Best Songs for Sons and Daughters on Father’s Day, part 3

Second place

Cat Stevens composed and recorded Fathers and Sons before he changed his name to Yusuf Islam.

It’s not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want, you can marry…

The song had many performers, and even more interpretations.

I see it as a conversation between the father and growing up son. The boy wants to start on his own, and a father doesn’t think he’s ready yet. The man’s tune is written in the lower register, while the boy’s in the higher. Here’s the video, recorded by the artist most recently. This clip plays better to the idea of the father-son discourse.

The provenance of the song goes back to the Russian Revolution, through the multiple versions, many performers, and a lawsuit.

It still comes to the prime importance: at what time in life a boy becomes a man. And how the father and sons see the time of separation differently.

But take your time, think a lot
Why, think of everything you’ve got
For you will still be here tomorrow
But your dreams may not.

Happy Father’s Day.

Enjoy.