Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is a British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian, and education philanthropist. His 1967 debut album reached the top 10 in the UK, and the album's title song "Matthew and Son" charted at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. His albums Tea for the Tillermanand Teaser and the Firecatwere both certified triple platinum in the US by the RIAA. His musical style consists of folk, pop, rock, and Islamic music...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionFolk Singer
Date of Birth21 July 1948
CityLondon, England
It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life I'd been living as a pop star. I was in a different mood.
I never wanted to be a star, I never wanted to travel far / I only wanted a little bit of love so I could put a little love in my heart / I never wanted to be la-de-da, go to parties ‘avec le bourgeois’ / I only wanted to sing my song well so I could ring a small bell in your heart
In the early days I had a very black-and-white view of everything. I think that's kind of natural for anyone who's just embraced Islam - or any religion - as a convert. It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life I'd been living as a pop star. I was in a different mood.
I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my god: the goal of making money.
I'm a little bit out of it, I suppose; I'm more of the golden oldie type.
Peace Train is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions of human beings.
I enjoy life. I think I'll enjoy death even more. Life is too confusing.
It seems to be the easiest thing in the world these days to make scurrilous accusations against Muslims, and in my case it directly impacts on my relief work and damages my reputation as an artist. The harm done is often difficult to repair.
Man may live and man may die searching for the question why. But if he tries to rule the sky, he must fall.
I'm gonna get me a gun, all those people who put me down you better get ready to run.
If I ever loose my eyes, I won't have to cry no more.
Oh God! If you save me I will work for you.
Music is part of God's universe.
The harm done is often difficult to repair.