Roadsinger

Album: Roadsinger (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Yusuf told The Sun May 1, 2009 that this song is, "a story of prejudice and there's a lot of that that around!" He added: "We have to deal with it and one way is symbolize the character, you know the outcast as a Roadsinger. He's a busker in a way. He's well traveled."
  • Roadsinger was the former Cat Stevens' follow-up to his 2006 set An Other Cup, which was the Muslim singer-songwriter first secular album in 28 years. Yusuf told Billboard magazine: "This one was really a result of me writing a lot of songs and being kind of inspired again. After I recorded ['Cup'] people just wanted to hear me do a lot of simple stuff, just with the guitar."
  • Mojo magazine June 2009 asked Yusuf if this is an autobiographical song. He replied: "It is but these days it's with a small 'i.' Would it have been with a capital 'R' before? Yes. But these days I can see myself drifting in and out without any problem. I'm just leaving a little trail, a little message about where this road singer's been. Somebody may pick up on that, may understand it, may want to know more, or may just move on. The road singer's there if you want to him. He's around."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.