Eddie Vedder covers it, Michael Moore ended SICKO with it: "Don't Be Shy" - Cat Stevens - Empathy and the speed of Ritual

Meanspeed-Carlton Summary

title="Don't Be Shy"

composer=Yusef Islam a/k/a/Cat Stevens

Performer=Yusef Islam a/k/a/Cat Stevens

mean speed/average tempo/media velocity=67.2 beats per minute

average beat=0.672 seconds

emotion concept predicted by the meanspeed conjecture=ceremony. Emotions and speeds and their relationship are found on the Newman Standard Tempo Scale emotional concept as I heard it=ceremonial in the ritual of the treating the physically and mentally ill with quiet yet intense respect

I was struck by the subject matter and presentation of Michael Moore's movie SICKO, an exposure to the disgusting, greedy insurance company driven health "industry" (it once was a profession).

In Ricky Gervais' EXTRA, the song Tea for The Tillerman by cat Stevens was used to end the show every episode. I think ending the film with this song was Moore's tribute to Ricky - Ricky is a modern Charles Dickens, and Michael Moore is finding a voice as the contemporary Upton Sinclair.

The song's beatific ceremonial nature is such a stark contrast to the embarrassing and gauche "health care system" that is just - *works* - interesting movie, fascinating song choice for the ending.

Many have covered this song - there are at least 3 Eddie Vedder versions on "The Tube" - it's a very soothing piece. Complex in its simplicity, as a typical Cat Stevens song as Neil Young, Pat Metheny or Peter Gabriel.



River Newman
Meanspeed Music Comapany
November 18, 2008
this revised article was originally published March 29, 2008