When talking with friends, I always show a lot of Wilco love, to a point where anyone would reasonably assume that Wilco is my favorite band. I’ve even convinced myself. But in truth, as much as Wilco will always hold a special place in my heart, I can’t say they are my absolute favorite. Not over Cat Stevens. I am in love with his older music (sorry Yusuf). Even though I listen to Wilco more regularly, and overall probably like more of their songs than Stevens, the songs of Cat Stevens that I do like, are earth shattering. They are simply the best songs I have ever heard before.
I go through phases of listening to his music, but when I get hooked, I get hooked hard. This time around, The Shivers triggered it, by me listening to their song “SoHo Party.” You may not expect it from lyrics at the beginning of the song, I would say:), but it turns into an amazing cover of Cat Stevens “The Wind.”
You are probably familiar with Stevens’ hit songs. I would say, spend this weekend listening through them. See if it sparks anything. And hey, maybe he just isn’t THAT artist for you, in the same way he is for me. That’s cool. Let me know who that artist is for you, and I’ll check them out.
The philosophy behind change really fascinates me. Look at the difference.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DFp00tnSv4&feature=related[/youtube]
This is even better then the above link. Couldn’t embed.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDBoZfuwIVQ&feature=related[/youtube]
The Great Cat Stevens:
Cat Stevens-Where Do the Children Play?
Cat Stevens – Tea for the Tillerman (Extras anyone?)
Yusuf – Maybe There’s A World
Covers n Stuff:
The Braids – The Wind (This is by far one of the worst covers I have ever heard. Enjoy!)
Fun Fact:
When the Flaming Lips first wrote “Fight Test,” there was a element that reminded them of Cat’s Stevens’ “Father and Son.” They changed it up, and like Wayne says, if he hadn’t mentioned it, nobody would have made the connection. Regardless, he told magazines about it, Cat Steven’s publishing company found out, and now the company owns 30% of the song. Sad, but funny. I wonder if they make 30% of the iTunes Original track where Wayne talks about it?
The Cat Stevens Connection (Flaming Lips iTunes Original)
david, david, david. im so pleased you’ve come to grips with it.
cat is way better then wilco has and will ever be!
but yeah, in terms of favs.. gotta be ‘where do the children play’, cause come on . its pure expression of soul; polit(R)ics and hippy.ness.
peACE.
Amazing to come across your post. Wilco and the Flaming Lips are my favorite current bands, but for the past several months nothing’s been moving me anywhere near as much as Cat. I think it was that “Father and Son” counter-melody in the Lips song that instigated my giving Cat a listen, which I hadn’t done since I was a teenager.
Your selection is excellent, but I would add “Can’t Keep It In”, “On the Road to Find Out” and “Wild World.”
I’ve always assumed that “Fight Test” borrowed from “Father and Son,” without knowing any of the backstory. It’s interesting to learn that this wasn’t necessarily a deliberate choice, but doubt that no one would have noticed if Wayne hadn’t mentioned it.
Great collection of songs – thanks.