Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf when he left the music business in 1978. He is from London. He is now known as Yusuf/Cat Stevens. The song is all him in 1970. He sings both roles of the father and the son.
@@leiper72 On y-tube there is an interview with Cat/Yusuf (Skavlan - Cat Stevens) where he himself says that in 1978 his father was ill and then he got married and had a break from both his guitar and music in general for 20 years before he one day picked up his guitar and started playing and writing music again.
This song describes a conflict between a father and a son. The singer interprets them both in different parts of the song: the lower key belongs to the father, the higher one to the son.
"From the moment i could talk i was ordered to listen" is from the perspective of the son who basically felt all his life he was just told listen and do as your told, don't argue. He's teaching the lesson to parents to allow your children to question things. That is how they learn.
He was born Stephen Demetri Giorgou Greek dad Swedish mom. Used the name Cat Stevens because a girlfriend said he had eyeslike a cat. Born in London, still lives there. Converted to Islam and changed name to Yusef Islam and stopped singing and recording. Made a comeback later in life. He was singing both parts, the father verse he uses deeper voice and for the son, lighter and stronger, youthful. Father is telling son to slow down, think things through, take time to reason andavoid painting yourself in corners with your dreams escaping you. Son is saying he has always been told to listen and no one is listening to HIM. He feels the need to leave his fathers home and make his own choices in life, because HE knows what he wants and father does not. Every father and son comes to this moment when dad feels son is not ready to go and son is sure he IS ready.
Question, does anyone notice something strange in the video? Look at Cat Stevens' clothes (punk bracelets in the 70s?), at minute 0:51, the girl appears with clothes ahead of her time, (ripped jeans, cushe style boots ) an unusual minimalist video, I think that video is either fake or 30 years ahead of its time
@@lilbill2322 First of all, it is a girl not a boy, secondly those boots that the girl wears are from 2010, (cushe brand) and ripped pants was a fashion that emerged in 1983 (trash metal) and punk hopefully emerges 1976, this video is from 1972 (supposedly), however, when consulting experts in cat stevens, they only remember the live version, not this version, (there were very few video clips), and the curious thing about it is that there are also no credits of this video (who was the director, the actors), the truth is that it is quite strange
and I got to this video, because curiously several newscasts showed this video, I do not know in what context, which I found curious and when observing the video well I noticed the inconsistencies with the supposed date on which it had to be recorded (1972)
Being a peace and love hippie Cat Stevens has left a deep impression on my life. He left the music world for a very long time. I was so happy when he came back. My favorite song of his is Where Do The Children Play. But I really love them all. Moonshadow, Peacetrain, oh so much love and beauty in his music.
Morning Has Broken is one of my all-time favorite songs, just a beautiful celebration of the world and the possibility in every day. I also love If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out (from the Harold & Maude soundtrack). He also wrote a song called Oh Very Young which I thoroughly love and it has something of that "giving advice" feel to some of the lyrics. If you like songs with good messages, but you want something that's a little more rock than folk, try Lynard Skynard's Simple Man, which is fantastic. If you like the storytelling feel of Cat Stevens and the mellow 70s vibe, consider Jim Croce (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and Time in a Bottle) or Dan Fogelberg (Leader of the Band or Same Auld Lang Syne) or Bread (Baby I'm-a Want You or Diary).
Cat Steves became a muslim and changed his name to Yusuf. I think. This song is a conversation between a father (more mellow) and the son (more powerful) about were life is taking them. A lovely piece of music.
His show name is Cat Stevens, his name at birth is Stephen Demetri Giorgou he is British with Greek and Swedish ancestry, a man with many names, he made 11 albums in the 70's , he decided to leave the music business in search of something with more meaning , he became a Muslim and changed his name to Yusuf, today he uses both his names on his albums, in 1978 he married and spent his time raising his children and doing humanitarian work, he was also one of the first UNICEF goodwill ambassadors, around 1968 he toured with Jimmy Hendrix. He returned to making music again in around 2010 upon his return he recorded three new albums, and has revisited his last album Back To Earth, he has recorded some songs from his early days in The Laughing Apple and currently will be releasing his latest album Tea For The Tillerman 2 which will be out in Sept 2020. In this song he is singing both parts Father and Son as Cat Stevens, but in the soon to be released album he will be singing this song with his 70's self, a duet . You can find out more about him at catstevens. com and @yusufcatstevens and on his channel here on You tube .
Cat Stevens , born in London to a Greek Father and Swedish Mother ,had his first hit I LOVE MY DOG when he was 17or 18 , PeaceTrain or Morning Has Broken are also great songs.
Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam and taught at a school in England. When Khomeini was after Salman Rushdie, people started breaking his albums because Yusuf is a Muslim. Yusuf has always had songs about peace, love and people getting along together, since the 70s. But he made a comment that seemed to support Khomeini and people went ballistic. I am glad his music is being listened to and appreciated now.
So this song is a call and response between a father and son, first verse Father, second verse son, etc 👍 also when he says "from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen" he's saying that you are taught to speak and that it is such an important thing but as soon as you learn authority tell you to sit down and shut up. Incredibly meaningful song.
Cat Stevens/Yousef Islam is amazing. His voice comes from his soul. He did a lot of soul searching before converting to Islam. He is a peaceful man who has unfortunately been tarnished post 9/11 along with many other muslims. He couldn't be more genuine. I'm a Christian and inspired by Cat/Yousef I decided to check out the Qu'ran. It was a pleasant surprise.
I've always thought the most heartbreaking moment in this song is in the second "father" section, where the father says, "Look at me, " and very softly, in the background, the son says, "No."
I want Cat Stevens's song Oh Very Young sung at my funeral. Another of my favorites is I Can't Keep It In. Most of his songs carry inspirational messages.
This song makes me bawl my eyes out everytime I hear it!! I did not have this kind of relationship with my father, he was always supportive of anything I wanted to do!! But I did have those conversations occasionally where I felt like I was talking to a brick wall. I believe that's what he is trying to say when he says "he just turns away again, it's always been the same old story"
On the original LP album Tea for the Tillerman, which this song comes from, the record sleeve contained the lyrics. The way the lyrics were laid out made it a lot easier to understand the dialog between the father and the son. Here is how it looked. FATHER: It's not time to make a change. Just relax, take it easy. You're still young, that's your fault. There's so much you have to know. Find a girl, settle down. If you want you can marry. Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy. I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy to be calm When you've found something going on. But take your time, think a lot. Think of everything you've got. For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not. SON: How can I try to explain? When I do he turns away again. It's always been the same, same old story. From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen. Now there's a way, and I know that I have to go away. I know I have to go. FATHER: [SON] It's not time to make a change. [Away, away, away.] Just relax, take it slowly. You're still young, that's your fault. [I know I have to make this decision alone.] There's so much you have to go through. Find a girl, settle down. If you want you can marry. Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy. [No.] SON: [FATHER] All the times that I've cried, [Stay, stay, stay.] Keeping all the things I knew inside. It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it. [Why must you go and make this decision alone?] If they were right I'd agree, but it's them they know, not me. Now there's a way, and I know that I have to go away. I know I have to go.
I've always felt that the line " from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen" was the son saying I've done everything that you've told me to do throughout my life since I was a child and now it's time for me to spread my wings and follow my dreams!! And the father not wanting to let go of his son!!
Exactly! My Father told me I'd never amount to be anything, which ripped my heart out at the age of 13, so when I joined the military out of high school, this song was popular. I felt I had to go, and brake my Dad's heart like he broke mine. Years later, at his funeral, I was told, that I was the one that made him the proudest out of 7 boys. I cry every time I hear this song now.
You're son is right. The "dad" is giving what he thinks is practical advice, saying, "Don't get lost chasing all these dreams, as you'll still be here after your dreams have faded."
No, he’s saying go for your dreams, but even if you don’t achieve them, you will still be alive. It’s a message that ever father conveys. Go for your dreams but leave yourself options.
When you said God gave us two ears to listen twice as much as we talk is the FIRST time I heard anyone else say what I say to my grandkids all the time.
His name was Cat Stevens. Then he changed it to Yusef when he converted to Muslim. Also the lower voice is supposed to be his father talking and the high voice is his son talking back to him. Beautiful song.
NO... A baby learns to talk, and to listen, at the same time; it's only natural. What the song means, is that the son was not encouraged to express his views, at all.
My brother, he’s Islamic by the name of Yusuf Islam. He’s an English national and enlightened by the Islamic faith and was denied entry to the US, yet still plays this song today.
His original name is Steven Demetre Georgiou who was born in London to a Greek Cypriot father and a Swedish mother. He adopted the Cat Stevens name when he was first getting noticed in the late 60's though he tried a few others before Cat stuck. He converted to Islam in the 70's and was then known as Yusuf Islam and left the music industry. In the early 2000's he came back into music and has since then been known by Yusuf/Cat. From his first album Matthew and Sons his song writing has been outstanding and his voice is just so smooth.
Yusuf / Cat Stevens are one in the same! He changed his name when he became a muslim several years ago!🙏😇It is unfortunate that some of his fan base turned away from his music after he became muslim.
Love Cat Stevens as I knew him growing up! Yusuf is his name today. I am thankful for his song writing and singing talents as well as his deep expression of his music. I remember the great score he did for the movie, 'Harold and Maude', check it out! I loved it and enjoyed watching it at the Rialto in S.Pasadena, Cali.
Had to hear this song, I love it and my cat Stevens greatest hits skips when it gets to this song. Buy his greatest hits and.listen to his lyrics. They are wise !!! 💘 🙏
Man, you are so ahead of me... thinking how cool would be to tell you to do this reaction with your son and when I type the name of the song you were the firts youtube recommended it to me.
It's a back and forth between the father and son. He is British. It is just him singing. He changed his name to Yusuf when he became a Muslim. I saw Cat Stevens in concert in the 70s. He was amazing. He just sat on a chair and sang amazing, deep songs. I still keep his cds in the car and listen to them!
Cat Stevens is of middle eastern heritage and he began also using his name "Yussaf" later in his career - so it is one person. He is a master of emotion and his songs all touched me deeply. He was always a good man preaching peace and love, and a great songwriter.
This is one of my very favorite songs. Cat Stevens released this on a 1970 album. It made me cry then, and now that my children are grown and moved away, it makes me cry harder. I always considered "Father and Son" to be part of a father/son trilogy of songs, which I highly suggest you react to. Besides this one, there is Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band", and also Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle". I think I might also add a fourth one, Mike and the Mechanics "Living Years". They all deal with father/son relationships and they all tell a story. And every one of them brings tears to my eyes.
Sso cool to see the lfr are tight- cool enough to see pops and the kids listening to what alot of people now call old fart music-- but so cool back in the day-- im still watchin your awesome reactions to all types of music.
Cat is from England. This is a conversation between father and song. An 18 year old boy looking to move out on his own. And dad giving him advice. We all went through it.
The first part is the father talking to the son, the second part (his voice gets louder) is the son talking to the father. The last part is both of them talking
One singer using two voices. The deeper voice is the father, the higher voice, the son. Cat Stevens is from England. His family was originally Islamic. His music typically had a strong moral element. As your previous commenter points out, he converted to Islam and took the name Yosuf Islam. "Islam" means peace. I hope you have the time to listen to one or two more of his songs. Peace Train is one. Another is Morning has broken. Thanks for your very open and candid reaction to this song. I am older and this was one of the favorite songs of my youth! Apologies for only watching your video now. It was a great review that was very touching for me- watching father and son together!
I’m 70 and back in the day there was artists put into a class that I best explain as Troubadours. Poets by song. First part about a Father saying “You’re a kid only one time. Don’t be in a hurry to grow up.” I’ve got a short time to teach you what I can, but eventually you’ll be on your own! Teachings and stories from your Dad eventually bored you. “Yes Dad. I know you walked 5 miles in 3 feet of snow UPHILL both ways, to and from school.” Sort of thing! Before I have to go. Is a son’s Dad passing away!
The song was first released in 1970 as part of Cat Stevens album Tea for the Tillerman, it made a huge comeback in 2017 when it was used during Yondu's funeral in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2
I love #CatStevens this particular song is brilliant. His voice is smooth and rich.He is English. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam when he became Muslim. I think it was the early 90’s.
Pretty much missed the meaning of this song. The father is not telling him to go after his dreams. He is in fact telling him to prepare himself for disappointment/disillusionment. Also: He says that from the time he learned to talk he was told to only listen. Basically, he was told to keep his mouth shut. His thoughts and feelings had no value.
Cat is phenomenal. I play guitar. Acoustic. I grew up w him. No wonder I adore my my acoustic guitars. Each one has its own personal personality. I buy vintage guitars. They’ve been loved & that’s passion comes to me. His songs have always spoken to me. This song is so meaningful to me. I had to get away from my Condescending father & family. Fife my own way. Cat is Greek & converted to Islam. Same man, different man.
Just had this same argument about the difference between our observations of society with my 73 year old father. It never really changes even though the love is there
After making it big in the States, Cat converted to Islam and moved to France to raise his children. Yusuf/Cat is now back making music again. Some of his earlier great songs I love are: Wild World, Peace Train, Where do the Children Play, Moonshadow. So many.
The lyric is “from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen”..meaning from the time I was able to express myself I was told to listen,. The first verse is sung an octave lower. It’s meant to represent the father’s point of view. The second part is sung an octave higher and is meant to express the son’s point of view and his frustration . The son is expressing anger at his father and conveying to his father that he never listened to him (“from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen”) and that he has to leave. Finally, in the third section the father and son sing together but different words and different music..while the son explains “I have to make this decision ..alone”. To leave.
@@missd9785 Before I discovered the headphones, I would lay under the RCA VICTOR console, oak cabinet open on the bottom so it was like having your head in the speaker cabinet, guess you'd call it surround sound.
@@thomasbrissee3251 That's brilliant! I love it and what a great memory. I remember those great old stereo systems... a piece of furniture like a roll top desk or chest of drawers.
@@missd9785 My parents were from fairly strict upbringings but we lived in Madison WI (liberal, hippie-ish), I was born in '65 so my first exposure was through my parent's group of friends, open minded folks so there was Cat Stevens, Brewer & Shipley, Mama's and the Papa's, John Denver in the house when I started to be aware enough to pay attention to music. It became my spine and continues to be something that I definitely would never live without. I am loving all the reaction videos when people discover music that I love and they see the art within it. Got to keep exposing more people so they can appreciate it too.
You probably know this by now but I will give it a go, Cat Stevens went by the name Cat Stevens until 1977-1978 When he took the name Yousef and became a Muslim.,"Father and Son" is the Title of the Song only and Yousef-Cat Stevens(same person), was the only person who sang the song Father and Son.
Cat Steven's was his original name. Cat became muslim in 1976 and left preforming at his height of career. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam after a near death experience swimming in the ocean and promised God that he would work for him if God got him through it. Moments later a wave out of nowhere came up and guided him to shore and saved him.
It's about a fathers desperation to pass on advice to his son but that desperation is interpreted by his son as domination and controlling. The most heartbreaking realisation in this communication between them both is the fact that this conflict is precipitated by the fathers deep love for his son;; a love that will only be appreciated and recognised by the son with hindsight as he himself grows old.
He changed his religion. Moved out of the USA and became a buddahist. He left at the height of his career and started singing things that were not as mainstream.
Singer's name is Kat Stevens, who literally later changed to Yusuf.Because he became Muslim.I think his change in voice is when he's deeper.It's the father the other one is when he is son, It looks like then grandfather with granddaughter
This is the conversation between Yusifs father and him about leaving music to find God. He embraced Islam and started multiple philanthropic endeavors. His music is peaceful and timeless. May Allah Bless Him.
Yuseph Islam is formerly Car Stevens. But, you nailed it... the deeper chorus is a dad speaking, the faster tempo, higher voice is a son responding. Ergo, the title of the song... Father and Son.
Cat Stevens is from England. One of his parents was Greek. Cat was a nickname for his feline looks. Brilliant singer/songwriter. Converted to Islam later on and changed his name to Yusuf Islam.
Your son is right. He's saying don't rely on your dreams. They may not be here tomorrow. Cat Stevens grew up in London, England. His father was Greek and his mother Swedish.
Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf for religious reasons. He sang in 2 voices. One was him talking to his son. The other voice was his son replying to his dad.
My dad used to play this on guitar. It's stayed in my heart, and will until it stops beating.
Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf when he left the music business in 1978. He is from London. He is now known as Yusuf/Cat Stevens. The song is all him in 1970. He sings both roles of the father and the son.
Never left, if you can still read about him.. and his mother is a swedish...
@@leiper72 On y-tube there is an interview with Cat/Yusuf (Skavlan - Cat Stevens) where he himself says that in 1978 his father was ill and then he got married and had a break from both his guitar and music in general for 20 years before he one day picked up his guitar and started playing and writing music again.
This song describes a conflict between a father and a son. The singer interprets them both in different parts of the song: the lower key belongs to the father, the higher one to the son.
His mother was an Englishwoman, and his father was from Cyprus. He is also Muslim... He is an amazing talent
I agree 💯
Yes
"From the moment i could talk i was ordered to listen" is from the perspective of the son who basically felt all his life he was just told listen and do as your told, don't argue.
He's teaching the lesson to parents to allow your children to question things. That is how they learn.
Same pwrson: Cat Steven before Islam
He changed his name to Yosuf after coverting to Islam
He was born Stephen Demetri Giorgou Greek dad Swedish mom. Used the name Cat Stevens because a girlfriend said he had eyeslike a cat. Born in London, still lives there. Converted to Islam and changed name to Yusef Islam and stopped singing and recording. Made a comeback later in life.
He was singing both parts, the father verse he uses deeper voice and for the son, lighter and stronger, youthful. Father is telling son to slow down, think things through, take time to reason andavoid painting yourself in corners with your dreams escaping you.
Son is saying he has always been told to listen and no one is listening to HIM. He feels the need to leave his fathers home and make his own choices in life, because HE knows what he wants and father does not.
Every father and son comes to this moment when dad feels son is not ready to go and son is sure he IS ready.
Yeah I was a kid and loved his music and lyrics but he just disappeared. Was teen when I found out what happened to him.
Question, does anyone notice something strange in the video? Look at Cat Stevens' clothes (punk bracelets in the 70s?), at minute 0:51, the girl appears with clothes ahead of her time, (ripped jeans, cushe style boots ) an unusual minimalist video, I think that video is either fake or 30 years ahead of its time
@@lilbill2322 First of all, it is a girl not a boy, secondly those boots that the girl wears are from 2010, (cushe brand) and ripped pants was a fashion that emerged in 1983 (trash metal) and punk hopefully emerges 1976, this video is from 1972 (supposedly), however, when consulting experts in cat stevens, they only remember the live version, not this version, (there were very few video clips), and the curious thing about it is that there are also no credits of this video (who was the director, the actors), the truth is that it is quite strange
and I got to this video, because curiously several newscasts showed this video, I do not know in what context, which I found curious and when observing the video well I noticed the inconsistencies with the supposed date on which it had to be recorded (1972)
Being a peace and love hippie Cat Stevens has left a deep impression on my life. He left the music world for a very long time. I was so happy when he came back. My favorite song of his is Where Do The Children Play. But I really love them all. Moonshadow, Peacetrain, oh so much love and beauty in his music.
FROM THE MOMENT I COULD TALK, I WAS ORDERED TO LISTEN! This is the sons point of view-I HAVE TO GO AWAY!
Cat Stevens - The First Cut is the Deepest
Cat Stevens - Wild World
Cat Stevens - Peace Train
Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken
Morning Has Broken is one of my all-time favorite songs, just a beautiful celebration of the world and the possibility in every day. I also love If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out (from the Harold & Maude soundtrack). He also wrote a song called Oh Very Young which I thoroughly love and it has something of that "giving advice" feel to some of the lyrics.
If you like songs with good messages, but you want something that's a little more rock than folk, try Lynard Skynard's Simple Man, which is fantastic. If you like the storytelling feel of Cat Stevens and the mellow 70s vibe, consider Jim Croce (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and Time in a Bottle) or Dan Fogelberg (Leader of the Band or Same Auld Lang Syne) or Bread (Baby I'm-a Want You or Diary).
Where Do The Children Play is my very favorite although I doubt he's made a song I don't love.
First cut is the deepest and peace train amazing requests. ✨✨✨
Cat Steves became a muslim and changed his name to Yusuf. I think.
This song is a conversation between a father (more mellow) and the son (more powerful) about were life is taking them. A lovely piece of music.
You're correct. Cat Stevens accepted Islam and changed his name to Yusuf Islam. He does have music under his Arabic name as well.
Absolutely a great song one of the best singer/songwriters ever
💯% !
The lower voice is supposed to be the dad talking and when he sings higher he is the son responding
Great Point man. I've known this song since the record came out and I did not know that. Thanks!
His show name is Cat Stevens, his name at birth is Stephen Demetri Giorgou he is British with Greek and Swedish ancestry, a man with many names, he made 11 albums in the 70's , he decided to leave the music business in search of something with more meaning , he became a Muslim and changed his name to Yusuf, today he uses both his names on his albums, in 1978 he married and spent his time raising his children and doing humanitarian work, he was also one of the first UNICEF goodwill ambassadors, around 1968 he toured with Jimmy Hendrix. He returned to making music again in around 2010 upon his return he recorded three new albums, and has revisited his last album Back To Earth, he has recorded some songs from his early days in The Laughing Apple and currently will be releasing his latest album Tea For The Tillerman 2 which will be out in Sept 2020. In this song he is singing both parts Father and Son as Cat Stevens, but in the soon to be released album he will be singing this song with his 70's self, a duet . You can find out more about him at catstevens. com and @yusufcatstevens and on his channel here on You tube .
Give your boy a hug. First thing I do every time I hear this song
Cat Stevens , born in London to a Greek Father and Swedish Mother ,had his first hit I LOVE MY DOG when he was 17or 18 , PeaceTrain or Morning Has Broken are also great songs.
Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam and taught at a school in England. When Khomeini was after Salman Rushdie, people started breaking his albums because Yusuf is a Muslim. Yusuf has always had songs about peace, love and people getting along together, since the 70s. But he made a comment that seemed to support Khomeini and people went ballistic. I am glad his music is being listened to and appreciated now.
So this song is a call and response between a father and son, first verse Father, second verse son, etc 👍 also when he says "from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen" he's saying that you are taught to speak and that it is such an important thing but as soon as you learn authority tell you to sit down and shut up. Incredibly meaningful song.
One of the great singer-songwriters of the 70s. Classic!!
Cat Stevens/Yousef Islam is amazing. His voice comes from his soul. He did a lot of soul searching before converting to Islam. He is a peaceful man who has unfortunately been tarnished post 9/11 along with many other muslims. He couldn't be more genuine. I'm a Christian and inspired by Cat/Yousef I decided to check out the Qu'ran. It was a pleasant surprise.
Cat Stevens is without a doubt my favorite artist from back in the 70s. This is my favorite song by him.
What about in the 1960s?
I've always thought the most heartbreaking moment in this song is in the second "father" section, where the father says, "Look at me, " and very softly, in the background, the son says, "No."
WOW, never heard that before
Wow. I’ve listened to this for decades and I’ve never noticed that! Will relisten!!!
Timestamp please 🙏 😢
@@Victoricat 6:09 Look at me (No.) I am old, but I'm happy.
@@Victoricat Weird... thought I replied but I don't see it. It's at 6:09
I want Cat Stevens's song Oh Very Young sung at my funeral. Another of my favorites is I Can't Keep It In. Most of his songs carry inspirational messages.
This song makes me bawl my eyes out everytime I hear it!! I did not have this kind of relationship with my father, he was always supportive of anything I wanted to do!! But I did have those conversations occasionally where I felt like I was talking to a brick wall. I believe that's what he is trying to say when he says "he just turns away again, it's always been the same old story"
The chess match between the old and young is an accurate representation of this song
On the original LP album Tea for the Tillerman, which this song comes from, the record sleeve contained the lyrics. The way the lyrics were laid out made it a lot easier to understand the dialog between the father and the son. Here is how it looked.
FATHER:
It's not time to make a change. Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young, that's your fault. There's so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down. If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.
I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy to be calm
When you've found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot. Think of everything you've got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.
SON:
How can I try to explain? When I do he turns away again.
It's always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen.
Now there's a way, and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
FATHER: [SON]
It's not time to make a change. [Away, away, away.]
Just relax, take it slowly.
You're still young, that's your fault. [I know I have to make this decision alone.]
There's so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down. If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy. [No.]
SON: [FATHER]
All the times that I've cried, [Stay, stay, stay.]
Keeping all the things I knew inside.
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it. [Why must you go and make this decision alone?]
If they were right I'd agree, but it's them they know, not me.
Now there's a way, and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
I've always felt that the line " from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen" was the son saying I've done everything that you've told me to do throughout my life since I was a child and now it's time for me to spread my wings and follow my dreams!! And the father not wanting to let go of his son!!
Exactly! My Father told me I'd never amount to be anything, which ripped my heart out at the age of 13, so when I joined the military out of high school, this song was popular. I felt I had to go, and brake my Dad's heart like he broke mine. Years later, at his funeral, I was told, that I was the one that made him the proudest out of 7 boys. I cry every time I hear this song now.
You're son is right. The "dad" is giving what he thinks is practical advice, saying, "Don't get lost chasing all these dreams, as you'll still be here after your dreams have faded."
No, he’s saying go for your dreams, but even if you don’t achieve them, you will still be alive. It’s a message that ever father conveys. Go for your dreams but leave yourself options.
When you said God gave us two ears to listen twice as much as we talk is the FIRST time I heard anyone else say what I say to my grandkids all the time.
He sang both parts. An incredible talen
His name was Cat Stevens. Then he changed it to Yusef when he converted to Muslim. Also the lower voice is supposed to be his father talking and the high voice is his son talking back to him. Beautiful song.
Yusuf
Yusef Cat Stevens is awesome. I'm a Christian, but I have mad respect for him.
Deep voice = father, light voice = son
NO...
A baby learns to talk, and to listen, at the same time; it's only natural. What the song means, is that the son was not encouraged to express his views, at all.
Wonderful artist and god bless you both .. you are very special and your blessed and you blessed me thank you
My brother, he’s Islamic by the name of Yusuf Islam. He’s an English national and enlightened by the Islamic faith and was denied entry to the US, yet still plays this song today.
Greatest voice ever heard, ever. Just love him and all his songs.
A good father and son song.cats in a cradle
From the time I could talk, I was ordered to listen. That is from the son.
Cat Stevens spent about 30 years living in Iran and Yusef is his Muslim name so there is only one singer in this band and song,
Have a boy who is 32 now and one that’s eight. This song touches bases with me and my children.
Hey guys what's up great video reaction keep them coming. Great song
His original name is Steven Demetre Georgiou who was born in London to a Greek Cypriot father and a Swedish mother. He adopted the Cat Stevens name when he was first getting noticed in the late 60's though he tried a few others before Cat stuck. He converted to Islam in the 70's and was then known as Yusuf Islam and left the music industry. In the early 2000's he came back into music and has since then been known by Yusuf/Cat. From his first album Matthew and Sons his song writing has been outstanding and his voice is just so smooth.
Yusuf / Cat Stevens are one in the same! He changed his name when he became a muslim several years ago!🙏😇It is unfortunate that some of his fan base turned away from his music after he became muslim.
Yes, he is so talented that he can make you think that are 2 people singing this song.
Love Cat Stevens as I knew him growing up! Yusuf is his name today. I am thankful for his song writing and singing talents as well as his deep expression of his music. I remember the great score he did for the movie, 'Harold and Maude', check it out! I loved it and enjoyed watching it at the Rialto in S.Pasadena, Cali.
You're gonna be amazed...
Cat Stevens - Moonshadow
Had to hear this song, I love it and my cat Stevens greatest hits skips when it gets to this song. Buy his greatest hits and.listen to his lyrics. They are wise !!! 💘 🙏
From the moment I could talk, I was ORDERED TO listen!
He is telling his son to give up on his dreams. The song is a conversation between a Father(low voice) and a Son(high voice)
Cat Stevens had so many great tunes. He is British. Cat Stevens later converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusef
Man, you are so ahead of me... thinking how cool would be to tell you to do this reaction with your son and when I type the name of the song you were the firts youtube recommended it to me.
Old enough to have sung Morning Has Broken in school assembly.
It's a back and forth between the father and son. He is British. It is just him singing. He changed his name to Yusuf when he became a Muslim. I saw Cat Stevens in concert in the 70s. He was amazing. He just sat on a chair and sang amazing, deep songs. I still keep his cds in the car and listen to them!
From the moment I could talk. I was ordered to listen 💗
INCREDIBLE Story Cat Stevens tells! Music is amazing!
Cat Stevens is of middle eastern heritage and he began also using his name "Yussaf" later in his career - so it is one person. He is a master of emotion and his songs all touched me deeply. He was always a good man preaching peace and love, and a great songwriter.
Not middle east heritage. His father was Greek Cypriot and his mother Swedish. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam when he converted to Islam.
@@heliotropezzz333 Whatever. You learn something every day.
@@danielfardella1622 It's also Yusuf.
His mother is Swedish, and he went to high school there..
This is one of my very favorite songs. Cat Stevens released this on a 1970 album. It made me cry then, and now that my children are grown and moved away, it makes me cry harder. I always considered "Father and Son" to be part of a father/son trilogy of songs, which I highly suggest you react to. Besides this one, there is Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band", and also Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle". I think I might also add a fourth one, Mike and the Mechanics "Living Years". They all deal with father/son relationships and they all tell a story. And every one of them brings tears to my eyes.
Sso cool to see the lfr are tight- cool enough to see pops and the kids listening to what alot of people now call old fart music-- but so cool back in the day-- im still watchin your awesome reactions to all types of music.
Cat Stevens is now knows as Yusuf ‼️
Cat is from England. This is a conversation between father and song. An 18 year old boy looking to move out on his own. And dad giving him advice. We all went through it.
It's an exchange between father and son. The father's speaking first and then the son's thoughts come forward. Listen to when who is speaking when.
The first part is the father talking to the son, the second part (his voice gets louder) is the son talking to the father. The last part is both of them talking
One singer using two voices. The deeper voice is the father, the higher voice, the son. Cat Stevens is from England. His family was originally Islamic. His music typically had a strong moral element. As your previous commenter points out, he converted to Islam and took the name Yosuf Islam. "Islam" means peace. I hope you have the time to listen to one or two more of his songs. Peace Train is one. Another is Morning has broken. Thanks for your very open and candid reaction to this song. I am older and this was one of the favorite songs of my youth! Apologies for only watching your video now. It was a great review that was very touching for me- watching father and son together!
Always cried when I heard this. I still cry.
I’m 70 and back in the day there was artists put into a class that I best explain as Troubadours. Poets by song.
First part about a Father saying “You’re a kid only one time. Don’t be in a hurry to grow up.” I’ve got a short time to teach you what I can, but eventually you’ll be on your own! Teachings and stories from your Dad eventually bored you. “Yes Dad. I know you walked 5 miles in 3 feet of snow UPHILL both ways, to and from school.” Sort of thing!
Before I have to go. Is a son’s Dad passing away!
The lower voice is the father. The higher voice is the son who "has to go away".
Try Cat Stevens "Wild World" "Oh Very Young" "Morning Has Broken"
Ordered to listen! Pay attention!☮️❤️
You guys are great. ❤
The song was first released in 1970 as part of Cat Stevens album Tea for the Tillerman, it made a huge comeback in 2017 when it was used during Yondu's funeral in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2
I love #CatStevens this particular song is brilliant. His voice is smooth and rich.He is English. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam when he became Muslim. I think it was the early 90’s.
Cat Stevens was a major hit in the 70s, when all of a sudden he turned Muslem (no judgememt), and became Jusef...same dude, same writer, same singer.
Pretty much missed the meaning of this song. The father is not telling him to go after his dreams. He is in fact telling him to prepare himself for disappointment/disillusionment.
Also: He says that from the time he learned to talk he was told to only listen. Basically, he was told to keep his mouth shut. His thoughts and feelings had no value.
Cat is phenomenal. I play guitar. Acoustic. I grew up w him. No wonder I adore my my acoustic guitars. Each one has its own personal personality. I buy vintage guitars. They’ve been loved & that’s passion comes to me. His songs have always spoken to me. This song is so meaningful to me. I had to get away from my Condescending father & family. Fife my own way. Cat is Greek & converted to Islam. Same man, different man.
Just had this same argument about the difference between our observations of society with my 73 year old father. It never really changes even though the love is there
And you will hear the greatest movie soundtrack of all time if you watch Harold and Maude - especially the song, Trouble.
My Mom LOVED that movie. Have no idea how many times she saw that one.
Such a great song
Another good one - Vincent by Don McClain
After making it big in the States, Cat converted to Islam and moved to France to raise his children. Yusuf/Cat is now back making music again. Some of his earlier great songs I love are: Wild World, Peace Train, Where do the Children Play, Moonshadow. So many.
Wow Thank you for that info Sally
@@LFRFAMILY you are so welcome. Love you both!
He said from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen. This is the son talking.
The lyric is “from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen”..meaning from the time I was able to express myself I was told to listen,. The first verse is sung an octave lower. It’s meant to represent the father’s point of view. The second part is sung an octave higher and is meant to express the son’s point of view and his frustration . The son is expressing anger at his father and conveying to his father that he never listened to him (“from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen”) and that he has to leave. Finally, in the third section the father and son sing together but different words and different music..while the son explains “I have to make this decision ..alone”. To leave.
GREEK.
You got it right drops some bar's. We're all the same until we're told what to think
Check out the "Tea for the Tillerman" album. Great to put on headphones and listen to the whole thing. Deep Stuff when your in the right mood.
Just got it on vinyl - such a great record!
That's what I did back in the day.
@@missd9785 Before I discovered the headphones, I would lay under the RCA VICTOR console, oak cabinet open on the bottom so it was like having your head in the speaker cabinet, guess you'd call it surround sound.
@@thomasbrissee3251 That's brilliant! I love it and what a great memory. I remember those great old stereo systems... a piece of furniture like a roll top desk or chest of drawers.
@@missd9785 My parents were from fairly strict upbringings but we lived in Madison WI (liberal, hippie-ish), I was born in '65 so my first exposure was through my parent's group of friends, open minded folks so there was Cat Stevens, Brewer & Shipley, Mama's and the Papa's, John Denver in the house when I started to be aware enough to pay attention to music. It became my spine and continues to be something that I definitely would never live without. I am loving all the reaction videos when people discover music that I love and they see the art within it. Got to keep exposing more people so they can appreciate it too.
You probably know this by now but I will give it a go,
Cat Stevens went by the name Cat Stevens until 1977-1978
When he took the name Yousef and became a Muslim.,"Father and Son" is the Title of the Song only and Yousef-Cat Stevens(same person), was the only person who sang the song Father and Son.
Cat Steven's was his original name. Cat became muslim in 1976 and left preforming at his height of career. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam after a near death experience swimming in the ocean and promised God that he would work for him if God got him through it. Moments later a wave out of nowhere came up and guided him to shore and saved him.
It's about a fathers desperation to pass on advice to his son but that desperation is interpreted by his son as domination and controlling. The most heartbreaking realisation in this communication between them both is the fact that this conflict is precipitated by the fathers deep love for his son;; a love that will only be appreciated and recognised by the son with hindsight as he himself grows old.
You got it my man. Dad tells you to be seen and not heard in the beginning of life
He changed his religion. Moved out of the USA and became a buddahist. He left at the height of his career and started singing things that were not as mainstream.
You are the coolest dad ever! Im jelly
Singer's name is Kat Stevens, who literally later changed to Yusuf.Because he became Muslim.I think his change in voice is when he's deeper.It's the father the other one is when he is son, It looks like then grandfather with granddaughter
This is the conversation between Yusifs father and him about leaving music to find God. He embraced Islam and started multiple philanthropic endeavors. His music is peaceful and timeless. May Allah Bless Him.
Yuseph Islam is formerly Car Stevens.
But, you nailed it... the deeper chorus is a dad speaking, the faster tempo, higher voice is a son responding. Ergo, the title of the song... Father and Son.
This is also the song that played at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy 2. It's so f-n unbelievably sad.
I hope you react to more songs. I really enjoy both of your reactions. New Subscriber. 👍❤🎼🎹🎙🎧📀💿🥁🎸
Steven Georgiou, aka Cat Stevens, now called Yusuf Islam, was my employer during the 1980s. Great times.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Another song of his that is so beautiful is "Oh Very Young." ✌🌹
Cat Stevens is from England. One of his parents was Greek. Cat was a nickname for his feline looks. Brilliant singer/songwriter. Converted to Islam later on and changed his name to Yusuf Islam.
Your son is right. He's saying don't rely on your dreams. They may not be here tomorrow. Cat Stevens grew up in London, England. His father was Greek and his mother Swedish.
Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf for religious reasons. He sang in 2 voices. One was him talking to his son. The other voice was his son replying to his dad.