Stevens originally wrote "Father and Son" as part of a proposed musical project with actor Nigel Hawthorn called Revolussia, that was set during the Russian Revolution; the song was about a boy who wanted to join the revolution against the wishes of his father. The musical project faded away with the onset of more than a year-long period of recuperation after a sudden bout of tuberculosis and a collapsed lung; the result of too much fast living after first achieving fame. but "Father and Son" remained, now in a broader context that reflected not just the societal conflict of Stevens' time, but also captured the impulses of older and younger generations in general.

"Father and Son" received substantial airplay on progressive rock and album-oriented rock radio formats, and played a key role in establishing Stevens as a new voice worthy of attention. In 1970 it was only put on the B-side of Stevens' single "Moon Shadow" (Island Records).

Interviewed soon after the release of "Father and Son", Stevens was asked if the song was autobiographical. Responding to the interviewer from Disc Magazine, he said, "I’ve never really understood my father, but he always let me do whatever I wanted—he let me go. ‘Father And Son’ is for those people who can’t break loose."

It's not time to make a change

Just relax--take it easy

You're still young--that's your fault

There's so much you have to know

Find a girl, settle down

If you want, you can marry

Look at me--I am old

But I'm happy

I was once like you are now

And I know that it's not easy

To become when you've found

Something going on

But take your time--think a lot

Think of everthing you've got

For you will still be here tomorrow

But your dreams may not...

How can I try to explain?

When I do--it turns away again

And it's always been the same

Same old story

From the moment I could talk

I was ordered to listen

Now there's a way, and I know

That I have to go away

I know, I have to go...

It's not time to make a change

Just sit down

and take it slowly

You're still young--that's your fault

There's so much you have to go through

Find a girl, settle down

If you want, you can marry

Look at me--I am old

But I'm happy

All the times, that I've cried

Keeping all the things I knew inside

And it's hard

But it's harder to ignore it

If they were right--I'd agree

But it's them--they know

Not me That I have to go away