A letter to Cat Stevens…
Dear Cat,
I “Can’t Keep It In.” I must confess, that after all these years I’m still in love with you. “How can I tell you that I love you?” I guess I’ll post about it, and let the world know, this “Wild World,” that you tried to warn me about. All it takes to re-ignite my passion is a quick trip to youtube and moments later, I’m feeling like a school girl. This letter is long over-due and should’ve been written when I was, “Oh, Very Young.” I just wanted to thank you for writing so many songs for me, Wild World, Two Fine People (obviously about the two of us), Hear Comes My Baby, Bitterblue, Changes IV, Sad Lisa (although slightly depressing) and Angelsea, which was obviously written specifically for me – once people hear the lyrics I’m pretty sure they’ll know it’s about moi. I know you go by another name now, but since I’m a “Hard Headed Woman” and slow to change, I’ll keep “Sitting” here, thinking of you as my Cat Stevens, if that’s okay?
My undying 1970’s love,
Lisa xoxo
You are so funny! I only know Wild World and isn’t he on a “no fly” list now. You keep surprising me. xo
hahah! I even surprise myself!
Delightfully heartfelt!
But please, step away from the rancid patchouli oil (from 1971) before it’s too late!
I hope the two of you have a wonderful time together, and save that time in a bottle. In case you ever lose your…
hahah! I’m so glad you found this delightful, Guapo!! I think it’s too late, the patchouli has already seeped into the nether regions of my 1970’s soul and…
Well, if you’re visiting the rivers of the netherworld, you should really be sure to pack tea.
You know, for the tillerman.
(Ok, I’ll stop now…)
haha! I’d like to live in a wig wam and I’m pretty sure that’s where the tillerman lives. I’ll be sure to give him your regards.
Dear Lisa
I’m popping up to Buckingham Palace next weekend, and I’d love it if you joined me. I can pick you up the Lear Jet, and then we’ll fly by Royal Helicopter to Queenie’s house.
On the way we can talk about my beard, my collection of plectrums, and how I’m your favourite Limey arsehole.
If you like, we can re-enact the James Bond bit from the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Lorra love.
Catty S.
xxx
LOL! Don’t mock my love, Michael. It’s very real.
you really are a product of the 70’s. Smiling at this one..
Yes, I’m afraid that’s very true. 🙂
Don’t be afraid. Being a product of the 80 ‘ s is far worse. Grin
haha! I think you may be right. 🙂
I too am a product of the 70’s and I too was in love with Cat–I advised him not to change his name but he was hellbent
haha! We’ll just have to continue living in our own fantasy world – where people don’t change their names or turn into old Islamic men. LOL!!
my fantasy world is pretty good sometimes–are you sure we weren’t friends back in university?
I know! I was thinking the same thing 🙂
Well, we’re friends now and that’s all that matters. Birds of a feather flock together… I’m not sure that works here, but, whatever… haha!
Omg this was awesome! I love how you incorporated the song titles! He will truly appreciate this letter from his long lost love. Definitely.
I certainly hope so. You know, better than anyone, how much I still love him, right? 😉
If he doesn’t respond, it’s probably because you didn’t work Moonshadow into your letter.
Haha! You’re so right! He’ll question my love. (Believe me, I tried.) lol!
When I was little and in school (rows and rows of tiny English girls – and one American – in scratchy wool uniforms and the ugliest sensible shoes) we would meet for assembly every morning and sing:
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world
and a lot of other songs, but that’s the only one I remember the lyrics to – thank you Mr. Stevens!
Aww… that’s such a sweet little memory. How totally charming. Of course it was over-played in the states and lost a little bit of it’s appeal. Back then the radio stations would always ruin great songs by playing them every 30 minutes.
There was always something about his passion that I found so attractive. It doesn’t surprise me that he became an activist – he has a very deep soul.
More proof, if it were needed that we are all celestially connected.
‘Morning has broken’ – the song of my childhood, sung in three languages as I recall.
And as for the Cat – well let the love out Gripping!! It’s a joy to behold…
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Ah these whipper snappers! Morning Has Broken spoke to me in a very different way when it came out…when I was in College. We all were in love with him then.
How could anyone resist loving him? He was soulful and beautiful. That voice and dark wavy hair – what a great combination.
Holy moley, Cat is soooooooo good looking and I had a crush on him myself. He’s got a very cool voice and I remember his tunes well. Look at that face, just look at it. He’s still good-looking.
I know, right? So cute and soulful… and that deep gorgeous voice! Love him.
We are all children of some era…. I am still waiting for Paul and Ringo to give me a call.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed, Ruth. 😉
Wait! You and Cat?? He told me I was the only one. 😉
hahaha!
Listening to music all day yesterday actually cheered me up. It’s amazing what it can do. Then songs that reminded me of sad times came on. I should just start buying CDs of bands with only songs that make me happy like a normal person does.
Glad Cat can cheer you up even though the government says he’s a terrorist.
haha! Isn’t it ironic that the man who wrote Peace Train is now listed as a terrorist? Hmm…
Music can greatly impact my mood – for good or for bad. You and I should stay away from the depressing stuff for awhile, until the coast is clear. No need to heighten our sense of sadness. good plan.
I remember us discussing your love for him.. He is amazing and he’s still pretty darn fine looking..
what a witty post this is 😉
tee hee. I do love the man. I can’t deny it.
I’m a Jackson Browne pretend wife..lol
Oh!! Good to know! I’m sure he’ll come around soon! LOL!
Strangely, Wild World was one of our drinking songs back in the day.
I think it makes a good drinking song… Not that I know much about drinking songs. 😉
“Two Fine People (obviously about the two of us)” — so cute! My favorite is Wild World. I love that first picture of him — smoking!
Smokin’ hot! tee hee. I love it, too. That’s my bad girl side.
I forgot — I really really love the Tin Man song too…
Oh boy now I’m really confused — I don’t think he did the Tin Man song after all 😦
Haha! I was gonna say – easy mistake. I think that was America, right? I like that one, too.
Heee heee… I think when you play his songs backwards they say “I want her – she has a gripping life”
haha! They absolutely do.
I did (and do) like Cat Stevens’ music but I had to make sure that all bell-bottom trousers and psychedelic shirts had been burned first before saying so.
Make sure you didn’t over look the stack of bell-bottoms next to your medieval instruments or Rose Canton China. 🙂
I miss the Cat Steven’s from the 70s! I hope he is doing well.
I miss him, too!
I wonder if he realizes how much people miss his music from the 70s? http://www.segmation.wordpress.com
Gotta love Cat Stevens! His music is great. Love the letter and the song titles in it! I am afraid I will be singing Wild World for the rest of the afternoon!
Thanks, Jean. I’m glad you love Cat Stevens, too. His music was a staple when I was growing up. I would stare at the album cover and imagine him singing to me – thus the letter idea! Wild World is a classic.
I grew up with Teaser and the Firecat playing as I would drift off to sleep on my parents couch. There is something so soothing and timeless about his music. It played a huge role in shaping my tastes now. However, it is difficult to get away with rocking “If I Laugh” with your buddies in the car. Not really an artist I get to share with my friends that often!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Time for a little Sad Lisa. On the earphones of course.
You and I had the same experience — except I didn’t sleep on your parents couch. Ha! His voice is still soothing to me and you’re so right – it’s timeless. You have great taste. I bet if you introduced some Cat Stevens in little doses your buddies would get turned on. Just don’t start with, “If I laugh” or “Sad Lisa.” LOL! Give ’em some BitterBlue and see what happens. Your friends will thank you later. 🙂
Hey, and thanks for following me. That’s cool. I’ll go check your blog out, too.
Cheers!
Lisa
Bitter Blue is actually one of my favourite road trip songs. Excellent sing-along value.
And no problem, I have been looking for blogs that share my taste in music and they are few and far between. So I was happy to find yours.
I’m glad you found it, too. I try to do music monday – I was born in 1962 but my taste goes up to the current year. I’m very eclectic. I was a real concert goer when I was young and share some of that, as well.
Glad you’re along for the ride!
Lisa
Who put on the best show?
I find this post in particular puts out my different tastes.
http://imveryape.com/2012/07/01/imveryapes-70-favourite-albums-of-all-time/
Good question…? Hard to say. Peter Gabriel was very good. B52’s were great, too. I love the Kinks so I’d throw them on the list. Too many categories – like how can you compare Led Zeppelin to Joe Jackson? I never saw the Rolling Stones or David Bowie – big regrets.
Oh Lisa! Oh how I loved Cat Stevens too! And I loved Wild World and Moon Shadow. He was just so cool. And cute. And what a voice!! I’m so glad you posted this. I forgot about how much I loved him! 😀
haha! It needed to be written. Every time I go to Youtube and start playing his music my teenage love for him emerges! LOL! He had a soulful and mysterious way about him that probably allowed for us to project our young love onto. 😉
Just the last two weeks I’ve rediscovered Cat/Yusuf/Steven. I was 14 when a teenaged babysitter turned me on to him and I fell in complete love. Now I feel it’s really weird to be playing his songs all over again and swooning about how gorgeous he was. He’s no longer in a no fly thing, he just was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is producing albums again and singing his old songs.