Tonight I listened again to this after watching Harry’s documentary. I had to hear it again after our Capitol was attacked. I needed to hear this nearly a year since Covid’s thrown millions into dire straits, hungry and worse. And I had to come back to this again because the chord Harry and Bruce struck in this moment is the harmony of action and aspiration we need now more than ever. Bruce strode out there that night and I’ll bet the real folkies, the family, those closest to Harry maybe had a chill he’d do a star turn. Can’t blame ‘em but they didn’t really know Bruce’s heart was as close to Harry’s as the best of us. Never before have I witnessed a tribute like this. Bruce was a conduit. It’s like he wasn’t there as Bruce but as a translator for the essence of our shining Long Island star. Harry’s bride is 87 tonight and I hope in fine health and spirits. Harry’s spirit, sentiments and mission flowed through Bruce’s darkness on the edge of shattered times mind and made this all the more moving. Bruce’s best song “the Promise” written in 1976 and itself a bit of a story song wrestled with the promises we make with ourselves - and break. “When the promise is broken/you go on living/but it steals something from down in your soul/When the truth is spoken, it don't make no difference/ Something in your heart goes cold.” So when Bruce thought hard about Harry’s message, he made that leap of faith from despondent despair that he’d experienced too many times to a more honest and clear vision that kept Harry fighting for those without until his strong heart gave out in that wreck on the Highway. It’s through that prism that the words and spirit of these two both shine like a beacon not from far off on a distant unreadable horizon but as a beacon shining our attention inside ourselves: (...) I remember when Sandy sent me this tape I listened to it and I said ´Gee, this is a little on the corny side´...and I sat down and I tried to think.....what the song was about ....and I guess there was a time when people....felt that music....provided you with a greater...oh, a greater sense of unity....a greater sense of shared vision and purpose that it does today....and my generation we were the generation that was gonna change the world....somehow we were gonna make it a little less lonely....a little less hungry....a little more just place....but it seems that when.....when that promise slipped through our hands we didn´t replace it with nothing but....but lost faith....and now we live in, uh.... times are pretty shattered, I got my music, you´ve got yours, the guy on the street, he´s got his....and you could kind of sit back and say not cynically but truthfully: ´Well, maybe....maybe all men are not brothers....and maybe we won´t ever know who or what we really are to each other´....but I think Harry instinctively knew that it was gonna take a lot more than just love to survive, that it was gonna take a strong sense of purpose, of duty....and a good clear eye on the dirty ways of the world....so in keeping ....in keeping his promise to himself....he reminds us of our promise to ourselves....and that tonight.....alongside Harry, it´s that promise that his spirit would have us remember and honor and recommit to....so do something and may his song be sung.." Purpose, duty and a good clear eye on the dirty ways of the world. I can’t say that fear and purges and censorship will get us past these fractured times. We have to start listening and exercising compassion with passion. But I can say the ethos of action with the right heart is what we need more than ever. So tonight I donated a bit to Long Island Cares and our local food bank Grace here in Summit, New Jersey not because I can afford to but I finally realized I can’t afford not to. Let Harry’s song be sung until kingdom come when nowhere in the world does even a single soul go to bed hungry.

What a beautiful portrait of a young pure *Bruce Springsteen* In the spirit of honoring Harry and Bruce, I will hold this video close to my Heart. It's a pure message from a pure Heart. In a shattered world it still resonates, and we need to listen to this until we get this in our spirit, and "Go Do Something!!!!!" In so doing, we honor Harry's memory, and honor Bruce for speaking it from his Heart. Each and every day "Remember When"

APRIL 13, 1978 LAS VEGAS, NV ALADDIN THEATER: I took a girl to this concert that really didn't like Harry's music but by the time his concert was over, she had become a fan....RIP Harry, your music always touched me in a most wonderful way.

I loved Harry Chapin's music I remember back in 1978 Harry Chapin was going to play at Avery Fisher Hall in NYC. I knew when the tickets will be on sale so I got up really early and took the subway over to lincoln center to get tickets. Now I got there maybe 2 hours early and I was the first one there. I waited until 10:00 AM and as 10:00 came the ticket window opened and I was still there, in fact, I was the only one there. So I got to buy the first ticket to the show. I was able to get seats A1 and A2 but that was too far to the left. so I bought the first 8 seats so that I could be at center. I remember that show (it still is the best show I ever went to) as if it was yesterday. I remember Harry saying that there are people here that knows the words to my music better then I do (that was me). One of my biggest regrets was when Harry would have picnic fundraisers at his house in LI for $50.00 dollars, and I couldn't make it cause I had no means to get there. Harry died on my birthday July 16.

@bapinorobles

3 жыл бұрын

Have a wonderful day! I came to this video because Michael Moore posted about him. Hugs and Happy Birthday!!!!

Even with all of Harry's songs I know and love, when you say Harry Chapin, I always think "Remember when" Harry was with us. This song is how he made me feel. Miss you guy.

@cmnslcf

3 жыл бұрын

For me it's "Corey's Comin'" or "Mr. Tanner"

Never gave a better speech and never toasted a better man

this was a MEMORIAL concert due to the fact that Harry was, On December 7, 1987, on what would have been his 45th birthday, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal

On this day in 1987 {December 7th} Bruce Springsteen performed "Remember When The Music" at the Harry Chapin Tribute concert at Carnegie Hall in N.Y.C. It would have been his 45th birthday {he died on July 16th, 1981}... And on that very same day {Dec. 7, 1987} Mr. Chapin posthumously received a 'Congressional Medal of Honor' for his work in fighting hunger... May he R.I.P.

One of Bruce’s moments and as usual in service of others - thank god we have Bruce

Liberal or conservative, such things do not matter on this stage. Beauty and prosperity are in the music.

I was in Carnegie Hall ...this night .......for this tribute to Harry Chapin.......springsteen was amazing ..........what a show to witness......wow.....

@1dawnf

9 жыл бұрын

Greg~What year is this from?? is it a part of the WOLD tribute in 87?

@moneypenny6

5 жыл бұрын

me too!!

I just discovered this video.......what a joy it is!! Just loved Harry Chapin who wrote and performed so many great songs. I really enjoyed the story told by Bruce Springsteen about Harry, and his wonderful performance of Harry's song. Wish more people took this song to heart, because it would make a better world!

Bruce and Harry great musicians

I will ALWAYS love Harry This is a perfect song & Tribute to him, thanx Bruce for a GREAT way to honor My modern day Mozart...

I met him in Norfolk, Virginia. I was the youngest person there and I knew of his music because my brother played guitar and would play Harry's songs. I got his autograph and a sweet peck on the cheek. He said I was lovely. He was a great story teller, a fine person and a gentleman. The man and his talent will forever be missed.

I had a good friend back in the Army who claimed Harry Chapin was his favourite artist. Dan was the only one I ever knew who chose Harry over The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, or anyone from that time period. He claimed Harry’s songs were stories taken from life, and he loved his voice and his guitar playing. Dan also knew about Harry’s immense charity work, the benefit concerts. One afternoon in 1981 Dan and I were listening to Harry’s live album, “Greatest Stories Live”. We had smoked some weed and were totally immersed in the stories. He left around suppertime, and because we were slightly stoned, I jokingly said- “Drive carefully man, I do not want to have to drive by your wreck going to work.” We laughed and off he went. The following day, Dan got drunk at a German Pub near our Army Post, and driving home his car left the road and crashed, he died instantly. Our Company Commander was angry and gave us a nasty lecture Monday morning at work about the evils and foolishness of drunk driving. And he placed Dan’s bloodied, wrecked car on a flatbed trailer and parked it at the front gate, so we would be brutally reminded not to drink and drive. My words came back to haunt me as I was forced to ride by his wreck everyday. Then it got even more bizarre for me, the day of Dan’s funeral, Harry Chapin was killed in a car crash. I did not know there was a Michael Moore connection. Of course he knew Harry. But Harry’s body being identified from Michael’s watch, now that was pretty heavy. I had also never heard Bruce’s version of this admittedly corny Harry Chapin song. If you have the time, listen to it all the way through, because Bruce talks brilliantly in the middle, and it is both touching and spot on, and it still fits today. In fact, it even fits better today than it did back then as Bruce sang it. We need to find a way to reunite.

Been a Springsteen fan since the beginning, and of course enjoyed Harry Chapins' music. Been listening to "Remember when the music...." for years and I thought I'd pop online to see if this song happened to be here. Wow. Incredibly moving speech by Bruce.

Hey Bruce Springstein, you really shine on this song! I think a lot of people could learn from what you said about Chapin, and about the world we all share --about people ! Jim

This tribute album is a truly wonderful experience for music fans. My hope is that Jimmy Buffett’s tribute concert is put out like this soon.

Harry died tragically on the LI Expressway the summer of 1981 in a car crash....I remember talking to Harry's dad, Jim (a musical legend in his right) telling me "Bruce, what a fine young man"...never forgot that...

Only the good die young, you know he was an old soul wise and mature well beyond his 38 years. He had a cause to live and lived for a cause. He really saw the minutiae in everyday things and was very good at expressing it in his songs and that to me is a gift.

R I P Harry Chapin one of the most influential speech ive ever heard

Had no idea Bruce had even heard of Harry. This brought tears to my eyes.

On Thursday, July 16, 1981, just after noon, Chapin was driving on the Long Island Expressway, when he apparently had a heart attack and was struck by a tractor trailor. He later died at Nassau County Medical Center. On December 7, 1987, on what would have been his 45th birthday, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his campaigning on social issues, that same night this tribute was part of the festivities.

Nobody speaks better and with more insight than Bruce. Not only is he a great songwriter - but he is also a great and poignant speaker.

Well said, Bruce. You crought a tear to my eye. RIP, Harry. You are sorely missed.

A sincere and deserving tribute to a wonderful artist.

Awesome cover of this song - thank you Bruce, for giving life to the song with your narrative.

Had the honor of seeing Harry at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village way back when. I actually went there to see Cheech & Chong and it wasn't even advertised that Harry was opening for them. I think it cost me $3 ! Fantastic night !!

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU! I've been hoping someone would upload a better version of this fantastic tribute. So hard to believe it's coming up on 28 years since he died. As long as people like yourself keep sharing it, his music really will never die. Cheers!

I'd like to think not of how horribly he died, but of how wonderfully he lived.

Can you think of anybody you would rather have write & speak your eulogy than Bruce? Harry deserved the best & he got it. Still miss you tremendously Harry!

i dont sing to great but my guitar skills are pretty good fingerpicking and ive just begun to play out a little im 44 but i wanna play free and give most all the money to something more important than me thats what its all about others less fortunate thats why he left us so early he was to good for this life hell always be loved by me he was driving a volkswagon when he got struck that should tell us something there he could have afforded a benz he was such a genius RIP HARRY

great tribute.

Haven’t heard this song in 20 years but it popped into my head and I though maybe I could find it on ty. I remember when.......yeah I remember

how has this only had 9286 hits ! doesnt Bruce look so young. Harry is still alive in my car.

What a wonderfully touching tribute for Bruce Springsteen to choose a song of Harry’s that he once thought was “a bit corny.” What a tribute to Harry Chapin, and what a beautiful acceptance of Harry’s worth and wisdom. Bruce Springsteen is amazing.

it's rare these days when I hear a new bruce performace give me chills (because i've listened to them all a thousand times). love it when he talks in songs. can't wait to see him at wrigley on september 8th this year. two REAL American Idols: Harry Chapin and Bruce Springsteen

This is the very best thing I have ever found on this site! Thank you so very, very much for posting this wonderful tribute to Harry Chapin, a great artist who should be remembered for more than just "Cats In The Cradle", by one of my all time favorite artists, Bruce Springsteen. Every whining american idol should have this as required viewing before attempting to step foot on any stage. Maybe they'd actually learn what it is all really about!

The BOSS! There's nothing else to be said.

Harry was fabulous. He once dedicated a song to my dad ( I wrote him a letter.) And he was a huge food charity supporter, something that Bruce also does. Both of them are great people. I miss Harry.

Amen 🙏🏻

aaaaaaaaamen!!

This was one of my favorite songs growing up!

Thx for posting! I love this song......and I just love what he says in the middle of the song "it seems that when.....when that promise slipped through our hands we didn´t replace it with nothing but....but lost faith" *****

Well said!

A wonderful video! Absolut phantstic. Thanks a lot for posting*****

Remembering Harry today. One of the greatest.

Thanks for posting. I've heard the audio and enjoyed the video

What a beautiful song. I heard it on a plane coming back from Europe to America and thought it sounded so wonderfully American :)

Thought Bruce did a commendable job - obviously admired Harry immensely

He does not pull out the harp any old time Harry. I loved you then, but am only starting to understand you now. We shook hands several times, and those are some of my fondest memories, R.I.P. Brother, because some of us are waking up, and get it now!

A great concert- I have VHS copy around here somewhere!

Thanks for this...It's nice to know I'm not the only one who misses Harry Chapin and Jim Croce.

Thanks for posting this! I have listened to a cassette copy of this benefit for the past 20 years but this is the first time I have seen the video. This may be the most beautiful tribute I have ever heard! All the more amazing when you realize that Bruce isn't reading from a script. The "shared vision and purpose" comment is dead on! I hope musicians realize the power music has to pull us all together. Bruce's music continues to be a source of tremendous inspiration for me.

remember when the music was a rock that we clinged to....my all time fav guy, bruce, mayb the best truest song writer/poet/teacher i have ever known: Harry, what a perfect combo, thank you so very much, ás mo croí

I agree - like in his earlier shows - those were the best shows. Something he wasn't doing on the last 3 or 4 tours, but I saw him at MetLife last month and couldn't beleive he was doing it again. Also looked like he was having more fun on this tour. It bugged me the people around me were getting restless when he went into the stories because they wanted to dance. I tried telling them - he's hasn't done this in a long time - they didn't realize what a treat they were missing.

I believe that tune was included on an album chapin released in 81, called "Sequel"

The Boss forever!

❤️

incredible tribute.

that's really cool. good for you.

Thank you.

R I P Harry Chapin

His body was dead but his spirit was very much alive.

During this period of time between Christmas and New Year's, here is a reminder of Bruce's tribute to a great man (Harry Chapin) who really cared about those who were less fortunate and struggling with hunger. This is dedicated to Time's Person of the Year, Pope Francis, for reminding the world about the fact that "in the end, nobody wins unless everybody wins." It is a simple message that has been lost on New Jersey's governor Fat Fatty/Chris Christie, a man who is ignorantly worshipping at the altar of St. Ronald Raygun ("Ray" refers to the rays of sunshine/smoke that he blew up the fat butts of the American people for 8 years, and "gun" refers to Ronnie's unwavering support of NRA lunatics despite nearly being killed by a gun on March 30, 1981) instead of Jesus "The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth" Christ. A war on poverty (President Johnson) will always be more noble and honest than a war on the poor (Reagan), and Harry Chapin knew the truth better than anybody.

@steinsopp1 are you serious? I think it's awesome.... no it's not Harry... no one could be Harry... but Bruce did a real good job with it. not to mention the story before & talk in the middle... very moving.... I was lucky enough to be at this show... and very glad I forked over the cash for that evening :)

It took place on what would have been his 45th bday, It was shown on PBS in 1987

Please listen to Harry's lyrics. He understood where we were headed. We need to understand it now. At the time , I could not understand my passion for his music, and now it's as plain as day. It was a warning for the future, by a man who only wanted to feed the hungry. Who would have thought helping others that could be so damned difficult?!

:) could not agree more.. Harry could teach Bono something about humility and private sacrifice.... rather than public ..

Do something. And may his song be sung.

Yes, he died in '81. From wikipedia: "A spokesman for the Nassau County Medical Center said Chapin had suffered a heart attack and "died of cardiac arrest", but there was no way of knowing whether it occurred before or after the accident".

ZIt'as about who you are! Tilt a wheel!

@TheNonaable

10 жыл бұрын

wow!

That's the song he wrote for his wife, who is still alive. It's the story of how they met. It's called "I Wanna Learn a Love Song."

@Lennon4life1968 What is the name of the album so I can look for it?

harry had a song that all i cant remember was the last it whent like this of course you no i stay please tell me what song it was thank you

its not so much about harry is with us or not or bruce is or not , look at harry smiling , josh its all about you joshu chapin

Does anyone know chords to that particular version? G - C - D ain’t right, he’s got a capo here on 5th (?)...

It was done on what would have been his 40th bday I think

Harry passed in a car accident going to perform for a benefit in 1981

This looks like it's from '89, or so?

he died of a heart attack while driving the Jersey Pike in 1981

This is rather gruesome, but to set the record straight, according to Harry's biographer, he was driving an old VW Rabbit that either belonged to a family member or friend - I don't remember which. He was driving on a suspended license - he was apparently a really horrible driver and was always losing his license. The throttle linkage probably broke while he was in the fast lane of the LI Freeway, and the car was run over and crushed by a truck, breaking his spine and puncturing his heart.

Yes he was, I think he died in a car accident...