About the song
“Year of the Cat” by Al Stewart is not just a song; it’s a narrative journey through time and space, wrapped in melodic intrigue and lyrical mystique. Released as a single in July 1976, this track quickly became the centerpiece of Stewart’s 1976 album of the same name. Recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London by engineer Alan Parsons in January 1976, “Year of the Cat” captivated audiences with its lush production and evocative storytelling.
The song’s allure lies not only in its musical craftsmanship but also in its vivid narrative. Co-written by Stewart and Peter Wood, the lyrics spin a tale of a traveler drawn into a mysterious encounter at a bustling marketplace. Amidst this exotic scene, a woman in silk appears, leading the protagonist on a blurry, romantic escapade. The next morning, awakening beside her, the traveler discovers, in a serene realization, that his tour bus has departed without him, leaving behind his ticket.
The song’s title, “Year of the Cat,” holds a deeper cultural reference. In Vietnamese astrology, it corresponds to the Year of the Cat, which aligns with the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese or Korean astrology. The specific period referenced in the song, “Ất Mão,” spans from February 11, 1975, to January 31, 1976, marking a time rich in symbolism and meaning.
Despite achieving notable success with subsequent hits like “Time Passages,” which topped the charts in 1978, “Year of the Cat” remains Al Stewart’s signature piece. Its enchanting blend of folk-rock elements, intricate storytelling, and timeless appeal has secured its place as a staple on classic rock and folk playlists worldwide.
Through its dreamlike lyrics and haunting melody, “Year of the Cat” invites listeners to wander through its lyrical landscape, where time slows down and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. It’s a song that continues to captivate new generations, ensuring its legacy as a classic in the pantheon of 1970s rock music.
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Lyrics
On a morning from a Bogart movie
In a country where they turn back time
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre
Contemplating a crime
She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running
Like a watercolor in the rain
Don’t bother asking for explanations
She’ll just tell you that she came
In the year of the cat
She doesn’t give you time for questions
As she locks up your arm in hers
And you follow ’till your sense of which direction
Completely disappears
By the blue tiled walls near the market stalls
There’s a hidden door she leads you to
These days, she says, I feel my life
Just like a river running through
The year of the cat
While she looks at you so cooly
And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea
She comes in incense and patchouli
So you take her, to find what’s waiting inside
The year of the cat
Well morning comes and you’re still with her
And the bus and the tourists are gone
And you’ve thrown away your choice you’ve lost your ticket
So you have to stay on
But the drum-beat strains of the night remain
In the rhythm of the newborn day
You know sometime you’re bound to leave her
But for now you’re going to stay
In the year of the cat
Year of the cat