Tea for the Tillerman
Encyclopedia
Tea for the Tillerman is an album by singer-songwriter
Cat Stevens
. This album, Stevens' second during 1970, includes many of Stevens' best-known songs including "Where Do the Children Play?
", "Hard Headed Woman", "Wild World
", "Sad Lisa", "Into White
" and "Father and Son". Four of the tracks ("Where Do the Children Play?
", "On the Road to Find Out", "Tea for the Tillerman" and "Miles from Nowhere") were featured in the Hal Ashby
and Colin Higgins
' black comedy
film entitled Harold and Maude
, in 1971. The track "But I Might Die Tonight" was featured in a film the year before, in 1970: Deep End
, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski
. Stevens, a former art student, created the artwork featured on the record's cover.
With "Wild World" as an advance single, this was the album that brought Stevens world-wide fame. The album itself charted into the top 10 in the United States, where he had previously had few listeners.
On 18 November 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine included this album in its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list at number 206.
In 2006, the album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
. In 2007, the album was included in the list of "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time", released by The National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
.
In November 2008, a 'Deluxe Edition' was released featuring a second disc of demos and live recordings.
Single
Jimmy Cliff
("Wild World")
Boyzone
("Father and Son")
36 Crazyfists
("Sad Lisa")
Mr. Big
("Wild World")
The Nerve Agents
("But If I Might Die Tonight")
Horace Andy
("Where Do the Children Play?
")
Angels of Venice
("Sad Lisa")
and Stephen Merchant
for the closing credits
of Extras
. The fourth episode of the second series of the show features a cover of "Tea for the Tillerman" performed by Chris Martin
of Coldplay
.
The song "Miles From Nowhere" is featured in "The A-Team
" and is used during Face's (Dirk Benedict
) walking away scenes in the episode "Alive At Five"
The character Sid in Skins sings the song "Wild World" with the rest of the Skins cast at the end of the last episode of Skins in series 1.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
. This album, Stevens' second during 1970, includes many of Stevens' best-known songs including "Where Do the Children Play?
Where Do the Children Play?
Where Do the Children Play? is a song by British folk-rock musician Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam. It was the opening track of the album Tea for the Tillerman, released in 1970....
", "Hard Headed Woman", "Wild World
Wild World
"Wild World" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. It first appeared on his fourth album, Tea for the Tillerman, recorded and released in 1970 and, continuing the change in Stevens' sound, after leaving Deram Records and signing with Island Records...
", "Sad Lisa", "Into White
Into White
"Into White" is a song written and recorded by Cat Stevens. It was released on his 1970 album Tea for the Tillerman and was covered in 1971, in Italian, by Mia Martini and in 2007 by Carly Simon.Many feel the song is a description of transcendence...
" and "Father and Son". Four of the tracks ("Where Do the Children Play?
Where Do the Children Play?
Where Do the Children Play? is a song by British folk-rock musician Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam. It was the opening track of the album Tea for the Tillerman, released in 1970....
", "On the Road to Find Out", "Tea for the Tillerman" and "Miles from Nowhere") were featured in the Hal Ashby
Hal Ashby
Hal Ashby was an American film director and film editor.-Birth and early years:Born William Hal Ashby in Ogden, Utah, Ashby grew up in a Mormon household and had a tumultuous childhood as part of a dysfunctional family which included the divorce of his parents, his father's suicide and his...
and Colin Higgins
Colin Higgins
Colin Higgins was an Australian-American screenwriter, actor, director, and producer. He was best known for writing the screenplay for the 1971 film Harold and Maude. and for directing the films Foul Play and Nine to Five .-Biography:Higgins was born in Nouméa, New Caledonia to an Australian...
' black comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
film entitled Harold and Maude
Harold and Maude
Harold and Maude is a 1971 American dark comedy film directed by Hal Ashby and released by Paramount Pictures. It incorporates elements of dark humor and existentialist drama, with a plot that revolves around the exploits of a young man intrigued with death, Harold...
, in 1971. The track "But I Might Die Tonight" was featured in a film the year before, in 1970: Deep End
Deep End (film)
Deep End is a 1970 British-West German drama film directed by Jerzy Skolimowski and starring Jane Asher, John Moulder Brown and Diana Dors. The film is set in the suburbs of London and is perhaps best known for featuring the song "Mother Sky" by the band Can and "But I Might Die Tonight", the Cat...
, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski
Jerzy Skolimowski
Jerzy Skolimowski is a Polish film director, screenwriter, dramatist and actor. A graduate of the prestigious National Film School in Łódź, Skolimowski has directed more than twenty films since his 1960 début Oko wykol...
. Stevens, a former art student, created the artwork featured on the record's cover.
With "Wild World" as an advance single, this was the album that brought Stevens world-wide fame. The album itself charted into the top 10 in the United States, where he had previously had few listeners.
On 18 November 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine included this album in its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list at number 206.
In 2006, the album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery, first published in 2005. The most recent edition consists of a list of albums released between 1955 and 2010, part of a series from Quintessence Editions Ltd...
. In 2007, the album was included in the list of "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time", released by The National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
.
In November 2008, a 'Deluxe Edition' was released featuring a second disc of demos and live recordings.
Side one
- "Where Do the Children Play?Where Do the Children Play?Where Do the Children Play? is a song by British folk-rock musician Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam. It was the opening track of the album Tea for the Tillerman, released in 1970....
" – 3:52 - "Hard Headed Woman" – 3:47
- "Wild WorldWild World"Wild World" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. It first appeared on his fourth album, Tea for the Tillerman, recorded and released in 1970 and, continuing the change in Stevens' sound, after leaving Deram Records and signing with Island Records...
" – 3:20 - "Sad Lisa" – 3:45
- "Miles from Nowhere" – 3:37
Side two
- "But I Might Die Tonight" – 1:53
- "Longer Boats" – 3:12
- "Into WhiteInto White"Into White" is a song written and recorded by Cat Stevens. It was released on his 1970 album Tea for the Tillerman and was covered in 1971, in Italian, by Mia Martini and in 2007 by Carly Simon.Many feel the song is a description of transcendence...
" – 3:24 - "On the Road to Find Out" – 5:08
- "Father and Son" – 3:41
- "Tea for the Tillerman" – 1:01
Disc Two
- "Wild World" Demo – 3:14
- "Longer Boats" Live at the Troubadour – 2:51
- "Into White" Live at the Troubadour – 3:37
- "Miles from Nowhere" Demo – 3:14
- "Hard Headed Woman" Live in Japan – 3:57
- "Where Do the Children Play?" Majikat Earth Tour 1976 – 3:20
- "Sad Lisa" Majikat Earth Tour 1976 – 3:13
- "On the Road to Find Out" Live at KCET-TV – 4:57
- "Father and Son" Yusuf's Café Sessions – 4:25
- "Wild WorldWild World"Wild World" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. It first appeared on his fourth album, Tea for the Tillerman, recorded and released in 1970 and, continuing the change in Stevens' sound, after leaving Deram Records and signing with Island Records...
" Yusuf's Café Sessions – 3:03 - "Tea for the Tillerman" Live at the BBC – 0:50
Personnel
- Cat StevensCat StevensYusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
– guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, lead vocals - Alun DaviesAlun Davies (guitarist)Alun Davies is a Welsh guitarist, studio musician, recording artist, and composer who rose to fame primarily with his supporting guitar work and backing vocals as accompanist for English musician Cat Stevens, from early 1970 to 1977...
– 2nd guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, backing vocals - Harvey Burns – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- John Ryan – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Additional personnel
- Del Newman – stringString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
arrangements - John Rostein – violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Pop Albums | 8 |
Single
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | "Wild World" | Pop Singles | 11 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – U.S. | Gold | May 12, 1971 |
| RIAA – U.S. | Platinum | January 30, 2001 |
| RIAA – U.S. | Double Platinum | January 30, 2001 |
| RIAA – U.S. | Triple Platinum | January 30, 2001 |
Cover versions
Songs from this album have been covered by a diverse range of artists, which include:Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff, OM is a Jamaican musician, singer and actor. He is the only currently living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and sciences...
("Wild World")
Boyzone
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
("Father and Son")
36 Crazyfists
36 Crazyfists
36 Crazyfists is a four-piece metal band originating from Anchorage, Alaska. They are now based in Portland, Oregon. The band's name comes from a Jackie Chan movie, Jackie Chan And The 36 Crazy Fists...
("Sad Lisa")
Mr. Big
Mr. Big (band)
Mr. Big is an American rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin , Paul Gilbert , Billy Sheehan , and Pat Torpey ; Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999...
("Wild World")
The Nerve Agents
The Nerve Agents
The Nerve Agents were an American hardcore punk band formed by Andy Outbreak and Eric Ozenne .Their angry brand of music juxtaposed yelled, sometimes ranting vocals with distorted and often chorus laden chords, complex bass lines and fast-paced percussion...
("But If I Might Die Tonight")
Horace Andy
Horace Andy
Horace Andy is a roots reggae songwriter and singer, known for his distinctive vocals and hit songs such as "Government Land", "Angel", "Five Man Army" and a cover version of "Ain't No Sunshine"....
("Where Do the Children Play?
Where Do the Children Play?
Where Do the Children Play? is a song by British folk-rock musician Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam. It was the opening track of the album Tea for the Tillerman, released in 1970....
")
Angels of Venice
Angels of Venice
Angels Of Venice is a harp, cello, flute and vocal group founded by harpist Carol Tatum in 1993.The group's core sound is harp, flute and cello but also combines Middle Eastern, medieval and neoclassical styles.- Members :...
("Sad Lisa")
Use in popular culture
The title track is used by Ricky GervaisRicky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, radio presenter, producer, musician, and writer.Gervais achieved mainstream fame with his television series The Office and the subsequent series Extras, both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with friend and frequent collaborator...
and Stephen Merchant
Stephen Merchant
Stephen James Merchant is an English writer, director, radio presenter, comedian, and actor. He is best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, as the co-writer and co-director of the popular British sitcom The Office, as the co-writer, co-director and a co-star of Extras, and as the...
for the closing credits
Closing credits
Closing credits or end credits are added at the end of a motion picture, television program, or video game to list the cast and crew involved in the production. They usually appear as a list of names in small type, which either flip very quickly from page to page, or move smoothly across the...
of Extras
Extras (TV series)
Extras is a British sitcom about extras working on TV and film sets and in theatre. The series was co-produced by the BBC and HBO, and is created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, both of whom also star in it...
. The fourth episode of the second series of the show features a cover of "Tea for the Tillerman" performed by Chris Martin
Chris Martin
Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin is an English song-writer, who is the lead vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitarist of the band Coldplay. He is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow.-Early life:...
of Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
.
The song "Miles From Nowhere" is featured in "The A-Team
The A-Team
The A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by...
" and is used during Face's (Dirk Benedict
Dirk Benedict
Dirk Benedict is an American movie, television and stage actor, perhaps best known for playing the characters Lieutenant Templeton "Faceman" Peck in The A-Team television series and Lieutenant Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica film and television series.-Early life:Benedict was born...
) walking away scenes in the episode "Alive At Five"
The character Sid in Skins sings the song "Wild World" with the rest of the Skins cast at the end of the last episode of Skins in series 1.