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Cat Stevens — Into White
Album: Tea for the Tillerman
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1825









Released: 1970
Length: 3:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I built my house
From barley rice.
Green pepper walls
And water ice.
Tables of paper wood,
Windows of light
And everything emptyin'
Into white.

A simple garden,
With acres of sky.
A brown-haired dogmouse
If one dropped by.
Yellow Delanie
Would sleep well at night
With everything emptying
Into white.

Ooh..

A sad blue-eyed drummer
Rehearses outside;
A black spider dancin'
On top of his eye.
Red legged chicken
Stands ready to strike
And everything emptying
Into white.

I built my house
From barley rice.
Green pepper walls
And water ice
And everything emptyin'
Into white.
Comments (129)add comment
 Mugro wrote:

I've always wondered - what is a "Yellow Delanie" ? 


there's a painter, Beauford Delaney, who's known for a series of works done primarily in the color yellow

I've always wondered - what is a "Yellow Delanie" ? 
So weird to think that 10 years before this, the hottest music of the day was the Everly Brothers, Bobby Darin, and Paul Anka. What a change... my god.
 GuiltyFeat wrote:

Just very beautiful. Song and singer. A hint of the Divine.


lol...I read that as a "hint of Divine"...you know, the 300 pound drag queen...."you think you're a man, but you're only a boy"...nope...
 Dgradeworkunit wrote:


It's sad what religious faith does to people.
Cat Stevens is hit or miss for me. This is not one of his best tunes.
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:

He's sayin' his home is nature. Nature is his home. Can I have your share of the psychedelics?



:-0)
 bam23 wrote:
I need assistance. After more decades than seems reasonable, can someone enlighten me as to the meaning of Yellow Delanie? This mystery must finally be addressed!
 

There's a theory that it's referring to paintings by Beauford Delaney. Beauford Delaney - Portrait of Howard Swanson (1967)
only an eight!

This song got me thru some tough college years
along with Steely Dan, Cat Stevens kept me motivated through Vietnam Protests, the Reagan years and the zany 70's/80's
 Sawyer wrote:
I love the tune . . .  but reading the lyrics I feel I need to be on psychedelics to understand
 
He's sayin' his home is nature. Nature is his home. Can I have your share of the psychedelics?
 the_jake wrote:
First heard this album in my aunt's album collection in 1970.  
Every song touched me and now I have it in my collection.
Still moves me in the same way today.
 I first heard the album at my Aunt's house as well. It has such a personal, intimate and intense atmosphere without being cheap, cloying or false.
His recent reimagining and rerecording of this album is interesting and worth a listen.
I love the tune . . .  but reading the lyrics I feel I need to be on psychedelics to understand
 pfreet wrote:


This is one of the greatest music albums of all time, and you have reduced it to "one of" your favorite Cat Stevens CDs. OK, wow. :-)
 

It's permissible to think that other music albums are better than this (offhand, I can think of about two hundred at least).
 Cynaera wrote:
This is one of my favorite Cat Stevens CDs.
 

This is one of the greatest music albums of all time, and you have reduced it to "one of" your favorite Cat Stevens CDs. OK, wow. :-)
 dublanica wrote:
Sorry to say that sometimes I forget how REALLY good Cat Stevens was!
What a nice tune..............
 Finally, something we can agree upon!
 dwlangham wrote:
get the fuck out of here.
 
Why?
get the fuck out of here.
I need assistance. After more decades than seems reasonable, can someone enlighten me as to the meaning of Yellow Delanie? This mystery must finally be addressed!
FUN FACT

Cat Stevens did his own album artwork!
So beautiful it brings tears to this day!
 philipr wrote:
Thanks RP So good to ear Cat Stevens again ; It seems life was better ..... and now, where do the chlidrens play ?
 

On their PlayStations (sadly).
A beautiful touching song always after all these years
 dublanica wrote:
 
 
I just thought exactly the same !
Sorry to say that sometimes I forget how REALLY good Cat Stevens was!
What a nice tune..............
Wonderfull - immortall! Always loved his songs! Zawsze go uwielbiaƂem, zwlaszcza te starsze piosenki. PL
 thewiseking wrote:
I'm a fan but the fey, somewhat affected, tremulous vocals can get in the way at times. Same holds true for Donovan.
  I like several of his tunes, but in general I always found his style a little too twee and precious.  I couldn't care less about his religious beliefs.
 apd wrote:

Yeah, usually I'd agree with you but some of Yousuf Islam's personal beliefs are quite extreme.
 
Most of Donald Trump's personal beliefs are quite extreme ..... and he can't sing

LMAO @ Moscow's Man

 jbuhl wrote:
If you are into vinyl there are MOFI copies of this out there at used record stores.  If it's in good shape it's worth the extra money as the serial run of these is sold out.

 

 
I have a nearly pristine MFSL copy of this record; it brings out very subtle nuances in the tracks which are otherwise masked in the more dynamically compressed copies. When you hear sounds that used to be hidden in the tracks it effectively changes your whole perspective of the album...for the better. This particular track stops me from whatever I'm doing so I can just listen, time and time again. 


{#Meditate} {#Meditate} {#Meditate} {#Meditate} {#Meditate}
It was pretty trippy then, when it came out, and the St. Augustine's Parish Priest, Father Tom, played his music at Mass; IMMORTAL...
First heard this album in my aunt's album collection in 1970.  
Every song touched me and now I have it in my collection.
Still moves me in the same way today.
If you are into vinyl there are MOFI copies of this out there at used record stores.  If it's in good shape it's worth the extra money as the serial run of these is sold out.

 
this is not The Cat's Pajamas. weak.
Excellent..............but should have stayed a Cat!
High white
 Highlowsel wrote:
Cat's voice, and I'll always think of him as Cat, the lyrics he expressed, reminds me always to never shoot the messenger but listen to the message.  Because regardless of where his life path went the message in that which he sang, and still sings, rings true.  At least to me.  So do not castigate him for the choices he has made.  Hell we've all made choices a bit less than divine haven't we?  Listen, instead, to that which comes to you thru the melody,; the lyrics and the words.  As I said we all have made choices that would make angels wince; but in this case you might find you are listening, thru one of an endless number of conduits, to the voice of the divine.  Hear it?   

 
So you'll always think of Ali as Cassius? {#No}
Cat's voice, and I'll always think of him as Cat, the lyrics he expressed, reminds me always to never shoot the messenger but listen to the message.  Because regardless of where his life path went the message in that which he sang, and still sings, rings true.  At least to me.  So do not castigate him for the choices he has made.  Hell we've all made choices a bit less than divine haven't we?  Listen, instead, to that which comes to you thru the melody,; the lyrics and the words.  As I said we all have made choices that would make angels wince; but in this case you might find you are listening, thru one of an endless number of conduits, to the voice of the divine.  Hear it?   
 Same here but it was the Montreal Forum. Opening act was a magician then Cat came out of the Magicians box!

AhhtheMusic wrote:
Cat Stevens was the first concert I ever went to at the old Denver Coliseum at age 13.  What magic.  Still love him. 

 


I'm a fan but the fey, somewhat affected, tremulous vocals can get in the way at times. Same holds true for Donovan.
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
Just very beautiful. Song and singer. A hint of the Divine.

 
Stops me in my tracks every time I hear it.
Cat Stevens was the first concert I ever went to at the old Denver Coliseum at age 13.  What magic.  Still love him. 
 Hoosfoos wrote:
Too bad he became a fatwa-supporting religious freak.

 
true, he did endorse a murder decree
i don't care what book they get it from but muder is murder 
 Hoosfoos wrote:
Too bad he became a fatwa-supporting religious freak.

 

Your info is so out of date...
Too bad he became a fatwa-supporting religious freak.
 hallogallo wrote:
A magnificent album.  Really influenced my younger life.  Still listen to it now.

 
Agreed. Made me stop and take stock of my values at an early age.
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
Just very beautiful. Song and singer. A hint of the Divine.

 
Amen.
Just very beautiful. Song and singer. A hint of the Divine.
 axe_victim wrote:

 


I suspect Islam has done more to promote peace than anyone on this board.

 
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh considering the amount of idiots that take any religious teaching and twist it to meet their own ends. I highly doubt that.
This album was the national anthem for a group of drug-crazed, scurrilous hippies I lived with a very, very long time ago...it was often-times the only thing that would quiet them down, when quiet was apropos. (The didn't believe in the apropos, as a concept, broadly speaking.) I always thought the song was about death and retiring from the world. I still do now, more than ever. It's a very sweet song I often wake up hearing on the ol' brain-radio (a big mahogany console, tube-type AM radio I believe that is.)
 Pezz9 wrote:
He never took a different route , listen to his lyrics and you'll hear a man of God


 

 rabaak wrote:
 His music got me through my high school years. In his time, there really wasn't anybody making music that had the spirituality that Cat was making. Too bad for us that he decided to take a different route in his life.  This still sounds as thoughtful and provoking as it did when I heard it 40+ years ago.

 

 His music got me through my high school years. In his time, there really wasn't anybody making music that had the spirituality that Cat was making. Too bad for us that he decided to take a different route in his life.  This still sounds as thoughtful and provoking as it did when I heard it 40+ years ago.
Beautiful. 
Peace {#Meditate}


Listening to Cat Stevens on youtube and found his recent Cafe Session as Yousuf...
Wow, what a voice.  Hoping music can be a link between east and west and appreciate his music and spirit.
Cat Stevens = {#Dance}

Yusuf Islam = {#No}{#Ass}{#Beat}
I used to sing Cat Stevens' songs to the children I babysat -- this was when the albums were newly coming out. Now they have children of their own and all their kids know these songs.

Yay for playing Cat Stevens' ballads!

I also think he had a lot to do with me becoming a poet. 
 danceympls wrote:
One of the most touching and influential albums in My life. From Harold & Maude to dear love sneaking this music onto my personal music player, forever moved.
And let enjoy what was created in the moment, not bring judgement as far as personal choices go, please. 

 
Amen
First album I owned.
Still stunningly beautiful 
 danceympls wrote:
One of the most touching and influential albums in My life. From Harold & Maude to dear love sneaking this music onto my personal music player, forever moved.
And let enjoy what was created in the moment, not bring judgement as far as personal choices go, please. 
 


A magnificent album.  Really influenced my younger life.  Still listen to it now.
 Hannio wrote:


Are you that ignorant of how Islam spread throughout the middle east and north Africa?
 
I believe the statement was in reference to Yusef Islam the artist, not Islam the religion.
 Tamster wrote:
I miss what else he could have done.....................
 
Amen.  What a brilliant writer.  In my book he could have been the equal of Paul Simon.
I miss what else he could have done.....................
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Not a bad track on this magnificent album.
 

Indeed.  Cohesive brilliance.


My favorite CS song!  10
Not a bad track on this magnificent album.
Thanks RP So good to ear Cat Stevens again ; It seems life was better ..... and now, where do the chlidrens play ?
 axe_victim wrote:

I suspect Islam has done more to promote peace than anyone on this board.

 

Are you that ignorant of how Islam spread throughout the middle east and north Africa?
 The_Enemy wrote:
But thanks for posting the wikipedia info and clearing up the controversy on Cat Stevens.
 
That does not clear anything up for me.  He should have condemned the fatwa.  My religion, BTW, is the first amendment to the US constitution. That, and the Democracy which it implies, is the only way to true peace.
Oh, oh, oh, how I loved playing this album, a HS graduation present in 1970. Haven't heard Into White in decades!  Thanks, Bill.

Tea for the TIllerman was the one and only album that would quiet the manic, speed-crazed asshole musicians I roomed with in college...It was magic, as if they had Thorazine shot into thier IV drips...
and now I am flying...a classic...
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Appropriate, as this is his art on the cover. Trained as a graphic designer, did some animation as well.

 
Wow! Really? On top of mad songwriting skills. What a talented individual...

I actually like Cat Stevens, but this is interminable.
 axe_victim wrote:

I suspect Islam has done more to promote peace than anyone on this board.

 
Could we not say this about any religion?

Could we not also say any religion has done more to promote harm than anyone on this board?

I'm trying hard not to sound trollish but your post is.... odd and weirdly offensive.

But thanks for posting the wikipedia info and clearing up the controversy on Cat Stevens.
This song is just damned groovy. Regardless of who/what/where/when/how Cat Stevens became.

The art IS a reflection of the artist, and as such, is to be trusted in its own truthiness.

Heh. Thanks Mssr. Colbert for that lovely word.

Rock on RP!

Anton
Leather Lederhosen-free since 2003
 vandal wrote:
Agreed.  Regardless of its origins, the art stands apart from the artist. . .
  Appropriate, as this is his art on the cover. Trained as a graphic designer, did some animation as well.

 

From Wikipedia

Following Ayatollah Khomeini's February 14, 1989 death threat fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, convert to Islam and recording artist Yusuf Islam, previously known as Cat Stevens, made statements that were interpreted as endorsing the killing of Rushdie. This generated a furor among a number of celebrities and free-speech activists in the West who spoke out about his comments on radio stations and newspaper editorials.

In response, Yusuf Islam said that some of his comments were "stupid and offensive jokes" made in "bad taste,"<1> while others were merely giving his interpretation of Islamic law but not advocating any action.<2><3> Yusuf Islam also said that later in the same program he non-jokingly promised to accept the judgment of a British court if it found Rushdie innocent of any crime, blasphemy or otherwise.<


I suspect Islam has done more to promote peace than anyone on this board.
 lmic wrote:
Trust the art, not the artist.
 
Agreed.  Regardless of its origins, the art stands apart from the artist. . . 
 
Well said Bill, I agree.  Music is music. And I would like to add that before anyone offers any more judgement of the man, watch Yusuf's Cafe Session.  An excellent documentary.
I'm with Bill and most of the people here, music is music! Enjoy!
Trust the art, not the artist.

Jr. HS memories. . . nice. . . 
 
 ParkerH wrote:
<...> a yearning for truth that can be heard throughout his career.
 
Nothing like calling for the murder of a novelist to express your 'yearning for truth'.


Fundamental Health
Cat has an exquisite voice and a yearning for truth that can be heard throughout his career. No matter how he found his own truth, his search, and what it produced, is a gift to us all. I am grateful that we have his gorgeous music now to enjoy. :)
Yanking the topic back to MUSIC now (Sorry - I'm about to crash with a granddaddy of a cold, so I'm a little grumpy and tactless...)  This is one of my favorite Cat Stevens CDs. I was listening to it a few days ago, while I reached my 50,000 word quota for Nanowrimo. Amazing how he can inspire me.
This post took me twenty minutes to type.  Going away now. Play nice, kids.{#Sleep}
This is beautiful music...sentimental yes, but beautiful.
 apd wrote:

Yeah, usually I'd agree with you but some of Yousuf Islam's personal beliefs are quite extreme.
 
Of course not all Muslims are terrorists.  The vast majority aren't.  
But when you think about it, the only Muslim who counts on that matter is - Mohammad.
WWMD?  
That's not hard to find out.
My advice to apologists of Muslim behavior is to stop wishing for a better Mohammad.  His example is never going to get any better.
 Tana wrote:

Not funny. You're implying that all Muslims are terrorists. No place for that here.
 
Yeah, usually I'd agree with you but some of Yousuf Islam's personal beliefs are quite extreme.
 bachbeet wrote:
Cat really had a good run and this was his breakout album.  I like Mona Bone Jakon more though.  I was as disappointed as anyone else to hear of his abandonment of music.
 
Apparently Mohammad didn't like music... from an article on Sharia Law:
 
""r40.0 MUSIC, SONG, AND DANCE

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

r40.1 (Ibn Hajar Haytami:) As for the condemnation of musical instruments, flutes, strings, and the like by the Truthful and Trustworthy (Allah bless him and give him peace), who

"does not speak from personal caprice: it is nothing besides a revelation inspired" (Koran 53:3-4),

let those who refuse to obey him beware lest calamity strike them, or a painful torment. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

(1) "Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affair of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance."

(2) "On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress."

(3) "Song makes hypocrisy grow in the heart as water does herbage."

(4) "This Community will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stones." Someone asked, "When will this be, O Messenger of Allah?" and he said, "When songstresses and musical instruments appear and wine is held to be lawful."

(5) "There will be peoples of my Community who will hold fornication, silk, wine, and musical instruments to be lawful ...."

All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful (Kaff al-ra'a' 'an muharramat al-lahw wa al-sama' (y49), 2.269-70).

r40.2 (Nawawi:) It is unlawful to use musical instruments-such as those which drinkers are known for, like the mandolin, lute, cymbals, and flute-or to listen to them. It is permissible to play the tambourine at weddings, circumcisions, and other times, even if it has bells on its sides. Beating the kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle, is unlawful (Mughni al-muhtaj ila ma'rifa ma'ani alfaz al-Minhaj (y73), 4.429-30)..."
https://www.muhammadanism.org/Government/Government_Sharia_Music.htm 

 

 rtrudeau wrote:
This brings back such lovely memories of times past. Thanks for playing it, Bill.
 
My sentiments exactly...
I was instantly transported to some very good times.

 stescott100 wrote:
he's re-released this album under the new title

Tea for the Taliban
 
Not funny. You're implying that all Muslims are terrorists. No place for that here.

 tkay73 wrote:
My parents gave me a taste for Cat Stevens while growing up, his music brings back the feeling of being young and I still love it today.
 

likewise. this came out the year i was born... it's was part of the soundtrack of my early life (while the credits were still rolling)

2 superior albums — this and Teaser and the Firecat.

Wonder what could have been if he had not chosen a different path?

stescott100 wrote:
he's re-released this album under the new title

Tea for the Taliban



 
TheBorgBuilder wrote:


Ha ha, good humor!
 
For simpletons.

 stescott100 wrote:
he's re-released this album under the new title

Tea for the Taliban
 

Ha ha, good humor!
This brings back such lovely memories of times past. Thanks for playing it, Bill.
A very nice song. Wasn't introduced to it until the late 80's. {#Sunny}
 stescott100 wrote:
he's re-released this album under the new title

Tea for the Taliban
 
Granted, that is kinda funny but also a very stupid and insulting thing to say.
 stescott100 wrote:
I watched Harold and Maude the other week, for the first time, it's an excellent film, ruined by Cat Stevens awful soundtrack.
He sounds like every other childrens TV folk singer from the 1970's
 
It´s been years since I watched this but I have very fond memories of the movie and the music.
Cat really had a good run and this was his breakout album.  I like Mona Bone Jakon more though.  I was as disappointed as anyone else to hear of his abandonment of music.
My parents gave me a taste for Cat Stevens while growing up, his music brings back the feeling of being young and I still love it today.
 stescott100 wrote:
he's re-released this album under the new title

Tea for the Taliban
 

LMAO.


Literally have not heard this song since those days....what an incredible 2 album period he had.  I can't stand those that point to only a couple of his 'hits' and call his entire body of work 'cheesy'...they just don't know what it was like and how it hit at just the right time...amazing
I guess you just had to be there—this song, and album, were the essence of the hope and melancholy of facing Viet Nam and an America gone awry in many minds, while bonged out of one's mind, trying to make sense of it all. Cat embodied the sensibilities of the time, and contrary to one person's view below, his music on "Harold and Maude" was spot on in it's empathies with the times.



For no reason, this song is bringing me to tears. Must be the 30 years of time travel my brain is doing right now.
Nice tune for to go to sleep.(in a positive way)

Hearing this flooded me with memories...  {#Smile}
he's re-released this album under the new title

Tea for the Taliban
I watched Harold and Maude the other week, for the first time, it's an excellent film, ruined by Cat Stevens awful soundtrack.
He sounds like every other childrens TV folk singer from the 1970's
Thanks, Bill!  It's been a LOOOOOOONG time since I've heard this.  I'd forgotten how much I liked Cat.
 dyharenas wrote:
Wow, this album brings back memories of me and a bunch of friends trying to woo a diverse population of the opposite sex in high school, but the girls would all go "Cat who?" What the hell did we know, eh?
 For what it's worth, this album worked pretty well on me in college.

Wow, this album brings back memories of me and a bunch of friends trying to woo a diverse population of the opposite sex in high school, but the girls would all go "Cat who?" What the hell did we know, eh?
I do like cats,this Cat too!
 kaybee wrote:

This piece is one of Cat Stevens' best songs off a great album.  I always wondered whatever the hell happened to make such a wise gentle soul into someone who would support a death fatwa against a writer just for writing a satire on religion.  But Dirktooth, you hit the nail right on the head.  It doesn't matter whether they are believers or not, or what their religion is, the minute people think they have the answer to the Universe, they've totally missed it.
 
What happened to the Cat was drugs... ...that led to a search for his soul and ultimately religion. I used to think how extremely the "conversion process" changed him, or any convert to Islam for that matter. That was quickly dismissed with the realization that so many have taken on the same type of "us against them" persona — whatever the conversion.
 Dirktooth wrote:
He always was searching for an answer, which makes for good music. Too bad he found it.
 
This piece is one of Cat Stevens' best songs off a great album.  I always wondered whatever the hell happened to make such a wise gentle soul into someone who would support a death fatwa against a writer just for writing a satire on religion.  But Dirktooth, you hit the nail right on the head.  It doesn't matter whether they are believers or not, or what their religion is, the minute people think they have the answer to the Universe, they've totally missed it.