Growing up in a music loving family, I was surrounded with all types of music ever since my childhood. My uncles and aunts played and taught different instruments and my dad was as big a music fan as I grew up to be.
So in my childhood other than listening to all the music that was coming up in the 80’s and then 90’s, I also listened to older stuff from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s that my dad used to listen to.
Of course, I had my faves from the music in that era too, and one of my favourite singers was Cat Stevens who later became known as Yusuf Islam when he became a Muslim.
I really like his music, songs and lyrics and among my favourite songs by him is one called “Father & Son”.
The song was covered by Irish boy band Boyzone in the early 90’s and has been re-released again now by Ronan Keating (former lead singer of Boyzone, another fave singer of mine) featuring Yusuf Islam himself.
This version of the song is really nice too, sort of a mixture between new and old, Ronan’s warm voice and Yusuf’s smooth vocals carrying the great lyrics ever so beautifully.
The song is a dialogue between a father and his son, and the lines I love the most are when the father says:
… Take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you’ve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow,
but your dreams may not.
I love this song…
I LOVED the song. It’s beautiful!
And yes,I remember the first time I was introduced to your family of your father side, the first thing to notice was their love for music. I was specially shocked to watch your grandma play the piano, mashallah :))
I liked the first cover version by Boyzone more than the newest one, but may be cause I only heard it one. I love music too, and my older sisters are resonsible for it (and my uncle too, he was responsible in the case of my sisters) 🙂 I especially like the music of the 80’s. I didn’t like arabic music so much, but since I live abroad, I like it too. I remember the audio cassettes my uncle brought each time as he once worked for the Saudi Airlines in the 80’s.
Yeah, the Boyzone version of the song was really nice, I agree.
I also liked that one a lot, maybe even a bit more than this one too.
But because I really like the song, it’s hard to decide which version is my fave. I like them all 🙂
This is something I did not know about this song. And like Soly, I liked the version by Boyzone more. Ronan Keating latest album “Turn It On” was also good.
For u guys who said u like the boyzone version more…..u have no idea….
What annoys me is that this great song Boyzone destroyed…it lost its meaning that being a conversation between father and son. It needs to have more than one voice doing it. Its about the stuggles of growing up and the desperation felt by father and son as their lives are changed. Boyzone didn’t have any of that.
Joe
I understand what you mean.
Looking at it like that, this release is the one that works the most for the meaning of the song as Ronan takes the role of the son and Yusuf Islam the role of the father.
Joe,
Cat Stephens originally sung this song and he did it on his own..
You’re opinion is relevant as is everyone elses, however wrong it may be. The amount of singles sold by Boyzone out numbered the amount sold by Cat Stephens.
I like all three releases of the songs.. 🙂
One thing I don’t understand is why Ronan Keating sings the first part of the song. I was always under the impression that the first verse was the father talking to the son, the second the son talking to the father, the third the father back to the son, the fourth(final), the son talking back to the father.
I dont understand why Joe said Cat Stevens version was better than boyzone BECAUSE it should be sung by more than one person because Cat Stevens was only one person and boyzone is more than one person which, if that is your opinion of how the song should be sung, should work better?
i think this song is an classic i love to hear this song and it is very emotional.
I was a huge fan of Boyzone until they split. I loved their version of the song and I don’t understand how Ronan can release a song that was Boyzone’s!
I’m a huge music lover too:) i’m into almost everything, from instrumental to metal.
when cat sung it, he did it with 2 different emotions and feelings so you knew always when it was father and sone, boyzone just melted it into one which took away alot from the meaning of the song
this song is just so ace!!!!
once i started listenin 2 it i jus cunt stop
after a bit i got all my family in to it
i hope you like it as much as me
well if you dont then its your tough luck
BUT I LUV IT I STILL LISTEN TO IT WEN EVA I GET THE CHANCE!!!!!!
salam my brother sami.
i listened to your music, your voice is vey beutiful,and i like that.
ok,i love you very much and i`m wateing for next album of you, ensha alah.
khoda hafez.
salam ronan & yusuf
i just want to say that i like your lyrics and songs and voices .i listen to it every time especialy when i feel upset it give power i hope for you both beautiful life inch’allah with a new song like the one father & son.
i love you so muche my best men
salam…
i didnt know that ronan keating was yusuf islams son…hehe…
but i realy like your song…..its very beautiful…..
salam