Cat Stevens’ Morning Has Broken: The 1971 Song of Hope That Still Inspires Generations
In 1971, Cat Stevens introduced his version of “Morning Has Broken,” a track that quickly became one of the defining songs of his career. Originally written as a Christian hymn by English author Eleanor Farjeon in 1931 and paired with the traditional Scottish Gaelic melody “Bunessan,” the piece had long existed in the world of sacred music. Stevens discovered it during a creative dry spell and decided to reinterpret it for his album Teaser and the Firecat. With Rick Wakeman of Yes contributing delicate and intricate piano lines, Stevens transformed the hymn into something altogether timeless—both reverent and newly alive.
Born Steven Demetre Georgiou on July 21, 1948, in London, Stevens grew up as the youngest child in a culturally rich household, with a Greek Cypriot father and a Swedish mother. Above the family’s Moulin Rouge restaurant in the lively Soho district, he was surrounded by a wide range of sounds and influences. From the bustling music of the West End to the evolving rock scene of the 1960s, his surroundings shaped his creative voice. By 15, inspired by the Beatles, he was already writing his own songs—planting the seeds for the artistry that would later captivate the world.
Choosing the name “Cat Stevens” for its catchiness and memorability, he entered the industry with the release of Matthew and Son in 1967. Songs like its title track and “I Love My Dog” revealed a songwriter of promise, but the quick pace of fame and a grueling lifestyle soon caught up with him. In 1969, tuberculosis forced him into a lengthy recovery. What seemed like a setback became a turning point, sparking reflection and leading him toward a more personal, thoughtful approach to music.
Out of his convalescence came a rebirth in sound. He shed the polished, orchestrated pop arrangements of his early years and embraced a stripped-down, introspective folk-rock identity. This evolution took form in 1970’s Mona Bone Jakon, a modest success commercially but a crucial step forward artistically. Then came Tea for the Tillerman in 1970, an album that made him a global star. Tracks like “Wild World” and “Father and Son” displayed his gift for combining heartfelt lyrics with melodies that spoke to listeners on a deeply emotional level.
Riding this momentum, he released Teaser and the Firecat in 1971, which further confirmed his standing among the era’s great singer-songwriters. Among its standout moments was “Morning Has Broken,” which was less a cover than a reinvention. Stevens, with Wakeman’s expressive piano, created a version that felt both spiritual and accessible. The song’s imagery—celebrating dawn, renewal, and creation—resonated widely. It reached number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, firmly placing it in the canon of early ’70s classics.
Yet bringing the song to life wasn’t without its obstacles. The hymn itself was short, and producer Paul Samwell-Smith insisted it needed expansion. Stevens turned to Rick Wakeman, then making waves in the progressive rock scene, whose elegant piano passages gave the track its now-iconic shape. Though Wakeman initially went uncredited, the oversight was later corrected, and Stevens made sure recognition and compensation followed. That collaboration became one of the song’s defining features.
Beyond its chart performance, “Morning Has Broken” carried personal significance for Stevens. Its message of gratitude and renewal aligned with his own search for meaning. By the mid-1970s, after a near-death experience in Malibu, he embarked on a spiritual quest that ultimately led to his conversion to Islam in 1977. Taking the name Yusuf Islam, he stepped away from popular music at the height of his fame, devoting himself to education and charitable work within the Muslim community.
When Yusuf returned to music decades later, his performances of “Morning Has Broken” took on even deeper resonance. The song that once marked a turning point in his career now reflected a lifetime of spiritual exploration. Its universal message—finding beauty in each day’s beginning—bridged cultures, faiths, and generations, making it more than a hymn or a pop song: it became a shared meditation.
Over the years, the piece has been reinterpreted by countless artists, appearing in hymnals, churches, schools, and concert halls around the world. Its adaptability speaks to its timeless nature. Whether sung in a congregation, performed on stage, or played in private reflection, it retains its quiet power to remind people of life’s simple gifts and the chance for renewal each morning brings.
In examining its lasting impact, it’s clear that “Morning Has Broken” embodies a unique blend of collaboration, artistry, and spiritual searching. Stevens’ ability to give modern life to a traditional hymn demonstrates his sensitivity and vision as a songwriter. The track endures not only as a classic recording but as a moment of cultural and spiritual resonance.
Today, Yusuf/Cat Stevens continues to perform the song, often receiving emotional responses from audiences across the globe. Its staying power lies in its sincerity and its universality. More than fifty years on, “Morning Has Broken” still shines as a hymn of gratitude, reminding us that every dawn brings with it the possibility of hope, beauty, and renewal.
