If Only This Man Would Listen To His Own Lyrics

Cat Stevens used to be a great singer-songwriter. His music was beautiful and his vocal style was unparalleled.

Then, he became a Muslim and changed his name to Yusuf Islam. He has since called for the death of Salman Rushdie for having the "audacity" to write the book "The Satanic Verses."

Cat Stevens should be shunned. You should never, ever, buy his music, no matter how much you may like it.

And, T-Mobile ought to be shunned for featuring Cat Stevens music in their new ad campaign. Fuck T-Mobile.

But, beyond the world of commerce and politics, Cat Stevens music is still beautiful. And, it deserves to be remembered, especially by Mr. Yusuf Islam himself.

Oh, very young one, if only you would listen to the lyrics you wrote as a young man.





Oh very young
what will you leave us this time
you're only dancing on this earty
for a short while
and though your dreams may toss
and turn you now
they will vanish away
like your daddy's best jeans
denim blue fading up to the sky
and though you want him to last
forever you know he never will
(you know he never will)
and the patches
make the goodbye harder still

oh very young
what will you leave us this time
there'll never be a better chance
to change your mind
and if you want this world
to see a better day
will you carry
the words of love with you
will you ride
the great white bird into heaven