Father and Son
Cat Stevens * Track #10 On Tea for the Tillerman
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Album Tea for the Tillerman
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- #10Father and Son
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- #11Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Father and Son by Cat Stevens
Release Date
Performed by
Cat StevensProduced by
Paul Samwell-SmithWrited by
Cat StevensAbout
While it’s now one of Stevens' most famous songs, “Father and Son” was not a hit in the UK or US when released in 1970. It did, however, eventually chart in Italy and The Netherlands in late 1971.
In “Father and Son,” a father tries to calm—and keep—his wayward son, who feels that he has to start a...
Father and Son Lyrics
[Verse 1: Father]
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, 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 you can marry
Look at me
I am old, but I'm happy
I was once like you are now
And I know that it's 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
[Verse 2: Son]
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 that I have to go away
I know, I have to go
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3: Father & (Son)]
It's not time to make a change (Away, away, away)
Just sit down, take it slowly
You're still young, that's your fault (I know)
There's so much you have to go through (I have to make this decision)
Find a girl, settle down (Alone)
If you want you can marry
Look at me (No)
I am old, but I'm happy
[Verse 4: Son & (Father)]
All the times that I've cried (Stay, stay, stay)
Keeping all the things I knew inside
It's hard
But it's harder to ignore it (Why must you go)
If they were right, I'd agree (And make this decision)
But it's them they know, not me (Alone)
Now there's a way
And I know that I have to go away
I know, I have to go
Father and Son Q&A
Who wrote Father and Son's ?
Father and Son was written by Cat Stevens.
Who produced Father and Son's ?
Father and Son was produced by Paul Samwell-Smith.
When did Cat Stevens release Father and Son?
Cat Stevens released Father and Son on Mon Nov 23 1970.
What did Cat Stevens say about "Father and Son"?
Stevens shared in 2000:
I wrote “Father And Son” in connection with an idea I had about a musical based on the Russian Revolution: the son was about to join the Revolution, the father was a farmer who wanted him to stay at home.
Despite being written for a musical, Stevens confided in the 1970s th...
What does Stevens think of Boyzone's cover of this song?
In 2000, Stevens shared:
I was in a Turkish restaurant one day and it came on the radio. One of my children said, ‘Dad, isn’t that your song?’ I said, ‘Why, yes it is!’ It turned out to be Boyzone. It’s a nice version and I’m grateful it was a clean-cut group who did it. I went to meet them at Top...