cat stevens - Into White - Tea For The Tillerman

[Cessounette]

Lovely song... Who do you think is the "sad, blue-eyed drummer" ?

[bijougal]

Beautiful song by an amazing man. Thanks for the memories :)

[Tomsouthrock]

Great music of the 70s, Were did it all go wrong

[polmaccaba01]

@Tomsouthrock LOL! The 80's! Too much disposable income, cocaine.....people getting self centered..we are paying for it now!

[Tomsouthrock]

@polmaccaba0 AINT THAT THE TRUTH BROTHER

[redone2422]

Cat Stevens music is so deep and beautiful..It brings back so many memories..I love you Yusef.

[janemeek]

why are you all taling about religious crap, NEWSBRIEF, there is no such thing as god you are all wasting your precious time. this is it people. make the most of it

[jzmet]

These are songs I haven't listened to in years and I don't even know what possessed me to go looking on YT... to drag up very old, deep wounds best left buried decades ago. Maybe as we mellow with age a yearning stirs deep within us that longs to revisit the best days of our lives, regardless of the insane longing these memories produce. Damn, I even found they still sell coffee toddies on Amazon... an odd part of the list. All I need is a bottle of Blue Nun and the memory will be complete.

[bajovoltage]

 So beatiful.

[rich1959az]

I should have said I wish Cat had found Jesus instead of islam then he would be in heaven when he dies

[afriedli]

@rich1959az Read the bible

[jzmet]

@rich1959az Do you believe the Jewish people will go to Heaven after they die? Do you feel the same kind of hate for them since they don't believe as you do? Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have the same origins with Abraham and we all pray to the exact same, One and Only True GOD. With so many in this world who think as narrowly as you, it's amazing The Crusades ever came to an end. On second thought, maybe it never really ended after all. The fight continues, only in a different form.

[rich1959az]

I wish Cat had found Jesus instead of islam then he would be in heaven

[Hortgeek]

@rich1959az Or in whatever city he happens to live in seeing as he is alive....

[ThisMusic]

@rich1959az He isn't dead. Yusuf Islam has and continues to do a great deal for the world, in general. (As well has his music). And when he does pass, I reckon he will continue to.

[csgoldengirl1]

cats music never gets old, only better with years!

[realtorsupport]

I'm so grateful that all you had inside spilled out for us to see. You spoke for us. Made us realize we weren't alone. After 37 years and one extraordinary experience with your song "Home", I still listen as if I were16 years old. Thank you Yusuf.

[rsfasteddie]

i think of a cig everything emtiing into white

[Naddycat]

This is the baddest motherfucking song ever written.

[MissEleana13]

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

[ralphyboy25]

@MissEleana13 The whole Tea for the Tillerman album is great. But I think this is my favorite. (or favourite, if you prefer the British spelling ;-) )

[chester57ify]

@ralphyboy25 I totally agree with you. This is his best album ever

[galsenkyle]

I named my cat Stevens. I will forever love Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam!

[christinasteener]

i love yusuf islam. 

[csgoldengirl1]

so beautiful, never gets old, does it? i have been a fan since the 70's, and never tire of cats music, old or new

[hemulen001]

A beautiful meditation on summer ... my favourite Cat Stevens song of all.

[znarf541]

That's "green pepper walls, and barley rice" - get your ears checked...

[walkingdeadhead20]

@znarf541 Actually It's green pepper walls and water ice.

[metagordian]

Stop Work Order

we are sorry mr. stevens but

green paper walls of barley rice

are not code

[tacoandgeefan]

My name is Delaney. I was named after this song.

Thank you Mr.Stevens. c{:

[JRM733]

@tacoandgeefan It's a great name. Congrats to your parents on very progressive thinking.

[lucasdog1]

you're small... maybe 4-5 inch tall,living in a garden.

what are your view points?building materials?

what would your life be like?

then winter comes, and everything empties "into white"

[usermm5229]

He's built his " house" of fragile temporary things (as we all really build our lives), then it will all just "empty into white."

[gdub999tube]

@usermm5229 Beautiful explanation. Thanks.

[Jarrahnut]

This is so very beautiful ...

[usermm5229]

This song is a nearly perfect piece of music in every way. It inspires visual imagery. It was inspiration for many winter landscapes I painted as a boy. The entire album, like many of Cat's early album works is a masterpiece. Listen to the hauntingly subtle female vocal harmonies especially at the end of the song. The trick is, they have to practice the art of knowing when "not" to sing. I think I hear a big ole acoustic bass. Could this song be about the dying process,(empty into white?)

[erikandgregsmom]

@usermm5229 "could this song be about the dying process?" I never thought about it that way, but now that you mention it?.......I can definitely see that.....but sounds like a peaceful way to go......

[usermm5229]

@erikandgregsmom Thanks for the response. I interpret the majority of his works in a spiritual light. I always imagined that the surreal imagery and nonsensical lyrics in this song as the brain "discharging" as it shuts down.? If I ever start hearing wavering violins and start seeing sad blue-eyed drummers, I'll check to see if perhaps I've been hit by a truck or something.lol. I'm counting on going "into white," rather than "fading to black."

[coinneachclachair]

Christ, I feel old.....had this album on an 8 track cartridge and played it till it could play no more.......

[twinoak170]

@coinneachclachair You are not alone, I remember bringing this 8 track to the store...to buy a new 8 track player.

[tensforme]

some of the most inspired music i've ever heard--all of Cat's stuff

[rileyrossi]

Takes me back to a very sad and strange time in my life. Beautiful.

[casper1918]

This was during a period of beautiful songs and wonderful song writers.......and before Cat found that hateful religion which ended his musical career. He will never know how many more hearts he reached when we wrote songs of meaning.

[SupernalOne]

@casper1918

yeah, Islam gave Cat what he was looking for, but he disappeared from our view - but note that all his music was all about spiritual questing - and for people who are really desperate to find a compelling answer, a faith that they can immerse themselves in without question, the best seem to be Catholicism & Islam -- all one needs to do is follow the tenets fo the faith, & one is loved by God -- so much more definite than meditation or soul-searching - so he got what he needed -

[Adjusting]

Thanks for making me believe sometimes.

[tomandrhondakay]

This is so good it would stand on it's own without lyrics, simply as an instrumental. How many songs can you say that about?

[563421094]

Superbly talented guy.....

[georgtomas2010]

ah, so very good a song. thanks for putting it up.

[Rachaelfriend]

I don't like people dissing Yusuf for his religion.

heaps of people argue about what real music is and that the kids of now days listen to crap but truthfully it depends on what you like. I'm 15 one of those "kids of now days" and i love Yusuf i have since i was 9 and a half. went to the tour aswell it was absolutely fantastic i will never ever forget it especially the moment he played my favourite song. words don't explain that experience. if any of you haven't listened to his new music do it!

[purplefurball]

wonderful stuff a step out of reality into another world,,,,,,oh to be 15 again lol

[dylanblues1]

Don't forget Melanie, Candles in the Wind.  Beautiful People.

[commodore665]

Great song , also use on the closing credits of the Ricky Gervais series Extras 

[coolsouthernrain75]

What's a tillerman?

[commodore665]

@coolsouthernrain75

I think a tillerman is a someone who ploughs or tills the land

[Digglesisdead]

@commodore665 Or does it refer to the man at the tiller at the stern of a boat, perhaps?.... who steers the vessel?

[TheKenzee05]

@Digglesisdead you're an idiot

[billy1947able]

@coolsouthernrain75 One that tills the ground!

[coolsouthernrain75]

@billy1947able .........Thank you sir.

[mongoose636]

This album is terrific!

[Saiedeh94510]

Could there be a more sweet and gentle song...

[JimB667]

@Saiedeh94510 Methinks not!

[endicott3]

I'd like to say something but this song leaves me speechless. Wonderful.

[YooperG]

If you like this song, and miss Cat, give Alexi Murdoch a listen. Not a copy, but the quiet spirituality is obvious from the start. Start with the album "Away We Go". I'm quite sure you'll enjoy it / happy listening!

[JMGADB]

do U know me?

[fionaLuVsUx]

purrrrrfect

[northkato]

i love discovering songs i heard my dad playing on his homemade cassette mixes in his old brown ford ranger back in the 90s.

[RandyLahey911]

@northkato Dadrock rules

[northkato]

@RandyLahey911 drivin a few dirty burgers into yer gut also rules.

[RandyLahey911]

@northkato

Randy: ...I want my barbeque.

Ricky: You know what Randy, you're totally right and you know what I'm gonna do for ya?

Randy: What?

Ricky: Jack Shit.

[mongoose636]

This album was a favourite many years ago, and is timeless.

[Soramitsu]

I really do enjoy listening to Cat and he is indeed very talented. I know people think that music today is never going to be on par with classics like this but if anyone is interested I would suggest listening to a few songs from Joe Purdy. He is also very talented.

[diamondlotus3]

Simply beautiful

[Abrohill]

Esto es la suma de lo mejor y mas sagrado de lo 60 y 70, si la era de Acuario tendrá una poesía que la honre, sera la musica de CS.

[mattersinprobe]

cat stevns is a genius with instruments and a lone voice.

[tgmdriley]

I just love this album, It was my first 8 track, I use to play this over and over, I memorized all the words to this album, very beautiful songs. It really takes me back. I will always remember my childhood because of his music. Thanks Cat....Lets have tea sometime?

[user7272]

hauntingly peaceful......

[Kaitipoo]

This song has a mysterious quality that I love. I remember listening to it in the dark and feeling like I was in another demension. He is a terrific singer.

[9rolo9]

GENIO!!!!!

[klenkluc]

great :)

[jcarlos0362]

It's very very, best of Cat Stevens.

[sk8terscope410]

the whole album tea for the tillerman is just as good now as it was when it first came out.........

[rimef]

I'm crazy for this song.

She talking to me, i lovit.

thank's to share.

I will always Love You Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam)

F.

[Agoateeman]

the whole album is a collection of treasures making this one of the folk rock eras greatest masterpieces.  i can still listen rapt to each and every song today as i did back in the 70s and they sound as fresh and honest as ever.

i cannot say that about a lot of music that's out there....!

[goingcrazy17111996]

no one in my age even heard about him, but i did. and he's so great. no singer this days has so much truth, emotions and soul like cat. he has evrything singers this days don't. because he's not just a singer- he's a true artist.

[TheMasterpiece911]

this is such a sensual song... thank you cat stevens.

[lombmusic07]

a 3:24 minute treasure always

[derekmaddogify]

you dont hear this stuff anymore...too bad

[deez011]

man what  song

[metalguitarplayer1]

if you enjoy this check out "verses of the bleeding" by jedi mind tricks. Allah.

[cr6691]

timeless music...so beautiful.

I have been listening to this particular song a lot lately....reminds me of my brother who passed recently....the lyrics remind me of him.

[Overthrowtheband]

music has died its just gave birth to many differnt kinds and people enjoy all types..saying that is like say people should only believe in one thing ....and thats wrong...music an expression of oneself and should not be put down by others ........oh and i love this song

[beautifulady2003]

i bought this album when I was 13 years old. Now I am Muslim, and he is Muslim. Awesome.

[ChinoRdrgz]

one love :)

[pfnuesel]

There's still good music nowadays, just don't close your mind.

[lmagus]

great music...wonderful time...

[musological]

cat stevens owes me $12

[davidhaythornthwaite]

its a shame, he followed his heart, he has a wonderfull voice

[isrealmusicdead]

beautiful...music will never be the same as it once was

[oldnick65]

I was a child of the seventies (not really old enough to be involved), but there's been nothing of great significance since.

We might be technologically "enlightened", but I think we may have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

[joneslt]

@isrealmusicdead - I totally agree with you. This was recorded during a music renaissance. We then entered into the dark ages of music in the mid 70s and never came out...it's more superificial and commercial than it's ever been. THe death of music was a sad thing to witness and I would love to witness a rebirth if it ever happens.

[nelnel2709]

@joneslt I'm not sure I fully agree with you. It's easy to think that music has died, and in some ways it has. But I think it's more that not good music is harder to find. It's there, it's just not given to you like it used to be

[tumadoireacht]

@joneslt stevens was wonderful but of his time --maybe you also mourning the passing of your younger self and the companions and good times  of that era

there are worthy singer songwriters springing up -ron sexsmith is sublme for instance

[joneslt]

@tumadoireacht Good insight, but I don't think that is the case. Ttake 20 minutes out of your day if you can spare it and listen to the song Echoes by Pink Floyd released in 1971, then try to find something newly released that is comparable to that. The thing that's missing in music today are the spiritual undertones. One reason is that the record companies have a tighter grip and deliberaely dumb down the music. THe other is that music today is a reflection of a dumbed down society.

[friedchickenlittle]

@joneslt I just discovered this song and have been completely moved by it's beauty and structure.What you said to "tumadoireacht" is perfect...Music is so dumbed down I regret even calling it music as it is all generic sounding rubbish with no purpose other than selling a fake image of some pop star or hip hop wanker to the ignorant masses of sheeple.Bass wanker is another prime example...these ppl don't understand music or even hear it properly...bass is a tone deaf talentless retard lol I'm 20

[bass234]

@joneslt pfft, what a load of crap. i know your having fun in your little bubble of ignorance and nostalgia but its sad, while other people don't limit themselves to just one decade of music but can look at the best from all the decades.

you don't hear good music nowadays because you don't want to

"a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest"

[joneslt]

@bass234 I've never really concerned myself with what other people like or dislike. I prefer to be my own person. You should try it, it's very liberating. I've never witnessed someone get so offended by someone else's taste in music. This would be like me attacking you because you don't like a certain Da Vinci painting. There is no right or wong here, just personal taste, and u r not quailified to determine why I like or dislike certain music. Welcome to the world of liberal arts my friend.

[bass234]

@joneslt You're your own person? then how come you subscribe to the most common view of the over 40s that music was better in your day?

and am i not my own person??? what makes you think i'm not?

i don't really think its like attacking you cus u don't like a de vinci painting, its like saying everyone artist after di vinci is crap and art is crap nowdays. a pretty damning statement going beyond personal taste, to be so dismissive of 35 years of work.

[joneslt]

@bass234 If you think artists like 50 Cent or Eminem are as creative and artistic bands like Zeppelin, Floyd or Deep Purple, then more power to you dude. If you are so determined to convince me otherwise, then give me some modern day bands who you think compare and I'll give it a listen with an open mind....like the example I gave in my last post about Pink Floyd's Echoes. If you can't come up with something comparable that has been recently released, then stop posting ur nonsense.

[anmalihappy]

I think I get the point, I mean, I'm 22 years old, and i love cat stevens music, is not that every music is crap after that, it's just that it's really hard to find a real musician nowadays, most of today's music are covers and, it's almost impossible for a song to be played in the radio after a month or two, when all the new songs are released, nowadays music is about selling, yesterday's music was about quality, being unforgettable, that's why they still sell and are played in the radio

[rula42]

@joneslt i have songs like that, but never recorded them...I always felt like: "who cares?" I recorded some others in a more modern style, but these days u just drown in the big big sea of all that music....I played all instruments on my own..I only get: "really? cant be true"...its not the time anymore for music like that, I am afraid...I might record one of my songs for u...at least one person might like it...haha

[degree7]

How could anyone possibly top the music of the 60s and 70s?

[steebzs]

@joneslt

try some of the new song-songwriter stuf..and your eyes will be open again..

[derek4ur]

@joneslt I can't bear what has become of popular music. It is just marketing, now, for actual individual products, (and the "artists" are products, too), and for the party-hard lifestyle.

We have been infantilized, and we are getting music that only infants can appreciate.

I like your comment. I'd love to witness that rebirth, too.

[StellaOmega]

@joneslt ..This is such a  sad and false belief. There was just as much commercial music then as now, just as many brilliant poets and makers now as then. Real music is not dead. It's always being reborn.

[joneslt]

@StellaOmega Perhaps real genuine music that matches the standards of the late 60s and early 70s is out there...maybe I'm just missing it. Why don't you give me some examples and I'll check it out and decide for myself, eh?

[StellaOmega]

@joneslt some newer music; Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Local Natives, Joanna Newsom, White stripes, (Esp the album "elephant" ) the Flaming Lips (Yoshimi battles the Pink Robots reminds me of Abbey Road somehow) the Shins, the Pixies, Dylan's two latest albums, Dolly Varden, (esp "forgiven now") Devandra Banhart, Macy Grey, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu... A good place to hear about new music is on the craigslist music forum. :-)

[joneslt]

@StellaOmega I was actually being facetious in my last comment. I have heard all of the bands you have mentioned and I don't see anything you listed that I consider to be in the same class as most of the music released 40+ years ago....Amy Winehouse??? Cmon, let's be at least a little bit serious here.

[StellaOmega]

@joneslt haha, that'll teach me to waste my time on youtube convos!

Music is tied very strongly to emotions, and a lot of people's musical tastes stop evolving after their hormonal days of glory. It's a shame, IMO. But-- it is what it is.

[joneslt]

@StellaOmega I see, so my problem is that I'm too low on the evolutionary ladder to comprehend today's music? Stellar insight by StellaOmega! So according to your professional prognosis, highly advanced artists such as 50 cent, Amy Winehouse, Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber & Lady Gaga are googles more evolved than artists like Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, ELP, Yes, Frank Zappa, The Doors & the Beatles; however, my reptilian brain hasn't evolved enough to grasp this yet? Hmmm, interesting.

[StellaOmega]

@joneslt

Nope-- that's not what I said at all.

[JRM733]

@joneslt Part of me just wants to agree and enjoy the beauty and richness but in fairness Bob Marley for example, had a lyrically powerful career during the 1970's. It's hard to imagine music without him. I found others, but I don't want to debate the groups. Also, though typically underrated most say RAP started as an acronym for rhythm and poetry. It can be hard to find, but many songs are deadly or healing in their lyrical accuracy. I have found that when I seek depth in music I find it.

[mickytoonlad]

@joneslt What a stupid thing to say. Just because commercial and superficial music has dominated commercial and superficial mediums, you say music is dead.

There are many amazing musicians nowadays who don't achieve mainstream success - it is a shame you are too despairing and gloomy to find them. I pity them only because 'fans' like you ignore their true success.

[mickytoonlad]

@mickytoonlad And I should add, I mean no disrespect to musicians who have achieved commercial success. There are many very talented people in that area; if only some consumers weren't so pretentious as to ignore them due to their mainstream popularity alone.

[Avidcomp]

@joneslt A bit doom and gloom, you're forgetting the amount of utter shit that also came out of this period along with the great. Are you really going to struggle to find exeptional music since ? Try to forget what's played on the tv.. there are exeptional recordings and talent to this day, sometimes you have to seek it which kind of makes it special again. Come on friend.. there's a future to look to. Also there will be tons more shit - sorry, not my fault.

[AngelzOfLife123]

My Aunt and Uncle played this at their wedding. 1976. XD.

[nikken5]

I had 'the wind' played as we walked into our wedding reception

2001..x

[Katmundu]

One of the best albums that I own

[endicott3]

A great song from a great album.

[seidelfamilyro]

This song is wonderful! Nothing more to say!

[shulizim]

goosebumps

[cmoore56]

I wish my life could go back to this time and place.

[TilemanSD]

@cmoore56 Me to. I was 17 years old in 1973.

[Taoist111]

It's simply enchanting.

[Taoist111]

And he thinks he only got religion when he found Islam...........

[hansiwalker]

Haven't heard this song since the early 70s. It is still haunting.

[louiseduvee]

My fakyorite. Thanks for your excellent posts!

[AcousticNewt]

The sound track to a great movie, too. Harold and Maude is still great.

[Firus]

no suprise here that this album made triple platinum

[steele917]

the early 70's the draft the war nixon? but still I remeber anxiously waiting for the next batch of music. Disco came on like a Death Nell. I'm rediscovering the era thanks to you-tube. ya can't count on radio anymore-even the classic rock stations. I'd had the same thought a while back at how there were albums that you could play through. all the songs were good.

[sdgakatbk]

I was in High School when this came out and I remember discussing it and Cat with an exchange student. I think I wore a hole through my copy of Tea for the Tillerman.

[Drummer7813]

its sad that the music of my generation is parmore,mylia cyras,jonas bro.,ppl who were young when this stuff came out should be proud to have been around because music never be like this again

[wolfhybred]

I still have it on vynal

[kayne58]

couldnt agree more

[angelabeagle]

This is my favorite Cat Steven´s song. I love all of them but this one spellbinds me.

[deathscoldgrip]

Truely the best folk singer that ever lived.

[fozzdick]

every song great.How many times does that happen?I remember lifting the needle on albums to skip crappy songs.Never lifted a needle on Cat.Never.Stoned, tripping or straight he was always great,I remember getting so wound up at work and coming home and cracking a cold one and smoking and putting him on and all my problems disapeared.still sounds fresh..

[christoJihad2]

@fozzdick This song, this album, and every song off "Mona Bone Jakon" are as cohesive and beautiful as pop music gets. His voice is so soothing, but sad, too. He was amazing. Maybe he still is...

[fozzdick]

In an era of Mylia Cyras and Jonas Brothers they don't make them like this anymore.Pure genius.Classic.

[foxloner]

The Sixties, Seventies....

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - Dickens

[cwkidz]

Pure genius, best singer song writer to ever grace this earth...

[cindybrite81]

i like this =-)

[tawenasw19]

Great music shame he went off the radar.

[IMJUSTABEGINNER]

he is back on radar ... check out his new release "ROADSINGER" just like the original Cat!

peace and happiness.

[CeylanGazelle]

Yes, best Cat Stevens song ever. So many excellent songs, but this is a very favorite! So glad he's doing appearances!

[asianwebcam]

I hope he does a comeback tour he would still sound as good as he did twenty years ago.

[SpassMacher2000]

he just came out with a new album

[jtelement00]

yah yah i agree most defininitly

[Maddhater1]

i like "trouble" better

[DeadInTheLivingRoom]

amazing, best cat stevens song ever.