We all need some more positivity in this world, and listening to Cat Stevens’ song “Peace Train” can contribute to that.
Yusef ‘Cat’ Stevens began performing music in 1967 at the age of 19, stopping a dozen years later. He then started performing again at age 60 and has released multiple albums throughout his career. “Peace Train” hails from his 1971 album, “Teaser and the Firecat,” and was Stevens’ first American Top 10 hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
He has performed it at many important events, including the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert. He created an international version in 2021 with 25 separate artists from 12 different countries for International Day of Peace, and has even made a children’s book out of it.
The song’s themes of connection and working together for a better world are still as relevant as ever, especially in light of COVID-19. Many people are now struggling with connections after so much time in lockdown and are worried about the state of their communities. Taking some out to hear “Peace Train,” can inspire us to do something about these problems.
The song’s highest point is its guitar rhythm, which brings to mind the popular folk music of the ‘60s. It’s done in a soothing and upbeat manner, the result being a piece that can make almost anyone feel better after listening to it. But that’s not the only good part about “Peace Train.”
The lyrics convey a sense of hope for a better future and a desire to connect with the rest of humanity. Throughout the song, Stevens uses the titular train as a metaphor for a world free of conflict between individuals and groups.
This idea fills him with a sense of hope, as evidenced by the lines, “Now I’ve been smiling lately/ Thinkin’ about the good things to come/ And I believe it could be/ Something good has begun.” He also implores others to join him in this new world: “Get your bags together/ Go bring your good friends too/ Because it’s getting nearer/ It soon will be with you.” Stevens’ desire for peace is driving his efforts to connect with other people from around the world.
Of course, he acknowledges all the bad stuff happening around him now: “Now I’ve been crying lately/ Thinkin’ about the world as it is/ Why must we go on hating?/ Why can’t we live in bliss?” However, he isn’t deterred from his hopes for humanity, as the peace train is still coming, and it will take him to a much better world.
Okay, you may argue, that’s all fine and dandy, but one song can’t undo all the horrible things happening in the world now, can it? And to that, I answer: I know, “Peace Train” may not end hunger or bring world peace by itself. But it can help restore our faith in humanity and our collective ability to improve our own and other people’s conditions.
The hope that things will get better and that you can play a role is one of the most valuable things you can have in life. And that’s what I see as the true value of “Peace Train.”
Velocity 
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