Known until 1977 as Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam has created some of the most peaceful and calming music in the history of rock music. Many know him as Cat Stevens, but in the 1977 he changed his name--Yusuf Islam--after converting to Islam. He was born in England and started his music career in 1966 with "Matthew and Son" being one of his first hits. According to Wikipedia, "He has been given several awards for his work in promoting peace in the world, including the 2003 World Award, the 2004 Man for Peace Award, and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace." Over the years, he has given us some pretty unforgettable music. Today, I would like to share with you some of my favorites as part of Zach's Top 5 Favorite Cat Stevens Songs.

  • 5

    %22Wild World%22

    From 1970 came this hit off of Stevens's "Tea for the Tillerman" album. According to Wikipedia, "Released as a single in late 1970, it just missed becoming Stevens' first top ten hit in the U.S., peaking at #11 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.[2] "Wild World" has been credited as the song that gave Stevens next album, Tea for the Tillerman "enough kick" to get it played on FM radio; and Island Records' Chris Blackwell has been quoted as calling it "the best album we’ve ever released" to that date."

  • 4

    %22Moonshadow%22

    Here's a song back from 1971. "Moonshadow is a song from the album Teaser and the Firecat, released by Cat Stevens in 1971. It is also the title of his upcoming musical. Stevens, who is now known as Yusuf Islam, considers this his favourite of his old songs. It's one of the songs that convinced him to release a Greatest Hits record of his work as Cat Stevens. He felt its uplifting message could help people," according to Wikipedia.

  • 3

    %22The Wind%22

    This song, like "Moonshadow," is from his Teaser and the Firecat album released in 1971. I love this song because it's just so calming and his voice is amazing.

  • 2

    %22I've Got a Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old%22

    According to his official website, YusufIslam.com, "He began to write a string of deeply inspiring songs. Many of the unreleased demos he recorded away from the spotlight during this experimental period like I’ve Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old reflected his new, unique folk-pop style. Stevens lyrics became more subtle and intuitive; his inner strength was now beginning to show and he was also now beginning to explore Eastern religions." This song can be found on his "The Very Best of Cat Stevens" album and it was a previously unreleased track.

  • 1

    %22Peace Train%22

    And, in at number one, is a song that made my list of Zach's Top 5 Favorite Songs About Peace, is "Peace Train". According to Wikipedia, "The song climbed to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the week of October 9, 1971, becoming Stevens' first US Top 10 hit. The song also spent three weeks at #1 on the adult contemporary chart."

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