Yusuf Islam, the musician formerly known as Cat Stevens, has addressed King Charles III ahead of his coronation with a 10-point list entitled Manifesto for a Good King.
“Even if you are a King, you are still a servant of God”, the list begins, and goes on to include instructions to “feed the hungry”, “help the sick and homeless”, “beware of negative people in your circle” and “listen to constructive criticism”.
In an additional message, the 74-year-old singer-songwriter said: “One of the privileges of being an artist is to express what seems unimaginable, and then hang it up there for people to ponder; we can say things that others can’t. Sure, I know full well music can’t necessarily solve the world’s problems, but it can help to direct the narrative.”
He released a new single, the title track from upcoming album King of a Land, alongside the manifesto, and said that the major message of the track – to not “forget that there’s One above you, and be careful to look out for those who are below you” – applies to all of those in leadership positions.
It’s the second single to be released from King of a Land – the songs are Islam’s first releases since 2020’s Tea for the Tillerman 2, a reworking of his 1970 album, and his first brand new music since 2017.
He began releasing music in 1966, putting out 11 albums within the first 12 years of his career. After converting to Islam in 1977, and subsequently adopting the name Yusuf Islam, he ceased releasing music in 1979, auctioning all his guitars for charity and instead choosing to devote himself to running Islamic schools for children.
He returned to pop music in 2006 with An Other Cup, his first release under the name Yusuf, an alias he continued to perform under for his next two albums, 2009’s Roadsinger and 2014’s Tell ’Em I’m Gone.
Now known professionally as Yusuf/Cat Stevens, the artist has long used music as a tool to engage with current affairs and to open up conversations with leaders and political figures.
In 2016, he performed in a rare live concert by the Houses of Parliament to coincide with the release of his single He Was Alone, which draws attention to the plight of lone child refugees.
Speaking at the time, he said: “I have agencies saying to me: ‘We can get you so many millions [to do a tour],’ but I am not interested in that. I am more interested in the cause and in bridge-building.”
To honour 2021’s International Day of Peace, he recorded a new version of his 1971 hit Peace Train in collaboration with over 25 musicians from 12 countries, raising money for Playing for Change, an initiative that builds music and art schools for children.
Alongside his musical endeavours, he is also at the helm of the charity Peace Train, which provides food, safe water and playgrounds across the world.
Early last year, the organisation supplied widowed families in Sindh, Pakistan with livestock, tools and seeds; in October, he performed in Istanbul and Ankara to raise money for the charity.
King of a Land, his 17th studio album, is said to be more than a decade in the making; across its 12 songs, he invites the listener to imagine an alternative universe, “where happy endings can possibly happen”.
The full album will be released on 16 June.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ Manifesto for a Good King in full
1. Even if you are a King, you are still a servant of God.
2. Remove hatred through education and spread peace.
3. Feed the hungry.
4. We are all humans that make mistakes, so be forgiving.
5. Help the sick and homeless.
6. Beware of negative people in your circle.
7. Everyone has a part to play, teach them to work together.
8. Be just and don’t show favouritism.
9. Listen to constructive criticism.
10. Be a guardian to all faiths, and the precious Earth we all share.
• This article was updated on Wednesday 26 April to correct the spelling of Roadsinger and to reflect that King of a Land is the second single from his upcoming album.
