Another Saturday Night

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your favorite hippie DJs from THE ZOO spinning the grooviest tunes for you! Right now, we’ve got Cat Stevens’ soulful cover of “Another Saturday Night” blasting through the airwaves, a 1974 single that’s got us all swaying. Did you know this track was originally written and performed by the legendary Sam Cooke in 1963? Cooke penned this tune while holed up in a hotel in England, feeling lonesome because no ladies were allowed in. Talk about a bummer! His version hit No. 1 on the R&B charts and No. 10 on the pop charts, with a chirpy vibe despite its tale of a guy new in town with cash but no one to share it with. Cat Stevens, our folk-rock hero, put his own spin on it, and man, did it soar—peaking at No. 6 in the U.S., No. 1 in Canada, and No. 19 in the UK. Fun fact: this was a non-album single for Stevens, dropped between hits from his Buddha and the Chocolate Box album, making it a unique gem in his catalog.

Here’s a cool tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: Stevens’ version of “Another Saturday Night” was one of only two U.S. Top 10 hits he didn’t write himself, the other being the timeless “Morning Has Broken.” In a 1974 interview, Stevens shared that he was drawn to Cooke’s ability to sing about everyday struggles with such soul, something that resonated with his own storytelling style. Fans on Facebook still rave about how Stevens’ smooth vocals and upbeat arrangement gave the song a fresh, folky twist. Over on X, a fan recently posted about blasting this track on a lonely Saturday night, feeling that Cat’s version captures that “awful way” vibe perfectly. The song’s universal theme of longing for connection has kept it alive, with covers by artists like Jimmy Buffett and Lou Rawls adding to its legacy.

Let’s dive into how Cat Stevens, born Steven Demetre Georgiou, kicked off his incredible journey. Growing up in London’s West End, young Steven was surrounded by the glitz of theatre and music, thanks to his parents’ restaurant, the Moulin Rouge, where he tickled the ivories as a kid. By 15, smitten with The Beatles, he convinced his dad to buy him a guitar, and soon he was writing his own songs. In 1964, at just 16, he made his debut at a local bar called Black Horse, launching his career. A year later, he snagged a publishing deal and adopted the stage name Cat Stevens, a nod to a girlfriend who said he had cat-like eyes. By 18, he was signed to Decca Records, dropping his debut album Matthew and Son in 1967, with hits like “I Love My Dog” and the title track climbing the UK charts. His early days were a whirlwind of teen pop stardom, touring with heavyweights like Jimi Hendrix, but a bout with tuberculosis in 1968 slowed him down, leading to a reflective period that shaped his iconic folk sound on albums like Tea for the Tillerman.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with this legend at his official website, catstevens.com, where you’ll find tour dates, music, and more. Connect with him on Facebook and Instagram as YusufCatStevens, where he shares updates and throwbacks. On X, he’s @yusufcatstevens, dropping wisdom and music news. For the ultimate fan experience, check out the Cat Stevens Fans group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks like you share stories, rare pics, and love for his music. There’s also Majicat, a fan-run site packed with discographies, interviews, and trivia. So, keep spinning those records with us at THE ZOO, and let’s vibe to “Another Saturday Night” all night long!