Year of the Cat by Al Stewart | Reaction and Analysis

TLDRYear of the Cat by Al Stewart is a musical masterpiece with a smooth blend of instruments. The progression of the song is fantastic, starting with a piano intro and gradually adding drums, guitars, and a symphony. The cover art and Al Stewart's voice are also noteworthy. The lyrics beautifully describe the captivating allure of a woman. Overall, a must-listen song with impressive musicality and great storytelling.

Key insights

🎵Year of the Cat has a smooth blend of instruments, including piano, drums, guitars, symphony, and a unique instrument resembling a sitar or mandolin.

🌙The lyrics use powerful imagery to describe a captivating woman, with similes like 'she comes out of the sun like a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain.'

🕺Al Stewart's voice is smooth, reminiscent of Boz Scaggs, and perfectly suits the romantic and flowing nature of the song.

🎻The introduction of the violin and other instruments adds layers of richness to the song, creating a truly enjoyable musical experience.

🎷The saxophone solo in the song is unexpected but adds a unique and exciting element to the overall composition.

Q&A

What genre is Year of the Cat by Al Stewart?

Year of the Cat is classified as a soft rock song, with elements of folk rock and progressive rock.

Is Year of the Cat a popular song?

Yes, Year of the Cat is one of Al Stewart's most popular songs and has become a classic in the soft rock genre.

Who wrote Year of the Cat?

Year of the Cat was written by Al Stewart and Peter Wood.

When was Year of the Cat released?

Year of the Cat was released in 1976 as the title track of Al Stewart's seventh studio album.

Has Year of the Cat won any awards?

While Year of the Cat did not win any major awards, it has been highly praised by critics and has achieved enduring popularity among music lovers.

Timestamped Summary

02:23The song starts with a beautiful piano intro, and gradually adds drums, guitars, and other instruments to create a smooth and captivating musical experience.

04:56The violin comes in as the song progresses, adding depth and richness to the composition.

06:17The guitar solo in the song is followed by a surprising saxophone solo, which adds a unique and exciting element to the overall sound.

07:52Al Stewart's voice is smooth and soothing, perfectly complementing the romantic and flowing nature of the song.

09:31The lyrics of Year of the Cat beautifully describe a captivating woman, using powerful imagery like 'she comes out of the sun like a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain.'