Harry Chapin: BETTER PLACE TO BE 81

REDONE WITHOUT BIRDS!
From 1981 concert at Hamilton Place

[@alanjustice7842]

I don’t have the words to describe Harry and his music so I won’t try. But some of you reading this will know Just How I Feel.

[@joelfrye2968]

I got to sing backup to Harry when he did a solo concert in Syracuse, NY. He started this song, and got to the chorus. He was screwing up his face to try to do Big John's part, so I leaned over to my future first wife and said, "I'm about to embarrass the hell out of you." She just smiled and said, Do it. I sang the opening notes, and Harry gave me a huge grin and just nodded Yes vigorously. Later, when he got to Taxi, he looked out and said, "You still there?" I said, "Oh Hell yeah!" One of the highlights of my life.

[@josephmicheals8895]

Great story Joel!! Blessings

[@richardn6768]

Part of Harry's magic was that he was expansive. There was no ego-tripping. He loved what and who helped tell the story. It was always about the stories, and not about him building a kingdom.

[@trex2092]

He did the same at a concert at the University of West Florida in 1977. It really works to get the audience involved and he knew it and the audience loved it.

[@ChrisCaster-tl1pf]

My favorite musician in the whole world

[@judigordon9387]

I was devastated when Harry died... I had every album he ever made and listen to them over and over. I still miss him. There is not another song writer that comes even close

[@Rastafari6]

I was in a small town up state NY about 10 Years ago and I stepped in a small restaurant called "A better place to be"' With a pic of Harry on the sign.

[@hurin_thalion11]

where is it located?

[@Rastafari6]

@@hurin_thalion11 Im sorry I dont remember the town but near Saratoga

[@studdedsail7126]

I must be the only guy in the world right now listening to this song and bawling my eyes out.

[@davidhoulahan6017]

Maybe then, but I proudly join you now

[@sandraworth1330]

June 30 2024 chillin With Harry tonight. 🌹❤️Happy to find this site.

[@MikeScruggs-yn6kf]

No, there's three of us.

[@Temho1]

4

[@starcruze328]

And one more

[@suepaul7479]

Believe me you are not the only one who bawls when he sings this song

[@Elspode]

There never was anyone like Harry, and never will there be anyone like him again. I once hung off the edge of the stage at the Midland Theater in KC watching him. No one else had the balls to come up where I was, me and my camera. I called out songs, and he smiled and pointed at me, and said "We'll get to that". And he did. No one has ever moved me the way he did, before or since. Rest ye well, Harry, and thank you. Thank you for stirring me to my soul.

Patrick Chambers you lucky dude

[@arcomalambert810]

I only heard about Harry many years after he died...but he has influenced my life more than any other singer.

[@jennifereleanor9278]

@@arcomalambert810 same

[@jennifereleanor9278]

Wish i had the chance

[@imtheboss1826]

Except for his brother Tom.

[@entertainmentsystems3332]

I'm proud and honored to have been Harry's lighting company for most of his 1974 through 1976 concerts. I still come to tears hearing his and Big John's harmonies. Best time of my life.

[@amyreuben5860]

As a fellow LD for musicians and in theatre, and as a huge fan of Harry's from my youth, seeing him annually at Ontario Place Forum in Toronto where I grew up, I keep him musically in my heart my entire life, I'm glad to read your comment.

[@CC-gh6du]

I’ve been blessed to find Chapin, Croce, Cambell, Lightfoot, Denver, Fogleburg, and so many more in this past year and 1/2. My life at 20 years old has been forever changed by these amazing stories and songs. I’m so disappointed in the music of my generation but am so thankful to have these legends to listen to, even if they are all mostly passed on or no longer touring. How incredible their talent is, not just in instruments or voice, but in their ability to touch the lives of so many in such a deep, personal level. I am in constant awe of their artistry.

[@williamerdman4888]

That's an impressive list! I, fortunately, got to watch them all as they developed their careers. Enjoyed every damn minute!

[@josephchristopher5209]

You've been awakening , C C . What do you know of Chris Rea & Al Stewart ?

[@davidharrison431]

They are some of my absolute favourites too. (I use Aussie spelling)

[@kyleterrell6842]

I'm 24. Ive been listening to old music since I was 12. I keep finding great music every year. It's getting harder to find old gems. But I keep finding them. Harry chapin was a crazy revelation like 5 years ago for me. And now I play guitar, and my favorite songs to play are jim croce. My favorite to play is tomorrow's gonna be a brighter day and box number 10

[@christopherlundgren3499]

It'll get better, my friend. :-) between Harry and Joni, Judy and Leonard, (and Dolly!), the great singer/performer/songwriters are not gone. They simply took a nap. They'll be back, in spirit (I'm not thinking some kind of Walking Dead sing-along, though that would be awesome!)

[@thewy42]

I remember the day he died, when I heard the news.I was 13.I remember playing his music over again.Harry has been a part of my growing up, even though he was gone.He was there when I fell in love, when I had my heart broken,when I found my soulmate, and true love,had babies and now in my 40's.My husband has now passed on,and my boys are grown men, his music has much more meaning to me...It's a part of the fabric of my life, both in the wonderful and in the depths of the worst times.Truly amazing

[@stacieharper-lipscomb4918]

I also remember the day so clearly. I am so blessed to have been raised listening to him. No better story teller. ever.

[@jonhenning]

You have me crying my dear. I love his music too. So real

[@stevehuggett2098]

God bless you Kymber Lee.

[@brianoconnor1949]

The day Harry passed, he was scheduled to play at Eisenhower Park on Long Island. We were partying in the Hamptons and decided, notwithstanding severe sunburn, to head to his show. Unbeknownst to us, Harry had been on the East End as well, and was driving back on the same Long Island Expressway that we were. I can't recall the WNEW jock who broke the news that Harry has passed in a car accident. Details were sketchy, and we were all a little bit pissed that traffic was so bad at that time of day. It turns out that the fiery accident we witnessed was the accident which WNEW announced. Like Harry, I am a native of Huntington NY, and every once in a while I'd inadvertently meet up with Harry while jogging on Bay Avenue. He was quite a bit older, but just a regular guy. He never considered himself to be special or particularly chaste ( he wasn't) but I never heard of a recording artist so concerned with his audience' enjoyment. That's to say when he was not concerning himself with world Hunger.

[@frankrives9964]

I remember the announcement. Brought home harder as I heard it on FM radio while driving in traffic.

[@jimsabean]

Saw Harry live 4-5 times. Remember the day he died, it was a very hot day and I was painting a garage door (high gloss white!) in the searing sun. Had my car in the driveway with the radio on, heard the news and just broke down. I wanted to just go home and cry, but I had to keep working. I'll always remember Harry for his unsurpassed storytelling and humanitarianism. He would ask concert-goers to bring food for the needy to his concerts, which I and my companions gladly did. Thank you Harry.

[@DennisAPerrySr]

No one could tell a story like Harry! I still listen to his music on a regular basis. He is so missed.

[@maureencervantes4148]

Memories of Better days and a friend named Willie... He was that little man who met a woman in a bar and for one night in his life he was somebody special.. he was my husband's best friend who lost a battle with cancer but he always talked about that one night in what he called Heaven... This song takes me back to that time... RIP Willie and Harry...

[@raymondward8896]

When Chaplin did a concert you could hear a pin drop in Ft. Myers Florida no one there lost there attention and he was the only one playing his guitar no one else was there.

[@rockcandy1964]

My husband turned me onto the rest of his music. I had only heard Cat's in the Cradle. We listened to the cassette all the time. My husband died of cancer back in 1991 and the music brings back bittersweet memories for me.

[@jimpinotti7347]

He was the best storyteller ever. There will never, ever be another Harry Chapin. Performers today don't even come close.

[@floridamike991]

This song...30 years...still chokes me......

[@fredradatz9575]

When my kids were little we would go to his shows it was always real classy and fun

[@jackcaveney766]

Saw many concerts! still have world hunger tee shirts! He left this world too soon! It is a shame he would have done more for this world than just leave his music! He was a man of integrity!

[@00lilyvonshtupp]

Had the privilege of seeing Harry in Flint Michigan. i will never forget it. I will never forget Harry and what he's given me.

[@mikepetergumball8337]

Im a 47 year old Kiwi who can and will shed a tear for Mr Chapin anywhere any time.

[@tomfifield9350]

My wife was at this concert ,I didn’t want to go . Still pissed 40yrs later I didn’t go with her

[@KyleCowden]

In the early eighties, my wife and I were driving to our honeymoon. We had plugged in his cassette. She bawled her eyes out on this one.

[@1mparcher]

"And I wish that you'd come with me, when I leave for home. For we both know all about loneliness, and livin' all alone." Genius!

[@Tsahkratis]

Let's hope you're wrong - the world needs somebody like Harry more than ever... A beautiful man. It brings tears to my eyes just to talk about him. These songs are a part of my being - my spirit - my soul. "Harry! Are you really so naive, you can honestly believe, that the country's gettin' better when all you do is let her, alone. Harry! Can you really be surprised when it's there before your eyes, when you hold the knife that carves her, you live the life that starves her to the bone!"

[@markallandryden2965]

I cry everytime I try to sing this masterpiece 😢 ❤Love you Harry

[@wfj50]

Best story teller ever. Period.

[@donstack4011]

Will Jones think I agree even if I’m a John Denver freak

[@djbenji2643]

No contest!☺

[@guitarhack714]

One of my all time favorite singer songwriters

[@johnepperson4527]

You are correct

[@MrWhiteamin]

@@donstack4011 I got here through Zahn's airport. Where I grew up there, just down On Sherbrooke rd. That's Suffolk county, Lindenhurst . Amityville was or may be where zahn's was. . But I seached youtube for Zahn'. And there is a 16 mm bw film a round about the airport and under is Harry. so now Iwas actually thinking , did Chapin and Nilsson ever meet ?

[@stemikger]

I saw Harry when I was a kid at St. Johns University in Staten Island. It was just him without his band. Everyone brought canned goods for his food drive. He was such a good man and so talented. It was an experience I would never forget. Ironically all of my favorite singers died in tragic accidents. Harry Chapin, Jim Croce and John Denver. So sad. I miss them all.

[@stevemanning331]

Harry would make a point of staying after his shows to just talk with people, no ego or pretense, just a man who really appreciated that you were there with him to enjoy the music .

[@heronimushertz9256]

He remembered you from show to show!

[@vicferrari89]

I regret never having to see him.

[@tammyteodosio6481]

He did a courtyard show at Pitzer College waaaasy back. It was so incredible to see him in a small setting. My brother and I went together and at the end of the concert, Harry stayed to sign merchandise, etc. I got a tee-shirt but my bro Alan got great Pic of Harry kissing my cheek! My bro said, "did you just kiss my sister?? Harry, looked at us and said. "Yes, I did".. My bro said, "Could you do that again, so I get this photo?'" Priceless... He did kiss me!! I loved Harry...he was my troubador.

[@1mparcher]

Harry Chapin was pretty awesome!

[@shirlainemcdaniel6909]

I saw Harry at Purdue University 1970 or 71. Have never forgotten.

[@damsam4369]

I miss your stories. I was lucky to see you in concert in nyc. Rip harry

[@hbusch6]

I was lucky enough to see him twice in Ambler, Pa. The first time I wasn't sure of who he was. My wife was a fan. By the end of the show and Circle I was hooked. I went out and bought all of his albums that I still play today. Yeah albums. This song is my second fave only to only Mail Order Annie.

[@RikerRichard]

I was privileged to see Harry twice at Rutgers in the 70's. His caring, good humor, and intelligent lyrics will be hard to replace. He was one of a kind.

[@eddieshearon1016]

Saw him at the purple monster in Sarasota, Fla. Seats I had were eyeball to eyeball with this wonderful man. Got to meet him after the show. Yes I stammered, a lot. Great man! Still cry at some songs. Old man crying? Wonderful thing it is.

[@Rastafari6]

39 Years, it seems like yesterday! Miss u Harry

[@rongiamongo7977]

harry can bring a grown man to tears

[@Wookie8058]

Mr. Tanner reduces me to a puddle...

[@jameshirth7972]

I saw Harry at Ramstein Germany 1977, this song still draws a tear, love you Harry!

[@donh7960]

I was sitting 2nd row at one of the tribute shows his brothers used to do. This show was at The Beacon Theater in NYC with Tom, Buskin and Batteau and Tom Seeger. Tom sang Mail Order Annie and I just lost it in the middle of the song. Hasn't happened to me before or since. Only Harry's music had that effect on me. The sadness of the song and the loss of this man just overtook me.

[@hurin_thalion11]

@@donh7960 happens to me when I hear a Pat Benatar cover 'shooting star' at one of the tributes

[@lupepeters3255]

A GOOD MAN….

[@jaycohen3884]

Happy Birthdaqy Harry. You were and are a blessing for us all

[@Sprucegrove123]

Miss you Harry, where would I be without you in my life

[@adrianojames5828]

So gifted .

[@peterahrens3594]

Tom T. Hall and Harry Chapin Are National Treasures!

[@pieterisp]

Back in the 70's Harry and family produced a play on Broadway: The Night Tat Made America Famous. I and my sister were lucky to obtain two tickets for an afternoon matinee. The play has been forgotten but I remember meeting Harry's father, wife, brother and children. At the end Harry came out in the audience and shook hands with all. I remember that genuine heartfelt handshake 50 years hence. My sister who also died way too early surely remembers Harry's handshake. May we all remember the goodness and compassion that was Harry: a genuine brother.

[@thelegendrush]

My X and i, saw Harry right before he was killed in the car crash. This is another of his songs that are Fav’s of mine. Awesome…

[@patylombard6991]

The greatest contemporary poet of the 20th Century. xoxo P

[@sherryglomski1017]

I Love all Your Songs,,,I Especially love Taxi

[@docdonhall]

Always been one of my favorite Chapin songs. We still miss you Harry.

[@SterlingRe]

IMHO This is Harry's best song. The story is so simple, yet so powerful. We lived in the same town. I went to school with his kids. He played at Huntington HS in 1980 and I was there. A hell of a singer/songwriter. His charity work was endless. His passing was a terrible loss!!

[@frankseifert658]

I agree. This is his best out of all the other greats.

[@dominickcastiglione5908]

A Long Islander here Massapequa born and raised Class of 1982 Loved Harry for decades. And that day on the L.I.E broke my Heart

[@jeffdoug6927]

luv Harry since 1974! saw him twice totally stoned ✌🏼

[@petergosney9062]

saw him live at the Hexagon in Reading England we were in front row he stood on my coat and sang MAIL ORDER ANNIE i was in total shock when i heard he had died i was heart broken .i listen to his albums all the time.

[@Rastafari6]

Steve played at East Stroudsburg College (Pa) in the 70's/ We hung a bed sheet out that Said" F Steve, we want Harry! "It was all in good fun and Steve cracked up when he saw it!

[@independentmusicguy]

I spent a few months driving a cab in West Palm Beach FL when I was 23, 40 years ago. I was heartbroken and disenchanted with the world. I was in FL because of Jimmy Buffett and driving a cab because of Harry. When I didn't have a fare and was parked waiting for a call or just driving around, I would sing this song. Sometimes, Taxi, but mostly Better Place to Be because that was what I was in search of. Driving a cab and dreaming of my own stories, that were never as good as Harry's, were my bridge back to sanity at a very tough time. Harry's stories were that bridge for so many and continue to be.

[@edmadejek345]

I'm from the area also and can remember Stevie Ray Vaughn rocking the place at the Rose arts Festival Miss the Rose Arts and the beer festivals . Those were the days of my youth.

[@anthonyeckert9510]

many of us are moved. RIP Harry.

[@princessjasmine7318]

Better Place To Be is my favourite Harry Chaplin song

[@AttackoftheBaseballCardsUnion]

Thirty Two years & I miss you just as much today as I did that July day. Thank you for leaving us with so many beautiful stories Harry...RIP

[@susanpaul2656]

I still cry listening to a better place to be 45 years later

[@ChrisCaster-tl1pf]

When I was a young man I used to go to sleep and listening to Harry Chapin

[@mikedemboski3371]

I can only hope there will be another like Harry. That would mean more like him out there in the dark reaching you

[@christinaconnell4802]

Thanks Harry. I'll never forget how your music moved me.

[@etpuff69]

You know a song is a classic when you still cry 40 years later- every time.

[@44PatsRule]

ditto !!

[@cathyeason9493]

I always loved Harry Chapin. I always will love him.

[@peterbezrucik207]

Harry was awesome in concert. My best friend Jackie turned me onto his music through her boyfriend at the time. We went to pretty every concert he did in the Connecticut vicinity, at least a dozen before he was taken well before his time. His music still moves me to tears. Jackie died in February, ending our 47yo best friendship. She was my concert companion. I doubt I’ll be able to attend any concert again, but the memories of those 9,000 person sing alongs that Harry gave us will be with me forever.

[@TimOlsen100]

Did you happen to see him in New Haven when he and his band played with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra? He said after the first song, the orchestra "was like putting a Cadillac engine in a Volkswagen ". At the end of the concert, the orchestra gave him a standing ovation.

[@wolfgangscheuer899]

Saw him live in Winnipeg and Harry and the band out on a fantastic show - still play his songs and enjoy his ballads so much!

[@paulmcveigh6762]

My favourite. Song. From, the .greatest, story. Teller there's. Ever .been,on this. Planet. Miss, him so, much

[@treywest268]

I miss him so much. He was one of my Heroes.

[@danielhillary8688]

One of the greatest men I never met. To think someone had the privilege of calling this man Father.

[@sharong8511]

Harry was father to five children, two he had with his wife Sandy and three from her first marriage he was stepfather to. Their names: Jennifer, Joshua, Jaime, Jason and Jonathan. Sandy was a New York socialite who hired Harry for music lessons. He wrote about it in the song I Wanna Learn A Love Song.

[@00lilyvonshtupp]

GOD I miss you Harry...thank you for what you left us....

[@bthecatslayer]

How did he learn my pain? His voice speaks to my soul like none other has.

[@patrickosullivan8129]

I look at this song as a adventure

[@Birdsonly]

I got hooked on Harry about 2 weeks before the angels came and took him home. I still listen to him faithfully. Over and over again. You will always be missed Harry.

[@SteveEcksteinDouglasDrive]

LUCK SHONE DOWN ON ME THE NITE HARRY CHAPIN & BAND PLAYED " MY FATHER'S PLACE", ROSLYN, LONG ISLAND. DROVE ON A WHIM, ONLY STANDING ROOM TICKETS. HOUSE PACKED, ALIVE, HARRY'S ELECTRICITY LIT UP THE ROOM. EVERYONE CHEERED OR CLAPPED WHEN HARRY SANG" I STUFFED THE BILL IN MY SHIRT". WHAT A JOY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO HAVE MET HIM. STILL PLAY/JAM TO HIS SONGS. REST IN PEACE!!!!!!!

[@johnmullis5753]

One awesome man. I love his music

[@dalehoward62]

I was in that audience in 1981 in Hamilton Place in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Listening to him live was the way to really appreciate his storytelling and talent.............Dale Howard

[@kws1949]

Ah Harry...you are so missed in this world that has lost it's tune.

[@DavidBurt-s2p]

A true wordsmith first heard taxi whilst living in Canada biggest regret never seeing him live love him

[@pthine1]

I was on a business trip to New York Island when Harry died! I had all his records. He will never be replaced in my heart. So nice to hear him again thanks for posting this.

[@Celestino51]

The greatest musician & poet of all time... Loved & will always miss Harry...

[@wwonka52]

omg ! I heard this song today for the first time in my car on satellite radio. here I am again listening to it. he's always been a favorite of mine. the line about wishing to be beautiful and wishing he were half blind brought tears to my eyes. (been there, done that, lol)

[@noelcoffey9989]

Beautiful

[@jaygolfs2008]

best song he ever did, great story about the midnight watchman, makes me cry and i am a 45 yo male

[@davidmachan4246]

Met Harry b4 he was "Harry". Arranged our stuff b4 we performed at The Bitter End so we sounded more like "New York". Recorded a political radio with him for some local guy. Much more to the story, but, nuff said. That week 50 years ago will forever be a wonderful memory. Gone way too soon, top of anyone's best story teller list. Great writer!

[@raymondlee1039]

This is such a touching song if u dont have a tear in your eye when listening to this song your not human. Why do the good ones have to pass from this earth so early. Harrys music will never leave my side. Im a 50yr old man and yet listening to his music makes me feel alive and we all wish he was

[@richardnfoster1037]

Was lucky enough to be in the crowd on a rainy night in Davenport. The house lights went down at showtime, and the crowd began to cheer, and a few minutes passed, . . . no Harry, in fact, no power. Finally Harry came out and yelled for quiet, explained that a gas generator was being delivered, but until it got there, he sat on stage while security and anyone with a flashlight did their best to illuminate the stage.He sat with his legs overhanging the front of the stage and asked a bunch of women to sit alongside him as he played for 15-20 minutes. Then he announced that the generator had arrived, and they would try to get it running ASAP. He said in the meantime he'd be hanging around the back door if we wanted to say hi. Surprisingly most people stayed put and my friends and I were able to meet him and talk for a few minutes. MAGICAL.. RIP HARRY, you made the world a better place to be.

[@pamelablum6459]

You sing me to sleep almost every night. You are my night time companion. I am so grateful God let us have you as long as he did. Thank you for the tunes, the stories, the friendship for those of us who never had the privilege of meeting you. God Bless and RIP.

[@denisconnolly2783]

So true

[@DJL-ms5xl]

Can always count on the cheap seats Harry ! RIP old friend.

[@robertglospie8994]

Maybe the best song ever written. Genius

[@robertmartinez6544]

bearznorthCATHY/Thank you for posting this video/Harry Chapin you are so well missed/With your music and your beautiful soul you certainly left this world a better place for all /And here it is 2021 and I remember back to my teenage days back in the 70's all the great times - events listing to your music/What great a time in my life/Thank you so very much/And here I am 61yrs old and your music is still as beautiful as the 1st time I heard you/I miss I love and I will forget you/Because of your truth in you /Thank you again

[@hmichaelhawkins8532]

Probably one of the best stories about the human condition and the need for social interaction. If you listen to it alone and in a quiet place you get a feeling of just how powerful this story really is. We all are going nowhere, and somewhere is a better place to be.

[@karenbarnard1951]

I saw Harry a couple of times in concert in the late 70's. He has made a huge impact on my life. Wish he was around today. I love his songs and what he stood for.

[@quartzgirlj]

My first concert with Harry was at Bethany College in West Virginia in 1971. He did the song "The Sniper "which was later banned from radio. There was a tower in the middle of the campus. Hearing the song made you believe you were right there. It was an unforgetable night.

[@cactusjackal]

I heard this song a million years ago just one time. It’s so poignant, what a great writer/singer. I searched for that song for years and just heard it again. Now I’m an old man full of stories, memories and regrets. The song had the line about the overweight waitress.

[@nucpiper]

I was blessed to hear Harry live 3 times before he left us much too soon. RIP, Harry.

[@ikoiko84]

This song always makes me cry like a baby...such a beautiful song!

[@alanfrechtman6507]

I got to see Harry Chaplin 3 times, back in the Late 70’s, twice in Central Park, and the last time at Brooklyn College where I was a Technical Theater Major and got to be one of two Follow Spot Operators. Loved his music, voice and his spirit!

[@kellytisbury7800]

RIP Harry you're one of the best!!

[@marktyme0379]

Why do the Good go so early, truly one of the greatest musical storytellers that ever lived, His charitable work was second to none, Saw him a couple of times, to be moved from laughter to tears over a couple of hours was amazing, god rest Harry, you are very sadly missed.this and There only was one choice, are probably his greatest songs.

[@paulandnan]

This song has such heart and soul. I saw Harry so many times in concert I lost count. We were planning on going to Eisenhower Park when we heard the news on the radio that Harry had been killed. I still miss you Harry.

[@martycasserino5513]

1st time i met Harry in Austin! incredible Musician! incredible Man!! incredible Magic!!!

[@jefferycordes2505]

I was privileged to see Harry in Kansas City Missouri. It was in 1979 or 1980. He played at the Uptown. It was a cabaret type place. There were times in my life when I had only 1 8 track or 1 cassette and finally I have a CD of him. What an amazing storyteller. I'll never forget Harry Chzpin.

[@annaparker6929]

I remember a version of this song where he mentions Watertown N.Y. I used to live there even though I'm a Bama girl. Anyway this song has a special place in my heart.

[@amberbenning4583]

There needs be a revival of story telling music. This is the best.