(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard

"(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard"
"(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard"
Single by Cat Stevens
from the album Izitso
B-side	"Land O'Freelove & Goodbye"
Released	3 June 1977
Length	2:44
Songwriter	Cat Stevens
Producers	Cat Stevens; David Kershenbaum;
Cat Stevens singles chronology

"(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard" is a song by English singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. It was first released by Linda Lewis in February 1975^[1] and included on her album Not a Little Girl Anymore (1975). Stevens' version was released as the lead single from his tenth studio album Izitso (1977) on 3 June 1977. It's a duet with Elkie Brooks.

Lyrics and composition

The song begins with a recording of children playing. The synth-laden track^[2] features an arrangement of instruments dominated by horns.^[3] The lyrics of the song describe nostalgia for school.^[4]

Critical reception

Stereo Review described it as "a model of energy and vitality without a trace of the phony frenzy or fake hysteria that so many other young singers try to pawn off as high spirits".^[5]

Commercial performance

"Old Schoolyard" reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, his last top 40 placement there to date.^[6] In the UK, it reached number 44, Stevens' last chart appearance there until 2004.^[7]

In popular culture

The song was featured in the opening of Olivia Newton-John's 1978 television special Olivia.^[8]

References

↑ https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/338683/all
↑ "20 Best Cat Stevens Songs: Discover the Classics". 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
↑ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1977-06-11.
↑ Hoffmann, Frank; Cooper, B. Lee; Haney, Wayne S. (2014-02-04). Rock Music in American Popular Culture III: More Rock 'n' Roll Resources. Routledge. p. 183. ISBN 978-1-317-95760-7.
↑ Stereo Review. Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. 1976. p. 84.
↑ "Cat Stevens". Billboatd Database. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
↑ "Cat Stevens". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
↑ Gruner, Oliver; Krämer, Peter (2019-11-22). 'Grease Is the Word': Exploring a Cultural Phenomenon. Anthem Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-78527-111-3.

[1] ttps://secondhandsongs.com/performance/338683/all

[2] "20 Best Cat Stevens Songs: Discover the Classics". 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-12-21.

[3] Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1977-06-11.

[4] Hoffmann, Frank; Cooper, B. Lee; Haney, Wayne S. (2014-02-04). Rock Music in American Popular Culture III: More Rock 'n' Roll Resources. Routledge. p. 183. ISBN 978-1-317-95760-7.

[5] Stereo Review. Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. 1976. p. 84.

[6] "Cat Stevens". Billboatd Database. Retrieved 26 November 2023.

[7] "Cat Stevens". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2023.

[8] Gruner, Oliver; Krämer, Peter (2019-11-22). 'Grease Is the Word': Exploring a Cultural Phenomenon. Anthem Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-78527-111-3.

[1]