🎵 Cat Stevens - Father & Son REACTION

[@jobryan191]

He's singing a duet with himself. The low parts are in the character of the father, and the higher parts are the son. It's pretty clever, and pretty unique.

[@maryreilly5092]

Exactly right!

[@eddieschiaffo1385]

You took the words right out of my mouth...

[@AugieDoggyDoo]

One of my favorite Cat songs ever. Always brings a tear. The raw emotion in that song is insane. You can see it on his face while he sings it.

[@grelch]

Yep. Father and son aren't hearing each other. Son doesn't think he father really knows who he is and what he wants and Dad is trying to tell him to slow down and appreciate what he's got. Neither is listening to the other. I love the video, but I'm not sure it tells the story of the song. Or maybe it's the thoughts of each person in the video that we're hearing. Whatever the case, it's a wonderful song.

[@AugieDoggyDoo]

@@yonatan62 Thanks for that. Like I said above, it almost always brings a tear or two. To me, it's a very deep song.

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

When you are young, you understand the point of view from the "Son's" perspective and as you age and become a parent, you see the "Father's" point of view. This song is a timeless classic

[@jonsher7682]

Exactly right, though with one twist for me as someone who heard this when I was a kid, and again as a day with kids just off to college. As a kid, I only related to the anguish of the son; now that I am father, I relate to BOTH the anguish of the son and the aspirations a father has for his son.

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

@@jonsher7682 I too was a kid when this song came out and you nailed it about the anguish. The wanting everything "Right now", the whole "Parents don't understand,". But now I am a Mother and I raised 2 Sons, so I relate with the "Father" wanting to impart some wisdom and the aspirations

[@jonsher7682]

@@bridgetmccracken1381 The only element Cat did not capture, because he was so young when he wrote the song, is as parents, we learn from our kids too. I think we see in them both our own potential and own weaknesses, and by watching and listening them, we sometimes learn more about ourselves.

[@zeezee9670]

@Bridget McCracken, Wow!!! Having listened to this song regularly since I was 11 in 1971.. I see exactly what you mean. Thank you.

[@koki84ji7]

Except Cat Steven's says he is still the young man in the song

[@AliasMark69]

I was 15 years old when I got "Tea For The Tillerman" and heard this song. A life changing event for me and many like me. The entire album is pure genius..

[@norkannen]

Was also 15 when i got that one 1977 in my case 🤗🇧🇻

[@ralphraffles1394]

And Teaser and the firecat.

[@Alsatiagent]

I picked it up after seeing the film Harold and Maude. A beautiful record.

[@meep884]

@@norkannen we going through the generations I’m 15 and love this song thanks to my dad

[@fallout51]

I was 16 I think. I actually bought "Teaser & the Firecat" first. A girl I liked saw I had it & she showed me "Tea for the Tillerman", she even played some on the piano because she also had sheet music. I loved it, also loved "Catch Bull at 4" and "Buddha & the Chocolate Box".

[@BoomerMcBoom]

He’s singing from both perspectives. Wrote this in his early 20’s I believe. Extraordinary.

[@maryreilly5092]

Yes, you're right.

[@juliewolfe168]

It is a conversation going back and forth from father and son. Cat Stevens is an amazing folk story teller. His song Wild World was my ring tone for years. Morning has broken makes me cry with joy. Lol

[@tedcole9936]

Yes! I love the ring tone reveal. I’ve had two long-term wake-up alarm songs: Aimee Mann “I’ve Had It” and Robin Holcomb “When I Stop Crying”. Both great ways to start the day… as is Morning Has Broken.

[@girl_overthinx]

Great suggestions...my current one is Bill Withers "lovely Day"

[@tedcole9936]

@@girl_overthinx Awesome choice!!! 🌝

[@juliewolfe168]

@@girl_overthinx Love that song!

[@jimmytaylor9854]

Do you know who plays the piano on Morning Has Broken? Rick Wakeman from Yes! He was a session player.

[@dankofanz]

He's singing from both perspectives. The first verse (old man) his voice/delivery is different than the second where he's the son (grandson in video?)and sounds louder/ more impassioned.

[@thomasflynn5366]

This is a conversation between a father and son with him singing both parts. The calmer parts are the father. The going away is the son saying he has to move away to be able to live his own life because his father wants to tell him how he should live. Of course the father is probably right but the son won't understand until he has lived more of his life. Hits me in the feels every time.

[@liveandletdie7187]

I have always found this song as being relatable as a parent.. Even the higher parts remind me of knowing I will die soon and go away... Kinda letting my kids know what Ive been through with raising them..

[@mrkelso]

Brad, you've come so far! Most everyone is confused the first time they hear "Father & Son", but you pretty much figured out what was going on. Bravo!

[@DavidMartin-ws9es]

Took him long enough.

[@michaelgreer9673]

Great Song . It's sad that there's no music like this anymore .

[@joelhammond4162]

Listen to James Blunt’s Monsters, it didn’t dawn on me until listening to this again now, that they are actually very sonically similar. Hmmm..the song is emotionally powerful, but even more so with video.

[@THEDEEPDIVE]

there is. take a listen.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6WrlGiknNlneaM

[@brainscott8198]

Bravo, Brad..u nailed it. It's written from the 2 perspectives, a younger father to young son, and older son to the older father

[@TheTomt50]

Great song. He's talking from both perspectives: father to his son, son responding.

[@michaelakkerman407]

As a young kid in the 70's, Cat was my favorite artist, over Beatles, Stones etc...his VOICE still hits me like any other voice.

[@MrDeadstu]

"Lady D'arbanville" is an excellent deeper-cut from the genius that is Cat Stevens.

[@christineirving4491pluviophile]

I adore this one.

[@kevinsattler6603]

Everything he played is GOLD

[@christineirving4491pluviophile]

You had me as soon as I saw Cat Stevens. It's a song about both sides of a father/son relationship. Another of Cat's songs that you might like is the rather wonderful 'Lady d'arbanville'.

[@jackndew2]

I looked into the meaning of this song a while back and if my memory serves me correct, it's about a young man wanting to join in the Russian Revolution and his father trying to talk him out of it. The first and third verses are the father (lower voice) talking TO his son. The second and fourth verse are the son talking ABOUT his father. Interesting narrative change as the son can't speak directly to his father about his feelings. Some things never change. I'm 66 with a 30 y/o son and I've sang this song for decades, now with equal passion for both sides.

[@charlesberton2581]

This song always chokes me up. Thanks, cats. This song is a conversation between a father and his son. The high singing is the son, and the low singing is the father. It's as simple as that. Cheers!

[@mikemiller3069]

The verses in the lower octave represent the father talking to his son and telling him to take it slow and think about all he has and not to rush into things. The verses in the higher octave represent the son telling his father that it's time he moved out and started making his own life. The last two verses are the two of them talking over each other, one saying "stay" and the other saying that he has to go. My duet (two guitars, two vocals) partner and I have covered this for 30 years. He plays the part of the son and I do the father parts.

[@TheFairyintheFishBowl]

“How Can I Tell You”, and “If I Laugh” are so poignant and special...I don’t understand why no one requests or reacts to these...I live in hope! ❤️

[@charlesberton2581]

I do concur. Those two songs choke me as much as Father and Son.

[@charlesberton2581]

A cheerful song, on the other hand, "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out", which he wrote for the movie "Harold and Maud".

[@pogotard]

Amen to those wonderful songs! Must do!

[@sealdrup]

'Morning Has Broken' next, please. We had someone perform this at our wedding (40 years ago).

[@traviscook5768]

“If they were right, I’d agree. But it’s them they know not me.” Always hit me really deep

[@CupidCrux]

This. As I cry whilst typing. ❤

[@foots-qt4pk]

1st verse is the father telling son to slow down and take his time to figure out his life because he is still young and needs more experience and wisdom. 2nd verse is the son telling his dad that he wants to leave home and make his own choices independently of the father. 3rd verse is just lovely with the father and son singing at the same time.

[@markmurphy558]

Once again Lex, you have nailed it!I always thought that the appeal of Cat Steven's voice was the fragile nature of his delivery, flaws and all. While perfect pitch and powerful vocals are amazing, the types of songs he writes benefit from the vulnerability of his voice. A guitar and that voice for most of his songs.

[@ralpholson7616]

He changes his voice as he changes from father to son. I have been on both sides of this conversation. My favorite song from a great album.

[@claude-emiliecloutier8186]

In my English class as a second language, our teacher made us listen to this song and try to understand the lyrics. I remember the melody made me feel sad but when I understood the lyrics I bursted into tears. Now whenever I hear this song I see myself in that classroom, teary eyes and running nose. It still gives me the same feeling.

[@VanHalensGuitarPick]

Love this. 👍🏻

[@garytrew2766]

Cat Stevens was completely awesome in the seventies. He moved into a monastery somewhere and gave all his money to them. But he came back and started making music again, his style reminds me of George Harrison, and his words are timeless. Thanks y'all you're my favorite you tube channel 😎🥳🤠💯 and for entertaining me. And college 🏈☝starts next Friday September 1st . God Bless you both.

[@christopherbailey557]

This will be played at my funeral; my kids know this has been my favorite song since first hearing.

[@Cadinho93]

You guys should react to more Cat Stevens… "Morning Has Broken", "Peace Train", "The First Cut Is the Deepest", "Oh Very Young", "Where Do the Children Play?", "Moonshadow", "Hard Headed Woman", "Can't Keep It In", "Another Saturday Night" 🎸🤘

[@kimconliffe9000]

Agree!!

[@Kellie_Curtis-Holmes]

Agree 100% I'd add Matthew And Son too, that's my favourite one 😁

[@grapeman63]

And my favourite: Lady d'Arbanville.

[@DaveWilson831]

they shouldn't react to any Cat Stevens.. ever.

[@1970sthrowback]

@@Kellie_Curtis-Holmes yes, Matthew And Son and Morning Has Broken are the two that i remember most when i was a kid

[@theresamendoza9143]

Beautiful song beautiful message as you can see he has one voice and then he changes it up. One is the father and 1 is the son. Expressing their feelings.

[@Mr05Chuck]

You ought to hear the remake he did as a 70 year old doing the Father part but keeping his original young man son part.

[@mattdawg83686]

If you listen to the song without the video, he’s playing the father and the son. That is the brilliance of Cat Stevens, and he makes you feel the lyrics.

[@MuckoMan]

When he says I have to go away. I always took that as the son saying great advice and everything but I need to move and live life my way.

[@richardryan8462]

When he's singing in the lower register he's singing the part of the father, when he's singing in the higher register he's singing the part of the son. I think he did what he could to try to make it not so hard to figure out other than maybe having it performed by two different singers starting each of their parts by saying "oh hey, I'm the father" and "yeah, the son here talking to you." That would make the lyrics kind of awkward, I think. The video can make things more confusing, unfortunately; it's not the best way to first hear his song.

[@LynnThompsonAuthor]

He sings more calmly and in his lower register when singing the parts of the father, and more frantically in his upper register as the son. It's about the conflict between a father and son, the eternal conflict between the wisdom of age and the angst of youth. What young person hasn't felt that frustration when they think the older generation is not hearing anything they say? And now that I'm older, I understand the wisdom that comes with age and the need to be cautious and plan for the future rather than following every whim. Definitely one of my favorites by Cat Stevens, and he has a lot of great songs.

[@jporrasedit]

I've cried listening to this song when it popped on during road trips. Cat Stevens is amazing.

[@eshgrb1127]

Omg, the Cat Stevens catalog is huge! So many gems. Foreigner Suite is one of my favs

[@rintintinification]

You guys are such a great couple. Brad, you are so stoic, even when the song is hitting home. Lex, you are the giver of life, rock on baby.

[@MrJiggerG]

This song brings a tear to my eye. Beautiful!

[@jonathancadorin9714]

He is singing both parts. You’ll notice when he sings the Father role. It is slow, calm. When he sings the son role. It is faster paced and with higher pitch and emotion

[@philpartynski3125]

Thanks for posting this reaction! I played and sang this at my daughter’s wedding 7 years ago. It was a song I learned over 40 years ago, and I played it for her when I moved her to Boston from Chicago. I was so glad she asked me to play it as part of the wedding. Great song about parenthood. 🙂🎶❤

[@edwinbrashear7729]

Songs can have different meanings to different people regardless of what they literally are expressing. This is "one" of several songs from the era that "SAVED MY LIFE" I lost my father to a tragic suicide at age 12 one month prior to my 13th birthday in May 1968. Cat released this song a couple years later and it gave me a peace you can't imagine...I never got to have that father and son talk expressed in this song, and I would imagine it was me and my father having that talk...PLH-ELB

[@barbarawalsh6576]

Thanks. One of my favorite songs from Cat Stevens.

[@twwtjohns]

I could listen to Cat Steven's sing the ingredients on a cereal box. His voice is so unique.

[@angelakelly4763]

Always loved me some Cat from the first time I heard him, he had a unique sound. I saw him on June 5, 1971 at Carnegie Hall in NYC. He was top billing with Carly Simon. Still have my ticket stub, balcony seat was $4.50!

[@dickcnormis1444]

Now you can’t even get a beer for 4.50

[@nickwhite8794]

Cat Stevens is an amazing artist. I grew up listening to his music. His story telling folky music soothes and is relaxing. This is one of my favorite song of his. This is a conversation between Father and Son as the title says. 1st verse in the lower voice is the Father, 2nd verse in the higher voice is the Son. they alternate talking to each other throughout the song. Glad you enjoyed it. My favorite albums are Tea for Tillerman, and Teaser and the Firecat check them out

[@rohar2011]

This song brings me to tears.

[@fenderfox5080]

This is one of my favorite songs ever, it makes me tear up everytime I hear it

[@sandyhickey8236]

The two different tones he uses while singing, one is the father talking to the son and the other tone he uses it's the son singing to the father. Cat Stevens is absolutely awesome in telling stories with his songs

[@robinbeerman4726]

Used to listen to this and cry. My father and I where like this left home after a fight at 18.

[@ronniedrumm1]

Later in life, he was asked if had a different perspective on any of the songs he wrote now. He pointed out Father and Son as the song that he looks at now from a different lens. With age comes wisdom.

[@ZelbeQahi]

Brad gets it! He’s singing from both a father and sons perspective. The father may be dying but the son could be leaving home for school, military service, etc,. It’s a brilliant work of art.

[@realPenrodPooch]

Cat Stevens was great! I grew up in his music - thanks to my mom. Thanks to her, my childhood was steeped in Cat Stevens, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, & John Denver. Thanks to my dad, my childhood was steeped in the Oldies.

[@sharkbites5472]

Oh I absolutely love this song! I’m so glad you reacted to this one!✌❤

[@mharris7380]

This is one of the best songs ever written and just to quash any confusion as to how many songs "one of the best" includes its around 72.

[@TheGreatGig73]

This song always hits home.

[@mikeconway9849]

Phenomenal singer/songwriter! I anxiously waited for each LP as it came out.

[@lantzkeefer6]

I love when a song moves Lex emotionally,it effects me when I watch her face

[@kimquinten5298]

Cat Stevens is one of best songwriters of all time a classic song.

[@chrisBrown58]

One of the great songwriters....of any generation. Beyond the entertainment value of reaction videos, some glorious music from our recent past gets to be heard by the next generation. Only the best quality can inspire, and for the creatives, sets a standard to aspire to.

[@NotStanleyTucci]

From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen…. Great line about being a kid

[@JDoors]

A father didn't want his son to go, the son knew, it was time. The calm voice was the father, the "angry" voice, the son.

[@looneygardener]

This song gives me chills

[@randytorres8211]

Per Songfacts this song is a conversation between a father and son, with the father counseling his son to stay home, settle down and find a girl, telling him this is the path to happiness - after all, it worked for him. The son, though, feels compelled to leave and is frustrated because his dad makes no effort to understand why or even hear him out. Stevens made up the story, but his relationship with his own father, Stavros Georgiou, was an influence on the song. His dad owned a restaurant in London and Cat (known to his dad as Steve Georgiou) worked there as a waiter right up until he signed a record deal at age 17. Stavros was hoping his son would join the family business. When he appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour in 2009, Stevens said: "He was running a restaurant and I was a pop star, so I wasn't following the path that he laid out. But we certainly didn't have any antagonism between us. I loved him and he loved me." Stevens veered away from his upbringing again in 1977 when he rejected Christianity and became a Muslim, changing his name to Yusuf Islam.

[@lantzkeefer6]

This song still makes me cry.I discovered Cat Stevens because of my father and this is the one song that always hits my heart like a hammer.

[@guitarkis4969]

Like others have said, it's a conversation between father and son. The father is giving advice according to how he has lived, but the son is saying he has to be himself and not follow in his father's footsteps and his views on having a happy life. I have always loved this song, so very touching.

[@mark-be9mq]

Beautiful

[@cindiaker5778]

Brad caught the 2 sides of the song. The first (low) part is the dad; then the next(high) part is the son . Beautiful song.

[@tyreewhite6653]

It makes you think ! We are all here for a short time. And I have not really achieved what I would of liked. It seems even if you do make a little progress, the achievement, is not quite what you thought it would be. Thank You, Brad and Lex. A thoughtful reaction.

[@AP-gb3eh]

Father and son. Elder trying to protect him from the mistakes,dangers of the world. Son saying he gets it but your not hearing me I have to live my own life. Beautiful song that ages beautifully ☮️

[@lauciannailor8884]

The song is a conversation between 'Father & Son' using different keys to represent each. A brilliant emotional song.

[@revaflowers3115]

My favorite Cat Stevens song.Cat is singing both points of view,the father's and the son's.The 60s and 70s was a time of turning away from the traditional view of family,where you listened and did what you were always told but your parents.You followed in their footsteps in a lot of ways.You followed the same religion and political beliefs,the family dynamic.But then came the 60s and the young people didn't want to do that any more.

[@dananichols349]

The impression that I've always gotten from this song is that of a man, as a father, talking to his son. Saying that when he was young he was like his child, ready to go and take on the world. And telling his son that there's time. You'll grow and figure it out. Take your time. I'm older now, watching my son spinning to figure it all out. And I tell him the same things as in this song.

[@5891jonathan]

Brad nailed it. Some lyrics are the from father to the son, and the others are from the son to the father.

[@VicEclectica]

Tea for the Tillerman - beautiful album. Part of the background music of my childhood. Always loved this song - it seems to capture the issues between parents and their children perfectly.

[@michaelrawling9085]

You really nailed this one Brad. Cat Stevens (Yusuf) has so many great and meaningful songs.

[@riwl1]

One of my favorite Cat Stevens songs is "The First Cut is the Deepest"..

[@sherrirodriguez3547]

Growing up I was the kid getting the advice from the father but now that I’m grown I became the parent. Use to play this song to my children and when they’re kids are older I hope they play it for them.

[@ruanniemann2604]

Cat Stephens and Sixto Rodriguez was was the soundtrack to my coming of age, among others.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Singing from both perspectives. Love Cat

[@Alewifes_Husband]

It's Father-to-Son, then Son-to-Father, back and forth. Sort of a timeless conversation. And a lovely song. At the end it's the Son saying he has to go (his own way). I would suggest also checking out "On the Road to Find Out" by Cat Stevens.

[@sixslinger9951]

This is my absolute favorite song from him. Reminds me of my Dad.

[@SuzanneDeniseB]

I absolutely adore this song 💙💙

[@jimmacintyre5935]

"You're So Vain" which you also reacted to was written by Carly Simon and was about Cat Stevens. Carly had a rather robust career dating the rich and famous, Cat Stevens among them.

[@ZEPnALE]

I believe "You're So Vain" is about several people, including Cat Stevens and Warren Beatty. The verse about giving away the things you love, "...and one of them was me" surely describes Cat. He gave away his instruments and much of his money when he converted to Islam, and isolated himself in study and prayer for a while. Cat had also written a song about Carly called "Sweet Scarlett" on the album "Catch Bull at Four."

[@ollinarceo5949]

Song always makes me emotional

[@Marty_Moriarty]

This song always chokes me up.

[@kevindohn6776]

What a voice he has ! I think I could see Lex starting to fall in love with Cat Stevens

[@happymethehappyone8300]

IN HONOR & MEMORY:: 32 Years Ago Today We Would Lose A Legendary Music Icon..R.I.P. Stevie Ray Vaughan..Thanks For ALL You Gave Us.. Gone But Definitely Not Forgotten.🙏❤

[@sch7194]

Love Cat Stevens...his voice warms the fire 🔥

[@shezarae8827]

This song is a conversation between a father and son, so it is back and forth.

[@trevorleggo1777]

Cat sang many a meaningful song. His catalog has a number of pertinent lyrics for it's time. I think it was about 1970 or 71 when a teacher played his music whilst I was at school, I was 10 years old and Cat's tunes gave me plenty of food for thought. Check out Peace Train...not much has changed in the meaning of this one, 50 years later. Nice post you two. Brad becoming a dad will give you some reflection time.

[@RCullis47]

Agree with Jo Bryan. I believe he is talking about his relationship/experience with his father and singing from both sides of the conversation. The lessons his father tried to bteach and the rebellion of being a yound man...

[@peterfields4801]

A song that hit me hard when it first came out,all these years on & no longer a young lady it probably hits even harder,beautiful

[@guyturbide6348]

Really like to see your reaction to "The Zac Brown Band" Live from Austin City Limits Song is🎵 FREE/INTO THE MYSTIC 🎵🎶 A beautiful song about living a simple life and love ❤️ Keep the good work guys ✌️

[@threekidzmom04]

Beautiful Beautiful song! Look into it!

[@THEDEEPDIVE]

this song cuts through me like a knife. very emotional.

[@sugarymushroom]

It's from two different perspectives. The first is the father, the second is the son.

[@sallysharp3845]

Brad you are right, its a conversation between a father and son.

[@garyarnett1220]

He re recorded this entire album for it's 50th anniversary. On this song he recorded the father parts in his now 70+ year old voice, and used the original tracks for the son. Singing with his 50 year younger self.

[@prospero7867]

Its a father and son speaking to each other, the father wants the son to stay near get married settle down, the boy wants to explore, to get out and find his way...age old story. This was the outré song on the first play I directed in college. It was the perfect song to leave the audience in tears.

[@mmwakeford]

Unusual for Lex not to get what the song is about. This time, Brad's right. It's a conversation between a father and son, with the father (lower voice) dishing advice to the son, who feels misunderstood and wants to get away to live life on his terms. It's that age old battle of the generations, beautifully captured.

[@christinewaide5249]

It’s a conversation between father and son. When he sings softly it’s the father. When he sings loudly, it’s the son.