Moonshadow (song)

"Moonshadow" is a song written and performed by Cat Stevens (known since 1978 as Yusuf Islam), first released in the UK in 1970 as a single and 1971 on his album Teaser and the Firecat in the USA.

"Moonshadow"
Single by Cat Stevens
from the album Teaser and the Firecat
B-side
ReleasedSeptember, 1970 (UK)
June, 1971 (United States)
Format7" 45 RPM
RecordedJuly 1970 at Morgan Studios, Willesden, London, England
GenreFolk rock
Length2:52
LabelIsland (UK/Europe)
A&M (US/Canada)
Songwriter(s)Cat Stevens
Producer(s)Paul Samwell-Smith
Cat Stevens singles chronology
"Wild World"
(1970)		 "Moonshadow"
(1970)		 "Peace Train"
(1971)

History

Stevens considers this his favourite of his old songs.[1]

When Yusuf appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour in 2009, he said of this song: "I was on a holiday in Spain. I was a kid from the West End (of London) – bright lights, et cetera. I never got to see the moon on its own in the dark, there were always streetlamps. So there I was on the edge of the water on a beautiful night with the moon glowing, and suddenly I looked down and saw my shadow. I thought that was so cool, I'd never seen it before."

An animated short featuring the song was part of the Fantastic Animation Festival feature film released in 1977.[2] The animation begins with a still frame of Teaser and his pet Firecat, pictured as they appear on the cover of the album bearing their names. The picture comes to life, and in the course of the animation, they find the fallen Moon, ride on it as it flies, and find a way to replace it in the sky. The beginning and ending story portions were written by Cat Stevens and narrated by Spike Milligan.[2] The video also appears as a special feature on the Majikat Concert DVD.[3]

In May 2012, Moonshadow, a new musical by Yusuf, featuring music from throughout his career, opened at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. The show received mixed reviews and closed four weeks early.[4][5]

The song appears as "Moon Shadow" on both the UK and US labels of the single release.

Chart history

"Moonshadow" reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Easy Listening chart.[6]

Cover versions
  • Appears on several Greatest Hits albums of Roger Whittaker
  • Recorded by Labelle for their 1972 album, also titled Moon Shadow.
  • Recorded by Mandy Moore on her 2003 cover album Coverage. Moore has also been performing "Moonshadow" on the NBC family comedy-drama This Is Us since 2017.

References
  1. Moonshadow by Cat Stevens Songfacts
  2. "Fantastic Animation Festival". Internet Movie Database.
  3. Viglione, Joe (2004). "Majikat:Earth Tour 1976 [DVD] Review". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  4. Le Grand, Chip (June 1, 2012). "Moonshadow Musical keeps us guessing". www.theaustralian.com.au. The Australian. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  5. Somers, Sarah (July 4, 2012). "Moonshadow - The Musical Closes Early". www.theatrepeople.com.au. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  6. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 228.
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