My husband played this track on his way home from the hospital after our son was born. Our boy is 45 now, with three sons of his own. Thank you for this reaction. It's meant a lot.

Cat was just 22 when this song dropped. the insight of songwriters and writers in general is just amazing.

"From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen". Brilliant line.

“Morning Has Broken” is another one of his ballads that hits hard. Thanks for that thoughtful review.

I just lost my dad to cancer last week and hearing this song now, hits deeper than ever before. I miss you dad, till we meet again.

When I first listened to this I was the son. Now, 40 years later, I'm the Father. Loved it then. Love it now.

Wait until you guys are dad's, it will hit you even harder. I have two boys, and this song makes me cry no matter how many times I hear it

Re-listen to this song while keeping in mind that the first and third verse is the Father's voice and the second and fourth verse is the son's voice. To me that's what makes the song epic 🧡

Always loved the way he used a different voice for the father and the son to make it clear it was a dialog....

“Where Do the Children Play” is a great song about society.

No matter how many times I hear a Cat song, I still get choked up. ❤🐈‍⬛

Yes!! For this type of acoustic singer-songwriter he's a Shaman. 1 ) Moonshadow 2) Morning has Broken 3) First Cut is the Deepest

Cat Stevens originally wrote "Father and Son" as part of a proposed musical project starring Nigel Hawthorne, called Revolussia, that was set during the Russian Revolution, and could also have become a film; the song was about a boy who wanted to join the revolution against the wishes of his conservative farmer father. The musical project faded away when Stevens contracted tuberculosis in 1969. He was close to death at the time of his admittance to the King Edward VII Hospital in Midhurst, West Sussex.[1] After a year-long period of convalescence in the hospital and a collapsed lung, the project was shelved, but "Father and Son" remained, now in a broader context that reflected not just the societal conflict of Stevens' time, but also captured the impulses of older and younger generations in general. "Father and Son" received substantial airplay on progressive rock and album-oriented rock radio formats, and played a key role in establishing Stevens as a new voice worthy of attention. In 1970 it was only put on the B-side of Stevens' single "Moon Shadow" (Island Records). Interviewed soon after the release of "Father and Son", Stevens was asked if the song was autobiographical. Responding to the interviewer from Disc, he said, "I've never really understood my father, but he always let me do whatever I wanted-he let me go. 'Father And Son' is for those people who can't break loose."[1

I appreciate you playing Cat Stevens A& A. My daughter spent her childhood in hospitals having major surgeries and with ear phones on, Cat Stevens was her best medicine. " Lisa Lisa" was her favorite.!!

The second and fourth verses are the son's response. From his point of view the father is not listening to him and he feels he doesn't understand what he is going through and has to leave. adds a whole new lair to this powerful song.

"Oh Very Young" is just fantastic. I'd also recommend "I See the Light" from Cat's soundtrack for the movie Harold and Maude.

This song makes me cry everytime I hear it. I'm 61 and our son is 17 and we are having the talks about what he wants to do and how he looks at life. I never got the chance to have deep meaningful conversations about life with my father and it's important for me to always be there for my son and listen to his thoughts and feelings. Great, great, song and story. Thanks guys! Can't wait for the next Cat Stevens masterpiece.

Harry Chapin should be incoming..... Cat's in the Cradle. The ultimate father/son song. Peace Train has to be next from Cat.

For a whole album project you guys can’t go wrong with Cat Stevens “ Tea for the Tillerman” or “Teaser and the Firecat “ from 1970 and 1971. Although his catalog is great, those two albums were Cat at his peak. Personally my favorite Cat Stevens song is Trouble off Mona Bone Jakon. His music was in a cult movie hit “ Harold and Maude” it’s a weird movie you guys might enjoy and might be for your movie section.

The man just has drop dead classics falling out of his ass.

For some reason, this was the first song I listened to the morning after my husband's untimely death. Brings tears to my eyes every damn time. Love Andy's emotional reaction to it.

You didn't mention this, but the 2nd and 4th verses are the son's responses, and I absolutely love in the second set of verses how the father sings in the foreground and the son in the background and then it switches. Immaculate!

"But I have to go" I love how the song just ends there. Simple but brilliant.

Cat Stevens did everything nearly perfectly. He probably poured himself into all his songs trying to make them their best.

I'm fond of his songs "Peace Train" and "Moon Shadow", and you'll definitely want to catch his version of an older song, "Morning Has Broken" for the goosebump factor (it uses the melody from a Scottish hymn, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman (later of Yes) plays on it and was actually going to record it first....that led to a little brewhaha of him not getting paid for performing on the record, which was a huge hit, but Cat paid him back later saying it was a mix up). Cat also got into a bit of a kerfuffle when he supported a death sentence for author Salmon Rushdie after the novel "Satanic Verses" did not land well with some people....in any case, he got cancelled in the 90s version of cancellation, in that people removed covers of Cat songs from their own records and that kind of thing, but he repudiated that he ever had said that, despite it having been part of a live interview. Not sure whatever became of that, but it's always been hard for me to reconcile the humanist Cat who wrote so many great folk rock songs of the hippie era with the some of the stories swirling around him. He may have just been kind of a flake. BUT while we're on the subject of great British hippie singer songwriters of the 60s/70s, it is HIGH TIME you guys checked out Donovan. His music is equally childlike and sometimes overly sincere ("Atlantis," HA!) but he writes great lyrics and really also had an ear for groove - please god, someday, you MUST check out the incandescently groovey Barabajagal, and you will thank me for that! But also his greater hits, Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow, Season of the Witch..... lots to discover there.

Morning has broken by Cat Stevens is my favorite song.

And you really need to do Harold and Maude as a movie selection because not only is it an amazing piece of film but the entire soundtrack is Cat Stevens. Iconic!

New here! Cat Stevens was ( I say was because the old songs of his are my favorites) a remarkable singer, songwriter and a beautiful guitar player. Father and Son is a gorgeous song! And your delight for it is wonderful. The song is simply stated, simply played but it packs such a punch. It delights me that a song like this is so appreciated by the both of you. Edit-and after watching just one of your videos I was hooked. I’ve watched quite a few song reaction channels and you guys are the most thoughtful, knowledgeable and appreciative about music. Thanks guys, I wish you luck with your channel!

My Dad and I had issues in my early life. When I gave him a cassette tape with only this song recorded on it for Fathers day once, when I was in college about 23, our relationship started to improve after that.

"The Wind" has a special place for me. The utter simplicity and power packed in a minute and 43 seconds.

“Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin is another in this style and subject. Excellent!

I get goosebumps every time I hear this song. Stevens knows life.

You guys are freaking nailing it unbelievable I love your selection every time.

The entire Tea For The Tillerman is great. The albums title track "Tea for the Tillerman" is very short, but beautiful. "Sad Lisa" has superb lyrics and melodic elements.

Cat Stevens is so great. He is a Seeker, and his life story is written in his Music. “PopStar”; “Longer Boats” ;”Moonshadow”; “Home in the Sky”. All brilliant. We’ll done guys.

Beautifully thought provoking song. Circle of Life. I was the son’s age when first hearing this. Now am father’s age. It’s all so true…Thanks Next Cat Stevens - Peace Train

A couple of years ago, Yusuf/Cat Stevens released a new version of Father and Son where he re-recorded the “father” sections, so it’s a duet with his younger self. It’s kind of amazing

I saw Cat/Yusuf perform this song a few years ago, in a theatre within yards of where he grew up in London. It was a very emotional performance that so many of us dads identified with. He was a brilliant songwriter in the 60s and that performance confirmed that he still has it.

You just hit my all time favorite Cat, but Oh Very Young is a close second. Can’t go wrong with anything you choose to do of his next. Keep up the amazing work gents!

So many wonderful Cat Stevens songs for you to find! "Moonshadow" got lots of airplay for good reason, "Where Do the Children Play" and "Oh Very Young" are beautiful, and "Sitting" has some Elton John-rock-vibes. Dive in!

"For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not..." DAMN

It’s nice to see a friendship where you can rib him about a daddy issues and he doesn’t get mad LOL You guys are always thoughtful and among my favorite reactors 👍

This song is for every father who has had a son and every son who has had a father. My dad is long gone but this song still brings a tear to this old son’s eye.

Great choice! I believe he was 23 when he wrote that. Arguably one of the TOP singer/songwriters of the 70's. Should be in EVERYONE'S collection, IMO.

i literally had tears running down my cheeks 1 minute into this song. the words and melody are so perfect.

I lost my dad last year and hearing this song, which was so true for me 50 years ago, brought me immediately to tears. Thanks for bringing out this new important song.

I can't remember which one you did earlier, but "Peace Train" is his biggest banger. It should be next, just to get the feel for his wide production range.

Have always love Cat Steven's music. He is a great singer songwriter with a very unique sounding voice. One of my first albums I ever bought was his "Tea For The Tillerman". The whole album is great. So is the album "Teaser & The Firecat". His first big hits were "Matthew & Son", "I Love My Dog" & "The First Cut Is The Deepest" in 1967. He has had so many great songs in his career such as "Father & Son", "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken" etc. He is still recording & performing live & his voice still sounds great.

The entire Tea for the Tillerman album is worth a listen, perhaps on Patreon. I would recommend Peace Train or Bitter Blue for some faster paced tunes!

He also did the soundtrack for the film, Harold and Maude. The thing with Cat Stevens for me....it's his pipes, they strike something that releases serotonin in me

one of a kind. If you weren't tearing up a bit during this one you're maybe not human. The emotional expression and weight of this song is like few others

All Cat Stevens' songs are like this -- very reflective and introspective. "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken" ... They're all brilliant! Thanks for this reaction, guys!

So imagine.... 1970..... you are 17 years old and just had a baby boy 2 months ago. You buy this album and take it home, smoke a Doobie and then hear this song.....It was a real influence and true then as it is true today when I am 67 with three grown kids and 4 grand kids who have all heard this song.

I would probably suggest "Peace Train" just because it was a big hit for him. But "Morning Has Broken" or "Oh Very Young" would be my two favorite melodies. Another song you might consider is "Roadsinger", a more recent song from when he returned to performing.

One of my favorite songs by cat Stevens I always liked how the father had the calm voice and then when the son sang he elevated his voice to show the stress that a young person may experience

Hey, Andy & Alex, I've been rewatching your reactions to David Bowie's album, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" on Patreon. Jazzed that you two love this incredible album! 😻

I wonder if the guys caught that the verses were alternating between father and son. I think that's something that takes more than 1 listen to catch - and when you do, it goes from mere "goosebumps" to downright lump in throat. I used to cry when I listened to this as a kid.

I really admire that he changes his voice when he is speaking as the Father and again as the Son. The Son's voice seems more anxious, the Fathers is a little slower and calmer.

Amazing call and response between a father and son. Sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. So many incredible songs to get to from this epic singer songwriter. Sitting, Moon Shadow, Oh Very Young, Where do the Children Play, Peace Train, etc. He also wrote and recorded one of Rod Stewarts biggest hits, The First Cut is the Deepest.

Love Andy's face in this one, goosebumps alright. 'Where Do the Children Play' and 'Peace Train' are the next essentials. For a more obscure but absolutely beautiful song: 'Sad Lisa'

I'm 58 and this song changes meaning as you go through life: timeless. "Oh Very Young" and "Morning Has Broken" are just phenomenal. Cat Steven's is still bringing it. He's genuine and that's what makes him great.

It's time for Andy & Alex reactions! Yeah! 😺

Wonderful song, thank you. He completely remade this album for it's 50th anniversary, great as the original. On this song he sang the father parts and used the original recording for the son parts, so he was singing with his 50 year younger self. Amazingly incredible.

You two have always had a deep understanding , education and connection with music but Us old timers are so proud to see how you have grown since the early days of your work. Keep searching for the meaning of things and look for signs that come to us through out our lives that we sometimes ignore…anyway, Cat Stevens…walked away from all of it at the very height of his career. He moved to the Middle East , became a Muslim and followed a religious path. We didn’t hear from him again for years and years …fell off the face of the earth . I listen to His huge hit Peace Train and it for-shadows his future at that point . My biggest influences musically at that point in my life was Elton John, Bowie and Cat Stevens . Pretty fascinating story and life choice he made when he walked away from his dream to follow his calling . I remember seeing him years later on a music show. He was old and gray and he sang two songs , Peace Train and Father and Son. I cried watching and listening to him . I was filled with frustration of all the great music he robbed us of all those years…it would take me a long time to come to respect that choice he made to walk away from the fame and fortune. Anyway boys, keep up the great work !!! Personal request , please give “ The Ballad of Danny Bailey” by Elton John a listen , think you’ll love it!😎

Dang deep song to hit. Nice to see you hit some Cat Stevens/Yussuf Islam , he is an amazing singer songwriter. His music never fails to move me.

I think this is a beautiful song and his voice is Amazing

If you want another iconic father and son acoustic song, check out Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle"

I’m 63. I still get the “goosebumps.” He’s great.

His duet version with Eddie Vedder is amazing.

Another request for a movie review of Harold and Maude. A perfect Cat Steven's soundtrack for one of the best comedies ever to grace the screen.

Cat Stevens is an incredible storyteller , great selection guys .

It's moving to hear interviews with Cat/Yusuf today, and how now he's singing from the father's point of view. When he wrote it, he was writing from the son's. Excellent, universal song. P.S.: Cat Stevens/Yusuf has also always done the cover art for his albums.

I still find this song as crushing as I did 40 years ago as a teenager, battling everything. As the dad of a senior I hope that I can balance the me of then with the dad of now.

Gotta love Cat Stevens. We just heard "Peace Train" in the car last night. He seemed to be operating in a different realm than most artists, from the late 60s-late-70s, before he left the Western pop music world. There's one song of his from 1977's "Izitso" album I often think about which is "(I Never Wanted) To Be a Star." Summed up where he was at by then.

Our son is about to go across the country for his first job, leaving home for the first time. We are proud. We are worried. This song hits home

This is my favorite Cat Stevens song. So impactful. What is even crazier is that he was a young man when he wrote it. My father passes 27 years ago and this brings a flood of emotions every time I hear it.

Lyrics on this one are deep. The alternating father/son verses and the simultaneous lines in the final verse. Worth digging into.

This album was a big part of the soundtrack of my college years. It will forever hold a place in my heart.

I have been listening to this song for over 50 years, and every single time it brings tears to my eyes, as a son many years ago and as a father and grandfather now, the power, love and emotion of this song has never faded. I think I may have even seen Andy do a surreptitious tear wipe during the song...

I've listened to this song and played this song hundreds of times on the guitar, from the 70's up to today. And like others have said, listening with you and watching your reactions makes it feel like the first listening. Chills. Love your channel. Cat Stevens is THE reason I took up guitar. He has SO many amazing songs. Keep exploring his stuff.

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!!! ☮️❤️♾️

So many beautiful, and personal, songs by Cat Stevens. Wrote some of the most poignant love songs of my generation. His songs are the musical score to the film, Harold and Maude, a cult fave and a movie about unconditional love. Such a voice, full of emotional connection. He's still - or should I say made a comeback after his son came home with a guitar and told him to get back to playing it - making music. Check out his YT channel - kzfaq.info/love/o0pv-U5bTDLlfdROjmCCGg

I have always treasured this song. First the fathers voice, then the son's reply, all set to hauntingly beautiful music. A masterpiece

This could be a duet, as both the father and the son spoke in the song.

A song that gets recommended too less in my opinion is How can I tell you, it’s his most beautiful song in my opinion, and can really tear me up

Some context missing here - this is not just about wisdom being passed down, it’s about the nice status quo against someone trying to change things for the better. A very Vietnam War-era story. What makes it a classic is how applicable it is to so many things, but I think you have to take the son seriously when he says “if they were right I’d agree/but it’s them you know, not me” - the dad may think he gets it, but he very well could not.

This is such a great album 💜 The movie "Harold and Maude" has a Cat Stevens soundtrack. I sang Moonshadow to my middle child every night. Of course I had to change the lyrics a bit. I left that comment before, worth repeating

I have 2 adult sons and obviously I am a son to some degree of my own father. I made purposeful choices to be a father to my sons as a result. This song hammers both ends of that spectrum and gets me every single time I hear it, every time.

Both "THE WIND" and "MOONSHADOW" are short bangers and in my opinion 2 of his best. Do them both same day and make it a whole meal instead of a snack, dont overlook them cause they're short.

I've always felt this was one of Cat Stevens best songs. Alex hit it on the head when he touched on the the delicate touch. But what makes this song so powerful is how Stevens builds the intensity of his voice. There is true angst and sorrow all rolled together in the delivery.

This song still makes me cry. His voice, the words, so poignant.

I learned at least 20 songs from his records back in the 1970's on my guitar and we played them all the time around college. This song changes as you get older and it makes so much sense. My Dad has been gone for 13 years but I still think of him every day and still try to make my parents happy even though I am nearly 67.

Woke up at this morning to the delight of seeing you review Father and Son. What a great review about a masterpiece of a song. I still get chills listening to it. You might hit Moonshadow or Peace Train next.

Great job, boys. This is a great song and affects me every time I hear it. I’m a 68 yrs old guy that has had these convos with my son. Some went well, some went like the song.

A sure sign of an S tier song is that no matter when it ends, it is entirely too soon. You just simply need more. I have always felt this way about "Wish You Were Here" and the same holds true for this song. It is, as you say, immaculate. Well reviewed, fellas.

Oh how I love his beautiful voice. His lyrics are so deep and true. I listen to him often and have since the mid 70s. Never get tired of him . I also think he’s gorgeous.

One of my personal faves and thus a recommendation from me, is "On the Road to Find Out" which captures the 'searching for yourself' ethic that was kinda prevalent in those days (ie, 1970/71). Also a rousing chorus and last verse! Glad you guys enjoyed this one -- it's definitely one of Cat's best!

With Cat Stevens, it was more about his albums than his singles. I recommend a Patreon review of the whole Tea for the Tillerman album. It's a masterpiece, from start to finish.

One of his very best. You only touched on his voice. As great as the instrumentation is, his voice is what puts it over the top. Not just the tone, which is phenomenal, but the way it carries the message through. He goes very soft for a while, then really belts it out. 'Where Do The Children Play' is another must-hear.

Guys I think you missed the actual message of the song partially. Yes it is the father telling his son about life and how following traditions like getting married are hard but do end up bringing joy. The song title "Father & Son" is on purpose and meant to imply a dialog between the two. It's easy to assume that the son is the one who turns away because that's what does typically happen but not here, it's the father who turns away. Look at the second verse, the son in response to his father says "from the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen, now and there's a way, I know I have to go away" This is the son responding to his Father by saying he wants to find his own destiny and has to venture out on his own much to his Fathers words of wisdom.