Harry Chapin What Made America Famous (Soundstage)

[@gregbicknell]

There was and will forever be...only ONE Harry Chapin. No one could ever make me feel the way he did in every song. I owe my career in entertainment to him. After a concert in 1978 I shook his hand as he met my eyes. That moment is frozen forever in time for me. Harry still lives in all the studio work that I do and the way I live my life. God bless you Harry!

[@lisaperry7297]

That's beautiful ! I know meeting and listening to him and his causes changed the way I looked at things at a time when I needed it! God bless Harry and his family!

[@RickBentsen]

And we are all enriched for there having been a Harry Chapin. That is for sure! One of my personal heroes. I never got to see him live, but his music is a huge influence on me.

[@smills3703]

Harry performed at a summer camp for disabled kids that I worked at in the mid 70s. For no financial compensation, he sang his heart out to those kids.

[@stemikger]

Awesome! He did that a lot, he really walked the walk! When I listen to Song for Myself, it is so fitting for today's times.

[@aaroncoberg68]

Classic chapin. God bless.

[@justliketomthumb427]

"Said the plumber: 'then I'm going alone'- " That line always gives me chills. Every. Single. Time.

[@Guitarburt]

This whole song always drove me to tears as a teenager in the 70s

[@margaretpillsbury7422]

I just said that to my coworker! One of my favorite song of his. In my small town growing up we had a house like this. Reminds me of it every time I hear it.

[@Bugg...0_o]

@Guitarburt I just turned 35. This is the first time I have heard this song. It brings tears for many reasons. So many times I hear a song from 30, 50, 70 years ago. And while things, some things have not. And that is what cuts so deep. I am afraid that they never will. But we have to fight either way. I don't know if hope makes it better or worse. Maybe better, because there are many who won't fight if there is no hope. Some of us don't have a choice though.☮

[@seryerson50]

Me too !!! There will never be another Harry ❤

[@lisaperry7297]

Amazing! I can picture the whole story just as he sang it. It's as meaningful now as the last time I heard him sing it in person in 1980!

[@phishENchimps]

Our country needs Harry more than ever.

[@FilmFlam]

And even more now in 2021.

[@stemikger]

@@FilmFlam Ditto. Song for Myself makes me wonder what amazing songs Harry would have written during these horrible times with so much hatred coming from Trump.

[@Harley57]

@@FilmFlam thought it would be impossible, but even more now in 2022. Things sure have changed since he wrote this song.

[@lisaperry7297]

I couldn't have said it better! It's sad that we don't learn from our mistakes!

[@tomterrific41]

Harry was a friend of mine, and I miss him every day

[@mikeyeden5791]

@tom Baldwin, sorry about you're loss. It's amazing you knew him!

[@tylerbuckley2092]

My condolences to ya Harry was a great artist and be blessed that you had a wonderful friend in him

[@lisaperry7297]

I'm sorry for your loss! I met him a few times and back then I didn't realize what a privilege that was! Happy 80 th birthday Harry! You're still young I our hearts!

[@AmadeMuse]

resonates loudly today, regardless of which side you are on.

[@richardmcnally5998]

I was driving home from my shift as an orderly in Springfield MA when I heard the news he died. Such shock and anguish that I feel to this day whenever I recall that moment. He was the very best of America.

[@elasticpoet]

Jeez! Not only is his song writing unmatched...the guy can most certainly wail. That's some awesome stuff right there at the end...combined with all of the passion oozing out of his pores...too soon, Harry.

[@IvonneMeeuwsen]

Truly heroic song. Not mincing words to please anyone. Telling the story. My take away: 'When you get that close, it's kind of hard to hate'

[@markblunck2692]

I saw Harry Chapin in concert in about 1978 and 1980. I had tickets to see him for a third time in 1981, but he died in the auto accident on July 16, my 26th birthday. When he appeared on The Tonight Show in 1971 and sang Taxi, the NBC switchboard lit up and Carson had him return the next evening. I'm rather sure that's the only time that happened. I heard this song during those concerts and was moved back then. His songwriting has never been equaled.

[@TomKaren94]

Mark: We share a birthday. I heard Harry had died during my 24th birthday party. It was actually quite devastating. Saw him in concert 11 times. Still listen to his music often today.

[@stemikger]

He really was one of a kind. I am 57 years old and my Uncle who was a huge fan took me to see him in concert. It was just him without his band at St. John's College in Staten Island, open for students only and their guest. My Uncle was an undergrad there. The price of admission was a few cans of food for people who suffered from food insecurity and hunger. I was just a kid and remember it very clearly and realized what a special person I was seeing. He was amazing. We lost a special human being when he was killed. I pretty much take a little time out of my day to listen to a few of his amazing songs and try to do something nice for someone in his memory.

[@vincentmckie]

One of the best storytellers of his generation. The lessons still apply today. Listen carefully and you might just learn something.

[@smcmaster]

I have always loved Harry and this song, but THIS version is the most powerful I have ever seen/heard. Literally brought tears to may eyes.

[@peterahrens3594]

Great Song For Every Citizenry To Dream, Prosper and Achieve! Harry Chapin's Legacy is A Cherished Celebration of All!

[@Nipstersongs1]

I was fortunate to see him in concert 3 times before he passed. This performance just brought me back to those evenings. It's been a long time since I felt what I am feeling right now. He shared his amazing talent with use and stirred our emotions and made use think. I remember sitting spellbound as he and his amazing band spun wonderful melody and lyrics that touched my soul. Thank you Harry.

[@GrandpaCanCook]

When I was younger and didn't know what a Bucket List was; seeing Harry Chapin perform and hopefully meeting him, was on mine. I waited too long and he was gone. Thank you for posting.

[@michael7482]

Grandpa Can Cook, I was very fortunate to see him in Milwaukee Wi in Nov.1980. If I've ever lived in the moment in my life it was there. Truly an experience seeing him and the band. Such a down to earth guy. I really loved him so much.

[@Bnbinn]

A treat of treat...

[@donbartenstein]

God how I miss this man's humanity.....

[@dennisbruzzi9738]

Met him many times. I still have the napkin he signed at the bottom line in NYC with his number for charitable donations. My all time favorite day in my life was driving home from Newark from work on a Saturday afternoon and heard on the radio he was giving a free concert in prospect park Brooklyn. Stayed on the BQE found a bodega for a hero and a beer and listened to harry for two hours. Best day of my life

[@timelyshadow]

What an amazing song. And a seriously incredible man.

[@SleepyBoBos]

What a truly unique individual. You can't cover the songs. There is so much of him and his passion in them. They start to not make sense without him telling the story.

[@johndennis5182]

this is the kinda of art that is missing in music today, the music I hear today makes me want to scream and pull my hair out, pop music and hip hop, and rap, is to me a living hellish nightmare. People like kanyne west is nothing but pure crap!. and iam sure people are gonna write me nasty email, well go ahead and send them, I would not expect anything less from people who dont have ears to hear, are a heart that cannot understand pure gold. What a Crying shame. It truly is.

[@jimbeama]

If all you listen to is what is on the radio or other popular outlets yes you'll get crap. There is plenty of great music, musicians, and song writers out there. Just need to know where to look...

[@DHFabian]

No, just understand that every generation says this about the younger generation, and documentation of similar sentiments date back to ancient Rome.

[@sanchamillion]

Two perfect comments in response to this post.

[@mlmcproductions4191]

@@sanchamillion Bragging about violence and encouraging it is not art. It's funny I have enjoyed Rap created in other countries more than any I've heard. Where real causes and political problems are met and revealed. Being "gangsta" (sic) is placing oneself into the mold cast by colonialism which promotes racism. I have a firm rule for entry of my house slack pants are pulled up or stay outside.

[@greggparkersongster8389]

Of ALL the Harry Chapin videos available I personally like THIS one the MOST - for Concept, Content, Clarity and Character Harry's "What Made America Famous" stands out and delivers a message desperately needed to be spread in America TODAY. Watch, Listen, Learn, Love and Share.....

[@SJCEvans]

When speaking of true Americans, people in recent times will come up with actors, celebrities, and rappers. When i think of the greatest American, i always come up with Harry Chapin. He perfected the American Dream in this song, he perfected the reason America is the land of the free. I am Canadian, and therefore harbour some small amount of dislike for America. But when i listen to this song, all i can do is stand in awe, of this man. Harry Chapin is a true hero.

[@paultrehin3939]

This song is touching a deep feeling for us: when we lived in Woodstock NY the house next door cot fire so we witnessed the song for real. that was in 1976 and it is still brings tears to my eyes.

[@themonster9040]

I love him more than life . He was a beautiful man and family.God Bless All of Us

[@okeydokey505]

I love story tellers songs. And harry was one of the best,

[@brigantine69]

I still remember where I was when I heard Harry had died and it still makes me deeply sad. Still tops in my book, Harry.

[@lindapintoff6112]

Me too, I just had given birth to twins and the next day the story of how he died came up on the TV. I was crying when my husband came in to visit and he freaked out that something happened to the babies and that was why I was crying. When I told him about Harry, he cried too. If I hadn't already named my newborn son, I would have called him Harry🌹🌹

[@fredlunau]

What an incredible gift Harry gave us all, even after all these years. Thanks for setting the pace, Harry.

[@Jetset906]

Two few people today know what a brilliant singer/songwriter Harry Chapin was. His music is timeless.....

[@christopherlundgren3499]

Probably the greatest performance, the singing of a great song, or the true baring of a good man's sad heart and great soul that I have ever seen

[@markdenslow587]

I miss Harry Chapin......

[@pamelajarman2872]

Mark Denslow me too Mark.

[@larryb8479]

God Bless America 2024

[@postulusml]

Who do i give my love to. Thank you so much.

[@judgetimbers588]

Harry at his best!

[@songsbyrosshudson9680]

What a story teller...creative genius..

[@SebineLifeWind]

Harry Chapin, what a loss. So many songs unsung.

[@Skipper426]

one of my all time favorites!

[@stavrosteve]

It's funny, when you get that close it's kind of hard to hate. Truer words were never spoken.

[@kbrown2225]

My god Harry was wonderful!

[@sysiphuscorinth]

the best!

[@BlaineAlisonClark]

@MrWTSherman I agree. Beautiful message. Beautiful Man. Such a loss to this world. At least we can be gratefuil he left a part of his soul, through his music.

[@chrismears4703]

I have loved listening to Harry since WOLD and saw him about three times in England but this is THE BEST. Thank you for posting this.

[@robertlloyd122]

Thanks for sharing this. I've made it my annual July 4th Facebook post for several years now. :)

[@GreenForce82]

There only was one choice

[@christopherlundgren3499]

As a crazy "anarchist", "hippy", "leftist-Liberal", "Heretical", "Socialist" (as certain friends and family have dubbed me, though they're far off the mark), I LOVE this song! Sex and Terror are the two strongest ways to Illumination

[@dankemetick4492]

I was 13 years old when I first heard this masterpiece. At that time, I don't think I got it then. But here I sit at almost 62 I get it now and realize that I'd probably be the plumber.

[@Berty_worm96]

that gave me chills

[@dennisbruzzi9738]

Always and forever the greatest story teller

[@nancydokkentoymansdoll]

Oh Harry you should have taken the limo I sure miss you but as we well know all our life's a circle and we will meet again , this man should get a special Grammy award

[@GreenForce82]

Or a taxi. Cause that's how he got that far.

[@MsHappygirl23]

What the hell happened to us???? OMG I love Harry

[@mikeyeden5791]

I was born in 85, I think after his death, two people I know about ten years ago, told me to listen to him, haven't stopped since. I wish I was alive when he was, would of loved to see his concert, this fire that made America famous, did something really happen for him to write about this?

[@sandrademers3886]

OMG. How prophetic. I'm still here. And I care. Yet my heart, with all the latest Supreme Court rulings, breaks.

[@catlaw1997]

I so miss Harry Chapin.

[@mhwolfgang49]

So much truth in this song

[@larryb8479]

God Bless America 2020

[@JohnCran]

Oh dear I once had the Shure Pa that those foldbacks belonged to. Somehow I find that connection to Harry comforting.

[@Rastafari6]

"Does anyone care?" Harry did

[@ERJ1024]

It's probably the fact that he sings about how they put a swastika on the firehouse door that turned people off. Still nice to see an acoustic unproduced version of this song. It is impossible to deny that he poured his soul into this and every other song he recorded. I've loved this song for decades, and I wish it had been more popular. It might have solved a lot of problems.

[@trumpsextratesticle8590]

How is anyone turned off by it,, its a STORY you dumb f ck.

[@sunaJH]

Left me speechless, how could anyone in the audience stay in their seats on their asses like that?

[@hossmad11]

+sun Tao ...They only got there at the LAST MINUTE....Look at the video again...

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Ludes man, ludes. Just look what they did for Bill Cosby.

[@Tommy666Slayer]

One Great Song

[@mlmcproductions4191]

We need more "plumbers" both figuratively and literally. Heroes act when nobody else will. Being afraid and able to see what needs to be done. Training can do so much but it can't show how danger affects people. We all bleed and need one another sometimes. Harry picked up the cause of hunger when he was with us. I always wondered if Harry met up with John Lennon. What might those 2 passionate souls have shared?

[@davidhulkower7779]

where are the people like harry today ?

[@raj4301]

I miss him. :(

[@pamelajarman2872]

Me too. One and only Harry Chapin.

[@kbrown2225]

God I miss Harry

[@stavrosteve]

He truly was the last protest singer.

[@bobjob66]

It was probably either the way they started the "sound stage" series every time...or it is was an artist decision, because it is Harry just rocking with his guitar and then the audience comes in. Like a sound check.

[@eretzsus]

Very, very dark dystopian folk. Way beyond Dylan/Guthrie. I dare you to look into this mirror and not turn away.

[@LiesMoneyOrJesus]

Dystopian, not what I took away from it. Actually, quite the opposite, hope. But appreciate your comment.

[@WineNationTV100]

I wonder what Harry would think of what they are teaching in schools now? Just wondering!

[@Qkano]

6 years on ... wht they are teaching has moved on.

[@rodmichya]

Wow!!!

[@clsimpson1986]

What sticks out to me as a stagehand is that at 2:14 the camera guy WEARING A WHITE SHIRT moves his camera half way across the screen! HELLO! What ever happened to stage blacks!!!

[@jebstewart666]

Intern. A simple moment to shoot, let's let the kid have a hand on the floor camera... ;) We'll point out the error in his clothing on playback.....

[@YoungbloodVlog]

i miss him.

[@johnstader4885]

Me too

[@johndennis5182]

go to youtube and type in james bay, he is a young man who has kept the faith.

[@Mark60013]

Could we play this in Ferguson, Mo.? As Harry said, be "the America that made America famous"!

[@Mark60013]

+Ben A How dare you disparage the memory of Harry Chapin with such an ignorant, hateful comment. You don't even have the balls to post your full name you piece of human excrement!

[@benhamre6862]

What I like about this song is Harry blames both sides for the hate. "we love child put a swastika on the bright red firehouse door." The hippies are just as much to blame for the feud as the "decent folks".

[@thomasrowe9822]

Yes!

[@EyeofStormTarot]

Wow!

[@mtbski2]

on April 15th 2013 i learned there are a lot of plumbers in Boston

[@grahamphillips9439]

I thought the plumber said let them go it alone. A big difference

[@rgramling]

does anybody care! is anybody there! is anybody there!

[@courtneyruth196]

As of today I am no longer a people pleaser!

[@ternak001]

Ok can someone explain why there's no one in the audience then right when he finishes the song, it's a full house?

[@kb7bth]

GONE TOOOOO SOON!!! Saw him live at the U of I in Moscow while I was in college there. He was stumpin' for the ONLY GREAT SENATOR MY IDAHO HAD: FRANK CHURCH!!!

[@JackTyson95]

No dislikes, too fucking right!

[@mikepetergumball8337]

yes how did the seats become occupied . when clearly when he started they were empty

[@omatzyo7]

Part of the video, last second of video he says ya you are there!

[@macgames]

Is there anyone doing "story songs" on the level of Harry?

[@phacker10]

Me too.

[@RobbCorless]

Learn song writing from Harry..Neil and Cat...I have always said that Billy Joel's first release of Piano Man...Would not of taken off..If everybody didn't think it was Harry's song..Please taking nothing away from Billy...God Bless you Harry Chapin...I have my songs on KZbin..Listen to Just My Boy and Me.. I was inspired by Harry....Robb Corless...A fan

[@TedSeeber]

This is what liberalism used to be. No longer. The hate has taken over.

[@TedSeeber]

Then why did the firemen save the hippies? Would the hippies have saved the firemen? And today, with Black Lives Matter folks calling out "Kill the Pigs", can you imagine a black firefighter running into a burning police station?

[@LiesMoneyOrJesus]

Perhaps you missed the point because if Harry wrote the song today. It would be cops saving black lives and black lives showing their appreciation, "funny how it's hard to hate when you get that close."

[@tedwojtasik8781]

You misheard the lyrics. The fireman REFUSED to save the hippies in the song...it was the plumber who was a volunteer who got in the fire truck and saved the kids, not the firemen.

[@honeygge2]

Huntington new york

[@arist7922]

But something's burning somewhere.. Does anybody care?

[@mtfkncrzyhrs815]

Melanie Rae Hunter sent me here. #melanieraehunter, somehow Melanie doesnt know she's beautiful.

[@phishENchimps]

every town needs a good plumber.

[@sysiphuscorinth]

ok here is an option.. as song writers. Bono or Harry..

[@dennishoskins1836]

Harry , Hands down !!!

[@tylerbuckley2092]

Harry definitely

[@brakerbraker829]

"But somethings burning somewhere, does anybody care".....apparently not.

[@billgelineaupastlibertaria3335]

TC. This is a call to get out and get involved. www.ComeTogetherMichigan.org

[@kidcare05]

Could you imagine the reaction from Harry if he was alive during the trump years?!??!!

[@kevmike3687]

Play this today so everyone can hear it. See if it draws the same reaction as another socially centered song from today. Will this song now be racist,sexist,stereotypical too?

[@tjpatt1]

wow...does't anybody care .....?

[@mattg6574]

Wow, Henry Cavill can sing...

[@m.j.carroll2465]

A fireman would never do that. Maybe Harry never got close to one..

[@tjpatt1]

wow...does't anybody care .....?