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:

BoombasticShaggy

Shaggy wrote his swaggering hit "Boombastic" after learning what "shag" means in the UK.

Jet City WomanQueensrÿche

The setting for the Queensrÿche song "Jet City Woman" is Seattle, the "jet city."

RioDuran Duran

"Rio" by Duran Duran is a metaphor for America, where the band was trying to break through.

Bad RomanceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" includes both gibberish ("Roma Roma-ma") and French ("Je veux ton amour et je veux ta revanche") in the lyrics. The French part translates to: "I want your love and I want your revenge."

Rock And RollLed Zeppelin

According to Jason Bonham, who has filled in for his father on Led Zeppelin reunions, "Rock And Roll" is the hardest Led Zep song to play on drums.

SongbirdFleetwood Mac

Christine McVie wrote "Songbird" for Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album in just half a hour after she woke up in the middle of the night with the song in her head.

Editor's Picks

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.