Cat Stevens sought spiritual enlightenment because he was dissatisfied with the Christian Church. He explored different religions and they all show up in his lyrics. He wrote "Oh very young" in response to Don McCleans song "American Pie." Both referenced Buddy Holly, who died tragically as a young man, and his songs. Riding the great white bird into heaven is a Hindu reference about Vishnu riding a great white bird into heaven. Vishnu was king of the gods and Buddy Holly was king of fifties rock. Both songs reference Holly's song "Not Fade Away." Cat's reference is the faded blue jeans that you know will never last forever. "Last Forever" was also a Holly song. The reference about "what will you leave us this time" actually does refer to reincarnation. I think Stevens would be amused at some of the reader interpretations.
Note, he is alive and well, and at 77, still performing a heavy concert schedule!
Note, he is alive and well, and at 77, still performing a heavy concert schedule!
Wikipedia quotes djallyn from April 30, 2009, directly supporting your answer. Though, that blog is gone, and no clarity about citation for that info. Still, more convincing than random opinions.
Wikipedia quotes djallyn from April 30, 2009, directly supporting your answer. Though, that blog is gone, and no clarity about citation for that info. Still, more convincing than random opinions.
@howiehunter I read that interpretation on Wikipedia earlier this evening, and frankly I think it's very fanciful and way off the mark. Any reference in Cat's song to American Pie is barely even tenuous imo.
@howiehunter I read that interpretation on Wikipedia earlier this evening, and frankly I think it's very fanciful and way off the mark. Any reference in Cat's song to American Pie is barely even tenuous imo.
Cat Stevens sought spiritual enlightenment because he was dissatisfied with the Christian Church. He explored different religions and they all show up in his lyrics. He wrote "Oh very young" in response to Don McCleans song "American Pie." Both referenced Buddy Holly, who died tragically as a young man, and his songs. Riding the great white bird into heaven is a Hindu reference about Vishnu riding a great white bird into heaven. Vishnu was king of the gods and Buddy Holly was king of fifties rock. Both songs reference Holly's song "Not Fade Away." Cat's reference is the faded blue jeans that you know will never last forever. "Last Forever" was also a Holly song. The reference about "what will you leave us this time" actually does refer to reincarnation. I think Stevens would be amused at some of the reader interpretations.
@howiehunter good answer.
@howiehunter good answer.
Note, he is alive and well, and at 77, still performing a heavy concert schedule!
Note, he is alive and well, and at 77, still performing a heavy concert schedule!
Wikipedia quotes djallyn from April 30, 2009, directly supporting your answer. Though, that blog is gone, and no clarity about citation for that info. Still, more convincing than random opinions.
Wikipedia quotes djallyn from April 30, 2009, directly supporting your answer. Though, that blog is gone, and no clarity about citation for that info. Still, more convincing than random opinions.
@howiehunter I read that interpretation on Wikipedia earlier this evening, and frankly I think it's very fanciful and way off the mark. Any reference in Cat's song to American Pie is barely even tenuous imo.
@howiehunter I read that interpretation on Wikipedia earlier this evening, and frankly I think it's very fanciful and way off the mark. Any reference in Cat's song to American Pie is barely even tenuous imo.