Cat Stevens — Bitterblue
Album: Teaser and the FirecatAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 866
Length: 3:05
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I gave my last chance to you
Don't hand it back to me bitterblue
No bitterblue
Yes, I've done all one man can do
Don't pass me up oh bitterblue
My bitterblue
Cause I've been running a long time
On this travelling ground
Wishing hard to be free
Of going round and round
Yes I've been moving a long time
But only up and down
I gave my last hope to you
Don't hand it back to me bitterblue
My bitterblue
I've done all one man can do
Please help me lose this bitterblue
My bitterblue
Cause I've been waiting a long time
Aeons been and gone --
Looking at the horizon
For my light to dawn
Oh yes I've been living a long time
Looking on and on
I've been running a long time
Summers come and gone --
Drifting under the dream clouds
Past the broken sun --
Yes I've been living a long time
To be back beyond
I gave my lst chance to you
Don't hand it back bitterblue
My bitterblue
I've done all one man can do
Don't pass me up oh bitterblue
My bitterblue, bitterblue
I gave my last chance to you
Don't hand it back to me bitterblue
Don't hand it back to me bitterblue
No bitterblue
Yes, I've done all one man can do
Don't pass me up oh bitterblue
My bitterblue
Cause I've been running a long time
On this travelling ground
Wishing hard to be free
Of going round and round
Yes I've been moving a long time
But only up and down
I gave my last hope to you
Don't hand it back to me bitterblue
My bitterblue
I've done all one man can do
Please help me lose this bitterblue
My bitterblue
Cause I've been waiting a long time
Aeons been and gone --
Looking at the horizon
For my light to dawn
Oh yes I've been living a long time
Looking on and on
I've been running a long time
Summers come and gone --
Drifting under the dream clouds
Past the broken sun --
Yes I've been living a long time
To be back beyond
I gave my lst chance to you
Don't hand it back bitterblue
My bitterblue
I've done all one man can do
Don't pass me up oh bitterblue
My bitterblue, bitterblue
I gave my last chance to you
Don't hand it back to me bitterblue
Comments (80)add comment
yuck. This is horrible.
Good that the song is back in rotation!
takes me way back. love this song
ElKay wrote:
Neither did I. Very interesting!
Did not know Cat Stevens painted those album covers!
Stratocaster wrote:
Stratocaster wrote:
Wow, had this album when I was about 15...I don't think I've heard this song in probably 35 years and I could still remember most of the words.
A simpler time.
He also painted the album covers, did you all know that?
A simpler time.
He also painted the album covers, did you all know that?
Neither did I. Very interesting!
kingart wrote:
woo-hoo
I have not heard this in years. Many years. It always thrilled me. Conjures bittersweet but great memories. I love the spirit of this, it is somehow quintessential to its time. And still. And off a very fine album.
woo-hooI remember my mom buying this album when it came out. I managed to take it from her. Still in excellent condition. This song stuck out for me and was one of the first songs I learned on guitar. Great tune!
jagdriver wrote:
Go ahead and criticize a song by all means but at least be an effing adult about it. Twit.
Cat can go suck an egg.
PSD.
PSD.
Go ahead and criticize a song by all means but at least be an effing adult about it. Twit.
Did not know Cat Stevens painted those album covers!
Stratocaster wrote:
Stratocaster wrote:
Wow, had this album when I was about 15...I don't think I've heard this song in probably 35 years and I could still remember most of the words.
A simpler time.
He also painted the album covers, did you all know that?
A simpler time.
He also painted the album covers, did you all know that?
That was a turn-up-really-loud song. Thanks!
jagdriver wrote:
what insight lol
Cat can go suck an egg.
PSD.
PSD.
what insight lol
Lordamighty - takes me back to puttin' a stack of LPs on the record changer and making out with the girlfriend, hoping her parents stay upstairs ...
Cat can go suck an egg.
PSD.
PSD.
Jimmy Page and Cat Stevens definitely listened to each other.
kingart wrote:
Definitely a very fine album. Every song is solid. Miss those days when he was so active.
I have not heard this in years. Many years. It always thrilled me. Conjures bittersweet but great memories. I love the spirit of this, it is somehow quintessential to its time. And still. And off a very fine album.
Definitely a very fine album. Every song is solid. Miss those days when he was so active.
kurtster wrote:
To hell with it. 9 to 10.
Oh, alright! 8 to 9.CRANK IT!
To hell with it. 9 to 10.
So far ahead of his time! Wonderful!
psd'ed a dreary Beck piece and was rewarded with this Super Cat!
Thank you
Thank you
Sweet and wonderful song from an often forgotten wonderful songwriter . More of him would be just fine.
I have not heard this in years. Many years. It always thrilled me. Conjures bittersweet but great memories. I love the spirit of this, it is somehow quintessential to its time. And still. And off a very fine album.
From Bird to Cat. Bill, you are crazed. Love it.
Wow, had this album when I was about 15...I don't think I've heard this song in probably 35 years and I could still remember most of the words.
A simpler time.
He also painted the album covers, did you all know that?
A simpler time.
He also painted the album covers, did you all know that?
FORGOT about this song! Thanks for playing! Love it...meanwhile L.A.'s local FM rock stations still play the same 15 songs from 40 years ago over and over and over and ov....
Go Yusseff!!!!
Poetic and upbeat, Cat Stevens's fine artistry always welcome, thank you!
Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat are two amazing albums. An incredible creative period for a very gifted artist.
Love me some Cat !!!
yofitofu wrote:
That is very much the case. His guitar technique is still being copied to mixed results today. That low end on the bass strings he employed was quite novel in the 70's. His newer music is really good, too.
Cat Stevens music is timeless, and always welcome. He was way ahead of his time.
That is very much the case. His guitar technique is still being copied to mixed results today. That low end on the bass strings he employed was quite novel in the 70's. His newer music is really good, too.
Yep
Segue wrote:
Segue wrote:
This song rocked 40 years ago. This song still ROCKS!
Cat Stevens music is timeless, and always welcome. He was way ahead of his time.
heliosweb wrote:
Oh, good grief!
Yes, it's an old comment, but I have to chime in...
Somebody needs to get a clue. Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens) has NEVER, to my knowledge, espoused hate or anything similar.
Just because he's Muslim? Really, John. Get a clue.
He supported the killing of people who "defame the prophet".
Those remarks got him a lot of bad press, and he's distanced himself from them quite a bit since.
Oh, good grief!
Yes, it's an old comment, but I have to chime in...
Somebody needs to get a clue. Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens) has NEVER, to my knowledge, espoused hate or anything similar.
Just because he's Muslim? Really, John. Get a clue.
He supported the killing of people who "defame the prophet".
Those remarks got him a lot of bad press, and he's distanced himself from them quite a bit since.
bachbeet wrote:
Well said.
Cat sure put out some great music for quite a while. Only thing that stopped him was Islam/religion. Yet another victim of blind faith. What a waste.
Well said.
SING IT, CAT! What a great song! Great album! An 8 for the song + 2 bonus points for what young boy happiness and wonder I associate with it. A 10. Cat or Steven or Yusuf or whatever he has called himself is a fine singer songwriter.
Cat ! Great Cat, too !
I don't give a flying fig about his politics. I love his music.
I don't give a flying fig about his politics. I love his music.
Cat sure put out some great music for quite a while. Only thing that stopped him was Islam/religion. Yet another victim of blind faith. What a waste.
This song rocked 40 years ago. This song still ROCKS!
I meant johnconn
Yes, ridiculous comment by john john. Just because a man calls himself Yusuf Islam is no good reason, no reason at all, to be hateful yourself.
Here is another song Cat Stevens wrote, covered by Santana on the Zebop album. Hardly the lyrics of a hate monger. Get real, pal.
Don't you feel a change a-coming
From another side of time
Breaking down the walls of silence
Lifting shadows from your mind
Placing back the missing mirrors
That before you couldn't find
Filling mysteries of emptiness
That yesterday left behind.
Chorus:
And we all know it's better
Yesterday has passed
Now let's all start the living
For the one that's going to last.
(repeat chorus)
Don't you feel the day is coming
That will stay and remain
When your children see
The answers
That you saw the same
When the clouds have all gone
There will be no more rain
And all the beauty of all things
Is uncovered again.
Chorus
(repeat chorus)
Don't you feel the day is coming
And it won't be too soon
When the people of the world
Can all live in one room
When we shake off the ancient
Chains of our tomb
We will all be born again
Of the eternal womb.
Here is another song Cat Stevens wrote, covered by Santana on the Zebop album. Hardly the lyrics of a hate monger. Get real, pal.
Don't you feel a change a-coming
From another side of time
Breaking down the walls of silence
Lifting shadows from your mind
Placing back the missing mirrors
That before you couldn't find
Filling mysteries of emptiness
That yesterday left behind.
Chorus:
And we all know it's better
Yesterday has passed
Now let's all start the living
For the one that's going to last.
(repeat chorus)
Don't you feel the day is coming
That will stay and remain
When your children see
The answers
That you saw the same
When the clouds have all gone
There will be no more rain
And all the beauty of all things
Is uncovered again.
Chorus
(repeat chorus)
Don't you feel the day is coming
And it won't be too soon
When the people of the world
Can all live in one room
When we shake off the ancient
Chains of our tomb
We will all be born again
Of the eternal womb.
always loved this one... He's always had the most amazingly emotive voice.
johnjconn wrote:
Oh, good grief!
Yes, it's an old comment, but I have to chime in...
Somebody needs to get a clue. Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens) has NEVER, to my knowledge, espoused hate or anything similar.
Just because he's Muslim? Really, John. Get a clue.
Cat , Cat , Cat?????????
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
Oh, good grief!
Yes, it's an old comment, but I have to chime in...
Somebody needs to get a clue. Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens) has NEVER, to my knowledge, espoused hate or anything similar.
Just because he's Muslim? Really, John. Get a clue.
This song has an amazing groove.
This put me in a Cat Stevens Mood. Gotta go find a couple of his CDs and put the headphones on now... 
johnjconn wrote:
If all "Islamists" were like Cat/Yusuf, there wouldn't be any terrorists or religious strife (except, possibly, due to other sources, including Christian fundamentalists, or fundamentalists of any persuasion, for that matter).
Cat , Cat , Cat?????????
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
If all "Islamists" were like Cat/Yusuf, there wouldn't be any terrorists or religious strife (except, possibly, due to other sources, including Christian fundamentalists, or fundamentalists of any persuasion, for that matter).
michaelgmitchell wrote:
Holy smokes! Looks like this was added recently. Yet another reason why I'm a big fan of RP. Classic Cat.
Yes indeed. The first years I listened, I even started to wonder why we never heard any Cat, since Bill plays Joni, Van, Pheobe (RIP), et al. This really does sound wonderful.A song we heard while high-schoolers nursing hangovers during a weekend at the beach in SLO. So naturally it has attained spiritual status and nothing can change that.
Dude, where did you find this old picture of Yusuf? If you want to know what the man is up to, pick up one of his new cds. Still making amazing music, and yes he is still playing his guitar.
johnjconn wrote:
Cat , Cat , Cat?????????
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
johnjconn wrote:
Cat , Cat , Cat?????????
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
Yusuf, still going strong after all these years. His latest rendition of "Peace Train", from a couple of years back, really kicks.
My cat could have sung better than this, and she was 20 last year (now gone to the great basket in the sky, sadly). Yer man Stevens has one of those voices, like Dylan, which I've never been able to understand why folk go so bananas over. It's like sticking pins in my ears listening to this guy.
sirdroseph wrote:
Yusuf in da house!!
Not one of my favorites from the artist, but still Quite Likable.
This dittty and Angelsea just beg to be cranked up!
Hi,
johnjconn wrote:
I think you misunderstand Islam. There are people who hate in most religions.
Cat Stevens went through a lot of spiritual searching — look at his later catalog, in particular.
Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat are at the pinnacle of his music, closely followed by Catch Bull at Four and Buddha and the Chocolate Box. Numbers ... not so much.
Sincerely, Neil
johnjconn wrote:
Cat , Cat , Cat?????????
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
What the hell happened to ya??????
I turn my head for a minute, and you turned to hate.
Chill out , pick up your guitar and get back to the Jesus look
I think you misunderstand Islam. There are people who hate in most religions.
Cat Stevens went through a lot of spiritual searching — look at his later catalog, in particular.
Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat are at the pinnacle of his music, closely followed by Catch Bull at Four and Buddha and the Chocolate Box. Numbers ... not so much.
Sincerely, Neil
Some days just lend themselves to a Cat Stevens song, and this is one of them - overcast, a little rainy, and perfect for staying indoors with a hot beverage, a few cuddly cats, and RP.
Thanks, Bill and Rebecca - this is one of my favorite Cat songs...
Thanks, Bill and Rebecca - this is one of my favorite Cat songs...
Fantastic, thanks Bill. Love it. 
cosmiclint wrote:
Fataawa are like a**holes:
Everyone has one, and they all stink.
...But as Frank Zappa (more than) once said: "Music is the BEST!"
(Cat used to be such a NICE boy! ...He used to cut my lawn!)
Fataawa are like a**holes:
Everyone has one, and they all stink.
...But as Frank Zappa (more than) once said: "Music is the BEST!"
(Cat used to be such a NICE boy! ...He used to cut my lawn!)
cool cat, always was, always will be cool :)
Yusuf in da house!!
Not gonna stop loving this because of politics.
Holy smokes! Looks like this was added recently. Yet another reason why I'm a big fan of RP. Classic Cat.
nothing quite like cat stevens on form
Randomax wrote:
Blasphemer!
Oh, great. Another fatwa.
Blasphemer!
Oh, great. Another fatwa.
steeler wrote:
I would add Mona Bone Jakon to the list, which to me is the best of the three.
Two fine, fine albums — This and Tea for the Tillerman.
I would add Mona Bone Jakon to the list, which to me is the best of the three.
Cracking song, Cat! Shame you fell over the edge of reason
I mean: I don't mind people gettin' religion, no matter what flavour it might be; but when they then become all sanctimonious, and sober, and boring ...and yet insist on thrusting their new-found 'truths' in our faces, (because they have the correct connections, not because of merit) ... then they're a real PITA.
Just my 2c, o'course.
I mean: I don't mind people gettin' religion, no matter what flavour it might be; but when they then become all sanctimonious, and sober, and boring ...and yet insist on thrusting their new-found 'truths' in our faces, (because they have the correct connections, not because of merit) ... then they're a real PITA.
Just my 2c, o'course.
His name is now Yusef, and recently performed on the Cobert Report. Check out Hulu.com to watch the episode.
cherinoel wrote:
Blasphemer!
RadioDoc wrote:
Blasphemer!
This could so be a Fleetwood Mac tune...
Blasphemer!
This could so be a Fleetwood Mac tune...
steeler wrote:
I agree. Those 2 are classics and the rest were all pretty spotty.
Two fine, fine albums — This and Tea for the Tillerman.
I agree. Those 2 are classics and the rest were all pretty spotty.
LOL @ Bill's 'The Old Guy' reference...
Didn't he become a MOOSElim and change his name to MOOSEff Islam?
There was a documentary and interview with Cat Stevens on the BBC recently as part of an Arts series called 'Imagine'. Looks like some kind person has uploaded it to Google video
This song brings back evenings of sitting around listening to music with my dad. So lovely. Thanks, Bill!
Blast from the Past! I wore the heck out of this album in high school... one of the best from that era!
My all time favorite Cat Stevens album, and in my all time top whatever albums!
JrzyTmata wrote: man, I was just thinking the same thing.....this is a most excellent album, Teaser & the Firecat.....
thanks Bill!
I really need to get out those old Cat albums. I haven't heard this is decades!!!
man, I was just thinking the same thing.....this is a most excellent album, Teaser & the Firecat..... thanks Bill!
One of the seminal albums of the early '70s. Very nice to hear this again.
Two fine, fine albums -- This and Tea for the Tillerman.
I really need to get out those old Cat albums. I haven't heard this is decades!!!