Over the eleven years that I ran CatStevens.com I have received countless submissions from people all over the world. One of the innovative features we had was the fan cover song (and original song) section. I had a policy of not really judging the submissions, and would post almost everything. Occasionally though someone would submit something that I just couldn't post. Most of the time it was because it was an original song that really didn't fit. I only wanted original songs that were either about Cat Stevens, or were very similar to his style. However there was one submission that I never posted that is in a category all to itself.
Quite literally a day or two have 9/11 I received a submission of a song called "September 11" by an artist named "Shoestring Angler." I'm not entirely sure if I have the song title or artist name correct, but that is what is listed on the MP3 file. Try as I might I cannot locate the original email. I am a pack rat and keep every email I have ever received. But for some reason I lost this one. I have been unable to contact the artist, so if you're out there "Shoestring Angler" please drop me a line. :-)
Anyhow, back to the song. After 9/11 we are all a little (ok totally) freaked out. There was no way on earth that I would have posted a song about such a tragedy no matter how good it was. It just wasn't the right time. Having said that, I wouldn't have posted this on catstevens.com at any time. :-) But it was even worse considering the timing.
When I first heard this song I really thought it was a piece of crap. No offense to the artist but I genuinely thought it was terrible. It was so bad in fact that I had to keep it. It's been in my iTunes library ever since. Over the last five years I've listened to it many times. Yes, I laugh, and it's true that I'm posting it here because it's funny. But I do have to give the artist some credit. It's catchy, and dammit he had passion. He really meant it and believed it. I think that counts for something. There is redeeming value here. While I'm not going to even begin to comment on the song's message, the singer clearly had one and put his heart into it the words, music and recording. So keep that in mind and please don't bash it, ok? I write songs too, and I am fully aware that more people think I suck than think I'm great. So it was very hard for me to be critical of his work. But over the years I've grown to love the song. Yes, because of it's faults, but also because of his sincerity.
Give it a listen, and stick with it. He starts slow but there are so many twists and turns that you really need to hear the whole thing. :-)
So without further ado, I present to you both the worst and best submission to CatStevens.com that never was. Enjoy!
Click the play button above to hear the song. You can also download the MP3 here.
12 responses to The Worst (and best) Submission To CatStevens.Com That Never Was
That is sincerely post ironic.....makes me feel better about my efforts on RF.com now....
Huh???? I think I am speechless. :)
MK
I actually like it. There's something really organic and passionate about it, and he may well be the first songwriter after the attack to record a song about it.
I stopped it half way through. I'll give it another try later.
I liked it. I've certainly heard worse. He had something to say, and he said it. I can see why he sent it to CS.Com. He is definitely trying to sound like the CatMan.
"I stopped it half way through. I'll give it another try later."
Yes Walla, me too.
I liked the fury and the female backup singer is great. It needs someone like Scarlet Rivera to add some crazy strings (à la Dylan's "Hurricane") and a rip snortin' rythym section.
Well, it was everything you said it would be.
Thank you for posting that...I've listened to it twice so far, and each time, it's brought me laughter. I couldn't understand what he was saying at first, but, now I think I understand what he was singing...oh my Gosh! I knew it all along, though.
Cheers!
I like it a lot. The recording quality is very good, as are the guitar work and backup singing. The main singer is obviously very talented, although at first he could be mistaken for Adam Sandler doing "Operaman"! ( viz., see Opera Man's take on 9/11:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayzGlxHoTkk )
I like the sentiment, too. The singer's passion reminded me of the White Stripes guy... could it be him, before he became famous? :) I doubt it, it doesn't really sound like him.
Yes, I like it. Thanks for posting, John.
Reminds me of Harry Chapin.
Sounds a little like David Shepherd Grossman.
I kinda like it. Sort of... for being done on the spot, it's pretty good.
At least it has a message.