She comes out of the sun and her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain is some of the best lyrics ever written. The visual richness of it is stunning.
Stewart didn't really want a sax on it .Parsons knew better.Phil Kemzie was in a pub watching a soccer match Parsons persuaded him I to doing the solo during half time.. He came in one take went back to the pub
Quite possibly the best pop composition from the 70s. The YOTC album itself contains more musical mysteries; On The Border, Broadway Hotel, Lord Grenville, Flying Sorcery. His colors single was Time Passages.
The piano,the guitar,the bass guitar,the drums,the strings,the saxophone,the lyrics and the singing. All magnificent!! It was several months ago I watched a reaction video for this song,then a couple hours later I was at a gas station and this song was playing there. I was like deja Vu!!
Spanish Guitar. Al Stewart and Engineer: Alan Parsons who arranged the whole of Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Mpnn, which was in The USA Album charts for a record 14 continuous years...
The first verse about Peter Lorre contemplating a crime etc, is a reference Humphry Bogart movies, they were in 6 together, "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon" being the two famous ones. Peter Lorre has a distinct look, and acting style, so you have to see him to really get the reference. Both are classic movies, worth a watch even today. The song is basically about a man being seduced while on vacation in a exotic locale. Al Stewart's lyrics usually paint vivid pictures. Great songwriter.
Al Stewart is a great Scottish-born singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his albums "Year Of The Cat" & "Time Passages". All the songs on both are great. "Year Of The Cat" is one of my favorites songs. Love the sax solo.
Al Stewart was watching the movie "Casablanca" (a Bogart movie with Peter Lorrie as one of its stars) when he was inspired to write this song. By the time the movie was over he had finished the song, except for the course. He couldn't come up with anything to tie the song together. He showed the song to his Vietnamese girlfriend and her response was oh it's so mysterious, like a cat. Then she casually mentioned that, in Vietnam right now, it's the year of the cat. Something in Al Stewart clicked and he finished the song. Interestingly, once he recorded the song, he didn't think much of it. Most popular songs don't have a full orchestra, it's too long, and so on. Since the song was so long, he put it on the album as the last song on side 2 because he didn't think anyone would ever listen to it. The song ended up being his biggest hit and completely changing his life. Today he says the song is kind of like a rich uncle that keeps giving him money.
My interpretation. Basically it's a guy who is kicking about in a 3rd world country (he said he was watching Casa Blanca when he wrote this song, so it might be Morocco, but he also said his girlfriend had a travel book open to Vietnam, so it might be there...or somewhere else entirely). Anyway he's walking through the market looking around sort of furtively (like you might when you're a stranger in a foreign land) this free spirited woman latches onto him and takes him on a tour, ending at her apartment. I always visualized this as a sort of love at first sight meeting. So he decides to stay and see where the relationship goes.
Sounds about right to me - it definitely has that "tourist falls in love at the exotic bazaar" sense to it. The "blue tiles" line suggests north Africa. Then again, the "year of the cat" is one of the years in the Vietnamese calendar, the same as the Chinese year of the rabbit.
The lyrics, music, is so visual. When a song transports you and plays a movie in your head of what exactly is going on in the song is incredible. This song accomplishes that mission.
This is one of those songs that came out when I was a kid and it was in the background on the car radio and I would hear it as my Mom was driving some place or on the radio when she was cleaning house. I didn't think anything of it. I was 10, but I remember it being pleasant. Now that I'm old, I absolutely love this song. I think having songs like this in the background of my life broadened my taste in music without me knowing it.
Producer Alan Parsons gave the track it's magic when he suggested replacing a couple of the many guitar solos Stewart had written with a sax. Stewart objected at first, saying he was making rock album, not a jazz album! He would later admit it was a very good idea, and on the following album (Time Passages, also produced by Parsons) he used the saxophone quite heavily on two tracks - and hired the same sax player to play it, too!
Al Stewart wrote this song after watching the Bogart movie Casablanca, Peter Laurie was another famous actor in that film that played a sketchy character. The Year of the Cat is from the Vietnamese Zodiac which kind of pulls this theme together of a chance sexual experience in a foreign land. As a young man I traveled throughout Asia when in the Navy and had several similar mystical experiences.
I've heard this song 100s of times, that sax coming in STILL SLAYS ME. Funny thing is, Al Stewart hated the idea of a sax solo/saxophones in general. Thank producer Alan Parsons for talking Al into keeping the sax. The albums " Year Of The cat " and " Time Passages " are light rock masterpieces, a few songs from these albums are outstanding: Broadway Hotel One Stage Before On The Border Life In Dark Water The Palace Of Versailles Time Passages Lyrically, he's describing a traveler having a summer romance/fling/affair, in a far off country
@@michaelbaucom4019 That was a good move on his part! Did he say if he was happy that he took the advice? Personally it would still be a great song if it wasn't in there,but the saxophone definitely takes it to another level!
@@garyclark9618 go to the RUclips channel " Professor Of Rock ". That's the interview I believe where he mentions he hated sax. That channel is a treasure trove of information and interviews of 70s/80s/90s rock and pop
"On The Border" has some tasty Latin guitar. "Roads to Moscow" is a poetic history lesson, masterful lyrics. "Running Man" is a sweet groove. Al Stewart has a lot of great songs.
Music for grown-ups. Been lovin' this for 45+ years. I have four copies of the cd. One for the house, one for each car and one as a back up..."just in case".
I always wait to see the reaction to the sax each time it comes in because most people, myself included, just have to close their eyes to enjoy the beautiful sound!! It’s also a sexy sounding instrument. Beautiful instrumental ❤️❤️❤️
a great song by a great artist...song is so incredibly well produced and composed...cool reaction video! thanks for sharing...Al Stewart and Gerry Rafferty two of the most creative musicians/artists of the 70s..💯💥✌
Hey- for any hard-core Peter Lorre fans, look up the song, "I Want to be Peter Lorre" by Tom Smith--- it's here on RUclips, and it's utterly brilliant.
Kick ass song to welcome you back - my 3rd favorite song of all time! Al has some really good other tracks (none as good as this IMO), but there’s “Time Passages”, “On the Border”, “Song on the Radio” and Midnight Rocks” to name a few.
Genius song with everything in it….another great one by him with beautiful saxophone in it is “ Time Passages”. Interesting note of how this song was written…. Al’s piano player kept playing this intro as he warmed up and Al recognized after awhile that it held promise.
Good to have u back from RI Bizmatik - enjoyed the rxn vid. The song title, Year of the Cat i think refers to Chinese culture where every new year an animal is chosen from their horoscope to embody the coming year.
Thanks, Biz! Al Stewart is amazing..... a Scottish poet, really... He can just do solo acoustic guitar, too.. but this is so beautifully orchestrated.. really one of his best.. if you have time & inclination, check out "On the Border".. appreciate your reactions!
My favourite opening lyrics - a great piece of scene-setting (BTW, Peter Lorre was a great actor who usually played sly villains, often in Humphrey Bogart movies), and one of the best songs of the mid-70s. Other great Al Stewart songs include "Time Passages", "Life in Dark Water", "Lord Grenville", and "Valentina Way". Or for some simple fun, "Warren Harding". Al loves mixing history and imagery in his songs, and does so beautifully.
From "The Best of Al Stewart -- Songs From the Radio" liner notes: Al's biggest hit to date was co-written with keyboard player Peter Wood, to whom Al attributes "the demonic riff that opens it and most of the tune." A tourist is stranded in the Casablanca of Bogart and Lorre, and decides to succumb -- Al's characters are observers of their fate -- to the allure of a beautiful temptress. He stays with her for one year and that one year is the Year of the Cat (the title is derived from Vietnamese astrology). Alan Parsons' introduction of the saxophone into Al Stewart records here reaches fulfillment in the rhapsodic, erruptive solo by Phil Kenzie. Parsons' production was responsive to the cinematic quality of the song, and yet avoided any ossifying slickness. Incidentally, in an early incarnation, there was a set of lyrics about a British comedian, and the title was "Foot of the Stage."
The entire album is a masterpiece, produced and engineered by Alan Parsons (yes, the Alan Parsons of the Alan Parsons Project, who also produced and engineered Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' and the Beatles 'Abbey Road' album.) The 'Year Of The Cat', which was released in late 1976, went multiplatinum worldwide and was followed in 1977 by 'Time Passages', an equally unique and brilliant production that was also produced and engineered by Alan Parsons. Stewart is a gifted composer and lyricist who not only creates vivid cinematic imagery in his songs, some of the best of which are imbued with a kind of bittersweet nostalgia that reaches deep into the heart, he is noted for his use of historical persons and events as thematic elements of the stories he tells. All of his work has been expressive of a high level of imaginaton, intelligence and sophistication. A very fascinating and enriching rabbit hole to take a deep dive into. 🕉️
The usual interpretation I've heard (and repeated) is that the "you" of the song is a tourist visiting Morocco, and gets drawn in by this silky, mysterious woman, with whom he spends the night doing who-knows-what (hint: it had a drum-beat rhythm). But when he wakes up in the morning he realizes the tourist bus he was on has departed, and he's stuck there. So he resigns himself to staying there with this mysterious lady until he finally makes up his mind to leave.
Year of the cat is in reference to the Chinese calendar. This calendar measures years differently than the Roman calendar we use. This calendar has longer years and their named after animals.Then they rotate through these years. We know that China doesn’t really use this calendar officially because it doesn’t mesh with the calendar the rest of the world uses. But they still use it for tradition. To find out when this song might take place you’ll have to reference that calendar and then see when the year of the cat matches the regular calendar and then if the references in song fits the time line.
Biz I think you'll like Al Wilson - Show and Tell. The newer color video from PBS TV is a real jam. He's in his 60's and dies 6 years later, but his voice is stronger than ever. The back up singers are dope (had a crush on the short one on the right).
If you want to check out more Al Stewart, let me suggest: "Time Passages" "Song On the Radio" "Running Man" "Nostradamus" "On the Border" "Roads To Moscow" "Timeless Skies" "Murmansk Run/Ellis Island"
I think he was from Scotland uk,I'm not sure,but i remember going to Scotland in 1976,i think he's called Ian Stuart,he reminds me of Ian Stewart who beat Steve Profontate in the Olympics in 1972,i was only, 8 and i remember all of them,
High man I always thought that the reference , the year of the cat was a reference to the Chinese calender as every year is named after an animal, I think he is trying to say he was in Asia?
My all time favorite song. Love the music. Guitars. Sax. The ups and downs. Voice. A masterpiece ❤
I find it impossible to pick a favorite song. But for people who do,I wouldn't argue with this song as a choice! Very good taste in music 🎶🎶🎶🎶
Yes I find it easier to pick a fav from each genre I like even that a hard one but yes this is a beautiful wonder piece of music that belongs up there
She comes out of the sun and her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain is some of the best lyrics ever written. The visual richness of it is stunning.
I wanted that silk dress so badly. Got one...eventually.
One of the standout trax of my teens. 76 was an epic year.
Hey sorry can’t argue with you on that one. It’s always been one of my favorite lines. What a song!
@@raymcarthur3870 What a dress!
you know sometime you're bound to leave her but for the night you ootta stay
It's actually "she comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain." And yes, it's perfection.
This was pop when I was I kid. I still remember really enjoying this song on the radio in the 70s. How music has changed.
Love the strings
One of the best musical arrangements ever.
I forgot how good this was. Wow!
An acoustic solo, into an electric solo, into a sax solo. Absolute 🔥 🔥 🔥🙂 Alan Parsons produced this masterpiece btw
Stewart didn't really want a sax on it .Parsons knew better.Phil Kemzie was in a pub watching a soccer match Parsons persuaded him I to doing the solo during half time.. He came in one take went back to the pub
@@1bigrowdy 8/10 for a great comment but I have to deduct one point for calling The Beautiful Fame "soccer" especially if you are from The UK....:)
@@Isleofskye I'm not from the UK but I understand your passion as was Kenzies as he would not leave till half time to record .
@@1bigrowdy Thanks,My Friend:)
Hi biz ... the 4 part solos are amazing...synthesizer..acoustic guitar... electric guitar and saxophone 🎷
Iconic track that left an indelible mark on the 1970's. As beautiful today as it was then, and has always been.
Quite possibly the best pop composition from the 70s. The YOTC album itself contains more musical mysteries; On The Border, Broadway Hotel, Lord Grenville, Flying Sorcery. His colors single was Time Passages.
The piano,the guitar,the bass guitar,the drums,the strings,the saxophone,the lyrics and the singing. All magnificent!! It was several months ago I watched a reaction video for this song,then a couple hours later I was at a gas station and this song was playing there. I was like deja Vu!!
Spanish Guitar. Al Stewart and Engineer: Alan Parsons who arranged the whole of Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Mpnn, which was in The USA Album charts for a record 14 continuous years...
The first verse about Peter Lorre contemplating a crime etc, is a reference Humphry Bogart movies, they were in 6 together, "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon" being the two famous ones. Peter Lorre has a distinct look, and acting style, so you have to see him to really get the reference. Both are classic movies, worth a watch even today.
The song is basically about a man being seduced while on vacation in a exotic locale.
Al Stewart's lyrics usually paint vivid pictures. Great songwriter.
I'm glad you referenced the great Peter Lorre. He was uniquely talented. Every film he appeared in benefited from his presence.
Don't forget Peter's voice!!
Love me some Peter Lorre!
Yeah where are those great character actors today, like Peter Lorre, Ernest Borgnine..etc.
Peter Lorre was an actor who had very distinct mannerisms and voice and acted in a couple of films with Bogart.
6 altogether...
This song is so special....the way he incorporates the different instruments is fire!
Al Stewart is a great Scottish-born singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his albums "Year Of The Cat" & "Time Passages". All the songs on both are great. "Year Of The Cat" is one of my favorites songs. Love the sax solo.
Love this as well. Just flawless. Also a favorite of mine.
Al Stewart was watching the movie "Casablanca" (a Bogart movie with Peter Lorrie as one of its stars) when he was inspired to write this song. By the time the movie was over he had finished the song, except for the course. He couldn't come up with anything to tie the song together. He showed the song to his Vietnamese girlfriend and her response was oh it's so mysterious, like a cat. Then she casually mentioned that, in Vietnam right now, it's the year of the cat. Something in Al Stewart clicked and he finished the song. Interestingly, once he recorded the song, he didn't think much of it. Most popular songs don't have a full orchestra, it's too long, and so on. Since the song was so long, he put it on the album as the last song on side 2 because he didn't think anyone would ever listen to it. The song ended up being his biggest hit and completely changing his life. Today he says the song is kind of like a rich uncle that keeps giving him money.
Yes and Al described it as a "North African Love Song"...
It must bring in some royalties!
Thanks for the detail. I new it tied into Vietnamese astrology and the movie Casablanca
The piano player in his band kept playing the riff as a bit of a warm up and Al liked it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Always enjoy Al Stewart. Good lyrics and a great voice, and the band....
The band. Yes THE BAND 😁 This would still be an amazing song as an instrumental 👍
The best lyricist I have seen and I bought my first records in 1960:)
Al Stewart taking you on a trip with music and lyrics - the sax drop is killer. The entire song is a vibe.
I was 16 yrs old when this came out. Thank you for taking me back!
Layer after layer. Absolutely beautiful arrangement.
A timeless classic! Like seeing a long lost love and she has the most beautiful smile for you:)
I just love how Biz is totally feeling every single note of this absolutely beautiful song. It is a masterpiece and a totally feel good song. ❤
I have listened to a LOT of your reactions and I have loved this song for many years so I should have guessed that you would enjoy it.
My interpretation. Basically it's a guy who is kicking about in a 3rd world country (he said he was watching Casa Blanca when he wrote this song, so it might be Morocco, but he also said his girlfriend had a travel book open to Vietnam, so it might be there...or somewhere else entirely). Anyway he's walking through the market looking around sort of furtively (like you might when you're a stranger in a foreign land) this free spirited woman latches onto him and takes him on a tour, ending at her apartment. I always visualized this as a sort of love at first sight meeting. So he decides to stay and see where the relationship goes.
Sounds about right to me - it definitely has that "tourist falls in love at the exotic bazaar" sense to it. The "blue tiles" line suggests north Africa. Then again, the "year of the cat" is one of the years in the Vietnamese calendar, the same as the Chinese year of the rabbit.
Why blue tiles?
@@davidcanazaca5077 Morocco is famous for its tile work and for its blue-walled buildings.
A feast for your ears. Good choice
A dose of smooth cream for the brain ...
The lyrics, music, is so visual. When a song transports you and plays a movie in your head of what exactly is going on in the song is incredible. This song accomplishes that mission.
The triple solo is not only unusual but a brilliant bit of composition that drags you further and further into the song
This is one of those songs that came out when I was a kid and it was in the background on the car radio and I would hear it as my Mom was driving some place or on the radio when she was cleaning house. I didn't think anything of it. I was 10, but I remember it being pleasant. Now that I'm old, I absolutely love this song. I think having songs like this in the background of my life broadened my taste in music without me knowing it.
Producer Alan Parsons gave the track it's magic when he suggested replacing a couple of the many guitar solos Stewart had written with a sax. Stewart objected at first, saying he was making rock album, not a jazz album! He would later admit it was a very good idea, and on the following album (Time Passages, also produced by Parsons) he used the saxophone quite heavily on two tracks - and hired the same sax player to play it, too!
Al Stewart wrote this song after watching the Bogart movie Casablanca, Peter Laurie was another famous actor in that film that played a sketchy character. The Year of the Cat is from the Vietnamese Zodiac which kind of pulls this theme together of a chance sexual experience in a foreign land. As a young man I traveled throughout Asia when in the Navy and had several similar mystical experiences.
I've heard this song 100s of times, that sax coming in STILL SLAYS ME. Funny thing is, Al Stewart hated the idea of a sax solo/saxophones in general. Thank producer Alan Parsons for talking Al into keeping the sax.
The albums " Year Of The cat " and " Time Passages " are light rock masterpieces, a few songs from these albums are outstanding:
Broadway Hotel
One Stage Before
On The Border
Life In Dark Water
The Palace Of Versailles
Time Passages
Lyrically, he's describing a traveler having a summer romance/fling/affair, in a far off country
How could he not want the saxophone?? Thank God for Allan Parsons!! Love The Alan Parsons project too. Time is one of my favorite songs.
@@garyclark9618 I heard an interview Al Stewart did about this song, he said he hated saxophones, but trusted Alan Parsons' judgement.
@@michaelbaucom4019 That was a good move on his part! Did he say if he was happy that he took the advice? Personally it would still be a great song if it wasn't in there,but the saxophone definitely takes it to another level!
@@garyclark9618 go to the RUclips channel " Professor Of Rock ". That's the interview I believe where he mentions he hated sax. That channel is a treasure trove of information and interviews of 70s/80s/90s rock and pop
@@garyclark9618 Yes, you just reminded me. I love Alan Parsons. We must get busy and request some from Biz....
So Iconic, in 1 sec, we know this song! Legendary!
"On The Border" has some tasty Latin guitar.
"Roads to Moscow" is a poetic history lesson, masterful lyrics.
"Running Man" is a sweet groove.
Al Stewart has a lot of great songs.
Time Passages, Lord Grenville, Sand In Your Shoes....:)
One of my all time favorite songs. It doesn’t get any better than Year of the Cat. 😁💖
Al Stewart is a beautiful Songwriter, all his songs tell a story. Quite often they are historical.
Music for grown-ups. Been lovin' this for 45+ years. I have four copies of the cd. One for the house, one for each car and one as a back up..."just in case".
Unique song that almost everybody loves.
This song takes you on a magical journey!
I always wait to see the reaction to the sax each time it comes in because most people, myself included, just have to close their eyes to enjoy the beautiful sound!! It’s also a sexy sounding instrument. Beautiful instrumental ❤️❤️❤️
cant go wrong with this guy...good stuff
AL STEWART is pure and SMOOOOTH😊
His music is definitive "Chill"...
Always sets the mood .
Al Stewart is a brilliant artist. He is an exceptionally gifted poet/lyricist IMO. Full beautiful music. Great job on this one, Biz.
A perfectly produced single. Everything about this song is musical and lyrical perfection. One of the greatest songs ever recorded.
i've been a fan since '69. great story teller. great poet. lovely lyrical voice
Now thats a groove.
Every note blended with the instruments created this Masterpiece. Thanks Al Stuart. Thanks for the reaction.👍💯
Such a wonderful song. Fantastic arrangement. The best sounding record in my collection. Alan Parsons.
a great song by a great artist...song is so incredibly well produced and composed...cool reaction video! thanks for sharing...Al Stewart and Gerry Rafferty two of the most creative musicians/artists of the 70s..💯💥✌
If you liked this song, and want to hear more, then you should check out another Al Stewart hit called "Time Passages.' Great song!
Really brings me back to my childhood
Calling this a Masterpiece is such an understatement. This is his Opus.
Hey- for any hard-core Peter Lorre fans, look up the song, "I Want to be Peter Lorre" by Tom Smith--- it's here on RUclips, and it's utterly brilliant.
Good choice.✌️🌎. ON THE BORDER BY AL STEWART ..SAME C.D.
Kick ass song to welcome you back - my 3rd favorite song of all time! Al has some really good other tracks (none as good as this IMO), but there’s “Time Passages”, “On the Border”, “Song on the Radio” and Midnight Rocks” to name a few.
Yes,I hope Bizmatic will do Time Passages!! Please please please 🙏
Genius song with everything in it….another great one by him with beautiful saxophone in it is “ Time Passages”. Interesting note of how this song was written…. Al’s piano player kept playing this intro as he warmed up and Al recognized after awhile that it held promise.
Good to have u back from RI Bizmatik - enjoyed the rxn vid. The song title, Year of the Cat i think refers to Chinese culture where every new year an animal is chosen from their horoscope to embody the coming year.
more Al Stewart songs-If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It (one of my favs), On The Border, Eyes of Nostradamus, Road to Moscow-there are many!!
Wonderful. Joy even. Timeless. Thank you.
I love this song. It's groovy and has a feel-good melody, but the lyrics end on such a bittersweet, sad note.
I played this song as a teen I wore the single record out ! I love this song!
That was a lovely trip down memory lane! Thanks Biz! ❤
A perfect song on every level.
Thank you for not talking or stopping like so many do
Beautiful timeless music
A Great Vibe!
Thanks, Biz! Al Stewart is amazing..... a Scottish poet, really... He can just do solo acoustic guitar, too.. but this is so beautifully orchestrated.. really one of his best.. if you have time & inclination, check out "On the Border".. appreciate your reactions!
I ❤️ your reaction, its like you surprised yourself 😅
This song has always been such fun to sing along with. Time Passages is the other one from Al that I so love.
Hi Biz, distinctive voice ..superb work of art
When I young liked silk dresses.
My favourite opening lyrics - a great piece of scene-setting (BTW, Peter Lorre was a great actor who usually played sly villains, often in Humphrey Bogart movies), and one of the best songs of the mid-70s. Other great Al Stewart songs include "Time Passages", "Life in Dark Water", "Lord Grenville", and "Valentina Way". Or for some simple fun, "Warren Harding". Al loves mixing history and imagery in his songs, and does so beautifully.
From "The Best of Al Stewart -- Songs From the Radio" liner notes: Al's biggest hit to date was co-written with keyboard player Peter Wood, to whom Al attributes "the demonic riff that opens it and most of the tune." A tourist is stranded in the Casablanca of Bogart and Lorre, and decides to succumb -- Al's characters are observers of their fate -- to the allure of a beautiful temptress. He stays with her for one year and that one year is the Year of the Cat (the title is derived from Vietnamese astrology). Alan Parsons' introduction of the saxophone into Al Stewart records here reaches fulfillment in the rhapsodic, erruptive solo by Phil Kenzie. Parsons' production was responsive to the cinematic quality of the song, and yet avoided any ossifying slickness. Incidentally, in an early incarnation, there was a set of lyrics about a British comedian, and the title was "Foot of the Stage."
Great choice to an awesome tune, Biz!
Keep it up my Man!
Produced and arranged be the great Alan Parsons at the peak of his talents.
The entire album is a masterpiece, produced and engineered by Alan Parsons (yes, the Alan Parsons of the Alan Parsons Project, who also produced and engineered Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' and the Beatles 'Abbey Road' album.) The 'Year Of The Cat', which was released in late 1976, went multiplatinum worldwide and was followed in 1977 by 'Time Passages', an equally unique and brilliant production that was also produced and engineered by Alan Parsons. Stewart is a gifted composer and lyricist who not only creates vivid cinematic imagery in his songs, some of the best of which are imbued with a kind of bittersweet nostalgia that reaches deep into the heart, he is noted for his use of historical persons and events as thematic elements of the stories he tells. All of his work has been expressive of a high level of imaginaton, intelligence and sophistication. A very fascinating and enriching rabbit hole to take a deep dive into. 🕉️
He's talking about an adventure he had.
Biz! Time passages is my favorite Sir Al Stewart’s song
Next up from Al Stewart? Time Passages, please!
Takes me back to the 7th grade dance when I first danced with a girl.
Did you bang her
The usual interpretation I've heard (and repeated) is that the "you" of the song is a tourist visiting Morocco, and gets drawn in by this silky, mysterious woman, with whom he spends the night doing who-knows-what (hint: it had a drum-beat rhythm). But when he wakes up in the morning he realizes the tourist bus he was on has departed, and he's stuck there. So he resigns himself to staying there with this mysterious lady until he finally makes up his mind to leave.
Yes ! The long version baby!🔥
Year of the cat is in reference to the Chinese calendar. This calendar measures years differently than the Roman calendar we use. This calendar has longer years and their named after animals.Then they rotate through these years. We know that China doesn’t really use this calendar officially because it doesn’t mesh with the calendar the rest of the world uses. But they still use it for tradition. To find out when this song might take place you’ll have to reference that calendar and then see when the year of the cat matches the regular calendar and then if the references in song fits the time line.
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
May I suggest another great song by
Marc Broussard
Song is
🎵 Cry to me 🎵
You gonna love this one, too. Keep the good work, Biz ✌️ 👏 👍🏻
checkin in ...
Biz I think you'll like Al Wilson - Show and Tell. The newer color video from PBS TV is a real jam. He's in his 60's and dies 6 years later, but his voice is stronger than ever. The back up singers are dope (had a crush on the short one on the right).
There are a few ”Perfect” songs out there, this is one of them.
What goes on in Casablanca stays in Casablanca.
Thanks!
Welcome!
“Masterpiece”
Shout out to Alan Parsons 🔥❤️ great reaction Biz…. “Best reactor on the (Tube)
❤❤❤❤❤
You know its good when you don't eve pause.
Roads to Moscow, very timely history lesson...
This vibration of the song matched the 70s vibs had to be there
Year of the Cat is Chinese Horoscope ,depending what year you were born your sign could be Rat, Cat, Snake etcetera :)
If you want to check out more Al Stewart, let me suggest:
"Time Passages"
"Song On the Radio"
"Running Man"
"Nostradamus"
"On the Border"
"Roads To Moscow"
"Timeless Skies"
"Murmansk Run/Ellis Island"
Listen to time passages by al stewart. Great song.
I think he was from Scotland uk,I'm not sure,but i remember going to Scotland in 1976,i think he's called Ian Stuart,he reminds me of Ian Stewart who beat Steve Profontate in the Olympics in 1972,i was only, 8 and i remember all of them,
Sublime
I never feel bored listening to this,it's,mmmmm
No explanation, it should be in a film
Wait for the sax!
High man I always thought that the reference , the year of the cat was a reference to the Chinese calender as every year is named after an animal, I think he is trying to say he was in Asia?