Yusuf/Cat Stevens: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

In the summer of 1971, I was a camp counselor at a sleep-away camp for a bunch of 5- to 7-year-olds. For those eight weeks, I walked home with about $50. I bought a guitar and began to learn the songs I'd come to love from the recently released Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens.

"Father and Son" touched me most — it's a song about growing old, and about beliefs and conviction. More than 40 years later, that songwriter is performing at my desk with his son standing right behind me. You can never imagine the turns life will take.

Nor could he. In 1976, Cat Stevens almost drowned off the coast of Malibu. In his panic, he says, he shouted, "Oh, God! If you save me, I will work for you" — at which point he recalls a wave that came and carried him ashore. He converted to Islam, changed his name and left the pop world after one last album in 1978.

He finally returned in 2006, and now we have a new record, Tell 'Em I'm Gone. From that album of great blues covers and originals, produced with Rick Rubin, Yusuf plays some powerful new music, as well as the 1967 classic "The First Cut Is the Deepest" — and then brought me to tears by dedicating a version of "Father and Son" to me. As I walked around the office after this Tiny Desk Concert, I heard one story after another of an artist who has touched so many. It's a joy to have him back. --BOB BOILEN

Set List
"I Was Raised In Babylon" (1:08)
"The First Cut Is the Deepest" (4:32)
"Doors" (7:45)
"Father and Son" (10:38)

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Colin Marshall, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Susan Hale Thomas; photo by Susan Hale Thomas/NPR

[Maliceah]

That opening speech by Bob Boilen was so moving, coming from a genuine place. Thank you for being so open.

[karenlovestosmile]

My father has dementia, but he knows every word to Father and Son, a song that has only grown in meaning to me over the years. <3

[mholtebeck]

"Father and Son" is such a beautiful song. When I first heard it, I heard as the son. Now- at a much older age, I hear it from the perspective of the father.

[萩原順子-lc]

Father and sun song taught me how to speak English. I used to write down the lyrics on my note book hundreds of times till I could memorize them completely.

[budsurtees]

After 5 decades, Cat Stevens is still a beautiful voice and his music is still precious. One of the best.

[andrew]

listening to him sing is like getting a hug and someone saying, "Don't worry so much, it will all be okay". I could use more of that

[smanbh]

“It’s hard but it’s harder to ignore it.”
So perfectly phrased for so many moments of our lives.

[JackyRogue]

Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam story: I used to work for a Backline hire/Rehearsal studio in London. Yusuf was in for a fair bit during a summer a few years back possibly round about the year of the video. The summer was peak season for us. Finishing late one evening I left work after hearing him rehearsing his songs for the most part of an entire day throughout the building, many of which mean a great deal to me and very early on in my musical journey inspired me deeply. During my usual 10min walk from the studio to Bermondsey tube station, walking just ahead of me was Yusuf and who I think was his son taking the same route, I walked the entire time wanting to shake the man's hand and tell him how much his music meant to me and how much I admire him as an artist, but I didn't say a word. I still regret that to this day. So I must say watching Bob speak with Cat at the start of this video gave me some kind of vicarious relief that I never got to experience myself!

[elvissoto]

My father passed away from COVID in April, he was 57, those weeks were the worst weeks of my life, this song makes me tear, but it helps, RIP Dad 😔

[andreacarvajalespinoza]

1:11 I was raised in Babylon
4:33 The first cut is the deepest
7:45 Doors
10:40 Father and son

[elsagreen]

My father taught me 'Father and son' when I was a teenager. I'm his daughter, but the story that song tells is universal. Yusuf's voice doesn't sound a day older than in 1971.

[dumpsterfaerie]

My dad passed away in 2008, but his soul lives on through those old cassettes I have of Cat Stevens and other bands like CCR and Bad Company. He bought them at a flee market in the 80's for 50 cents a piece, but they're by far my most significant material belongings. When I hear this familiar voice, I feel the greatest sense of nostalgia. All the memories of my dad and I lying in his bed listening to "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", "Father and Son" ..All of those songs hold a very special place in my heart.

[mmennonno]

He still looks fantastic and his voice is incredible.

[ehughes]

My son and I had a falling out he hasnt spoke to me in over a year. I miss him. His siblings miss him. This song makes me cry but its cleansing. I send it to him. No response.

[GavinLeBlonsky]

Cat Stevens has to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He’s up there with Lennon, McCartney and Dylan.

[joebhall]

Mr. Yusef Islam, I used to not sing because I did not like my voice. Then, when I was a junior in high school another kid sang "Father and Son" at a talent show audition. He sounded just like me. I've been singing ever since. Thank you for opening a door with your music. NPR thank you for sharing. Hey Bob, I just bought a guitar and and amp. Maybe, I'll do Tiny Desk one day.

[Arnold_X]

0:40 what a heartfelt moment. He finally got the opportunity to tell his idol how much his art meant to him.

[catherinecheek]

He's now seventy years old, and still has that voice, pure raw talent. Thank you, Yusuf, for years of memories.

[agathalee]

I wrote in my journal this morning that I feared my heart was becoming numb during this pandemic, from seeing massive suffering and violence on screen day after day. Then this video just popped up on my screen. My heart is not numb, just afraid to feel and process, for I could not stop weeping when I heard him sing Father and Son. Someone once said, "You never know what's going to trigger the grief. It might be a song, a picture, a street intersection, the smell of a cup of coffee. It can be just about anything...and the wave comes crashing." It was a song for me. Thanks up popping up on my screen.

[brahmburgers]

Wow, it's like seeing a dear brother who I haven't seen in decades. I'm 72 and have been a performing guitarist/singer since mid-1960's. I always suspected Yusuf/Cat was a fine fellow, now I know, without doubt.