As Yusuf/Cat Stevens continues to refurbish his early catalog by releasing considerable deluxe editions loaded with remixes, remasters, and rarities, along comes this simpler offering: a soundtrack that essentially never existed in this form, yet almost feels like it has been around for years.  Though beautifully and memorably woven into the film, itself, many of the songs included in Harold and Maude were not released on a soundtrack per Stevens’ wishes at the time of the film’s release; (the artist was concerned it may render a potential greatest hits album redundant). 

Now, with added dialogue from the film as well as some bits of classical (Tchaikovsky & Strauss), the complete soundtrack is available for the first time on compact disc (with previous, and differently assembled, cassette and vinyl-only formats still floating around in collectors’ circles).  And it’s lovely.  The now-classics he wrote specifically for the movie- “Don’t Be Shy” and “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out”- alongside Stevens’ pre-existing pearls, “Miles from Nowhere” or “Tea for the Tillerman” or “Where Do the Children Play?” lend more than their share of credence to Cat’s initial concerns; it does feel like a splendid collection of hits, in hindsight.  And five decades later, for certain, there is nothing wrong with that.

It’s a necessity for those who love the ’71 film, and a keeper for Stevens’ fans too, but for those unaware of either, it’s an uncluttered introduction to both; though likely more so to the music than the dark humor of the movie.  In fact, the soundtrack and its playful and colorful cover art go a long way to reinforcing the sweetness and the celebration of life in this odd and endearing masterpiece, that it gives the plotline- a teen with a tendency for faking suicides engages in a love affair with a 79-year-old woman- a wholly new feeling of joy and brightness.  And, now, if you want to sing out, sing out.