Is Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" as hopeful in 2021 as it was fifty years ago?

Now I've been happy lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
Oh, I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come

It's 1971. The United States is as divided as it's ever been. Richard Nixon is President. Protests over the war in Vietnam and civil rights are ongoing. It was definitely an era of us versus them.

On the first day of October, Cat Stevens released his fifth studio album. "Teaser and the Firecat" was the follow-up to "Tea for the Tillerman", his first hit album from the previous year. It was a worthy successor. "Teaser" received unanimously positive reviews while selling more than three million albums. It was certified as a triple-platinum record.

Some of the more popular songs on the record included "The Wind", "Morning Has Broken", and "Moonshadow." But the highlight was "Peace Train", the final track of the album.

Now I've been smiling lately,
Thinkin' about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
Something good has begun

It's amazing that during a time of despair and distress that Stevens could write a song of such optimism and hope. The lyrics state that he believed that all people would soon be living together in peace and solidarity. I don't know if Cat was naive or if he really believed this, but the song struck a chord among music buyers. "Peace Train" was a top-five hit on all American music charts.

Now I've been crying lately,
Thinkin' about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
Why can't we live in bliss

We've recently passed the fifty-year mark of "Teaser and the Firecat" and "Peace Train." Those of us who were around for the divide of 1971 are reliving it in 2021. One side says it started five years ago with the election of Donald Trump. His supporters think it goes back eight years earlier with the election of Barack Obama. In reality, we've never come together as one since back in the days of "Peace Train."

I'm not sure the Cat Stevens of today would be able to write this song. Even those of us who bought into the lyrics of fifty years ago have seen enough to know that thoughts behind the music are impossible in this era of divide and lack of trust in the other side. Still, the idea behind the song is something to aim for. Hopefully, sooner than later, we'll be able to jump in the "Peace Train."

Everyone jump upon the Peace Train
Come on, come on, come on
Yes, come on, peace train
Yes, it's the peace train

*Lyrics in bold to "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens

Related Post: After fifty years, Yusuf/Cat Stevens revisits "Tea for the Tillerman"

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