'Peace Train' is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions. There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.
Cat StevensRead
I used to be followed by a moon shadow. Now I'm followed by all these misconceptions, and they're like a ball and chain. I just want to write music from my heart and give people a message of hope and the search for a better place.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a desire to break free from misconceptions and share authentic messages through music.
In this quote, Cat Stevens expresses a feeling of being constrained by misconceptions that have accumulated around him, likening them to a 'ball and chain'. He contrasts this burden with his true passion for creating heartfelt music that conveys hope and a vision for a better future, suggesting that art can be a powerful means of personal expression and influence.
Themes
MusicMisconceptionsHopeExpressionFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to aspiring artists about the importance of authenticity.
More from Cat Stevens
All quotes →If you want to be free, be free, because there's a million things to be.
Cat StevensRead
I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry.
Cat StevensRead
Music can be healing, and with my history and my knowledge of both sides of what looks like a gigantic divide in the world, I feel I can point a way forward to our common humanity again.
Cat StevensRead
I let my music take me where my heart wants to go.
Cat StevensRead
Music satisfies and nourishes the hunger within ourselves for connection and harmony.
Cat StevensRead
Similar quotes
I write songs. Then I record them. And later, maybe I perform them on stage. That's what I do. That's my job. Simple. I don't feel comfortable doing interviews. My profession is music, and writing songs. I like to do it, but I hate to talk about it...Music is spiritual. The music business is not. Being famous was extremely disappointing for me. When I became famous it was a complete drag and it is still a complete drag.
Van MorrisonRead
Ultimately, to insist that rock criticism be political is first to insist that the humans who make and enjoy music are embroiled in politics whether they like it or not - and whether they know it or not.
Robert ChristgauRead
Videos destroyed the vitality of rock and roll. Before that, music said, "Listen to me." Now it says, "Look at me."
Billy JoelRead
When one knows at an early age that their gift, talent and direction is musical, one tends to focus on that and let nothing interfere or impede the forward motion toward the end of that rainbow. And after 50-something years of rockin' out, you still realise there is no end to that distant rainbow until one's last sunset.
Randy BachmanRead
You'd be surprised. Drummers ape each other. The way every rock n' roll record sounds like something else but not all together. Everything other drummers play, if you're playing drums, they all hear.
Miles DavisRead
It may be that when the angels go about their task praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they play Mozart.
Karl BarthRead