Father and Sons

Two of the most beautiful songs about Fathers.

Father and Son

Father and Son is a classic song by Cats Stevens. In his own words, “the song, well the idea is going to go a long time”.

The great thing about this song is the idea of a conversation between a Father and a Son. The song is about an exchange between a father not understanding a son’s desire to break away and shape a new life, and the son who cannot really explain himself but knows that it is time for him to seek his own destiny.

Stevens sings in a deeper register for the father’s lines, while using a higher, more emotive one for those of the son.

I like the concept of songs that do conversations like Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s “The Girl is Mine”, only Cat Steven’s “Father and Son” is a conversational song between a father and a son, done by Cat Steven himself.

The first two parts (verses?) is the Father, talking to his son about advising his son not to go on his way. Telling him that he’s still young and there’s a lot of things to learn before venturing out in the world.

The 3rd verse is the son, probably talking to himself and saying that he must go, that he’s been listening to his father all his life and he wants to make decision by himself.

Now the last two parts, I like. The 4rth verse is the father talking and son talking back (the backup harmony/vocals). The father saying, ‘sit down, take it slowly’ and the son responds, ‘no, I know I have to make this decision alone).

Then the last verse, it’s the son’s turn to talk (notice the high pitch voice of Cat Steven). The son is saying that he still wants to go.. and the father replying ‘Stay. Why must you go and make this decision alone?’

Excellent song. Beautiful!

Here’s the lyrics for you to enjoy further.

It’s not time to make a change, just relax and 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 to, you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not easy
to be calm, when you’ve found something going on
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

How can I try to explain? when I do he turns away again
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 I have to go away
and I know I have to go

(away) (away)
It’s not time to make a change, just sit down and take it slowly
(I) (know) (I have)
You’re still young, that’s your fault, there’s so much you have
(to make this)
to go through
(decision) (alone)
Find a girl, settle down, if you want to you can marry
(no)
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy

CHORUS #2:
(stay) (stay, stay)
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside
(why?) (must) (you go and make this de-
It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it
cision) (alone?)
If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them they know, not me
Now there’s a way, and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go