My Gen X Playlist: Father and Son – Cat Stevens

Daily writing prompt

If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?

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My friends and I were on our annual trip in the mountains, far away from the city. We took time off from hiking and decided to fish for the day. Our master plan was to relax by the lake and catch dinner to grill over the fire later in the evening. One of the great things about fishing in the mountains, you are totally disconnected from technology and all you have is time. When the fish are not biting, you can be present to enjoy conversation with friends or have time to explore your thoughts.

It was a slow day fishing and I began reminiscing about fishing trips with my dad. Growing up, my dad took our family to Mammoth Mountain every summer to enjoy the fresh air of the mountains and fish the local lakes. On these trips, he taught us to tie our fishing lines and cast them into the water. More importantly, these trips taught us how meaningful it was to spend quality time with family. These trips hold some of my fondest memories. Although my father past away 5 years ago, I still find myself having conversations with him. Speaking to him keeps him close to me, but sometimes it feels like one way conversations. As I kept watch over my fishing line, I remember saying under my breath, “Hey man, give me a sign if you hear me.” I said it on a whim and didn’t expect anything in return. Moments after the words left my mouth, I had a fish bite on my line and I reeled one in. This was just what I needed and couldn’t help but smile.

I’d love to have my father as my dinner guest. He was such a big part of my life and I miss him dearly. As he grew older, he developed this gentle aura about him. It was comforting just to be near him and exchange stories and laugh. I’d give anything to have a few hours with him once again. We could swap old fishing stories and laugh about the big one that got away.

Today’s playlist includes Cat Steven’s Father and Son. The song is written and sung as a conversation between a father and son. What a gift it would be to have just one more conversation and laugh with my dad.

Fathers share an incredibly unique bond with their sons. That’s precisely the relationship that Cat Stevens wanted to emphasize in his gorgeous ode to fatherhood and letting go of their child as they become independent. ‘Father And Son’ is a story of a father and his son going their separate ways in life without necessarily understanding the reasons why. It has become one of Cat Stevens’ most enduring songs, and continues to leave fathers and their sons around the world teary-eyed.

– Smooth Radio

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

[Father:]
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You're still young, that's your fault
There's so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy

I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you've found something going on
But 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

[Son:]
How can I try to explain, cause when I do he turns away again
It's always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go

[Father:]
It's not time to make a change
(Away, away, away)
Just sit down, take it slowly
You're still young, that's your fault
(I know)
There's so much you have to go through
(I have to make this decision)
Find a girl, settle down
(Alone)
If you want you can marry
Look at me, (No) I am old, but I'm happy

[Son:]
All the times that I cried
(Decision, decision, decision)
Keeping all the things I knew inside
It's hard (Why must)
But it's harder to ignore it
(You go and make this decision)
If they were right, I'd agree
(Alone?)
But it's them they know not me
Now there's a way and I know
That I have to go away
I know I have to go