Morning Has Broken

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some groovy trivia about Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens, spinning from the classic Teaser and the Firecat album! This track, a reworking of a 1931 Christian hymn by Eleanor Farjeon set to the Scottish Gaelic tune "Bunessan," became a massive hit thanks to Stevens’ soulful touch. He stumbled upon the hymn in a bookstore while hunting for public domain song ideas during a dry spell for the album, as he shared on The Chris Isaak Hour: "I accidentally fell upon the song... I needed another song or two for Teaser and the Firecat. I came across this hymn book, found this one song, and thought, this is good." The song’s initial 44-second length was a challenge, but Stevens transformed it into a 3-minute-20-second masterpiece with the help of session musician Rick Wakeman’s iconic piano arrangement. Stevens recalled on the Broken Record podcast, “Rick Wakeman happened to be in Morgan Studios... I wanted something really flowery and magnificent and he did it so beautifully.”

The recording process wasn’t without drama. Wakeman, who was warming up with melodies from what would become his solo work The Six Wives of Henry VIII, was persuaded by Stevens to adapt those ideas for Morning Has Broken. In a 2000 BBC Radio 5 Live interview, Wakeman revealed he was paid just £10 for his contribution, initially uncredited, and never received the payment until Stevens later apologized and ensured compensation in 2002, which Wakeman donated to one of Stevens’ schools. The pair reconciled, performing the song together at the 2020 Music for the Marsden charity concert in London. Wakeman later reflected on a British TV documentary that he felt the song’s beauty brought people closer to spiritual truth, a sentiment that resonates with its enduring popularity. The track hit #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the U.S. easy listening chart in 1972, cementing its place as a timeless anthem.

Now, let’s rewind to how Cat Stevens, born Steven Demetre Georgiou on July 21, 1948, in London, kicked off his musical journey. Growing up in a bustling household above his family’s restaurant, young Steven found solace on the rooftop, soaking in the sounds of musicals from nearby Denmark Street. He told Broken Record in 2022 that West Side Story gave him a “different view of life.” At 15, his father bought him his first guitar for £8, sparking his songwriting passion. Influenced by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and blues legends like Lead Belly, Stevens began performing in London coffee houses. He adopted the stage name Cat Stevens, partly because a girlfriend said he had “eyes like a cat,” but also because he quipped, “I couldn’t imagine anyone going to the record store and asking for ‘that Steven Demetre Georgiou album.’” His 1967 debut, Matthew and Son, hit the UK top 10, but it was his 1970s albums like Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat that launched him to global stardom.

Stevens’ spiritual and artistic evolution continued to shape his career. After converting to Islam in 1977 and adopting the name Yusuf Islam, he stepped away from music to focus on philanthropy, only returning to secular music in the late 1990s. His official website, catstevens.com, is a treasure trove of his legacy, offering updates on his music and charitable work. Connect with him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares reflections like his 2021 post about the Teaser and the Firecat 50th anniversary box set: “Delighted with the art and sounds on the new Teaser and the Firecat box set!” Fans can dive deeper at sites like Last.fm for discographies or join communities like the Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam Fan Group on Facebook to swap stories and celebrate his music. So, Zoo Freaks, keep those vibes high and let Morning Has Broken lift your spirits!