I've heard this song a million times and could here it a million more. It is a true masterpiece!

"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolour in the rain". Poetry... "But the drum-beat strains of the night remain In the rhythm of the newborn day". Erm... I have no words. Genius.

"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolour in the rain..." isn't that the greatest song lyric ever written? The whole piece is a work of pure genius.

Patchouli is a scent, like a perfume. Smells sort of like sandalwood and hippies…😃

Pichouli us an Indian essential oil if often used by women of the hippy era as an inexpensive perfume. Year of the Cat refers an astrological sign in Chinese/Vietnamese astrology As others have said, this is a unique masterpiece and one of the best singles of the 70's, which is saying something. The song and its amazing arrangement is high high level stuff.

He paints a picture and tells a story with his lyrics. Something that is sadly missing in today's music. An absolute masterpiece.

“Silk dress runnin’ like a water color in the rain.” One of those lines every songwriter wishes they’d have written.

Al Stewart is a great Scottish singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his album "Year Of The Cat" & "Time Passages". All the songs on both are great. "Year Of The Cat" is one of my favorites songs. Love the sax solo.

I love watching people react to this song, especially when that sax comes in. Al Stewart's girlfriend at the time he was writing the song had a Vietnamese calendar, and it was in the Year of the Cat. The lyrics tell a story of a tourist in Morocco that meets a beautiful woman in a silk dress with whom he has a one-night stand, then in the morning he realizes that the tour bus left without him so he's going to stay with her. The arrangement and the lyrics are beautifully crafted. This song and "On the Border" are my favorites by him, but he has many fantastic songs.

Gorgeous melodies and beautiful lyrics. It's a MASTERPIECE. The first line '...strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime..." is a reference to the classic Humphrey Bogart/Ingrid Bergman film CASSABLANCA. Patchouli is a perfumed oil, btw. And, yes this song definitely brings to mind a sunny summer day bursting with bright colors.

Patchouli is really nicely used here. Al’s songs are atmospheric and then this one, I can feel the warm air and I can smell all the smells of the marketplace. Al Stewart is a genius.

One of the most melodic songs ever composed. The use of strings, woodwinds and keys combined with flawless time changes and flamenco guitar work makes this a genuine masterpiece. It gets better with time and wine💯%.

Just when you think it can't get no better a saxophone comes in out-of-left-field!

when my grandson was a baby and crying and we couldn't seem to get him to stop, I would put this song on and it worked every time. He is 5 years old and still loves the song..it's hypnotic...great reaction !!

This song creates a sense of nostalgia even if its the first time you have heard it. Wherever you are when this is played, it classes up the joint just a bit.

The Year of the cat " AL Stewart" and Gerry Rafferty "Baker Street" are both masterpieces.

This song pretty much defines the 1970’s vibe. It’s got everything you could want in a song.

Any song that begins with a Peter Lorre reference is okay by me.

"Year of the Cat" is AL Stewart's masterpiece.

My favorite part of this song is when the acoustic guitar leads into the electric guitar which leads into the sax. I never realized how special this song was when it was out in the 1970s but I've grown to really appreciate it. She comes out of the sun with a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain. What fantastic lyrics.

You must also listen to "On The Border", another hit of his with all sorts of references to gun running during the Spanish Civil War, and yet another catchy tune which can stay in your head for hours or days

Best lyric in history... "She comes out of the sun, in a silk dress...running like a watercolor in the rain." There's no better imagery out there.

Asia, your smile lights up the world!! Your personality makes every reaction a beautiful experience!

Patchouli is a flower, often used as a type of incense. That sound towards the end of the song is a guitar. Love this song, and thoroughly enjoyed your reaction.

You can listen to this song a thousand times and come out with something you didn’t catch before every time. A Masterpiece

If you want to hear the very best of Al Stewart you must listen to "Roads to Moscow" (the guitar work is terrific) as well as "Nostradamus". Roads to Moscow tells the story of the German invasion of Russia during WW2 through the eyes of a Russian soldier. Unfortunately, now we have the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and it is devastating.

This is just an incredible piece of music. The writing is like a novel, the musicianship is first-rate, and the production and arrangement is dynamic and brilliant. I think that's the bass you're hearing.

Masterpiece is the only way to describe this tune. This is a journey riding wave to wave of different instruments and the transitions are so tastefully executed.

Patchouli oil is a very strong scent and was used quite a bit by the hippie crowd. It's made a comeback recently - it's one of those scents that you either love or hate, and once you know what it smells like, you will always be able to instantly recognize it. Very distinctive.

Asia & BJ, He is Scottish singer/songwriter, and his other well known song is "Time Passages". Phil Kenzie on saxophone.

The next song from Al Stewart should be his other 70's hit "Time Passages".

Al Stewart was watching the movie "Casablanca" (a Bogart movie with Peter Lorrie as one of its stars) when he was inspired to write this song. By the time the movie was over he had finished the song, except for the course. He couldn't come up with anything to tie the song together. He showed the song to his Vietnamese girlfriend and her response was oh it's so mysterious, like a cat. Then she casually mentioned that, in Vietnam right now, it's the year of the cat. Something in Al Stewart clicked and he finished the song. Interestingly, once he recorded the song, he didn't think much of it. Most popular songs don't have a full orchestra, it's too long, and so on. Since the song was so long, he put it on the album as the last song on side 2 because he didn't anyone would ever listen to it. The song ended up being his biggest hit and completely changing his life. Today he says the song is kind of like a rich uncle that keeps giving him money.

One of my all time favorites especially for the instrumentals. Year of the Cat is part of the Vietnamese Zodiac. Years are named for animals.

I LOVE Asia’s laugh, and BJ’s wisdom..

Hear this song and you're imprinted for life. I know where and when I first heard it. Every listen since takes me back to 1976 and the feel of that time. Not yet born? Think 2006 - it'll work. Al Stewart says he saw his then-girlfriend's Vietnamese astrology book opened to "The Year of the Cat" and thought it would make a good song title. It certainly did. As the story's narrator, Al sees his one night leading to involvement in a new place, with a mysterious and charming woman. By missing his bus and losing his ticket - no accident, but a choice - he commits to a Year of the Cat. A "year", for he says "... you know sometime you're bound to leave her, but for now you're going to stay..." . The album cover is cat-themed in endless detail. A woman in a complete cat suit sits before a dresser and mirror, readying for a night out. From below a striped tail curls into view. We see in the mirror her face made up with whiskers and framed by a pointy-eared hood. Oh-oh... she's pulling a clawed glove onto her one upraised hand. Jeez, Al! A year of this? I'm starting to suspect it wasn't all purring and drumbeat strains with a certain girlfriend. The beginning, though must've been sublime to elicit this musical gem. And that's part of this song's long-lived appeal, for who doesn't hear a soundtrack for their life, and recall a perfectly scripted scene with that long-ago lover? Or imagine it, at least, a touch more poetic than it was. Morocco. Bazaar. Like Peter Lorre, contemplating a crime. "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress, running ... like a watercolor, in the rain". A year that begins this way just might be worth some claw scars. Yes. It would. Play it again, Sam.

Recording. The track is noted for its lengthy instrumental sections-over four minutes of the 6:40 album version is instrumental, including a long, melodic series of solos that encompass cello, violin, piano, acoustic guitar, distorted electric guitar, synthesizer and saxophone. Thank you. This song is a masterpiece. I got the album when it was released and still have and play it.

A great song vocally and musically. Did well on the charts as did his follow up hit TIME PASSAGES which to me is also a winner. Al said the movie CASA BLANCA inspired him to write the song.

Always loved this track since I was a kid. I especially love how the violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar,and saxophone solos just blend so effortlessly one after the other. A beautifully arranged song. To quote Greg Kihn,"they don't write 'em like that anymore".

one of the greatest songs ever!

Patchouli is an essential oil for calming that was used in the 60's and 70's by the Hippie generation. I still have it as part of my self healing.

This song is such a time machine. IMO when a song can return you back to an earlier snapshot of your journey, wrapped in feelings long forgotten...not a lot of songs have that level of magic.

I saw him in concert in Virginia in 2019, he still has it! He sings about history now, never about “boy meets girl” in his words. He is a treasure.

Many have said it's among the best songs ever recorded. I think it is. I have it on vinyl.

I am a HUGE Al Stewart fan. Thank you for reacting to this.

That is the 70's right there. AMAZING song and artist(headcase). Rock on.

This is a great song. No chorus, just the refrain, "The Year Of The Cat". And it had a bridge, which is seldom heard these days. The song was extremely well mixed (by Alan Parsons). It is extremely rich with sounds, and yes, the piano is played throughout! This is one of my favourite songs.

Damn great territory you both are going into on your musical journey. This and his other hit Time Passages.

The Guys in my Top Ten of Artists...I love this guy!! So many great memories!! Patchouli Oil is what hippys wear...great old perfume.. If you went to any rock or folk festival in England in the 60's through to the 80's... You would have smelt it every where... Try out Al's "On the Border" In fact the whole Album "The year of the Cat" is a masterpiece... I've carried it with me through my life!!

Patchouli was a very popular kind of perfume in the 70ˋs it smells very intense…very good choice of music, btw! Yes, On The Border is a must too and also Time Passages is worth to hear.

Al was one of the great storytellers like Harry Chapin and other song writers back then.

About as close as you can get to a perfect song. Everything about it is great...lyrics, singing, and those incredible instrumentals, each featuring a new element. Fantastic!

This is a song I listened to endlessly after my hero big brother drowned in 1976. Shawn was almost 9, and I was 7, and this song came out about 6 months later...so it is sooo tied up with memories in my heart. A magical hurt that soothes me. ❤❤❤❤❤

So... the song is intended to put you in like a Henry Bogart Casablanca Moroccan marketplace kind of feel. You can smell the fragrance of incense and patchouli in the air... Superb purest lyrics, great music - 70's was a magical decade for singer songwriters!!

Hey guys, patchouli is a flowering plant. The oil from it is used as a fragrance, like incense. My great grandmother used it all the time in her furniture. That was back in the 1970s, like this song, but I'm not sure if it's used as much these days.

The arrangement of the instrumental section is pure genius.

So many great Scottish artists, especially in the 70s. OMG! Thank you!

You just opened up the wonderous world of Al Stewart. Congratulations and please enjoy your wonderful trip through history, accompanied by intricate and beautiful music. A lot to explore here. Year of the Cat, is just the tip of the iceberg!

You’ve got to watch the 15 year old KZfaq video of this song live. The pianist begins by playing “As Time Goes By” and it morphs into the intro of Year of the Cat. And you can see him playing the piano throughout until the very end. Astounding.

His piano player used to play this rift to warm up. Al said he would write a song to it. The piano player said it was impossible. Guess what.

Great song, perfect reaction! Back in the day this song and Ajá by Steely Dan were the two songs you would listen to when testing speakers at the stereo store. It’s a tough one to decipher the lyrics, but it sounds SO good.

I love the strings coming in after the bridge. So luxurious. Then from there it just starts to ascend with the flamenco guitar, to the electric guitar and then when you think you've hit the summit - in comes the sax. Just a glorious arrangement with fantastic lyrics.

This song takes it's time.its not rushed. Its exactly how long it should be. Tune.

I bet you if you smelled Patchouli you would automatically say oh yeah I've smelled that smell before.

This song is superb. It's one of the best produced songs ever recorded. It's got everything, without being overdone.

One of the best produced tunes and instrumentals along with the story line! I believe this won a Grammy for record of The Year!

One of the most relaxing perfect songs. Still have my vinyl copy. Such a classic

GREAT REACTION! Song was great in the 70s and still going strong,Listen to the whole album you will love it. 😎👍

This was the theme tune for the long hot summer of 76 in the UK. Not a single beach party would go down without the whole album being played on repeat.

I have not heard this since I was a kid. So refreshing and nice!

Brilliant first time I heard it years ago and I've only grown to appreciate it more and more.... A truly great song!

One of my favourite songs. I never tire of hearing the poetry of the lyrics, the perfect delivery and the amazing music.

One of my all-time favorites. I love Al's gentle, soothing voice.

Great song great players and Al’s voice is so distinct! Nice rabbit hole to dive into! ❤️👌

When you put the beautiful lyrics of Al Stewart together with the genius production of Alan Parsons. then you have perfection. This song will be played in 100 years and it will still be loved and enjoyed. It's a masterpiece

Pachoolee is an herb that’s made into an essential oil that people wore in the 60’s. It had come back over the years and many women (lesbian) wore it. I know I misspelled the word but you get me. This is a great song that i liked back when it was on the radio, but it really didn’t hit me until just a few years ago when i actually could hear how the instrumentation just shined all throughout the song. He really did let the musicians go for it, not only did the lyrics tell the story, the music did as well. Enjoy!

It’s the most beautiful song ever written.

A beautiful tune.

Patchouli, bringing me back to a time long ago. High School, concerts, beautiful young ladies smelling like flowers. Sweet memories of yesteryear. These songs are taken me back, thank you.

To me, this is the perfect song.

Love to see faces when that sax enters and blows their minds, such a joy.....

I fell in love with this song completely when I was 18 Y/O in 1976. I am going to see Al Stewart at Daryl's (Hall) House next month and and so thrilled!

I knew as soon as you started watching that you would love this masterpiece of poetry and music. There are so many treasures and delights to find in this song. I was 17 in 1976 in Manchester UK when this came out. We reacted just the same as you. Thanks.

The entire Year of the Cat album is a masterpiece with every song gorgeous!

Always amazes me that you can get together such incredible talent like this and get this sound from all theses people and create one of the most incredible jazz rock songs ever. Everybody is in sync with each other their timing is perfect every solo done incredibly well, the pocket as far as rhythm goes is tight like a fine woman in a tight dress.

Was so thrilled watching you too enjoy this song….been one of my favorites for a while and so happy to see young people enjoying these timeless tunes!,,, love your videos,,, peace and love always!

This is a song that I would word it as a musical stream. The instruments are the gentle twist and turns the stream leisurely takes your mind down ever so softly and gives your soul the ride of musical euphoria. I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. Your heart and soul has just been sedated by the sounds that came into your mind through your ears. Wow how music can change your mind and open so many windows to the world. Patchouli, an aromatic oil obtained from a Southeast Asian shrub, which is used in perfumery. Al Chamberlin

I can be in the year 2122 and that piano intro will still take me back to 1977.

The lyrics of this song is pure genius,, a masterpiece.

The song came out in 1976. In the Vietnamese Zodiac Callendar Year of the cat was 1975. My uncle was telling me about this song while he was flying in Vietnam and a cassette tape was playing this song around sunset. He was enjoying a beer, a quiet part of the war. No strings, piano at first then he switched to Moog synthesizer for keys that sound like strings and chimes. Sax is like icing on the cake.

Al stewart is a fantastic composer, songwriter, and musician. I have always used jazzy, folky, smooth tunes. He always has had a great band to back him up. My favorite dong by him is Time Passages that has a great guitar and sax solo. I like this song to but I Time Passages a little better than this one. Still, both are great songs with great vocals from Al. These are the type of songs where you pnt on headphones and drift away. Love them!

When that cello hits at the end of the 2nd chorus, that's in my top 2 favorite notes of all music.

I can tell by your body language how much you dug this! You have good people making recommendations. Al is a treasure.

When I first heard this in 1976, I thought, WHAT? Where is my Rock! But By the end of the song, I would a lifelong fan. Thank you Al Stewart!

That "particular noise" at the end was a synthesizer 😅. You 2 are funny.

This is what I call an instant transport song. It transports me to a particular time and place. Happier time and place for sure. Time Passages is the same way.

Al Stewart "Time Passages",, "On The Border" & "Song On The Radio"

That solo in the middle...whoa! Amazing! Great song all around ❤

ON THE BORDER is another great one by Al Stewart.

Lush and atmospheric, is the best way for me to describe this gem, and much of Al Stewart's music. He has a knack for creating songs that evoke a feeling, and create a connection for the listener. Nice choice. 🤟😊

I think I’ve recommended this song on every reaction channel there is and you’re the first to finally do it! FINALLY! Glad you did. It’s a soft rock masterpiece.