytona, Fl "Wild World" song was about Patti Darbonville, she was 16 years old... Cat was 20. After a brief encounter he wrote a few songs about her, because he could not forget her after she left him. The girl was actually a wild girl as well. I believe he walked away from the fame and fortune, because he was a shamed of his behavior, and was falling into a very dark existence. He had to leave it all behind, to seek out a Spiritual way of life, to save himself. His good friend who accompanied him, playing acoustic guitar, also went with him on his quest to seek out a better life as-well. They are still playing together, they found a new way of life, where they found serenity. I always thought that "Father and Son" had something to do with him needing to go away, leaving his dream of fame and fortune behind?

That entire album is awesome. He dropped out of the music scene at the height of his popularity.

Thank you for getting into more Cat Stevens. Ode to billy joe BBC version. FYI it’s very sad. Since you like musical theater you should appreciate One Night in Bangkok. It’s from Chess the musical. And finally please listen to the greatest male singer in the world Dimash singing in French on a singing competition in China the song SOS. PLEASE. It will change you.

St etienne- only love can break your heart Seals and croft- diamond girl

I like the way the guitar pick is actually adding percussion.

No reason to get in to it. I feel the same way.

I always heard the meaning of this to be that the girl was leaving, the man had a lot more world experience, and didn't want someone who had not been hurt yet to be hurt. Things are going to happen in life, one can't control everything. I think the real worry here are the things that happen that do the most damage, that can't be undone. I've literally had this song dedicated to me upon a breakup, and it was somewhat accurate of a warning. But just because you make a choice in life doesn't mean that if it turns out to be negative for a while that it won't turn around. Honestly, that's when praying helps me the most. If the crappy time is because of a decision I made that I felt strongly about, I just pray for a light in the dark.

Have a listen to Harry Nilsson also great storyteller

@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052

3 жыл бұрын

Yes , I always loved the lil ditty “ early in the morning “

Do Moonshadow, next. Is it lighthearted? Not it's just silly and fun!

“Morning has Broken” is also sung in our church as a Christian song!

I couldn’t care less what the artist believes or doesn’t believe. His music is spectacular and makes me feel his emotions.

Cat Stevens wrote a slew of great songs. Wild World was one of his hits. I loved the "other songs" like Into White, Lily White, Katmandu, Sad Lisa, Miles From Nowhere, Longer Boats, The Wind, Rubylove, Lady D'Arbanville, Trouble, Pop Star, and Mona Bone Jakon. His passion, naivety, and surprising energy were unique. I saw him live around 1972-73 while in high school. He was the romantic fantasy of every young girl/woman at the time. I forgot Don't Be Shy!!!!

Really Beautiful. I love this Music .

Fantastic album, great singer and great songwriter.

I recall how huge he was at the time his first 2 or 3 albums came out then he just chucked it all one day , moved to turkey and became a Muslim . Supposedly gave away all his money

This could apply to you Daniel. Saw the one you did with your dad earlier, Father and Son.

I think she is his first love and he is hers. Think of it like a young love that is ending as they grow up and she wants to strike out on her own. Keep in mind the times too when this was written. Maybe she's very pretty and used to getting her way because she's pretty and very naïve and he's worried about what will happen to her going out into the world by herself trying to get by with her pretty smile and not much else.

Every song on this album is amazing. Try “Where Do the Children Play”. Very meaningful lyrics that you will enjoy!

He was and is a wonderful man! Great artist..and this is a beautiful song. But morning has broken is his most spiritual and inspiring work in my opinion.

I always took it as a young love sort of song, where he is experienced with the world and she is not and he is giving her advice about how hard the real world can be to you...think of you a child = innocence, trusting

I always loved Moonshadow, but also Morning Has Broken, a hymn we sang sometimes in church.

My Girl friend sang this to me as I was leaving Orlando FL 1970 . I hitchhiked back to the village in NYC then home to upstate New York . She was right but I had to leave.

Wise words young man. I'm impressed. As far as reviews go, reviewers don't always get it right, and singers aren't alway totally honest or frank about the meaning of their songs. Sometimes they don't want to reveal all so work around the truth. We need to be careful not to just believe everything we read.

I really enjoyed this, such a great song and very insightful with a deeper look at the lyrics. Maybe you can add Don McLean's "American Pie" to the list, it's an iconic song, it used to be compulsory to learn all the lyrics.

@joconnell8145

3 жыл бұрын

Another great tune...had to learn a portion of it on drums for a small one time "concert" I did as helping out a co-worker for a church gig.

This album was released on my 16th birthday, and I was expecting my 1st child. It has a lot of emotional memories for me as well as a lot of other teenagers that I went to school with. 👍♥️🌞

Song takes me back to pre-school and riding in Mom's Grand Am!

Excellent point about the freedom of expression and tolerance. Moreover, as you point out, we cannot conflate the art with the artist necessarily. This approach is vital for critical thinking. Well said young man, I wish more people had this objective frame of reference.

I can only say that i was a huge fan, and that the music holds up. When he converted, he himself in recent interviews said he was a bit of a zealot, was told music was bad and stopped making it period. Then, he went back but to stricly religious music, before reconnecting with his past (having kids helped - his own son is a musician who does secular music). The controversy that i know about was his support (which he denies) of the fatwa asking for the killing of Salman Rushdie for having written his book The Satanic Verses. I must say around that time, the position seemed so extreme that i had a hard time seperating the man from what it seemed he had become. In later years, after he returned to secular music, it all seemed to me like a huge misunderstanding. As for the music he's making now, i like some of it, but i miss the harder edge his voice had in the 70's. He was seeking then, not having found THE answer, and so his music represented the search, the doubts, the pleasure, sadness and anger, it was a fuller artistic experience to me. Being an agnostic, i prefer the questions to the answers, especially when they present themselves as the Truth, instead of truthS.

Tea For the Tillerman is one of my favorite albums, ever. Miles From Nowhere. And he is utterly original lyrically, rhythmically, vocally.

Thank you sweetheart. You know what I want.

I think people were disappointed because he quit making music, but he recently came back to performing.

Interesting song. It’s a little heavy handed lyrically. Good music. Great reaction and you always have an insightful take. Talking about the media, try “I Am the Slime” by Frank Zappa

@Yosef1952

3 жыл бұрын

OMG, should we really send this young man down the endless Zappa rabbit hole? :-) Hey, why not?

@rosmeeker1964

3 жыл бұрын

He's going to love Zappa.

@Yosef1952

3 жыл бұрын

@@rosmeeker1964 I got about 20 or 30 suggestions for him right off the bat.

@rosmeeker1964

3 жыл бұрын

@@Yosef1952 I was introduced to Zappa through Marshall stacks. It shook me. I think my favourite is Montana. I am not a big fan but.. kudos. Musical genius.

@fordp69

3 жыл бұрын

@@rosmeeker1964 I would say he should start with the double album Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation, bite sized songs with just enough weird.

He converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusuf Islam,he remains a committed Islamist but has revisited his music in recent years.Still love tea for the tillerman and teaser and the fire at albums.Keep up the good work Daniel.