Cat Stevens - Don’t Be Shy

I first heard this song while watching Harold & Maude.  I actually have no clue what made me rent this film (likely the intelligent netflix recommendations), but I am grateful because it’s now a favorite.  The soundtrack for the whole film is done by Cat Stevens and is literally one of the greatest OST that i ever heard and unfortunately only 2500 copies of the soundtrack were released 36 years after the film came out.

The songs take you on a journey of self-reflection as the film takes on the traditional coming of age theme in the most untraditional way possible.  The songs also discuss finding the type of love that pushes you forward in your life and on your journey to becoming the person inside of you.  I almost broke my own theme by posting this whole album and not digging in to one song, because they are all excellent.

The song “Don’t Be Shy” sets the whole film up perfectly as we watch Harold go through the act of committing “suicide”.  At first it seems contradictory and morbid as in saying that shyness will lead to suicide.  The song speaks to Harold and tells him to let out his true personal feelings and forget about fear.  Many people do not take the first step when it comes to love whether of a person or for a dream out of fear.  A very simple song with a very poignant message.

Don’t be shy
just let your feelings roll on by
Don’t wear fear
or nobody will know you’re there
Just lift your head
and let your feelings out instead
And don’t be shy
just let your feeling roll on by
On by

You know love is better than a song
Love is where all of us belong
So don’t be shy
just let your feelings roll on by
Don’t wear fear
or nobody will know you’re there
You’re there

Don’t be shy
just let your feelings roll on by
Don’t wear fear
or nobody will know you’re there
Just lift your head
and let your feelings out instead
And don’t be shy
just let your feeling roll on by
On by
on by