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Cat Stevens
83 quotes
“It seems as if I am making a comeback but I have never really been away. It’s very strange because the whole attitude changes and everything is turned inside out. Now I am seeing the shiny side again.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview for Melody Maker with Chris Charlesworth (July 1970)
“Art was what I originally started out to do and music came second at first. I had a year at art college but I left because it was too much like school. I give all my paintings away to people I like.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview for Melody Maker with Chris Charlesworth (July 1970)
“Geoffrey Robertson: You don't think that this man deserves to die? Yusuf Islam: Who, Salman Rushdie? Robertson: Yes. Islam: Yes, yes. Robertson: And do you have a duty to be his executioner? Islam: Uh, no, not necessarily, unless we were in an Islamic state and I was ordered by a judge or by the authority to carry out such an act — perhaps, yes.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Hypotheticals : "A Satanic Scenario" Granada Television (5 May 1989)
“Rather than go to a demonstration to burn an effigy of the author Salman Rushdie, I would have hoped that it'd be the real thing.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Cat Stevens Gives Support To Call for Death of Rushdie," by Craig R. Whitney, in The New York Times (23 May 1989), p. C18
“If Rushdie turned up at my doorstep looking for help, I might ring somebody who might do more damage to him than he would like. I'd try to phone the Ayatollah Khomeini and tell him exactly where this man is.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Cat Stevens Gives Support To Call for Death of Rushdie" by Craig R. Whitney, in The New York Times (23 May 1989), p. C18
“In Islam there is a line between let's say freedom and the line which is then transgressed into immorality and irresponsibility and I think as far as this writer is concerned, unfortunately, he has been irresponsible with his freedom of speech. Salman Rushdie or indeed any writer who abuses the prophet, or indeed any prophet, under Islamic law, the sentence for that is actually death. It's got to be seen as a deterrent, so that other people should not commit the same mistake again.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Yussuf Islam, Formerly Cat Stevens, Expresses Support For Rushdie Death Sentence" in The Christian Science Monitor (1989)
“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.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Singer Islam gets libel damages" BBC News (15 February 2005)
“The last place I wanted to return to was the music business. But it's the people and the cause that matter and right now there's an important need, which is bridge-building. I wanted to support the cause of humanity, because that's what I always sang about. Music can be healing, and with my history and my knowledge of both sides of what looks like a gigantic divide in the world, I feel I can point a way forward to our common humanity again. It's a big step for me but it's a natural step. I don't feel at all irked by the responsibility — I feel inspired.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "The Billboard Q and A: Yusuf Islam" by Nigel Williamson, in Billboard Magazine (17 November 2006)
“I wrote a song called "Father & Son" about the son running off to do his own thing. Now the story is about my son coming back and bringing a guitar into the house. A couple of years ago, one morning after prayers, his guitar was lying around. I picked it up and my fingers knew exactly where to go. I'd written some words and when I put them to music, it moved me and I realized I could have another job to do. Things just grew from there.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On producing new music, after shunning the music business for over two decades, as quoted in "The Billboard Q and A: Yusuf Islam" by Nigel Williamson, in Billboard Magazine (17 November 2006)
“I had to learn my faith and look after my family, and I had to make priorities. But now I've done it all and there's a little space for me to fill in the universe of music again.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On getting back into the music business, as quoted in "The Billboard Q and A: Yusuf Islam" by Nigel Williamson, in Billboard Magazine (17 November 2006)
“A lot of people would have loved me to keep singing … You come to a point where you have sung, more or less … your whole repertoire and you want to get down to the job of living. You know, up until that point, I hadn't had a life. I'd been searching, been on the road.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On leaving the music business in 1979,in an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning (12 August 2007)
“I was a sitting target, in a way, for anybody who wanted to make some kind of headline. … I certainly never supported the Fatwa, but when I was asked about … the actual principle of blasphemy and capital punishment, well, like the Bible, I said, "You know, yeah, it's there, it's in the Koran." And I couldn't deny that.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on CBS News Sunday Morning (12 August 2007)
“Peace Train" is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions. There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again. As a member of humanity and as a Muslim, this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Life is a journey, you know; and a lot of journeys, you go out, you come back.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From an interview with Yusuf Islam on London Tonight, an ITV (UK) television news programme, 8th December 2009
“I love my dog as much as I love you But you may fade, my dog will always come through.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1966 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I Love My Dog (1966), his first single, later included on Matthew and Son (1967)
“The first cut is the deepest, Baby I know — The first cut is the deepest 'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst But when it comes to being loved, she's first That's how I know The first cut is the deepest.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1967 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The First Cut Is the Deepest, from New Masters (1967)
“My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you sleep so still? I'll wake you tomorrow, and you will be my fill, Yes, you will be my fill”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Will you make us laugh, will you make us cry? Will you tell us when to live; will you tell us when to die? I know we've come a long way, We're changing day to day, But tell me, where do the children play?”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’m looking for a hard-headed woman, One who will make me do my best, And if I find my hard-headed woman, I know the rest of my life will be blessed”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know many fine feathered friends But their friendliness depends on how you do They know many sure fired ways, To find out the one who pays And how you do”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now that I've lost everything to you You say you wanna start something new And it's breakin' my heart you're leaving Baby, I'm grieving”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Baby, I love you But if you wanna leave, take good care I hope you make a lot of nice friends out there But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world It's hard to get by just upon a smile Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world I'll always remember you like a child”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lord, my body has been a good friend But I won't need it when I reach the end Miles from nowhere, Guess I'll take my time Oh yeah, to reach there”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I love everything So don't it make you feel sad 'cause I'll drink to you, my baby I'll think to that, I'll think to that”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don’t want to work away Doing just what they all say”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Longer boats are coming to win us Hold on to the shore, or — They’ll be taking the key from the door”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I built my house from barley rice Green pepper walls and water ice – And everything emptying into White”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out There’s so much left to know, and I’m on the road to find out.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Then I found my head one day when I wasn’t even trying And here I have to say, ‘cause there is no use in lying, lying Yes the answer lies within, so why not take a look now? Kick out the devil’s sin, pick up, pick up a good book now.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But take your time, think a lot, Why, think of everything you’ve got For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All the times that I’ve cried, keeping all the things I knew inside, It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Bring tea for the Tillerman, Steak for the sun, Wine for the women who made the rain come, Seagulls sing your hearts away ‘Cause while the sinners sin, the children play”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I listen to the wind To the wind of my soul Where I’ll end up well I think, Only God really knows”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ruby my love, You’ll be my love”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If I laugh just a little bit Maybe I can forget the chance That I didn’t have to know you And live in peace, in peace”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don't you feel a change a coming From another side of time, Breaking down the walls of silence, Lifting shadows from your mind.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How can I tell you that I love you, I love you But I can’t think of right words to say.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If I make a mark in time, I can’t say the mark is mine I’m only the underline of the word Yes, I’m like him; just like you, I can’t tell you what to do Like everybody else I’m searching through What I’ve heard”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And if I ever lose my hands, Lose my power, lose my land. Oh, if I ever lose my hands, Ooh, I won't have to work no more.And if I ever lose my eyes, If my colors all run dry. Yes, if I ever lose my eyes, Ooh, I won't have to cry no more.Yes, I'm bein' followed by a moon shadow, Moon shadow, moon shadow. Leapin' and hoppin' on a moon shadow, Moon shadow, moon shadow.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now I've been happy lately Thinking about the good things to come And I believe it could be Something good has begun. Oh, I've been smiling lately Dreaming about the world as one And I believe it could be Someday it's going to come.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1976 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Peace Train - Earth Tour performance (1976) - 2006 performance - Nobel Concert (2006)
“Now I've been crying lately, Thinking about the world as it is. Why must we go on hating? Why can't we live in bliss?”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now come and join the living, its not so far from you And its getting nearer, soon it will all be true Oh peace train sounding louder”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Oh I’m on my way, I know I am, Somewhere not so far from here All I know is all I feel right now, I feel the power growing in my hair Sitting on my own not by myself, Everybody’s here with me I don’t need to touch your face to know, And I don’t need to use my eyes to see”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Oh I’m on my way I know I am, But times there were when I thought not Bleeding half my soul in bad company, I thank the moon I had the strength to stop”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now I’m not making love to anyone’s wishes, Only for that light I see ‘Cause when I’m dead and lowered low in my grave, That’s gonna be the only thing that’s left of me”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As years went by the boy grew high And the village looked on in awe They’d never seen anything like The boy with the moon and star before And people would ride from far and wide just to seek the word he spread "I'll tell you everything I've learned," And "Love", is all he said.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She moves like and angel And seven evening stars Dance through the window Of her universal house”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Her breath a warm fire In every lovers heart A mistress to magicians And a dancer to the gods”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source