Album: Footsteps In The Dark (1971)

License This Song 

• Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
  And if you want to be free, be free
  'Cause there's a million things to be
  You know that there are
  
  And if you want to live high, live high
  And if you want to live low, live low
  'Cause there's a million ways to go
  You know that there are
  
  You can do what you want
  The opportunity's on
  And if you find a new way
  You can do it today
  You can make it all true
  And you can make it undo
  You see, ah ah ah
  It's easy, ah ah ah
  You only need to know
  
  Well, if you want to say yes, say yes
  And if you want to say no, say no
  'Cause there's a million ways to go
  You know that there are
  
  And if you want to be me, be me
  And if you want to be you, be you
  'Cause there's a million things to do
  You know that there are
  
  You can do what you want
  The opportunity's on
  And if you find a new way
  You can do it today
  You can make it all true
  And you can make it undo
  You see, ah ah ah
  It's easy, ah ah ah
  You only need to know
  
  Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
  And if you want to be free, be free
  'Cause there's a million things to be
  You know that there are
  You know that there are
  You know that there are
  You know that there are
  You know that there are Writer/s: Yusuf Islam
  Publisher: BMG Rights Management
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

• Alex from IllinoisIt actually does say if you want to be high be high be low be low etc to the below comment
• M. from British C;olumbia, CanadaWhy do the printed lyrics say: "if you want to be high, be high, if you want to be low, be low"? He is singing: "if you want to live high, live high, if you want to live low, live low". Much different meaning. No drug use is implied in lyrics sung. This was definitely an anthem of my youth.
• Alex from Austin, TxI loved the cover Kat Dennings did in Charlie Bartlett
• Tom from Atlanta, GaJust heard this again for the first time in maybe 35 years on "My Name Is Earl". I thought I'd used to have it on vinyl but as it turns out it's from "Harold and Maude".
  
  Great song and it's great to hear Cat Stevens on a TV sound track. More, more, more!
• Erin from Austin, TxThe sound track to Harold and Maude is truly amazing. I saw it when I was really getting into Cat Stevens. The Royal Tenebaums also has a great soundtrack and I ended up doing "The Wind", another Cat Stevens song, for my school talent show after hearing it in the movie and liking it so much.
• Howard from St. Louis Park, MnI remember hearing the song in Harold and Maude. Ruth Gordon also sang it. It's a shame it was never a hit.
• Joe from Heidelberg, GermanyI heard this song at my dear cousin's funeral. I instantly fell in love with it and had to know about its name* greetings from Heidelberg
• Tressa from Eaton Rapids, MiThis is a great song, I just love it!

More Songfacts:

Party DollBuddy Knox & the Rhythm Orchids

The rockabilly sound was big in the late 1950s, when Buddy Holly was popular. One of the biggest hits in that genre was the #1 "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox, which used a cardboard box filled with cotton as the drums.

No More I Love You'sAnnie Lennox

The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.

I Love ItIcona Pop

Icona Pop consider "I Love It" a kiss-off to their boyfriends. "We just wanted to get the song out and get the pigs to hear it," group member Jawo said.

One DanceDrake

Drake's "One Dance" was the first ever song to rack up one billion streams on Spotify.

Midnight RiderThe Allman Brothers Band

A roadie for the Allman Brothers came up with the line "The road goes on forever" for "Midnight Rider," and got a songwriting credit for his contribution.

The RoofMariah Carey

Mariah Carey's song "The Roof" is about her first kiss with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Editor's Picks

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."