Year of the Cat

The song "Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart, from the album of the same name, is a fascinating piece with a rich backstory. In a Canadian radio interview, Stewart revealed that he often writes music and orchestration before crafting song titles or lyrics, a process he applied to six of his albums, including Year of the Cat. For this track, he initially penned a song in 1966 called "Foot of the Stage" about British comedian Tony Hancock, but after learning Hancock wasn’t well-known in the U.S., he reworked it into "Year of the Cat." Stewart shared with In The Studio with Redbeard that the iconic saxophone solos by Phil Kenzie were recorded in just one or two takes at Abbey Road Studios, as Kenzie reluctantly left a movie to do the session as a favor to producer Alan Parsons. Interestingly, Stewart admitted he didn’t initially like the sax parts but grew to appreciate them. The song’s instrumental sections, which make up over four minutes of its 6:40 runtime, feature a diverse array of instruments including cello, violin, piano, acoustic and electric guitars, synthesizer, and saxophone, transforming the original folk concept into a jazz-influenced ballad.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s origins. Stewart told Songwriter Universe that he noticed pianist Peter Wood playing a catchy chord progression during soundchecks while opening for Linda Ronstadt in 1975. Despite Wood’s refusal to let Stewart use it, Stewart incorporated the notes into the melody of "Year of the Cat," co-crediting Wood for the composition. The song’s lyrical inspiration draws from cinematic imagery, with its opening line referencing a “Bogart movie,” specifically alluding to Casablanca. The album’s cover, designed by Hipgnosis and Colin Elgie, complements the song’s mystique, depicting a woman with cat-themed items, a concept Stewart reused for his 2004 Greatest Hits album with references to other singles. Fans on Discogs praise the album’s production, with some noting its exceptional sound quality, making it a favorite for hi-fi demonstrations in the 1980s.

Al Stewart’s journey to becoming a folk-rock icon began in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was born on September 5, 1945, before moving to Wimborne, Dorset, England. His early music career took root in the 1960s London folk scene. According to Last.fm, Stewart played in a beat group with future BBC DJ Tony Blackburn before switching to acoustic guitar after buying one from future Police guitarist Andy Summers. By 1965, he secured a weekly slot at Bunjies Coffee House in Soho and later served as master of ceremonies at Les Cousins folk club, sharing stages with luminaries like Cat Stevens, Bert Jansch, Van Morrison, and Paul Simon, with whom he shared a flat. His first recording was guitar work on Jackson C. Frank’s 1965 debut album, followed by his own 1966 single “The Elf” on Decca Records, featuring Jimmy Page. Signing with Columbia Records, Stewart released six albums, starting with Bedsitter Images in 1967, which blended introspective love songs with his emerging historical storytelling.

Stewart’s breakthrough came with his 1973 album Past, Present and Future, which leaned heavily into historical themes and outsold his earlier works, as he noted in an interview with The Santa Barbara Independent. His fascination with history, literature, and cinema shaped his unique “aural cinema” style, culminating in the platinum success of Year of the Cat in 1976 and Time Passages in 1978, both produced by Alan Parsons. Despite later commercial struggles, Stewart maintained a loyal fanbase, continuing to tour and release albums like Sparks of Ancient Light in 2008. His official website, alstewart.com, offers a detailed biography, discography, and tour information. Fans can connect with him on his official Facebook page, which has over 51,000 followers, though no official Instagram or X accounts are listed. The fan-run Al Stewart Fan Group on Facebook provides a space for enthusiasts to discuss his music, share videos, and track tour dates.