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Nights of bloodshed in Tripoli, protesters in the streets of Cairo, the youth in revolt in Iran the Middle East is reaching a tipping point that is pushing all the limits of their respective governments and quite possibly rewriting the future of the Muslim world. His comments aside about Rushdie, Yusuf Islam’s message of peace makes as much sense now as it did 40 years ago. Though contextual, it was counterproductive to Yusuf’s mission. He made mention of condoning Salman Rushdie’s death for defaming the Prophet Mohammed in his book The Satanic Verses. He then auctioned his guitars and set out on a new expedition bent on bringing peace and understanding through philanthropic and educational causes in the Muslim community of London and elsewhere.Ĭritics can argue Yusuf Islam has a radical stance on the views of the Muslim religion. He converted to Islam and was reborn into the world under the name Yusuf Islam. Stevens’ musical train came to a screeching halt in 1977. It’s not a suggestion it’s a demand to get the people motivated to make that change. Stevens preaches “C’mon” throughout the song. Between the toe taps and hand claps is the elusive message of revolt. Though a song of peace, it’s also one of revolution in the respect that it gets emotions stirring. Stunning violins and a quiet acoustic guitar take the song to its finish and the soul is left tranquil. It makes a point to drive out the wretchedness of distaste and create an idyllic, beautiful new world under the banner of peace and love. “Now I’ve been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is/Why must we go on hating, why can’t we live in bliss” takes the listener into careful reflection. Stevens takes the time to understand that the pain of tyranny is ugly and is in desperate need of a social facelift. There is no rest for the wicked as the song comes to an end. “Peace Train” incarnates a need to get peace moving in a positive and productive direction. His song of peace is also a song of forward motion. Protest music and the hippie movement of the ‘60s was living proof that one’s feelings can make a difference. It breaks at about a minute in, giving the listener a brief second to grab a breath and then it’s a full-on folk explosion.Īs Stevens belts out “Oh peace train sounding louder/Glide on the peace train” and the claps jump in, the song turns electrifying and the ride towards peace has truly begun.Īs peace can be considered to be an inner state of centralized feeling, its projection outward is the real benefit of this song. Once the harmony takes off, there is no turning back. The subtle intrigue at the opening is only held back long enough to get the first verse out of the way. Right out of the gate, the song begins quietly the simple acoustic riffs and smooth bass line are just the beginning of what is to come as the song progresses. It wasn’t just the Greek-influenced sound of the guitar or the gospel-like background singers, it was the message: “Climb aboard and give peace a chance.” This song alone was Stevens’ show closer when he would play live and was a fundamental way to bring down the house at the end of his shows. There was no hidden significance in the lyrics. Of all his masterpieces to broadcast on the airwaves, “Peace Train” lent the most memorable meaning and fit the sign of the times. And as with many of his songs, meaning was to outlast the song itself. He was a folk powerhouse who wrote and performed melodies such as “Father and Son,” “Moon Shadow” and “Where do the Children Play?” His mastery of the guitar and shuddering vocals captivated many and brought a voice to a generation itching to say “ENOUGH!” His messages were pure and clear. When “Peace Train” made it into the many homes of a country beset in never-ending turmoil, a British-born activist was ready to speak to the American audience about ending social unrest and the ever-important need for change.Ĭat Stevens was a superstar in the ‘70s. What was to become of this once proud country? Where were we headed? Peering into the horizon, there was no light beyond the dark. The mid ’70s were looking to be a continuation of the 10,000-day war and this was unacceptable for the American public. The Watergate scandal was on the horizon and Richard Nixon would later be impeached. was still grinding through the Vietnam War McGovern was running against Nixon for the presidency and, much to the chagrin of many an 18-year-old man, the draft was extended even though it was slated to end that June.Īs the ’60s came and went, war protesters were still looking to the politicians to right wrongs, fix social ilk and bring our boys home. The year was 1971 and it was a tumultuous time in American history.