Thursday December 16, 2021 ”Oh Very Young” Cat Stevens

We’re still staying young but I’m guessing you’re relieved that we have moved on from ‘forever young’.

Cat Stevens, Steven Demetre Georgiou, developed tuberculosis at age 19 which nearly killed him but also led him on the road to find out what life was really about. 

In 1967, when he was 19, he had three chart hits in the UK: "I Love My Dog," "Matthew And Son" and "I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun" clearly before he found his true voice and lyrics. He went on to an amazing career when you consider that today's song  “Oh Very Young” was included on his eighth album, Buddha and the Chocolate Factory, recorded when he was only 24.

And if that’s not impressive enough, Stevens did the artwork that appears on the covers of several of his albums. 

That's Suzanne Lynch providing the backing vocals for “Oh Very Yong” who in the 60s was in a New Zealand duo called The Chicks, which the Dixie Chicks had to reconcile with when they recently shortened their name to appear more politically correct.

Stay safe and well...and we’re only dancing on this earth for a short while, so be sure to enjoy every sandwich.

Oh very young, what will you leave us this time

You're only dancin' on this earth for a short while

And though your dreams may toss and turn you now

They will vanish away like your dads best jeans

Denim blue, faded up to the sky

And though you want them to last forever

You know they never will

You know they never will

And the patches make the goodbye harder still

 Oh very young what will you leave us this time

There'll never be a better chance to change your mind

And if you want this world to see a better day

Will you carry the words of love with you

Will you, will you ride the great white bird into heaven

And though you want to last forever

You know you never will

You know you never will

And the goodbye makes the journey harder still

 Will you carry the words of love with you

Will you ride, oh, ooh

 Oh very young, what will you leave us this time

You're only dancin' on this earth for a short while

Oh very young, what will you leave us this time