Top Ten Banned Songs: Peace Train (#7)

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Good morning! Amid all the travels and myLot conventions I’m still roaring through this list of songs that found themselves banned at one time. Today’s artist will show up again next month, as I continue the theme with a look at favorite songs from the infamous “Clear Channel Memorandum.” I’ll explain that later. Meanwhile, here’s today’s song. #7: Peace Train - Cat Stevens I said there were two acts that gave me ample song selection options. The Stones were one, given all the different songs that were seen as “drug songs” or “offensive.” With Cat Stevens, it was, on some stations, a blanket ban. Why ban a song like this? I mean, who’s opposed to peace (a few world leaders aside )? It wasn’t the song in this case. It was the singer. Many of you know about Cat Stevens’ story, and how he converted to Islam in 1977 and took the name Yusuf Islam (he now is identified as “Yusuf/Cat Stevens”). Many of you also know the story of Salman Rushdie, the Indian-born, Muslim-raised author. In 1989 he had a fatwa put on his head (which was nearly carried out last year ) after publication of his book The Satanic Verses. When asked about the fatwa, Yusuf replied, “ He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear – if someone defames the prophet, then he must die.” There was a tremendous backlash against him, and many radio stations stopped playing his music. Yusuf later said he was railroaded into answers without being able to expound on his answer (the old “have you stopped beating your wife” question). I chose “Peace Train” for (a) the irony and (b) I do love this song. This has a happy post-script: Rushdie survived the assassination attempt on him. And the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame put Cat Stevens into the Hall because he deserved to be there. Peace Train Written by Cat Stevens Recorded by Cat Stevens From Teaser and the Firecat, 1971 Reason banned: backlash against Stevens’ alleged support of the fatwa against Salman Rushdie Out on the edge of darkness: