I know Cat Stevens often uses parables and analogies in his music .. but, I think the lyrics here should be taken at face value. He's describing an alien abduction experience. An airplane has a 'guiding wheel' .. it's called a yoke. ".. and though my body's back, I know it can't be real" and ".. after all I'm only human and the earth is where I belong"; to me he's simply describing an alien abduction experience. Whether it was inspired by a nightmare on an airplane only he can say.
I know Cat Stevens often uses parables and analogies in his music .. but, I think the lyrics here should be taken at face value. He's describing an alien abduction experience. An airplane has a 'guiding wheel' .. it's called a yoke. ".. and though my body's back, I know it can't be real" and ".. after all I'm only human and the earth is where I belong"; to me he's simply describing an alien abduction experience. Whether it was inspired by a nightmare on an airplane only he can say.