Can’t Keep It In

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "Can’t Keep It In" from Cat Stevens' 1972 album Catch Bull at Four. This track, bursting with youthful energy and raw emotion, captures the essence of not being able to hold back love or passion. One juicy tidbit from a 2006 BBC1 documentary, Yusuf: The Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens, reveals that the song’s infectious melody came to Stevens in a spontaneous moment of inspiration. He described dancing and singing under a bright moon, letting the song flow naturally—a perfect hippie vibe for our Zoo Crew DJs. The track’s upbeat tempo and soulful delivery made it a standout, though it didn’t get the same chart love as some of his other hits like "Morning Has Broken."

Another cool story comes from Stevens’ own reflections on Catch Bull at Four, shared in a 2022 X post. He noted the album’s massive commercial success, hitting number one in the U.S., but admitted it scared him. The fame felt like it could pull him away from his spiritual goals, which adds a layer of irony to "Can’t Keep It In"—a song about uncontainable feelings, yet he was wrestling with containing his own path. Fans on the Cat Stevens Fans Facebook group often rave about how this track’s raw joy feels like a live performance, perfect for the Zoo Freaks’ free-spirited vibe.

Now, let’s rewind to how Cat Stevens, born Steven Demetre Georgiou, kicked off his musical journey. Growing up in London’s West End, he was surrounded by the buzz of theater and music. By his teens, he was already writing songs and playing in local clubs, inspired by folk and pop sounds. His big break came in 1967 with his debut album Matthew and Son, which climbed the UK charts thanks to the title track’s catchy hook. His early style blended folk-rock with introspective lyrics, setting the stage for classics like Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat, both triple platinum in the U.S. Stevens’ soul-searching nature and melodic knack made him a voice for the counterculture, a vibe the Zoo Crew totally digs.

After a life-changing near-death experience with tuberculosis in 1969, Stevens dove deeper into spirituality, which shaped his later work and eventual conversion to Islam in 1977, when he took the name Yusuf Islam. He paused his pop career for decades, focusing on faith and philanthropy, but returned to secular music in 2006 with An Other Cup. His evolution from a folk-pop icon to a global humanitarian keeps his music timeless for Zoo Freaks. You can catch up with him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like catstevens.com and the Cat Stevens Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can vibe with fellow devotees.