Karaoke Forums

What's up with Cat Stevens? We had people request him in the past but we told them he was a radical shiite and we wouldn't be honoring him by doing his stuff here. Now a couple of people are saying he doesn't want his songs to be sung, so I'm thinking maybe should get some just to p him off. But others are saying he changed his ways and given up his vendettas and he wants his songs to be sung. Anybody got an update?

He's still a serious extremist but it doesn't alter the fact that, when he WAS Cat Stevens, he wrote some great stuff.
I still sing it and enjoy it.

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Imagine!

Won't stop me from listing his stuff. Politics don't enter into my selection - unless I get an overwhelming response to delete something, which to this date has never happened. I know some companies that have pulled the Dixie Chicks when they made the statement against the president last year. Well if they did that, then they would need to pull several more country artists that have made similar comments - but didn't get world wide publicity over it. Tons of rock artists as well have made statments to this nature as well, some are more publicized about it than others, but don't get the same publicity. If people have a problem with them, then they don't need to sing it.
Tell you what, half the songs in your book I almost would be willing to bet, that many of the artists - whether it be band or single members to solo artists, have political beliefs & radical ideas that you probably would need to change your shorts if you only knew.
This artist happens to be one that you just happen to know about.

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Nah. I'm pretty radical myself but I draw the line at murderous zealotry. Aside from that we have a bunch of Dixie Chicks and even some Toby Keith. Lifestyles and politics don't bother me, but I'd like to now if we're honoring child molesters or terrorists.

'Yusuf still profits from his record sales and uses the money mostly for charity purposes. His music is not forbidden in his home, nor is it encouraged. His own children know and enjoy his albums. He does however have problems with the subject matter of some of his songs, particularly those of a sexual or religious nature that are not compatible with his new beliefs. Profits from these songs are donated directly to charity and never pass through Yusuf's hands."

"Yusuf has been very active in the re-release of his older material. In particular the recent box set "Three." Three consists of Cat's last three studio albums, Numbers, Izitso, and Back To Earth. More exciting news is the recent discovery of never before released Cat Stevens recordings. These include live tracks, demos, incomplete and complete studio recordings, and some of the "Revolussia" material. There are tentative plans to release some of these songs. "

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

I got the cat on backstage and will sing his stuff. But that disc be hurting. Maybe its time to buy some decent tracks of his on Sound Choice. The dude wrote some killer stuff back in the hey day. Father and Son still gets me everytime...........

I think we all draw the line at



There have been murderous zealots attached to every form of religion, Christianity included. Go through your history books and read about the Cursades for example. (just one of many) The Koran doesn't teach hatred or murder any more than the Bible does, but people still kill using both as a shield for their hatred. The problem isn't the religion. It's human nature.

That said.........I enjoy Cat Stevens music even though I don't follow his religion or politics.

I am a little confused. I don't remember hearing that Cat Stevens is a terrorist or child molester. Maybe I just missed it.

Interesting topic Da Butcha, though it could get ugly.

Better take out Jethro Tulls "Aqualung" then, and any Frank Zappa......

Ray Bradbury of karaoke?

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

Not to mention the obvious, Michael Jackson (child molestor), Pete Townsend (The Who) for downloading child porn on the internet.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Until I look somebody in the eyes and have the pleasure of either shaking their hand or kicking their (@$%&#!) I am not going to censor have an opinon on their music or anything else. Relate to people on a real personal basis not based on somebody elses opinion which probably comes from a fantasy.

In other words I might sing your song then invite you out behind the barn and I will probably wind up a friend for life even if I don't believe in every thing you do. Just don't kick my dog and if the the gate was closed be sure and close it after you go through...

I have singers that sing Traveling Soldier and know what it is about from personal experience and not from a fantasy...

Yep. Its already ugly but what th'heck, people are posting.

Its not really about religion, wannabe, more about individuals and their choices, and whether we should enable them.

I checked the listing and we don't have any MJ. Whew! I'd probably get vilified if I brought him in. No Townsend or Who. No Tull or Zappa either but what's their scandal?

O.K. .......Who's choices are in question? mine???? your's???? We all make different choices for different reasons. You can't really beleive that playing his music and allowing the use of it in your shows has any influence on anyones religious choice especially Cat Stevens. You made the assumption that because he converted to the muslim (probably misspelled)faith that he is a radical shiite, a terrorist and child molester. Those are some pretty predjuidicial statements. Have you read the Koran? Do you know the principal teachings of that religion? Have you talked with Cat Stevens recently? It is so dangerous to make broad statements about a subject you aren't educated on. Maybe Cat stevens is a terrorist or child molester.......I don't know. I have no facts one way or the other. Do you have any evidence that he is or have you just made assumptions based on his religious choice. I hope we can all be more tolerant of each other's choices. If we lived in a world like that we wouldn't feel the need to sacrifice our children to countless wars.

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Too soon old......too late smart.

The artist's choices are in question.

I didn't call him a terrorist or a child molester, those examples were relative to a previous post about where we draw the line.

I did label him a radical shiite because he supported the Ayatollah's contract on Rushdie. I'll stand by that. Again, this goes beyond religion.

We promote the artist when we sing their songs. Given Steven's history its at least possible that he's funneling funds to anti-western causes. I don't know, but why bother taking the chance?

Sorry I misunderstood the statement about child molesters and terrorists.
I totally support you right to decide how you spend your money and what causes you support. I have a very low tolerance for racism and prejudice. I refuse to support anything that has to do with that. We all are guilty of it. I just feel that I need to point it out when I see it. Sometimes we can't see it in ourselves until someone holds a mirror up to our face and points it out. I don't know you and I may have misunderstood everything you said. It's just that polarizing statements like non-western seem to promote a sense of division not unity. The western civilization isn't always as civilized as we would like to be and other cultures and ways of life have been long before the western culture. Every culture and civilization is flawed in one way or another because we as humans are flawed.

Damn I sound so much like my hippie ancestors.

Peace and free love for all

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Too soon old......too late smart.

I'm glad we agree on something. That's why I've decided to boycott Steven's work.

If it's in my book, it gets played, or requested.

I don't care WHO it is.

Now, by the same token, I make a conscious choice to not purchase discs that have too much of the "kill whitey", "kill cops", or other such themes... This mostly means the entire URBAN lines of both Pop Hits Monthly and Top Hits... as well as the Pop stuff on the other main manucturers.

I've YET to have one complaint that I don't have certain songs. I've had someone ask me when I was going to get it, and they're often quite surprised when I know the song, and tell them WHY I'm not getting it.

Most of these idiots can't even tell you what the song is about. It's the same ol' lame "I just love the beat"... type answers!

Ok let me get this straight.. A chap walks in with a BS7917 cd and a turban on his head and wants to sing some Cat Stevens, you tell him no we don't allow that music in this country. Of course he wouldn't argue thats s.o.p. over there I've been over there I sang with some Russian sailors in Beruit Lebanon and they didnt tell us what to sing but they sure could have. Why in the hell do you want to make this country like theirs? I sure dont want go back .. Just dont walk into one of my shows try to tell me or any of my singers what they can or cant sing.......

Do you have Adidas by Korn? is it still in your book?

don't know who you're asking on this karyoker

but yes... KORN - A.D.I.D.A.S. SC8626-10

It's still in my book. To the best of my knowledge, it's only been sang once before.

I'm not sure of the relevance. I also have "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails... it's just as profaine. And a few others.

I play in a bar. We're all over 21 and adults. Curse words aren't frowned on... although gratutitous lyrics like that are met with a mild curiosity. Mostly cause the bar I do it at is a biker bar, and if some punk gets crazy like that, they're REALLY brave! !

Have a good one karyoker!

This could go around in circles for a long while.

I don't know a great deal about the States but I think it's fair to assume that, like England, it's a seriously multi-cultural society.

If I were to 'censor' my karaoke books based on people's religious beliefs, sexual preferences, illegal use of narcotics or just writing bloody awful songs then I might as well shut down my shows.

I put them in my books, people choose to sing them or not.

So be it!

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Imagine!

uh...oh.... don't get me started again or I might break out into a chorus of Kumbaya or We Are The World. Oh......wait.....that's Michael Jackson I guess I shouldn't go there.

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Too soon old......too late smart.