Cat Stevens is known as one of the most successful folk musicians of all time. Stevens, later known as Yusuf, sold more than 100 million records and wrote all-time classics such as “Wild World”, “Father and Son”, and “Peace Train”. For this article, I have picked the 10 best Cat Stevens songs of all time. The ranking is based on cultural importance and, of course, personal preference. Let’s dive into the list!
10. Don’t Be Shy
I start this list with “Don’t Be Shy”. Cat Stevens wrote the song in 1971 for the movie Harold and Maude. It’s a typical Stevens song, having acoustic treatment and simple yet striking lyrics. The song was never released as a single or on an album until the 1984 compilation album Footsteps in the Dark. Nevertheless, it ranks among Cat Stevens’ finest songs.
9. Into White
Cat Stevens released “Into White” on his iconic album Tea for the Tillerman in 1970. Although songs like “Wild World” and “Father and Son” are the album’s most famous songs, “Into White” is the album’s underrated gem. The song has a great composition and a beautiful string arrangement, making it one of the highlights of Tea for the Tillerman.
8. Wild World
I jump from the underrated “Into White” to the well-known “Wild World”. The song is arguably Cat Stevens’ most famous composition and is one of his most covered songs. It is often assumed the song is about Stevens’ breakup with Patti D’Arbanville, although Stevens claims the song is about himself. “It was not me writing about somebody specific, although other people may have informed the song, but it was more about me. It’s talking about losing touch with home and reality – home especially,” He said of the song.
7. Trouble
For number 7 I picked “Trouble”. Cat Stevens wrote the beautiful song during a difficult period in his life when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Stevens, who was a teen pop star before the diagnosis, used the recovery period to write songs and reassess his values in life. It musically resulted in a departure from Stevens’ pop sound and a move in the direction of introspective folk songs. “Trouble” – released on Mona Bone Jakon (1970) – is an outstanding example of that change.
6. The Wind
Cat Stevens’ fifth studio album Teaser and the Firecat opens with the sweet but short song “The Wind”. The thoughtful song reflects Stevens’ search for truth. “I was very earnestly searching,” he told Rolling Stone. “I would visit esoteric bookshops whenever I could, and pick up whatever new pathway to the truth I could find. That was my modus operandi. And I was writing songs at the same time, so all of that was informing what I was writing.”
5. Moonshadow
Cat Stevens regards “Moonshadow” to be his personal favorite song and he released the song as the lead single of Teaser and the Firecat. Although the single knew moderate success, “Moonshadow” is regarded as one of Cat Stevens’ most essential and best tracks.
4. Lady D’arbanville
The question of whether “Wild World” is about Patti D’Arbanville or not doesn’t exist around “Lady D’arbanville”. As the title suggests, Stevens wrote the breakup song about his relationship with the American actress/model. The song has a catchy Latin-like sound and is – in my opinion – the greatest song on Mona Bone Jakon.
3. Peace Train
For number 3 I picked “Peace Train”. The song is arguably Cat Stevens’ most uplifting tune, inviting the listener the ride the train of peace. “The words were attached to that time (1970s), my peace anthem,” Stevens said during The Chris Isaak Hour. “It ended every show that I did and was quite a show-stopper. It was a very important song for me because it stated one of the big goals of my life which was heading straight for that peace.”
2. Father and Son
It wasn’t easy to choose between number 1 and 2, but I’ve decided to pick “Father and Son” as my number 2. The song is Cat Stevens’ signature track and discusses the contrasting life views of a father and son. Despite being one of his most appealing songs, Stevens never released “Father and Son” as an A-side single. Nevertheless, the song became a staple on the radio and is undoubtedly one of Stevens’ greatest songs.
Read more: The Meaning Behind “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens
1. Morning Has Broken
Number 1 on my list of greatest Cat Stevens songs is “Morning Has Broken”. Although the song wasn’t written by Stevens, I consider the song to be ‘his’ very best. The hymn was originally written by Eleanor Farjeon to a Gaelic Tune titled “Bunessan”. Stevens accidentally stumbled upon it in a hymn book and decided to put chords to the song. Session musician Rick Wakeman composed the iconic piano hook.
Cat Stevens released the song as the third single of Teaser and the Firecat. The song became Stevens’ most successful song on the US charts, peaking at number 6. A worthy achievement for “Morning Has Broken”, as I believe it to be Cat Stevens’ greatest song!
So, that wraps up my list of the 10 best Cat Stevens songs. I, without a doubt, left out songs that could have easily ranked on this list, such as “The First Cut Is the Deepest”, “Where Do The Children Play?”, and “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out”, among others. So, what’s your opinion of my list? And what does your personal top 10 look like? Please let me know in the comments below!
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