Cat Stevens quotes

Born
21 July 1948, London, England.

Occupation
Singer-songwriter, musician.

Cat Stevens is a British singer-songwriter. His 1967 debut album reached the top 10 in the UK. In December 1977, Cat Stevens converted to Islam.

All things can be forgiven if we can progress.
– Cat Stevens

My career is there for everyone to see and delve into.
– Cat Stevens

To be what you want to be, you must give up being what you are.
– Cat Stevens

People who want to remember me as Cat Stevens – welcome. Those who want me as Yusuf, you’re here.
– Cat Stevens

Some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context.
– Cat Stevens

I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the highlight of show business. I was born into a Christian home.
– Cat Stevens

There is a social need within our lives as human beings to have harmony.
– Cat Stevens

I’ve studied various schools of thought… I acknowledge that some Muslims consider music prohibited, but I’ve found a lot of evidence from the life of the Prophet to show that he allowed certainly, but even encouraged, music at certain times.
– Cat Stevens

Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam.
– Cat Stevens

Because I don’t play guitar any more, African harmonies and rhythms have been an inspiration to me. I love the raw origin of the sound. It complements my voice and words naturally.
– Cat Stevens

I’ve returned to being an amateur without any ties or strings attached, which gives me a freedom I never had before.
– Cat Stevens

My whole aim in whatever I say, whatever I do, is to follow the peaceful line of having people live together… If we can all play in that game, the world will be a better place.
– Cat Stevens

I had to learn my faith and look after my family, and I had to make priorities. But now I’ve done it all and there’s a little space for me to fill in the universe of music again.
– Cat Stevens

‘Peace Train’ is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions. There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.
– Cat Stevens

Though times have changed, it’s a nice surprise to see that youthful feeling of anti-war sentiment returning once more to the cobbled main streets of Europe.
– Cat Stevens

I believe Islam was truly spread by example. So whatever good a Muslim does publicly will be seen – the same is true for the bad.
– Cat Stevens

I became very famous, as a teenager, and my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me larger than life, so I wanted to live larger than life, and the only way to do that was to be intoxicated.
– Cat Stevens

Music is part of God’s universe.
– Cat Stevens

I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry.
– Cat Stevens

I became a vegetarian, and I carried around a suitcase full of vitamins and special drinks everywhere I went.
– Cat Stevens

Businesswomen are fine. But they shouldn’t be forced to pay for the raising of the family. It’s the husband’s job. That’s the way I see it.
– Cat Stevens

A lot of people would have loved me to keep singing… You come to a point where you have sung, more or less… your whole repertoire and you want to get down to the job of living.
– Cat Stevens

Music is a lady that I still love because she gives me the air that I breathe. We need all sorts of nourishment. And music satisfies and nourishes the hunger within ourselves for connection and harmony.
– Cat Stevens

It’s very difficult to ignore humanitarian disasters. The royalties from my albums continue to support my charity work.
– Cat Stevens

The fact that the Prophet cared for every human being and tried his best to ensure their security in the hereafter must be the most telling of his compassionate and merciful characteristics.
– Cat Stevens

I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. I’m an optimist, brought up on the belief that if you wait to the end of the story, you get to see the good people live happily ever after.
– Cat Stevens

I grew up in the West End, so my whole background was living among theatres and musicals and the West End’s coffee bars and clubs. It’s kind of obvious that one day I should do something like that.
– Cat Stevens

I wouldn’t be writing songs if I didn’t have something to say.
– Cat Stevens

They have hijacked my religion.
– Cat Stevens

Everything I do is for the pleasure of Allah.
– Cat Stevens

When many astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size of the earth and vastness of space, and they become very religious, because they have seen the Signs of Allah.
– Cat Stevens

There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.
– Cat Stevens

Communal well-being is central to human life.
– Cat Stevens

There was no division I could see between the essential teaching of all Prophets and wise men of religion.
– Cat Stevens

Music can be healing, and with my history and my knowledge of both sides of what looks like a gigantic divide in the world, I feel I can point a way forward to our common humanity again.
– Cat Stevens

I found a religion that blended scientific reason with spiritual reality in a unifying faith far removed from the headlines of violence, destruction and terrorism.
– Cat Stevens

I’m a little bit out of it, I suppose; I’m more of the golden oldie type.
– Cat Stevens

The private little world that I create with my music is something that most people like to listen to alone and get into.
– Cat Stevens