(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard
{{infobox song
| name = (Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard
| artist = Cat Stevens
| type = single
| album = Izitso
| B-side = Land O'Freelove & Goodbye
| length = 2:44
| released = 3 June 1977
| writer = Cat Stevens
| producer = {{hlist|Cat Stevens|David Kershenbaum|Jim Cregan}}
| prev_title = Banapple Gas
| prev_year = 1976
| year = 1977
| next_title = Was Dog a Doughnut?
| next_year = 1977
}}
"(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 1975https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/338683/all 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{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=20 Best Cat Stevens Songs: Discover the Classics |url=https://www.musicinminnesota.com/cat-stevens-songs/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |language=en-US}} features an arrangement of instruments dominated by horns.{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cyQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=cat+stevens+%28Remember+the+Days+of+the%29+Old+Schoolyard+review&pg=PT80 |title=Billboard |date=1977-06-11 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en}} The lyrics of the song describe nostalgia for school.{{Cite book |last1=Hoffmann |first1=Frank |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h8nKAgAAQBAJ&dq=cat+stevens+(Remember+the+Days+of+the)+Old+Schoolyard+review&pg=PA183 |title=Rock Music in American Popular Culture III: More Rock 'n' Roll Resources |last2=Cooper |first2=B. Lee |last3=Haney |first3=Wayne S. |date=2014-02-04 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-95760-7 |pages=183 |language=en}} It was produced by Jim Cregan.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oStLAAAAYAAJ&q=cat+stevens+(Remember+the+Days+of+the)+Old+Schoolyard+review |title=Black Music & Jazz Review |date=April 1979 |publisher=IPC Specialist & Professional Press |pages=28 |language=en}}
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."{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9JE9AQAAIAAJ&q=cat+stevens+(Remember+the+Days+of+the)+Old+Schoolyard+review |title=Stereo Review |date=1976 |publisher=Ziff-Davis Publishing Company |pages=84 |language=en}}
Commercial performance
"Old Schoolyard" reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, his last top 40 placement there to date.{{cite web |url= https://elpee.jp/artist/Cat%20Stevens/ |title=Cat Stevens |website=Billboatd Database |access-date=26 November 2023}} In the UK, it reached number 44, Stevens' last chart appearance there until 2004.{{cite web |title=Cat Stevens |website=Official Charts Company |url= https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/37679/cat-stevens/ |access-date=26 November 2023}}
In popular culture
The song was featured in the opening of Olivia Newton-John's 1978 television special Olivia.{{Cite book |last1=Gruner |first1=Oliver |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Lm9DwAAQBAJ&dq=cat+stevens+(Remember+the+Days+of+the)+Old+Schoolyard+review&pg=PA75 |title='Grease Is the Word': Exploring a Cultural Phenomenon |last2=Krämer |first2=Peter |date=2019-11-22 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-78527-111-3 |pages=78 |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Cat Stevens}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Remember the Days of the Old Schoolyard}}