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Cat Stevens — Moonshadow
Album: Teaser and the Firecat
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1310









Released: 1971
Length: 2:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Oh, I'm being followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin' and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, oh if.... I wont have to work no more.
And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colors all run dry,
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, oh if.... I wont have to cry no more.

Oh, I'm being followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin' and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my legs, I wont moan, and I wont beg,
Yes if I ever lose my legs, oh if.... I wont have to walk no more.
And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth, north and south,
Yes if I ever lose my mouth, oh if.... I wont have to talk...

Did it take long to find me? I asked the faithful light.
Did it take long to find me? And are you gonna stay the night?

Oh, I'm being followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin' and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Comments (78)add comment
I'm being followed by a Dodge Shadow. Dodge Shadow, Dodge Shadow.
Posted 2 years ago by jasonasonier    [ Reply ]
When we was just kids, my cousin would sing this as "I'm being followed by a bean salad, bean salad, bean salad." Now THAT is stuck in my head, and it's not going anywhere. Alas. 
Posted 3 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to high school and a girlfriend who gave me this album for a birthday present. Wonderful album!
Posted 3 years ago by Fiddlefye    [ Reply ]
I love how he and Chrissie Hynde have a similar approach.

What's that you say? They're not similar? Au contraire, mon frere. They both frequently use that gruff, aggressive vocalization to sing tender and heartfelt lyrics.
Posted 3 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
I love this story Bill. Makes me want to go to the desert and sing this song with MY friends.  :)
Posted 3 years ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
+1 to 8 now that I have the mental image of BillG singing this with hiking buddies. Long Live RP and singalongs!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Saw him at the Ryman in 2017.  What an awesome show, no politics, just music.  As it should be....................
Posted 4 years ago by awcolomy    [ Reply ]
What a curiously interesting compilation of comments. Cat/Yusuf is, after all, a curious fellow. Sufficient to say, enigmas are all so attractive to those with an engaged mind.
Posted 4 years ago by Jamus    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
lose my mouth...all my teeth, north and south? Ugh. Rhyme words search...less content.
 

On a flat map, north is traditionally considered to be at the top of the page, south at the bottom. North and south = top and bottom = upper and lower. 

Bah, why analyze when you can celebrate. Great stuff from Yusuf...
 
Posted 4 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 grahamdillabough wrote:
This takes me way, way back.  Great song!

Some friends of mine had a cat named Shadow, who would sit up and listen whenever the song came on. 
 
Did anyone ever 'moon' Shadow? Just sayin...
Posted 4 years ago by tsundeen    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
lose my mouth...all my teeth, north and south? Ugh. Rhyme words search...less content.
 
Yes, north and south are opposites, as in this side and the other side. It is poetry, so not clearly obvious.  But, as I said, poetry.
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
Beautiful song from so long ago,  brings good feelings my way
 

Me too.  Thank you for bringing back Cat for us to love and "purr" with.  (tee hee)
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
lose my mouth...all my teeth, north and south? Ugh. Rhyme words search...less content.
Posted 6 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Beautiful song from so long ago,  brings good feelings my way
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
he always sounded like a Sesame Street performer
but at least Big Bird never endorsed a murder decree 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
This takes me way, way back.  Great song!

Some friends of mine had a cat named Shadow, who would sit up and listen whenever the song came on. 
Posted 9 years ago by grahamdillabough    [ Reply ]
10!   Praise Allah!
Posted 9 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
One of the greatest songs ever written. Yet so simple...

Posted 9 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
{#Moon}{#Meditate}{#Ass}{#Notworthy}{#Nyah}
Posted 10 years ago by ljoergen    [ Reply ]
 rlominick wrote:
He really did say that Salmon Rushdie should be killed.  I am not down with that. PSD

 
He was a talented musician, composer, and performer but I never cared for most of his music - even in the 1970s; I guess I just couldn't relate to it.  His quotes (alleged or not) won't make me like his stuff any more or less.  This ditty sounds like some children's summer camp sing-along to me, only more cloying and smug, but I could understand why people like it.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Mr. Islam's voice is strong and beautiful, I think this is a lovely song.
Thank you for that post lemmoth!
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Don't.ever.need.to.hear.this.again.
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
His comments were misinterpreted in 1989.  What's more important is what he said after 9/11/2001:
I wish to express my heartfelt horror at the indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed against innocent people of the United States yesterday. While it is still not clear who carried out the attack, it must be stated that no right-thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action. The Qur'an equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of the whole of humanity. We pray for the families of all those who lost their lives in this unthinkable act of violence as well as all those injured; I hope to reflect the feelings of all Muslims and people around the world whose sympathies go out to the victims of this sorrowful moment.
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Bill, isn't he still Yusuf Islam, only Cat Stevens as the music persona?
Posted 10 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
He really did say that Salmon Rushdie should be killed.  I am not down with that. PSD
Posted 10 years ago by rlominick    [ Reply ]
 Old_Pool_Skunk wrote:
Nevermind the politics that came afterward... a great song and a moment in time.
 
True
Posted 10 years ago by TheBorgBuilder    [ Reply ]
Nevermind the politics that came afterward... a great song and a moment in time.
Posted 18 years ago by Old_Pool_Skunk    [ Reply ]
Too hippy dippy for me
Posted 18 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
the only thing you will probably loose is your Passport there Cat
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
highwindows wrote:
Jeez - haven't heard this for ages. Great song though!
Yup! I likes it.
Posted 18 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
All Muslims are terrorists, right?
So why did YOU assume I was talking about Muslims? I did not mention it. That says something about your own thought processes does it not?
Posted 18 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
All Muslims are terrorists, right?
Certainly not, but some are. Some Americans are to (e.g. Timothy). Yusuf Islam has funded terrorist groups in Isreal. So do you like to listen to the music of someone who funds 14 year old children to blow themselves up? Yusef doesnt even listen to his own music (aka haram).
Posted 18 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
sqqqrly wrote:
A terrorist? Certainly not someone I want to hear. He denounces his own music. https://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/667bkgnr.asp
All Muslims are terrorists, right?
Posted 18 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
A terrorist? Certainly not someone I want to hear. He denounces his own music. https://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/667bkgnr.asp
Posted 18 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
Jeez - haven't heard this for ages. Great song though!
Posted 18 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by glassjawgrlxxx    [ Reply ]
Moak wrote:
Teasar and the Firecat is a treasure...
And Tea for the Tillerman. Two albums that were part of the landscape of my adolescence.
Posted 18 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
no Cat, or Yusef or whatever.....you're being followed by Air Marshall's on trans-atlantic flights....nevermind shadows!
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
Carly wrote:
Harold & Maude. Fond remembrance....
Yes, yes, yes. Simple-sounding and wistful. Thank you for reminding me that it was used in one of the greatest American subcultural movies ever. It also reminds me of a dear college chum, who has been hit by severe medical problems but remains beautiful . . . Here's to my poetical friend Marty! Wish she could sit at a computer to read this.
Posted 18 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by hammondegg    [ Reply ]
This guy's look on life is Prozac-riffic, based on the lyrics here. I wish I had half a the-glass-is-half-full look on the world.
Posted 18 years ago by dolfan    [ Reply ]
Contrary to popular belief being a gifted artist does not make you a political or cultural messiah.
Posted 18 years ago by ezzyme    [ Reply ]
Of all the Cat Stevens songs, you play Moonshadow??
Posted 18 years ago by rixtar99    [ Reply ]
betterdaze wrote:
This always puts a smile on my face. Thanks for every time you play it.
And still.
Posted 18 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
Harold & Maude. Fond remembrance....
Posted 18 years ago by Carly    [ Reply ]
Teasar and the Firecat is a treasure...
Posted 19 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
ANNE_MARIE wrote:
such a wonderful, sweet little song. as a very young child i wondered why the moon and sun followed me around....in the car, outside my window, on the playground. i remember hearing this song back then and thinking how happy i was that it wasn't just me.
Whenever I hear this song I am transported back to being seven years old again.
Posted 19 years ago by fureanbode    [ Reply ]
Great stuff! GregK wrote:
Posted 19 years ago by aronson    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by GregK    [ Reply ]
ANNE_MARIE wrote:
such a wonderful, sweet little song. as a very young child i wondered why the moon and sun followed me around....in the car, outside my window, on the playground. i remember hearing this song back then and thinking how happy i was that it wasn't just me.
Thanks for making my day!
Posted 19 years ago by whitenoyse    [ Reply ]
Fat_Man_Flo wrote:
Can someone explain (in short) the controversey behind Cat Stevens? Thanks.
scoll down to the "RadioJunkie" post from Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:38 pm. It sum's it up perfectly.
Posted 19 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
beelzebubba wrote:
Couldn't have said it better myself. What I really struggle with is why folks like David Koresh and the Hale-Bop loonies are called 'cults' but Christianity and Islam are called "major world religions". What? They aren't 'cults' just because they have a higher lemming count than the the tiny wacko outfits? Christianity doesn't scare me as much as Islam, because frankly, I don't hear too many Christians calling for beheadings and jihads. (Although there is some ugly history on this front as well). But then again, ever since 9-11 I've recieved my own fare share of screwy chain emails from close Christian friends and relatives that hasn't helped the case for Christanity as a voice of reason. To quote Harry Dean Stanton in "Repo Man": "You aren't some kind of communist are you? I don't want no commies in my car! (pause) "And No Christians, Either!" (I don't really feel that way, but I still think it's hilarious the way he says it in the movie.)
People like you are saving the face of America
Posted 19 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
:daisy.gif: This always puts a smile on my face. Thanks for every time you play it.
Posted 19 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
Can someone explain (in short) the controversey behind Cat Stevens? Thanks.
Posted 19 years ago by Fat_Man_Flo    [ Reply ]
Cat Stevens will never attack America again!
Posted 19 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
Que linda cancion...
Posted 19 years ago by rgr0707    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I said it before, I'll say it again: I don't give a rat's ass what the man's religious beliefs are. But when you advocate KILLING a man for using HIS freedom of expression -- in this case, Salman Rushdie -- as far as I'm concerned, you forfeit your right to be taken seriously as an artist yourself. And I don't buy Yussaf's crap about not understanding what he was saying and having been a novice Muslim when he said it. The man was an adult human being; he should have UNDERSTOOD that when you agree with a Fatwa putting a price on someone's head for having dissed your god, that means you are advocating putting someone to DEATH for disagreeing with your beliefs. That makes you an IDIOT. That said, I still rate the song a 7. And I think it was asinine to throw him off the plane -- the guy's not a terrorist, just a shmuck.
Couldn't have said it better myself. What I really struggle with is why folks like David Koresh and the Hale-Bop loonies are called 'cults' but Christianity and Islam are called "major world religions". What? They aren't 'cults' just because they have a higher lemming count than the the tiny wacko outfits? Christianity doesn't scare me as much as Islam, because frankly, I don't hear too many Christians calling for beheadings and jihads. (Although there is some ugly history on this front as well). But then again, ever since 9-11 I've recieved my own fare share of screwy chain emails from close Christian friends and relatives that hasn't helped the case for Christanity as a voice of reason. To quote Harry Dean Stanton in "Repo Man": "You aren't some kind of communist are you? I don't want no commies in my car! (pause) "And No Christians, Either!" (I don't really feel that way, but I still think it's hilarious the way he says it in the movie.)
Posted 19 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Aaaaahhhhhh.........I am so glad to hear this. Bliss is good.
Posted 19 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
steeler wrote:
Song has nothing to do with poilitics, so comments about what he may have done or not done after he was Cat Stevens are irrelevant. The song has to do with inner tranquility.
Are you sure you're not mistaking it for a peptic ulcer?
Posted 19 years ago by ndanger666    [ Reply ]
A Klassic rocK song which I can hear anytime I want from ClearChannel. Do I need to here it here?
Posted 19 years ago by Notelrac    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I said it before, I'll say it again: I don't give a rat's ass what the man's religious beliefs are. But when you advocate KILLING a man for using HIS freedom of expression -- in this case, Salman Rushdie -- as far as I'm concerned, you forfeit your right to be taken seriously as an artist yourself. And I don't buy Yussaf's crap about not understanding what he was saying and having been a novice Muslim when he said it. The man was an adult human being; he should have UNDERSTOOD that when you agree with a Fatwa putting a price on someone's head for having dissed your god, that means you are advocating putting someone to DEATH for disagreeing with your beliefs. That makes you an IDIOT. That said, I still rate the song a 7. And I think it was asinine to throw him off the plane -- the guy's not a terrorist, just a shmuck.
What he said!
Posted 19 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I said it before, I'll say it again: I don't give a rat's ass what the man's religious beliefs are. But when you advocate KILLING a man for using HIS freedom of expression -- in this case, Salman Rushdie -- as far as I'm concerned, you forfeit your right to be taken seriously as an artist yourself. And I don't buy Yussaf's crap about not understanding what he was saying and having been a novice Muslim when he said it. The man was an adult human being; he should have UNDERSTOOD that when you agree with a Fatwa putting a price on someone's head for having dissed your god, that means you are advocating putting someone to DEATH for disagreeing with your beliefs. That makes you an IDIOT. That said, I still rate the song a 7. And I think it was asinine to throw him off the plane -- the guy's not a terrorist, just a shmuck.
Yeah, I'd give it a 7 or so, but you so go, brothah'!
Posted 19 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I said it before, I'll say it again: I don't give a rat's ass what the man's religious beliefs are. But when you advocate KILLING a man for using HIS freedom of expression -- in this case, Salman Rushdie -- as far as I'm concerned, you forfeit your right to be taken seriously as an artist yourself. And I don't buy Yussaf's crap about not understanding what he was saying and having been a novice Muslim when he said it. The man was an adult human being; he should have UNDERSTOOD that when you agree with a Fatwa putting a price on someone's head for having dissed your god, that means you are advocating putting someone to DEATH for disagreeing with your beliefs. That makes you an IDIOT. That said, I still rate the song a 7. And I think it was asinine to throw him off the plane -- the guy's not a terrorist, just a shmuck.
I'd rate it an 8 or 9 and yes, he's a big sheep idiot. pathetic!
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
I said it before, I'll say it again: I don't give a rat's ass what the man's religious beliefs are. But when you advocate KILLING a man for using HIS freedom of expression -- in this case, Salman Rushdie -- as far as I'm concerned, you forfeit your right to be taken seriously as an artist yourself. And I don't buy Yussaf's crap about not understanding what he was saying and having been a novice Muslim when he said it. The man was an adult human being; he should have UNDERSTOOD that when you agree with a Fatwa putting a price on someone's head for having dissed your god, that means you are advocating putting someone to DEATH for disagreeing with your beliefs. That makes you an IDIOT. That said, I still rate the song a 7. And I think it was asinine to throw him off the plane -- the guy's not a terrorist, just a shmuck.
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Song has nothing to do with poilitics, so comments about what he may have done or not done after he was Cat Stevens are irrelevant. The song has to do with inner tranquility. :meditate.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Hey, an 8! Oh, that's right , he turned into one o' them al qaeda losers... Hmm...2, only because there is music value. Cat Stevens... had it all, gave us his all, then walked away from it all. Turned his back on celebrity, materialism, and a country responsible for one dirty war after another. Listen to the radio, read the papers... more and more of our young men and women are returning from Iraq so screwed up in the head their hanging themselves. Heard about a young kid on NPR today, an interview with his sister. Hung himself in his parents' basement. Couldn't bear the thought he'd been ordered to shoot and kill two unarmed Iraqi soldiers. A driver, he was also ordered to drive hell bent through the streets of Baghad, or wherever, and should he run over something... feel a bump in the road... to keep on speeding. And never look back. Children. Children playing in the streets. American speed bumps. Someone writing such beautiful, "Godlike" music, might eventually take a real good look around and say: "Uh... Uh... just can't pretend anymore." Maybe it had something to do with the Viet Nam war that motivated Cat Stevens to just want to up and go away. Far, far away. And what are they saying over there? The enemy. And Cat Stevens? Still a musician. Peace, atticus
Posted 19 years ago by atticus    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Hey, an 8! Oh, that's right , he turned into one o' them al qaeda losers... Hmm...2, only because there is music value.
this is just about the stupidest comment that i have ever seen on rp.
Posted 19 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
Whoa! A 1 and a 10 in only twenty-some ratings! Guess I'm not surprised, but I like this song every now and again. And since I haven't heard it in maybe ten years, it was time!
Posted 19 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
bev wrote:
And for you people who are rating the song based on your prejudice against the man...for shame. :headshake:
Agree 100% And ashame on the Usa govt to have him on a no fly watch list in the 1st place.
Posted 19 years ago by ironlung    [ Reply ]
:daisy.gif: Oh happy day! Cat Stevens and Moonshadow...sigh! Lovely and sweet as a clear summer evening! Thank you for this! :meditate.gif: And for you people who are rating the song based on your prejudice against the man...for shame. :headshake:
Posted 19 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
coding_to_music wrote:
my upload, yay!
Thanks for the upload. While this piece doesn't rank as anything near "godlike", it is a must-have for a place as diverse as RP. Thanks for the spin Bill!
Posted 19 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
coding_to_music wrote:
my upload, yay!
thank you...
Posted 19 years ago by mem_313    [ Reply ]
***trying not to make any airplane / terrorism comments great song.
Posted 19 years ago by LLMikeJ    [ Reply ]
Hey, an 8! Oh, that's right , he turned into one o' them al qaeda losers... Hmm...2, only because there is music value.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Will always remind me of my younger days, diving and playing in the Red Sea -
Posted 19 years ago by cpmwi    [ Reply ]
doh it sucks
Posted 19 years ago by dreadpixie    [ Reply ]
my upload, yay!
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]