Yusuf Islam writes 'manifesto' for King Charles III and releases new single

Ten point includes instructions to 'feed the hungry' and 'help the sick and homeless'

Yusuf Islam, the artist previously known as Cat Stevens, has released a single from his upcoming album King of a Land. Photo: Getty Images

Yusuf Islam, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, has issued a 10-point manifesto that lays out the qualities of a conscientious ruler.

The list, titled Manifesto for a Good King, is addressed to the UK's King Charles III and comes before his coronation on May 6.

“Even if you’re a King, you’re still a servant of God,” the list, as quoted by The Guardian, begins. It then reminds King Charles to “feed the hungry”, “help the sick and homeless”, “listen to constructive criticism” and “beware of negative people in your circle.”

In a separate message, Islam 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 says.

Islam also released a single from his upcoming album King of a Land alongside the manifesto. The title track contains a similar message to not “forget that there’s One above you, and be careful to look out for those who are below you”. The album as a whole revolves around the theme of peace.

King of a Land is Islam’s first new music since 2017. In 2020, he re-recorded one of his most famous albums, Tea for the Tillerman, to mark its 50th anniversary.

Islam didn’t intend to redo the classic album note for note and said he instead sought to make something original and record more up-to-date versions of the songs.

The recordings gave a new twist to many of the celebrated songs on the album. Longer Boats, for instance, was given a funk redressing with guest vocals by rapper Brother Ali, while Wild World was rearranged with a triple-time tango feel.

“If you listen to Longer Boats, nobody would have expected James Brown to jump in the middle of it and start funking around, but that's exactly how we did it,” Islam told Rolling Stone.

“And I got to sing a duet with myself after 50 years, which is incredible. In Father and Son, the voice of the son was taken from a recording of me in 1970 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. And now here's me at 70 singing with myself when I was about 22. It's amazing. It's virtual reality for you.”

The UK prepares for the coronation of King Charles III — in pictures

Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty

Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP

A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP

A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP

Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP

The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP

Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP

A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters

Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty

The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters

A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters

Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA

An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP

Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters

Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA

A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP

Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters

Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP

A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP

Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP

Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA

Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA

Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP

British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty

Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters

Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA

Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP

Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters

The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA

A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images

The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP

Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP

Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP

Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA

A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP

The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP

King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters

The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters

A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA

A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA

People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters

The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA