I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my god: the goal of making money. – Cat Stevens
I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the highlight of show business. I was born into a Christian home. – Cat Stevens
There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again. – Cat Stevens
In the early days I had a very black-and-white view of everything. I think thats kind of natural for anyone whos just embraced Islam – or any religion – as a convert. It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life Id been living as a pop star. I was in a different mood. – Cat Stevens
I find increasingly that the more extreme are the things going on in your life, the more cultural reference points fail you. More mythical reference points actually help, and you realise thats what myths are for. Its for human beings to process their experience in extremis. – Michael Sheen