Singer-songwriter Cat Stevens’ album Saturnight was recorded live in 1974 and released exclusively in Japan to raise funds for UNICEF. The track listing is comprised of some of his most well-known songs, songs that were originally on his albums Mona Bone Jakon and Tea for the Tillerman, which were both released in 1970. In 1968, sudden fame took a toll on the young artist, and he consequently suffered from a collapsed lung and tuberculosis. Following his illness he began writing stripped down, introspective tunes that he said came from self-reflection during his recovery.
Side I of Saturnight opens with the melodic and heartfelt “Wild World” which was a hit in both the U.S. and the UK. Written as a plea to a lover to be good to herself after the end of their relationship, Stevens said the song echoed a sentiment often found in his work, “which is to do with leaving, the sadness of leaving, and the anticipation of what lies beyond.” Two of my favorite songs are on Side II, the achingly beautiful “Father & Son,” and a raucous rendition of “Peace Train.” I grew up listening to Stevens, and “Peace Train” is an excellent example of the timelessness of his music, with lyrics like “Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train / Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again” that are just as relevant 40 years later.
