Cat Stevens

b. 1948, London - British singer-songwriter, later known as Yusuf Islam

Stevens wrote the song early, before he was established as a performer in his own right, and cut a demo of it in 1965 to pitch to other singers — a private recording that was never issued. He let another singer release it first. He did not record his own version until 5 October 1967, at Decca Studios in London, and it appeared on New Masters that December, after Arnold’s single had already charted. He has watched several different artists have hits with it since.

Who recorded it

Songs written by Cat Stevens

The First Cut Is the Deepest

Written by them — first recorded by P. P. Arnold

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