Cats in the Cradle - Harry Chapin | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@chrisdelisle3954]

And when you guys have kids some day, this will be an S-Tier song. With a side of tears.

[@REDi_Jedi_37]

S-Tear

[@chrisdelisle3954]

@@REDi_Jedi_37 Well said.

[@Cheryl_Haydon]

Absolutely. This song doesn't really hit "home" until you have kids of your own.

[@JD_Slacker]

Definitely. Hits differently when you have kids.

[@CW-mx7eb]

Totally! I cried listening to it...

[@robertcartier5088]

A song about how the demands of a busy life rob you of the little things you always meant to catch up on... Those things that you only realize mattered when it's too damn late. Rips my heart out every damn time I listen to it.

[@HamiltonRb]

That is exactly my take of the meaning, and where the boys said there is still a lot of love between father and son, I think my word would be apathy.

[@robertcartier5088]

@@HamiltonRb Indeed. Polite apathy.

[@johndef5075]

And boy does that time just fly away.

[@lorrilewis2178]

Polite apathy. Exactly.

[@boomboombrown30]

You nailed it.

[@LadyIarConnacht]

This song is a reminder to parents that even when you're not with them, they are learning from you about how to be parents. They don't have animosity between them - what they have is just polite distance.

[@jonniiinferno9098]

i can relate to that...

[@harriotteworthington3147]

Exactly. Reap what one sows.

[@michaellomax2]

@@harriotteworthington3147 yes, he didn't show much time for his son because of letting things get in the way, so that his son grew up to be like his dad, doing the same things. Kinda sad.

[@rhondaorberson9664]

Very well put, Katherine! Easy to lose sight of what's important and say "we'll get together then". Unfortunately, "then" often comes too late.

[@roseannelobbezoo7638]

One thing about this song, it sure makes you think. The father and son may be very much alike, but, in truth, because they never spent much time together, they are nothing more than polite strangers. And that’s a shame, because someday, if they don’t take the time to get to know each other now, that chance will be forever lost, because one of them will be forever gone.

[@johnhughes3214]

A & A: you guys have got to listen to the song "Taxi" by Harry Chapin next, ASAP. This is by far my favorite narrative song of all time, and in my opinion the best narrative song. I guarantee you both will love it. At least one if not two S-tier ratings.

[@thomasmcintosh390]

I almost lived that song out in real life. I drove a taxi for almost a decade. "Taking tips and gettin' stoned." I ran into my ex one day after a shift. She was riding the bus as was I.

[@mikerudolph2419]

Taxi 🚖 is a great Harry Chapin song. Love the album, Greatest Stories Ever Told

[@emilyflotilla931]

Yes, and the sequel too!

[@Mr05Chuck]

Dang I had forgotten that great song.

[@JamesRea2]

It will be interesting to see what they think of the falsetto in Taxi.

[@sherryorr5160]

This song really hits home the older a person gets!

[@honestpolitician6366]

100 %

[@sallyphillips9175]

Just like Night Moves -- "with autumn closing in."

[@idalily3810]

@@sallyphillips9175 Yes! And Like A Rock. Seger does that theme so well.

[@John_Locke_108]

Yes. I was hoping that they would discuss how it made them feel in regards to their own children but I guess they wanted to keep that private.

[@agemoth]

@@John_Locke_108 what ? they haven't got kids have they ? they're still kids themselves ,barely left school ?!

[@sallyphillips9175]

No matter how many times I hear this song, it always evokes the same reaction -- sadness. That's what great lyrics and storytelling do. I can picture the dad and son in my mind's eye, and it's heartbreaking. ETA: God, I'm sitting here at dialysis trying not to bawl, and I've heard this song a zillion times.

[@Meandmymirror]

Cry every time

[@danroth3514]

Sally, hoping and praying for you. Take care.

[@anmana7]

Sally, I will pray for you.🙏

[@ivylady13]

Always makes me cry!

[@helenespaulding7562]

I’m so sorry you have to go through that, Sally. 😔

[@aileenturrietta7553]

" Cats in a Cradle" was a game that was played by young girls with yarn. No matter how many times you transfer it from fingers to fingers the same patterns repeat over and over again. The same in this song his son repeated the same patterns. Nothing learned. Great song🎶🎵

[@patriciamorgan6545]

Woah! I know the yarn game, but never saw that connection before!🤯 Spot on!

[@robland6804]

Nailed it.

[@aileenturrietta7553]

@@patriciamorgan6545 It's the only time you hear the phrase because the term is derived from the game. I played it a lot growing up.

[@robland6804]

Also the title of a Vonnegut novel, the jacket shows the yarn game

[@aileenturrietta7553]

@@robland6804 That's right!! I love Vonnegut. He was required reading.

[@stevenmix3723]

"Taxi" is his masterpiece, as a terrific lyric story, and also superb vocal delivery, background vocals, and great instrumentation. I like it so much more than this one. It even gave birth to a middling sequel a decade later.

[@dbcruser3133]

Agreed "Taxi" is a masterpiece.

[@michellowe8627]

Sniper!!!!

[@betacall9634]

Yes Taxi is such an amazing story of a song. So melancholy with such a beautiful melody and universal relatable theme that most of us lose the dreams we may even forgot we had when much younger in life. I love W.O.L.D which has a similar theme of melancholy but in such a more upbeat sounding song that is still a story that kicks you in the guts. Harry Chapin is a master of writing beautiful songs of regret. So sad that he was taken in a car accident on the LIE at 38 yrs old on the way to performance. He was a true original.

[@paulknowspicking6569]

When I heard this song as a young man I swore to myself that I would NEVER pass up a chance to play with my kids if they asked. My kids are adults now and I never did pass on any opportunity, And it made all the difference.

[@flubblert]

I'm sure this song had a similar effect on many young guys who heard it during that era. As an artist you can't ask for more than that.

[@judybagg9197]

What a great dad! Kuddos to you!! :)

[@sparksdrinker5650]

I know one of your kids, they told me you did pass a couple times

[@jeffpriem4888]

Anyone getting emotional? My dad's 93, my son is 29. We all love this song

[@brogarn]

This song was always rough, but having an 11 year old son myself now, it rips my heart out.

[@michaellomax2]

Yes, but maybe you can be there for him and make good memories, depending on your situation. My dad was in the army and always away from home. Because of that and how he behaved, we weren't close. My parents later divorced when I was 15. Only in the last year of his life did we get back together to form a relationship. Then he died of a heart attack. I felt robbed because we were getting somewhere.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

my son is 42....... we live in different states....

[@stephenjones102]

My son is 30. Each and every single moment that you can spend with your son...do it.

[@elizabethfranco1284]

Probably one of the most iconic songs from the 70’s

[@BeeBumper]

Not

[@Lensmaster1]

It is

[@calguy3838]

Definitely. Almost up there with "American Pie."

[@mojoesixpack]

Absolutely!

[@Richard2003]

If you have a son you get emotional every time you hear this.

[@rodneywoodcock8235]

It's so true, my son grew up in the blink of an eye and I didn't always have the time like in the song. Few songs bring tears to my eyes, but this one does because it hits home hard.

[@Meandmymirror]

Even a mom

[@christinemcconnell7114]

@@Meandmymirror or a mom with a daughter

[@revylokesh1783]

Damn true. 🥺🥺🥺

[@VicMikesvideodiary]

And if you are a son who has a not interested father.

[@catbutte4770]

I remember when this song came out. So many dads in my neighbourhood started to spend more time with their children. And I just had to say, "WAAAAAAAHHHHH!", I always get a little teary with this song. 😿

[@noodles2112]

My dad passed away ten years ago and it's his birthday today. This song really hits home. Happy Birthday Dad

[@tylerhackner9731]

One of the best father/son songs ever. Very emotional

[@coxscorner]

This song makes me think of my Dad. He's 87 and isnt well and probably doesnt have much time left. Every time I hear this makes me think of him. I will call him tonight. Thank you.

[@sallyphillips9175]

Aww, that's so sad! My thoughts are with you.

[@harriotteworthington3147]

When they are gone, it’s forever. Make that call. And do it again. And again. The would of-could of-should of one can feel after their passing can be more painful than witnessing their decline… My dad passed at age 74 in 2001 (multiple cancers); Mother at 94 in 2020. Absolutely no regrets, but miss them both to this day…

[@adinacurtaz]

Keep on doing that.❤ My dad died last year at the age of 88. You never know when it's too late. At least I lived with him almost until his day of death...

[@surlechapeau]

A&A, you'll love Harry's "Taxi'!! Excellent singer/songwriter/storyteller.

[@lreadlResurrected]

And its Sequel.

[@JamesRea2]

Sequel is just ok, but it does finish the story.

[@Joshuadgog]

yes

[@JayCross]

It was sad that Harry Chapin died so young. I also liked songs by his folk-singer brother Tom Chapin.

[@michaelyork4554]

The Quintessential "I had so much to say, but life got in the way" Song. I have 3 adult children, that sounds so redundant, so I have gotten to listen to this song since it came out when I was young all the way to age 60 from the other perspective. It was an important song for a generation who lived by the music of the time, so for the prominence of the song alone it gets an S Tier with context.

[@lambokarabeekian6192]

Your reactions seemed way too positive to me. I always thought this was a very sad song about a boy yearning for his dad, who was too busy chasing his career to pay attention. He kept putting it off, breaking the boy’s heart and spirit, and serving as a terrible role model of how to be a dad, and even more, how to be present for all loved ones. So the boy becomes an adult and follows that negative role model, with poor excuses why he can’t spend time with his aging dad. And way too late, the dad sees the irony of this and now he’s the one left yearning, alone. Heartbreaking story of a cycle of unrequited love between parent and child.

[@thequeendt]

Yes, this.

[@johncdebay405]

Exactly!

[@nancyskomars1230]

Yeah. If you want a laugh from Harry, listen to 30000 pounds of Bananas. Not this one.

[@lesparker6752]

Yes, you have got it right. Andy and Alex seem to have misinterpreted the meaning in the lyrics.

[@dianemalone9496]

This story has been played out thousands of times. It's a fact of life. All we can hope for is that this song changed things in a positive way for some.

[@joehebert789]

This is a song about a relationship that was never maximized. One could call it a failed relationship, though many are far worse. His son feels no compulsion to make time as an adult for a father who could not make time for him as a child. The lesson here is that showing love by making your loved ones a priority in your life is extremely important. The song also shows that parents, as role models, need to be aware of the example that they are setting.

[@u.s.lawyer8542]

Nothing about the song spoke of a failed relationship. Father was hardworking family man. Son turned out be hard working family man. Both loved each other. Sounds like father set a proper role model. Maybe you have not idea what father real purpose is, which to prepare a child for life. Not be loved. That is extra.

[@joehebert789]

@@u.s.lawyer8542 If you think a child doesn't need their parents available to them, we have totally different views on raising children.

[@emmakaplan7508]

This song was actually based on a poem written by Harry’s wife about the relationship her son had with her first husband. He was the boys father but they later divorced and she married Harry

[@dyingearth]

Not quite. It's about the difficult relationship between her former husband and his politician father who's too busy for his son.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Harry was honored by many artists upon his death. He was only 39 and driving to do a free concert when he was killed. He worked for years to help end World Hunger and donated a lot of his time, performances and proceeds to the cause. On his headstone is the following: Oh if a man tried To take his time on Earth And prove before he died What one man's life could be worth I wonder what would happen to this world

[@Magravated]

You guys need to do a lot more James Taylor and Cat Stevens, both excellent songwriters and performers. I double pinky swear that you won't be disappointed.

[@439tab]

Taxi is the best story song of all time. A work of art that stands the test of time.

[@DM-hk4cw]

As a 59 year old with a son, this song really hits home. I had a great relationship with my dad and wanted to be like him because he was always there for me. I kept this song in mind while we raised our, now, 25 year old son. I hope my son feels about me as I feel about my dad. Be there for your kids because time slips fast.

[@TB6791]

I LOVE AND MISS MY DAD Everyday... he's my Best Friend and always will be. Everything I have and am in my life is because of him.

[@charlier711]

As a dedicated father of two boys this is the saddest song ever written. It's a father who basically ignores the greatest gift God can give, and sadly, it's all too familiar. Watching my boys grow, coaching their sports, camping, hiking, helping them with school, and just being there been the greatest blessing of my life. I'll never understand why some choose to disregard it, and the consequences to the world are all too evident. Thank you, Mr. Chapin, for calling it out.

[@dantonliam]

Amen.

[@martinlegum4985]

Amazing song! I get emotional every time I hear this thinking about my son.

[@drink_with_the_dead]

As a guy who went from young man at 23 to father overnight at 24 and is now 42, it definitely hits harder now.

[@martinlegum4985]

@@drink_with_the_dead I didn't have my son until I was 36. Thank goodness he and I are very close.

[@drink_with_the_dead]

@@martinlegum4985 I have two sons now..oldest is 18, and a younger one who is 18 months. I've learned a lot. I hope that my oldest and I will have a tight relationship as he gets older.

[@gidget8717]

Time moves so fast, but you don't realize how fast until you hit about 60 years old and look back and think, "where did the time go?"

[@johndef5075]

Im turning 60 next year. This ones hitting me way harder than 40 or 50 for some reason...

[@ThePeppper]

Yup, I'm there now....

[@gidget8717]

@@ThePeppper I've already sprinted pass it and will overtake 70 next year! 😱🤣

[@gidget8717]

@@johndef5075 I've got a decade on you. I think it's the milestone of half a century, makes you realize your already pass the half way mark of life. It sucks 🥴

[@ThePeppper]

@@gidget8717 congratulations, I hope I make to 70 n beyond lol 😂

[@cheryl83]

It's Chay-pin. Just FYI. Taxi is another good one by Harry.

[@markjacobsen8335]

One of the greatest songs of all time. Rarely can I get through it without my eyes welling up. Very important to spend time with our kids while they're young. You guys are crazy. This is S-tier all the way.

[@thw4ck]

I had tickets to see him at the Carlton dinner theater in Minneapolis in 2 weeks & he died in a car wreck a week before... I was so sad... A wonderful storyteller... Such a loss

[@Joshuadgog]

one of the saddest songs. love it. about a father not having time to spend with his son. then it switches and now the son has not enough time to spend with his father. "He grown up just like me" is my favorite line!

[@vernonbolinger9488]

Get emotional evey time i hear this song. Its all about spending time with your kids.

[@joelliebler5690]

Andy you summed it up as far as the topic being so relatable to millions of dads and even moms these days. We miss the time that we should be spending more with our children yet sometimes don’t realize it until it is too late to change it. I have felt strongly about this especially because my wife died when my daughter was seven years old and had to work so much yet missed time that I wished I had back spending it with my daughter. I try to make up some of that feeling by spending some time every week with my grandson and my daughter.

[@clbdyc]

First grade when this came out. Listened to the 45 over and over.

[@todvball]

My dad grew up WITH all 3 of his kids...(including me) so I'm so thankful for his genuine parenthood. Yet this song STILL makes me tear up with it's reflective lyrics... I'm also thankful to all the dads(and moms) who can be good "parents" of kids who aren't even their own. Great tune!!

[@mikemasse]

Thanks for that reaction, A Squared. It’s such a classic song that gets you coming and going (as a son and a father). People always request this one, and I love doing it. I get to use my guitar synth for the sitar. 👍

[@russellegge9840]

If you guys ever become fathers, this song will take on a new meaning.

[@joek468]

When I was a teen (my dad was always around) every now and then dad would say some of the lines to me, then I would say the "I'm going to be like him..." lines. Now that he is gone this song always gets me a bit choked up.

[@bazzer124]

This song and "Time" by Pink Floyd always quickly remind me that you can turn around and realize years of what could have been have evaporated and passed you by. Relationships come and go - don't take any for granted. Life is too short. Cheers....

[@centuryrox]

"Time" is a good comparison to me. I used to get into that song strictly for the musical aspects of it. I kind of ignored the lyrics because they didn't seem very relevant to me while I was young. Boy, did aging change all that! Same thing with Cat's in the Cradle!

[@bazzer124]

@@centuryrox Been that, done there. Cheers....

[@visaman]

My dad never listened to CFOX radio but I had it on when Time was playing, and he was amazed by it! My dad loved music, and I grew up just like him.

[@Lawrence1954]

Both songs influenced me to work hard and not let my life pass me by and to involve myself with my own children.

[@danmonges1539]

I grew up on Long Island and was fortunate to have Harry Chapin do an afterschool concert in our school auditorium for us students. He had one of the senior girls sing with him on a song which was pretty cool. I know he also performed at other schools in the area. He did a lot charity work and his death in 1981 on his way to perform at a charity event still hurts.

[@patriciamorgan6545]

You're lucky to have seen him. I never did, but I've seen his family on several occasions, on the stage in Heckscher Park that bears his name. I finally found and visited his grave on the 40th anniversary of his passing.

[@danmonges1539]

I really am lucky! And such a relaxed and intimate setting. Babylon's auditorium isn't very big. Nice that you got to visit his grave. And nicer that you've seen his family members carry on his legacy!

[@patriciamorgan6545]

@@danmonges1539 Yes, his philanthropy and activism lives on, here on LI, and Huntington in particular.

[@richienicosia1986]

It's the message that relates to many families. You learn from your upbringing.

[@russevans3586]

I was privileged to see one of Harry's last concerts. It was an intimate setting, just Harry, his brother Tom, and them playing acoustic guitar. Fabulous.

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 I’m 64, this is more of my kind of music than my dads, he shared it with me, (someone he worked with showed him) we both cried. Now that he’s gone, I still cry every time I hear it (like right now). “S” tier for me, because of my dad and how true it is. 😢✌️

[@davewalker8519]

Our children don't become what we teach them. They become what we show them.

[@Angie-om8tr]

Great reactions guys! My take on this song was: Spend as much time with your kids when they're young so, when they're older they'll make time to spend with you. Happy Monday everyone!👍

[@Lensmaster1]

And they will make time for their children. You know this son is working long hours, to be a good provider, but missing out on his kids lives, because that is all he knows being a father is.

[@Angie-om8tr]

@@Lensmaster1 Indeed, great analysis! 😊 This cycle will be repeated through each generation👍

[@beckieabbott9342]

Taxi is my favorite Harry Chapin song.

[@bradlandis7]

Great song, remember hearing on the radio as a kid. Makes want to make sure spend quality time with your children!

[@sallyphillips9175]

Yes, Andy and Alex don't fully get it yet cos they don't have kids. Once they do, that will change.

[@markpokorski3478]

Enjoy every moment with your child before you know it there 20 and you wonder where the time went

[@OZAHS1959]

I think "wistful" might be the definitive description of this song

[@joninct]

This is the first time I listened to this song since my dad pass away from covid, last Christmas. It hit hard because it's so true. Time and life marches on at such a fast rate, it changes before you realize what's important in many cases.

[@isaackovitz4791]

RIP Harry - one of the greatest story tellers of all time... and a great acoustic guitarist.

[@mariefc8504]

When I was in high school, a group of us attended his concert at UNR, Reno. I didn't know who he was, but was captivated by his performance. Little did I know, he wouldn't be with us long. This song has always tugged on my heartstrings.

[@danmayberry1185]

Andy scores again - the song grows on you. Some songs you leave behind, others you take with you.

[@sallyphillips9175]

The smile that never dimmed ... it was fake.

[@gregorybennett5640]

Always a tear jerker

[@badsherman1193]

As you get older, you'll understand that their relationship is definitely NOT okay. In the last verse the son is brushing off the dad after a 30 second conversation, and the heartbroken father realizes (too late) that he has no one to blame but himself. Yeah, the dad didn't beat or starve his son, or deny him the basic staples of growing up (sports, car, etc.), but he didn't put in the time to bond with his son and build memories. It's not about a complicated relationship, it's about how a lifetime can flash by in seconds, and suddenly you realize too late that you missed the most important thing. It's a heart-ripping song.

[@richardgothard5583]

Classic song from the70's. I was fortunate enough to have seen Harry Chapin in concert a couple times. He was a outstanding entertainer.

[@larky368]

God how I loved the 70's. Music was free and all you had to do was turn on the radio in your Dad's car or the console in your living room or the transistor radio you got for Christmas. Then jump from station to station until they played something you liked. You could go from 'We've Only Just Begun" to "Whole Lotta Love" to to "Cat's in the Cradle" in the span of a few minutes. There was something for everyone.

[@ericstaton6896]

I consider it the best decade by far for music! There was just a smorgasbord of good music from any genre back then! The '60s come a very close 2nd, as it was the building blocks for the '70s! The '80s & '90s were good but they were too electronic for my tastes! Today's music doesn't do absolutely anything for me, and it can't hold a candle compared to the glorious '70s! Peace!!!

[@centuryrox]

That's why I proudly consider myself a music snob. Not only was I lucky enough to grow up with 70s music, but I KNEW there was no better era for music. I never had to convince myself otherwise, despite others trying to claim some other decade was better.

[@patriciamorgan6545]

@@centuryrox I grew up in the 70s, too. Yes, our music is/was the best! But I think the wartime 40s had great music, too. I still listen to my Dad's music.

[@joyfarrelly4721]

I was lucky to have seen him live. Miss him, he had so much more to give. Taxi should be next.

[@alrivers2297]

Even though the boy didn't seem upset, I think it's implied that he's disappointed and sad about his father not making time for the family. Definitely a lesson to be learned from this song.

[@thetannaree]

I don’t think so.

[@donneumann6546]

@@thetannaree So what do you think it's about, wise guy!

[@andyandalex]

To me it came across like he wasn’t disappointed or at least that wasn’t the point. To me it made the son realize “oh this is how a dad is supposed to act”. His understanding of his father made him act like it later in life. Definitely sad but it felt like it was just a bad role model being set to which he followed

[@alrivers2297]

@@andyandalex Either way, not good.

[@davidheiser2225]

@@andyandalex Of course he was disappointed. But dad kept promising to make it up to him later, then never really did.

[@craigbustin1293]

Chapin's "Taxi'' is probably his best piece, from 1972. During his last few years, he was touring mainly as a one-man show and mostly for the benefit of charities (Each One Feed One, in particular). He actually used to recruit someone from the audience to sing the falsetto bridge in "Taxi," to the great delight of the audiences (college crowds in which there were plenty of voice majors to call on for their moment with Harry Chapin).

[@sean_b_drummer]

This came out when I was five, and my mother said she warned my father that this could be his and my story if he wasn't careful. She was right, and it was. Even when I was little, this song would make cry, but couldn't really pinpoint why.

[@u.s.lawyer8542]

Are you a productive citizen?

[@sherryheim5504]

I love Harry Chapin, live he was so emotive that everyone in the club had tears. His ballads were outstanding. I really miss him.

[@dggydddy59]

THE definitive, iconic, masterpiece by Harry Chapin is without a doubt the tour de force "Taxi". If you could only hear one Harry Chapin song your whole life, it would absolutely have to be "Taxi". Put it on your list, it's a song you really should hear.

[@margaretanscombe730]

Yaaaaaas! “Taxi” always touches me deeply, as does Dan Fogelberg’s “Same Old Lang Syne”. Lost love is such a very, very sad thing…

[@marvinpetty731]

This song always make me cry

[@theplanetruth]

F1rst!!!🎉🎉🎉 it’s Chapin Lake CHAYPEN. You guys really need to check out his live album for your next selections. He is a classic entertainer.

[@paradox5391]

A good reminder that time is fleeting. In the words of another great song: shower the people you love with love.

[@V7avalon]

Song rates up there with A Bridge Over Troubled Waters Andy needs to take into acount the year this came out for what song influenced which artists.

[@franklinfuentes]

I love your show! I haven't seen anyone do this, the way that you do it? Being, your authentic selves, gives your show a pure/ positive energy. Kudos, for keeping it real. You educate/ inform. & while, discovering amazing songs; by ingesting them w an enthusiastic musical appetite. So cool. It's refreshing to see your appreciation for classic songs; from older generations. I agree. This songs' style was of that time.. The "storytellers" music era; Cher, Elton John, Paul Williams. Ambrosia. Weird, that those songs weren't known as folk songs. But, as pop/ rock music. There is a fine line between the two. I think that folk music had a slightly different style? While, also featuring political themes. I agree w everything that you've said here. The chorus may seem familiar? it was derived from an old Dutch fairy tale, American nursery rhymes, & an old children's game; "Cats in the cradle". That game is played by assembling different string pattern-designs. Then, you pass this on to your friends (to do). The father had no time for his young son, he passed that experience onto his son. Later, the adult-son passes this experience back to his father. That has to be the songs titles connection.. Harry Chaphin's lyrics can be, somewhat, nondescript. Sometimes, you have to dig deeper in them to find the deeper meaning. I think that he does this so we can form our own opinions? In my opinion, the son does love his father. But, beneath his brief/ polite responses, there is underlying resentment too. How could there 'not' be?! Even, if the father begged for forgiveness? i think that the son believes that moment has passed? I've always wondered what the mother thoughts on this would be? I think that you'd enjoy these.. "Point Of No Return" by Kansas "I'm Alive" by ELO "Back Together Again" by Hall & Oates "Hits Of The Year" by Squeeze "Still The Same" by Bob Seger "Wouldn't It Be Good" by Danny Hutton & The Hitters "Big In Japan" by Alphaville "Let Me Go" by Heaven 17 "What Is Love" by Howard Jones "Help Is On It's Way" by The Little River Band

[@taylortyler1867]

I think you'll appreciate (and understand) this song much better when you're older.

[@volkerthienenkamp9720]

Hearing this song in German radio in 1974 I immediately knew I had found a lifetime favourite storyteller. And I can still feel what my young self felt first time listening to A better place to be. The magic of music and great storytelling. Thank you

[@daddyguerrero]

The production on this song is immaculate. The vocals in context with the guitar and strings are brilliant. You add the lyrics to the dramatic effect of the music and you have an iconic song. If this song doesn’t rank as an S-tier level song, then no other does.

[@TheDivayenta]

And I love the Celtic style melody.

[@TD_JR]

Andy's spot on with the review - I liked this song as a child in the 70s not really understanding the meaning, but I heard it on the AM radio from time to time and that was about it. Fast forward to the present and it's S-tier for me - gets me choked up thinking about the past and since dad is gone and I was away in a different state at the time he was going through some difficult shit before his death, this pretty much hits it on the head for me. You always wish you had the time to do it right, but... life gets in the way.

[@moehogan1]

This song always makes me ask the question “Have I been the best dad that I could have been?”. It also reminds me of my wonderful father who always made time for me. On a lighter note, this is the only song that I have encountered that has the capo on the 8th fret! 😎

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Chapin is a consummate storyteller, and he does it with such melodic beauty. A master of the craft.

[@jimreadey4837]

I love your analysis on this song - both musical and lyrical. I also love Andy’s rating strategy… I think his prediction for a future A+ is prescient.

[@Scott-dc3lj]

Harry Chapin, the great storyteller. Always brings a tear to my eye this song does. Make time for your kids. They grow up fast. Taxi, another Chapin classic. Pulls at your heartstrings. Lost love and lost opportunities these songs capture. Emotionally charged and timeless.

[@tonyh9875]

Wait... what? Did you guys not understand? The song is about a man who *never had time* for his son... always too busy, either flying off on business or even too busy when he was at home to even go and play ball with the kid. And the son has grown to be distant and uninterested too. It's a sad song about missed opportunities for love, first from the father, and eventually the son - and the father who finally realises that he let his son down

[@ArmandoMPR]

This is a masterpiece. Amazing songwriting. Can’t help but get emotional every time.

[@acb9231]

Great analysis, thanks guys! One of my faves. This song really hits home. I wanted to spend time with my dad, but sometimes his work and other aspects of life made it tough. When I reached his age, it was my dad trying to get together with me, but family and parts of my life made it difficult. We still had an incredible relationship though and were very close. He passed away a year ago, I miss him very much. Gotta song for ya to check out, I Don’t Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats…true story. It was written by lead singer Bob Geldof after reading about the Cleveland Elementary School shooting which took place on January 29, 1979. Geldof is also responsible for putting together Live Aid 1985.

[@Cboy2023]

Taxi is even more iconic

[@buddysdad2004]

This song hits hard when you become a father and your son has grown.

[@phillipharrison7283]

I have all his albums. Such a great collection of stories, many of them have a message behind the words. 'Taxi', 'Mr Tanner', 'I want to hear a love song', 'Mail Order Annie', 'Dog Town' and 'WOLD' all fantastic. Harry died in an auto smash - way too young at 39. RIP Harry.

[@lisalisa13]

I had just given birth to my son and when I looked over to see my husband holding him for the first time, this song was playing. I'll never forget that moment.

[@edwardcrews2952]

Life in five minutes. Time marches on. Life is precious. Most beautiful songs ever

[@davidsuycott]

As a son growing up this had one meaning, as a dad... Whole different thing. It's weird how some songs change perspectives as u get older.

[@marti-mar8974]

Taking the time to look inward and being aware of ones actions or inactions and how it impacts the other people in your life is an important message. The molding of a young mind is shaped by adults in their life...including how to express love or closeness. Being absent and creating excuses for not being present in the case of this song. The son learned this as normal behavior. In the final verse Dad is reaching out again wanting to be a part of his sons life...and realizes as his son gives him a cordial excuse-laden-gotta wrap it up- goodbye ( one might give to an old schoolmate )..he realizes he will never have a relationship with his son ..other than the one he fostered over a lifetime of neglect. A very insightful story/poem created by the amazing Harry Chapin...a real Classic.

[@Cheryltwin2012]

Harry Chapin isn't everyone's cup of tea. There aren't any real rockers among his repertoire. But his songs can make you think and that was the goal of his music. Not everyone likes introspective studies on the relationship between fathers and sons. But this one was a HUGE hit for Harry. So sorry he was taken from us so young.

[@drewwin794]

All your life people will tell you life is short…then a day comes where you agree. Take care of what really matters.

[@mutleymutley7474]

The lesson here is parents, spend time with your children because if you don't, when they grow up and you grow old, they will not spend time with you.

[@gitmobob6266]

Harry Chapin was a great humanitarian who played over 300 concerts a year most for various charities for almost nothing. I saw him perform live 4 times all in HS auditoriums. Live it was him with his guitar, a bass player, his brother Steve on the piano, a drummer, and a cellist. His main vice was liking to drive really fast which eventually killed him. This song was probably his best known and commercially successful. As others have said try Taxi next and later on he wrote a sequel to the song called Sequel. W.O.L.D. was commercially successful also and is another great story by the master musical storyteller. If you liked this song try Mike and the Mechanics The Living Years.

[@evangeline3152]

I had the best Dad you could ask for but he got brain cancer when I turned 13 so I never got to be there for him as an adult. Just don’t waste your time that you can be with your family. It ends too soon.

[@JoeD0403]

I remember hearing this song on the radio on the way to Cub Scout meetings. I couldn’t imagine being all grown up like at the end of the song. That was 40 years ago.

[@lindarichards3195]

A Country Boy Can Survive came out WAY after Cat's in the Cradle.

[@bradparnell614]

Too true. It's understandable though as they don't listen to songs with any kind of chronological order to them. Naturally something they'd hear later would remind them of something they'd heard earlier regardless of their age relative to each other. It does sound odd though to us who grew up hearing them chronologically. The best thing though is that so many channels like theirs are reacting to music from the 60s to the 80s and realizing for the most part, how much better that music was than most of what's come out since. That's not to say there hasn't been any good music since then, of course there has been, but in the big picture it pales in comparison to the end of the 20th century, and the fact that so many of these channels thrive on that music (not to mention streaming sales and use in movies, TV, and commercials) proves this.

[@carlgibbons5777]

This song is all about what's important in life and setting priorities in life before it's too late. How family/love/relationships are more important than keeping up with the Jones's when reflecting back on your life. 70's were the king of the storytelling ballad.

[@dougredshirt3991]

This song is what made me promise to never be like my father who left when I was 10. I now think back at 60 and while I was there, was I really there for them? A good song can make you think and this one sure does every time I hear it. I am currently taking care of my dying mother and now I wonder will one of my 4 children be willing to take care of me, when my time comes?

[@patriciamorgan6545]

🤗❤️

[@davidstalie4493]

The pace of life- cuts the threads of what really matters- Love is missing- and the distance is there.