This song always has brought tears to my eyes, even as a kid. I think it's a song that should be mandatory for parents to hear.

Every parent should listen and think about this song after having a child. Be careful what you teach your children.

@kathyscott9219

2 жыл бұрын

In interviews Harry said that the song was based on a poem that his wife wrote. She kept asking him to make it into a song and he put if off, then one day he got to it and the result was this masterpiece.

@jamesalexander5623

2 жыл бұрын

"Teach Your Children Well"!

@thomastimlin1724

2 жыл бұрын

A parent teaches by example every second. Most parents don't get that. That's why we have all these problems in congruence with the internet we're sitting on here right now and other things..

@jackalsgate1146

2 жыл бұрын

And where did the Father, in this song, go wrong.? What I got from this song is, that when you have a family, you have bills to pay, food to provide, clothes to wear, education to pay for, and you have to work. Seems to me that the father taught his son the lesson of responsibility for the family you started.

@kathyscott9219

2 жыл бұрын

@@jackalsgate1146 You make a fair point. Keep in mind the song was written from a poem by his wife. There are moments where the man could have taken time to toss a ball or have a chat. The emotion comes when the man is retired and the son is busy. I do admire men or women who work hard for the family, I guess it is about balance.

I relate to this song! My dad worked his ass off for us kids. We didn’t always get the family time, but I always understood why. Total respect to him!

@Aluzard

Жыл бұрын

I got a simular thing to my dad, Sometimes when I was younger I was angry why I thought he never supported me with what I did or had time for me, Now that im grown up I understand the sacrifice he did so I could get what ever I wanted and i'm so greatfull for him beeing the best dad ever, and I respect him most of all the people in the world.

@HappierNowe

Жыл бұрын

I used to relate to this song as a kid, now I do as a father. My son’s asleep now, but we’ll be playing catch tomorrow

@robertsmalls3513

11 ай бұрын

@@lacidrainl5192The important thing is that you have a relationship with him regardless

Great song with an upbeat melody with a deep meaning. The number one thing kids learn from their parents is as an example. Actions always speak louder than words.

When this song was written most dad's worked long hours. I remember late 60s to early 70s going to little league game and half the kids didn't have a parent in the stands. This song rang true to most fathers and sons. The previous generation probably spent less time with kids. It took time to do every thing by hand and cook everything from scratch.

@terminallumbago6465

2 жыл бұрын

But aren’t people working longer hours now? The 40-hour week is getting rarer

@unknownsword9042

Жыл бұрын

@@terminallumbago6465 Yeah because you can work 60 hours a week typing on a computer. Most people can't handle 60 hours in a steel factory. You have to factor in the kind of work that was being done.

@terminallumbago6465

Жыл бұрын

@@unknownsword9042 The song referenced the dad being away a lot and traveling by air (presumably on business trips), the implication being that he had some sort of office job.

Song hits you in the feels. Harry had another hit called "Taxi" also one of my favorites. The long version preferably.

@peterwalsh2470

2 жыл бұрын

yes HAVE to hit that one. really interesting story with a bit of a surprising clever use of lyrics at the end.

@cyndyhalter1983

2 жыл бұрын

But do taxi long version

@4nciite

2 жыл бұрын

Part one and part two!

@JaneDoe-bg9js

Жыл бұрын

Any of Harry Chapin’s music is amazing, especially his life stuff where he explains the stories behind the songs.

@Doug19752533

Жыл бұрын

dont forget "Sequel "

Always a tear-jerker for me. It just nails the cycle of life, time, hopes and regrets so perfectly. The realization that his son turned out just like him hits hard. I'm going to call my dad now that I have the time...

@u.s.lawyer8542

10 ай бұрын

No he was proud his song turned out like him.

A cautionary tale I first heard when it was released. I was 12, I got it immediately, it changed my priorities for my life. My son is now 30, I did not miss a thing for him, ever! My reward is a man, my son Chris, a friend!!! We connect on a level most would envy! It's never too late, to make that connection. I was lucky. A song provided a blueprint for my own fatherhood. Rest in peace Harry, And from my heart thank you!

The message of this song never gets old, despite being 50 years old. Every parent needs to hear it

I’m a 55 year old husband and father of an 18 year old young lady leaving for college in California in August and a 14 year old son. Two songs stop me in my tracks every time. This one and The Living Years. Make the very most of every single minute friends.

@billyrampersad1750

Жыл бұрын

Leader Of The Band by Dan Fogelberg is a good one too ...

A beautiful song, sadly describing a real life situation with father's and son's everywhere.

When I was a boy this reminded me of my Dad he was around as much as possible but that wasn't a lot in the the 70 - 80's. When God gave me a daughter I was at every event ever from meals in the high chair when Mom worked late to her graduation. I cried like a baby when she left for college. Luckily she moved six minutes up Preston :)

@sean3691

2 жыл бұрын

My oldman was either at sea or on the piss. My past will never be my sons future 👊

@larryzigler6812

2 жыл бұрын

The second coming ?

This song really rips my soul out. Parents should spend time with their kids. Nurture them the way they should be. I'm 52, been alone my entire life. I was never lucky enough to have kids, and know I never will, and trust me, that hurts. To the parents out there, spend time with with your kids, and create a family bond and be thankful you have them, not everyone does. Both of my parents are gone, and don't have any family left. It's just me, but I have good memories. To all parents, remember the words of Captain Picard, "I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived."

Harry Chapin’s songs always told great stories. You guys MUST check out “Taxi” by Harry.

A great story teller who left us way too soon. His live album is pure gold start to finish.

Im 67 now, and this song still makes me cry. I lost my Dad when I was 15. I dont see my son as often as I'd like either. Life I guess.

Love it and hate this song!! I spend every minute I can with my son. Working for the fire department, I missed alot of things with him at an early age. This brings a tear😪 to my eyes every time. Great reaction!👍

@greg2976

2 жыл бұрын

God Bless you! Thank you for keeping us safe!!!!

Harry's wife wrote this as a poem, about Harry's life on the road with young children. He then added some lines and put it to music, and it became one of his biggest hits. he has many songs he wrote that will leave you speechless by the end. A lyrical genius.

My kids are all grown now and this song gets me right in the feels. I did a lot with my kids but I feel I should of done more.

@matt75hooper

2 жыл бұрын

No matter how much you do- 20 years later you swear you should have done more. Dont beat yourself up. I was with my boy every minute every day from newborn til 13.....then he wanted some independence and kids his age. You name it- we did it. And this song still rips my guts out.

What I have taken from the song is that the dad was too busy to spend time with his son when he was young. Then, when the son is more grown up, the son has gotten tired of waiting for his father to have time for him. And later, when he has his own family, he's not making the same mistakes of his father. He's taking care of his own kid and family and giving his dad the same attention he'd given him. None. Powerful song. I always get teary eyed when I hear it.

@AboveAverageAvenue

3 ай бұрын

Did the son get tired? Or was he just raised that way?

Great message. For all the absentee fathers, a cautionary tale. What goes around comes around.

@keithrogers2295

2 жыл бұрын

This message transcends fathers to parents in general. Mothers and fathers, be present with your children. You’ll never get those years back.

@unknownsword9042

Жыл бұрын

How dare a man focus on providing the material needs for his family. Almost like he sacrificed having a deeper relationship to provide for their needs. Now people don't even get one parent at home, because either both are working, or they only live with one.

@robertasirgutz8800

Жыл бұрын

@@unknownsword9042 I assume you're being facetious. True, on many levels. It's the economy.

A must-listen for every prospective parent.

Aww yep... ain't that the truth💯 Great song, great message!!!❤️❤️

Awwww, I've always loved this song! Great pick y'all! ❤

he was a truly kind man, he is from where I live, he started a food distribution network for folks in need, a really empathic human.....much love

You two are too cute, love it, great dynamic together, great couple. I think ya's would be lovely folks to know❣️ Excellent tune, excellent reaction. Stay safe, much love, peace, health and happiness ❣️✨🇺🇲☮️

My father introduced me to this song when I was fairly young. He’s been a Harry Chapin fan all his life. In my father’s view his strength as a songwriter was tell real stories about everyday people.

I used to cry every time I heard this song. It describes my life so well. My father was in his 50s when I was born and he worked hard and came home tired. He had a stroke when which he survived when I was 11. I left home at 16 and rarely saw him as I became a man. He died when I was 21 and stationed in Germany in the army. We should spend all the time we can with family and friends while they are still with us. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

I think you both are correct in your interpretation of the song. The song was released in the 70’s and it’s relatable to today. As a parent, we’re working constantly to provide for our family but you gotta balance work with what’s also important, spending time with your family….

You finally got to my favorite song of all time, this song speaks much to my relationship with my father (not totally in the manner described in the song), but, just distant and strained (much on my part), thankfully we have since become close again and in fact, just celebrated today at his house for my brother's civil wedding (his first @ 55) - big to do in Sept. - and it was FANTASTIC. Thank you guys so much for this song and reaction. It brings ALL the feels. Now, in a good way. Though, I still have yet to get through this song without getting misty eyed...

@bkm2797

2 жыл бұрын

Happy you were able to find each other, hope you have many years together.

It’s the story of life and how quickly it goes by and how we all take it for granted. It’s also about unconditional love. His dad was too busy to spend time with him but he loved his dad all the same, and wanted to be just like him. If you want to cover another of Harry’s then Sniper would be a great choice. It’s pure genius.

This song resonates so much. When I first heard this song I was in my teens and could sing it without any problems. As soon as I became a dad I can’t get through the song without a few tears.

this is a beautiful sad song... many fathers in the 60’s never had time to spend with their kids ...

@jamesrobbison

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately today, many fathers aren't around at all!

@willasacco9898

2 жыл бұрын

@@jamesrobbison That is undeniably true. I saw a lot of that when I represented people in family court. Functional families are the lynchpin of a healthy society.

@dalejosephson176

5 ай бұрын

Welcome to America

Moral of story... Life gets busy but it goes by fast, you gotta take time to make time or the thing you put aside will be the one thing you want one day but it won't be there. Great song great reaction guys!!

I fondly recall all the great times with my dad growing up, and to this day. I'm 60, my pops is 81.

This song has never lost it's potency, so moving and perceptive, and a life lesson for every parent. Appreciate your loved ones, let them know, and make time for them whatever else is going on. Time moves on regardless of your future intentions. Treat every parting as if you may never see that person again, someday that may be true and you may never get that chance to let them know what they mean to you.

Today marks 4 months since my dad passed away from cancer. He’s been on my mind a lot today. I was lucky that no matter how busy he was with work. He was never too tired or too busy to spend time with me. But, I’ve always loved this song and watching this video brought back a lot of good memories. Great reaction, thank you for sharing!

This song has a much deeper meaning, Sometimes the price of success has more of an impact on family by not sharing the "special family moments" is a very high price to pay

Every parent should listen to this every week. Time flies by so fast.

Great song. Harry Chapin is a great song writer and story teller. The song just shows how time goes by and you can't get back what you wanted to do before. Enjoy and do everything you want to today or tomorrow. Another great song he wrote, 'Any where's a Better Place to Be", a song about a lonely watchman.

@wfj50

2 жыл бұрын

Harry was the G.O.A.T !

I love that they got the theme of the song right away. But I notice everyone who has reacted to this song never get the references to Mother Goose nursery rhymes.

@irishgrl

2 жыл бұрын

Cats in the Cradle (cats cradle) in my day was what we called a game you played with string looped around your fingers. You took turns making new designs in the string as you took it off the other person’s fingers. But Little Boy Blue was a nursery rhyme for sure. Man in the moon was of course a childlike view of the moon. Now there was a nursery rhyme that said “hey diddle diddle, the cat & the FIDDLE” where the cow jumped over the moon, the little dog laughed to see such a sight & the dish ran away with the spoon…but Harry used different language, perhaps for the sake of the poetry aspect 🤷‍♀️

I saw Harry Chapin in concert when it was around 10. My dad took my brother and I. Someone tried to pass my dad a joint, so we got up and left. Still, I’m glad to say I saw Harry sing. An American icon.

There is wisdom and beauty in those lyrics.

My dad wasn't home much while I was growing up he worked hard to provide for his family. He was in the Navy when he started his family and when he left the military he went to work for AT&T heavy electrician which had him on the road. He wanted to be around but you don't always get what you want in life and you just pray that you all love each other

Lovely, intelligent reaction. Brought years to my eyes...thank you for this.

My 7th & 9th grade science teacher was good friends with him. So much he got him to do a free concert in our high school auditorium. It was amazing, just Harry & his guitar. He died in a car wreck not long after. He had a big heart. He set up Island Harvest to feed the hungry on the east end of Long Island. All these decades later it's still going strong. He left not just a musical legacy but a generous charity. And I'm still friends with my teacher! A beautiful soul, a beautiful song & a lesson for all new parents.

I know my husband felt this; he worked hard (physically) into his late 40s before going into management. Our son grew up and went away to college and stayed in his college town 600 miles away from home. The last 16 years have just been visiting when all of us had the time and money at the same time. My husband retired at the end of 2021 and we did the logical thing; sold our home and bought one 10 miles from our son and his family. We see him when he has time and get ti help out with our 8 year old grandson. Time is precious, use it wisely. ✌🏼♥️🎶

2 of the best "storyteller" songs (IMHO) are "Taxi" by Harry Chapin and "Same Auld Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg, they both tell the same story essentially, but they are beautiful

this song touches me in a special way. I am 48 and married, however my wife and i cannot have children and never will. but we do have several cats. One of my cats got pregnant and had 4 beautiful little kittens. just a few hours after they were born i took a picture of them with their mother, nursing and sleeping. i later printed out the picture with the caption on it saying, "Four kittens arrived just the other day, they came to the world in the usual way". This is the closest i will ever get to having children of my own. they are my babies. today they are 5 years old. Happy birthday to Mollie, Leo, Cleo, and Cinnamon!

A great storyteller, Harry had a lot of great songs in the short time he was with us. His best work is in live concert performances where his personality really shines. Taxi and its Sequel are haunting like this one, then for humor, there's 30,000 Pounds of Bananas.

Harry was a great story-teller. This one was one of my favorites. ♥

RIP HARRY. so so so missed for so long now. Thx guys luv your videos!

One of my favorite songs of all time

I love soooo many Harry Chapin songs "Tangled up Puppet" , "The Mayor of Candor Lied" as well as the well known "Mr. Tanner", "Taxi", "Anywhere's a Better Place to Be", and of course his "30,000 Pounds of Bananas" [react to his live album version if you do it. He always joked that his songs were too long for radio - who cares! I cried so hard at work when I heard that he passed before his time in a terrible car accident on the Long Island Expressway on his way to give a free charity concert July 16 1981. I started listening to Harry in University here in Australia - not a lot of people here knew his stuff then - much better known since his death - I hate that it often takes that to give artists the platform they should have had all along.

I saw him when he was promoting this song Down Town Bklyn at Abraham and Stauss . A very cool Dude. I was in my early twenties sounds just as good now as it did then. 70 strong and still digging music of the past as well as the music of todat. Peace and Thanks!

I’m glad you reacted to this song, this song will make you stop and rethink your priorities in life! Harry Chapin was a great singer songwriter, you need to listen to Taxi

this song inspired me to be a decent father. Changed my working hours and spent a ton of time with my son. He lives with me now. :)

I've always heard Harry's name pronounced "Cha pen". The A is a long A. "Taxi" is my favorite by Harry but if you react to it you must do "Sequel" the 2nd song after "Taxi". It's a follow up of "Taxi".

@TheDetailsMatter

2 жыл бұрын

Chay-Pin.

This got to me when I was a kid (with the separation of my parents) It hits more now that all of my sons are grown and have children of their own. FWIW I was in the US Navy and deployed often. I didn't have a choice.

Another great singer songwriter & storyteller. I had his "Greatest Stories Live" double album. "Cat's In The Cradle" is his most famous piece. "Taxi" was another big hit for Harry Chapin. Ten years later he followed it up with "Sequel" showing what happened to the 2 people in the story. He had so many great songs such as "W·O·L·D", "Mr. Tanner", "Mail Order Annie", "They Call Her Easy", "I Wanna Learn A Love Song", "30,000 Pounds Of Bananas", "Shooting Star", "Halfway To Heaven", "Six String Orchestra", "Dreams Go By", "Remember When The Music", "Story Of A Life". We lost him too young in a car accident in 1981 at the age of 38. He left a great legacy of music.

Harry Chapin was a master story teller in song. He was a dedicated humanitarian, too, devoting his time to helping feed the hungry. He gave concerts at my high school a couple of times, like he did over 250 times a year in schools across the country, raising awareness about world hunger. I heard him in a "real concert", too, and nobody else could form a connection with his audience like him. He died, way too young, in a car accident in 1981.

Fathers: Make time for your sons. It's later than you think it is.. Great song from my kid days.

Harry's wife Sandy wrote this as a poem as a cautionary thing to Harry about all the time he was spending on the road. He put it to music and took it to heart.

My son is 14 now and I always held this song close to my heart since I was a kid although I never had a dad growing up....it made me a better dad.

*Yes indeed Asia, life in general. This one applies to either parent and the relationship with any child. We all show others what our priorities are. What, or who, are they going to be?*

Harry's other classic hits are also "story songs" - Taxi and WOLD. In sitcoms and movies, when dad is being encouraged to spend more time with his kids, Cat's in the Cradle is often referred to because everyone knows the song and what it means.

Business Trips, this song hit home with me. My Dad was a Bomber Pilot during the Hight of the cold war. Would be away on Alert stand-by and the last twenty-four hours would scramble and fly a Chrome Dome Orbit then he would be home for a week and then flying and moving B-52s on the Elephant Walks. He was a Knight of the cold War and we do not speak Russian because of those men and women.

Great song with a timeless and sobering message to parents, fathers in particular! Check out Ugly Kid Joe's rock cover of this song 🤘

Great song and great reaction. Spot on! This one made me cry again.

Harry came to my college to perform. back in the late 1970's, it was really enjoyable. One of the great ballad singers of all time.

I am pleasantly surprised by your choosing this song to react to - as it was way before your times... I think the song spoke for itself. Harry was an amazing story teller and musician - yet, another artist who was taken too soon. Harry did a ridiculous number of concerts a year and a good portion of them were for charities. When you have the time, please check out 'Roses are Red' - I feel you'll thoroughly enjoy it and many other songs he has written. Most, or all of them are quite thought provoking. To this day, I still open one of my prized books of poetry, attributed to Harry Chapin, randomly choose a page...

I can absolutely relate to this song, My own Father was in a famously known 1960’s & 1970’s Rock Group during my childhood years. He was hardly home due to always traveling constantly touring in those days and when he was home it was mostly spent in Recording Studios and band rehearsals. For a long time it seemed that I heard Dad on the radio more times than actually seeing him in person.

I shed a tear every time I hear this song My father kicked us out of home before I was born Mum was 4 mths pregnant with me Never saw him again till I was ten, I remember feeling like a stranger, So when I had my only Son I decided to give him everything I never had, everything including time, and yes I worked like a horse too, he's 22 now and still don't have time for me, lesson learned !? all Sons have their own life to experience and stages to cross sometimes alone, my father done absolutely nothing for me I did everything for my son, results almost identical , except for one thing , The love that my son and I have for one another is unmatched by any father and son 😍I would take a bullet for him.😊

Harrys song was used in 1993 in a powerful ad made by Northern Office. its legacy endures with graphic images never to be forgotten. Don't Suffer it ,Change it.. still available on KZread, a need to watch...still the most talked about advert around..

Hey Asia and BJ, Harry was known as the ‘storyteller’, during the seventies. He had a wonderfully rich career and life, before his untimely death. He was a true humanitarian and he was loved the world over. Please, do a reaction to ‘Taxi and WOLD’ to learn more of this artist’s heartfelt insight into the trials of the everyday man. You won’t be disappointed. Great job with this one!

Not just father and son, but father and daughter. I am now a granddad and so much I missed with my daughter, now a grown lady and mother. If I could only turn the clock back and spend more time doing what she wanted to do, like playing ball. But unlike many others, I was at least able to spend my work time with my daughter since I am a small business owner. But now that my daughter is married and moved away, those cherished days are gone. Life goes way too fast, while work is important, spending time with family is more important, some work can wait or is not really that important.

Asia & BJ, you'll love his song "Taxi"!!

The lyrics of this song were actually written by Harry's wife as a poem that she gave him as a warning that he was missing out being a father with his musician's life of touring and he turned it into this song. This and "Taxi" are the two songs of his that most people know if they're not really fans, but he has so many other great songs. I hope you explore more, he's a great storyteller.

This song is more true today than ever...everyone is so stressed for time and families live far apart. Sad, really.

He was a fantastic songwriter and singer. They all have a lot of meaning. Taxi, the old man - Please listen to more of Harry ChA pin. Mr Tanner is so great - they are all good if they are from him!

As a Marine I had to ship out when my son was about 2 weeks old. I got to see him walk, but got sent again to another assignment. My boy is now almost 40. He’s a great man and father of my 3 grandsons. I try to make it up through my grandsons, and have a great relationship with my son. I’m 62, have leukemia, and am doing my best to make it up to him and through my grandsons. I realize that there is nothing more important than your children. I bawl my eyes out hearing this song.

This song began as a simple poem. In this case, the poem was written by Chapin’s wife, Sandy. In an interview, Sandy explains that there were two inspirations for the song: her first husband’s poor relationship with his father, and a country music song she happened to hear one day on the radio. Sandy elaborates about her first husband, James, and his complicated relationship to his father, John Cashmore: “[John] was one of 11 children, and he never went past the fifth grade in school. He started an office furniture company and built a successful business. Then he went into politics and was Borough President of Brooklyn for 25 years… [John] had spoken to a senator to get [James] into law school… and arranged for him to be sworn into the service the day he was supposed to take the bar exams… [Ultimately, John] was trying to engineer the kind of career for his son that he couldn’t have himself because of his lack of education… These things made James feel like his life was a fix.” Over the years, their relationship became more distant, and although John and James were civil to one another, they no longer connected emotionally as father and son. It was only after her divorce from James, that Sandy understood the crux of the problem: “It struck me in hindsight, and I realized that you have to be in communication with your children from the time they’re two years old.” The second inspiration occurred years later, after she was married to Harry. At that point they didn’t have any children. Early in his career, Sandy would write poems and help Harry write songs for a television show, “Make a Wish,” that he worked on. One day, a country song captured her interest: “It was about a man and a woman sitting at their kitchen table and looking out to the backyard. They had a swing set and a sandbox and bicycle in the corner. They were talking about how it all went by so fast and how they could have spent more time, and now the kids are gone. That song put me in the mood for writing a lyric.” The lyrics that Sandy wrote that day, about a child getting older, became the foundation for “Cat’s in the Cradle.” Although Harry initially dismissed the poem at the time, he remembered it a year later, after their son was born. Sandy explains: “He said, ‘Hey, this is great - I’m going to put some music to it. I’m assuming he was looking at things differently after Josh was born, but he didn’t really talk about it to me.” Harry not only added the perfect melody to the poem, he reworked the lyrics and drew inspiration from children’s nursery rhymes, like “The Cat and the Fiddle,” and the Dutch fairy tale, “The Cat and the Cradle.” And for Harry, who was a new father, the song was very personal - it was about him and his son. The song is remarkably sweet but profoundly sad, delivering a powerful and sobering lesson about raising children - equally relevant for fathers and mothers who have to balance family life and their careers; as Harry once remarked: “Frankly, this song scares me to death.” Certainly, on one level, the song underscores the paradox of the American dream: the parent who wants a home, a family, and all that goes with that (vacations, cars, medical bills, education, etc.) is pulled away from that family life by the demands of the workplace, where he or she must toil endlessly to be able to afford all those things. And as a family grows, and children grow older, the expense only increase. Caught in that vicious cycle, a parent who is spending so much time at work, and understands the value of spending time with family, can only caution his children: “Do as I say, not as I do.” On another level, the song shatters the myth of spending “quality time” with your children or the myth that “you can have it all.” Hence, the song has always been favored by pastors, counselors, teachers, and parents of every age. For Sandy, the meaning of the song is about how and when we acquire wisdom: “The whole point of the story is that we learn our lessons in life by making mistakes, by trial and error, by experience. It would be great if we could learn about the future ahead of time, but we have to learn the hard way… We don’t have a child born and then have all this wisdom… It’s like the old saying - too old too soon, too wise too late.” The song was included on Harry’s album “Verities and Balderdash” released in 1974 for Geffen Records. The president of the label, David Geffen, selected that song as the album’s lead single. Cat’s in the Cradle went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 by the end of the year and it was Chapin’s only number one hit song. Although the world is dramatically different than it was in 1974, the dynamic played out in the song is as relevant today as it was back then. In today’s fast-paced, competitive, and highly consumer-oriented world, the pressures to succeed in one’s career and to provide for a family can easily create a ever-growing chasm between a parent and his or her family. The vital lesson of this song is this: it is only with age that we arrive at the wisdom that time spent with children - and not money - is the most precious commodity of all.

Be there for your kids. Don't just provide them with money. Don't just tell them what to do & what not to do. You gotta be there. Be present with them. This song has such an important message. This song made me a better parent. Thank you guys for what y'all do. It brightens my day every time!

I love this song, A song a lot of Dads can relate to working your guts out to the point you miss out on the most important thing in life, your family.

This song is definitely a classic. It’s one of those songs that’s just as relevant and important today as it was when it was written.

Songs like this make this world a better place. There's no telling how many relationships this helped or how many father and sons and mothers and daughters became better parents and adults because of it.

Back in the 90's, this song was used in a heartbreaking Northern Irish public information film, or PSA, that advertised a confidential anti-terrorist phoneline. It tells the story of a fairly ordinary-seeming an who's in and out of jail for terrorist offences, only for his son go down the same path. it ends with our man attending his son's funeral, realising that he had grown up just like him.

Harry Chapin was the greatest storyteller of our time. Some of his other songs that you should check out are: Taxi; W.O.L.D.; Six String Orchestra and A Better PlaceTo Be.

Wife here...Ohhhh this has tugged at my heart strings for years...My Father spent the majority of my childhood on the road touring with Country Music stars..( I did get to tour some with him some though..)..I wish we would of had a "normal" life..But..,I met and sang occasionally with Country Music legends)...You guys are 100 percent right as always. ("Have to make time)..Perfectly stated U2

@hanssolo8795

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Mrs.Smith thank you for your service to og country.

Nice reaction & spot on comments to. I loved this song when it 1st came out & still do. (Remember, The days are long, but the years are quick.) Should listen to his song "Taxi" & "Taxi part 2".

I give my Kids a song 🎵 there Song ! When my Son was born and as he grew up . This Song came to me , this Song came out in my youth And now he Appreciates it !

This song shows you how brilliant songwriting can transform four minutes into an important life lesson, hopefully never forgotten.

I had a very absentee father who married, used, then divorced several women over the years. He was a truck driver so we kids would be dumped with the latest wife while he was out working, yes, but also fooling around as well. Once we became estranged from each other, I didn't see or hear from him for years . . . until he got lung cancer and was dying and needed a place to live. I couldn't be bothered.

Harry Chapin was big into a variety of social justice issues like education, poverty, mental health. Shooting Star, The Rock, Sniper, Mr. Tanner, Flowers are Red, Tangled Up Puppet, Dancing Boy... so many amazing stories from one of the best story tellers.

Harry (A) ChApin was a master at writing songs in retrospect. Great story teller. Unfortunately Harry was tragically killed in a car crash at 39yrs old.

Harry's was a great story teller, check out Mail Order Annie, Better Place To Be, Dance Band On The Titanic and Taxi. Jim

Helluva song. I remember hearing it when i was a kid. He has a fifth cousin named Mary Chapin Carpenter, she had some big country hits in the 90's

Harry Chapin( pronounced Chaypin) was one of the best storyteller/songwriters of the seventies. He had the gift of telling a story bery clearly in a good song. Unfortunately, we lost him in a car accident in 1981 or 82. Tremendous loss to the popular music world. He is still missed. Another song of his that was very popular was Taxi. Another great story in a song. Check it out.

One of those songs that I grew up listening to with my dad . Since my dad has been gone since 2004, every time I hear this I cry. I truly miss him terribly, and I think you both for this. As I lay here in bed watching this listening to this yes I am crying and I'm not ashamed with it

Another great song along these lines- Randy Travis featuring Don Henley of the Eagles: “More Time”. Randy performed it live on his 25th Anniversary Special just a few months before his stroke. Not only a great song, but an important song!!! Another- Phil Vassar’s ‘Don’t Miss Your Life’. More upbeat but pure poetry are Darius Rucker’s ‘20-Something’… Brad Paisley’s ‘Letter to Me’… and Chester See’s ‘Love Like There’s Only Today’. Stay safe & love much💖