Harry would be proud to know that the Harry Chapin Food Banks now feed 250,,000 less fortunate people a month..R.I.P. Harry 🙏❤️

@user-kg7co9vi5r

3 ай бұрын

I saw an interview, I forget who it was but it was a famous singer, in a tribute shortly after HC's death. They said he always put something aside for those without. God bless and keep you Harry. Forgot to add the bless, I'm a dumb a$$.

@karensilvera6694

3 ай бұрын

Isn't that amazing!! It's his legacy. God, I loved him as a person and a performer.

@happymethehappyone8300

3 ай бұрын

@karensilvera6694 Agreed..I have always done what I can for others,, because raising myself since I was 9 years old,, I more than many know what it's like to do without/struggle to survive.

@karensilvera6694

3 ай бұрын

@@happymethehappyone8300 I'm sorry that you had to live through that. I hope you've reached a fulfilling life. I was homeless when I was 18. I get what you're saying. Now I'm a suicide crisis hotline counselor for 988. It's my way of holding out a hand and giving back. My best wishes and thank you for sharing your story.

@tylerbuckley4661

3 ай бұрын

Yes he would

“Sequel” he wrote the follow up 10 years later. Tremendous. Also “A better place to be” “Mr Tanner” “WOLD” “I wanna learn a love song” “Coreys coming” so many great stories!

@frosty3693

3 ай бұрын

Oh yes, "Sequel" brings Taxi to a good conclusion. "A Better Place to Be" is great, and one of my favorites. "The Sinper and Other Love Songs" is a great album. Though not easly listening. Harry wrote about normal people just dealing with life, loneliness and loss and becoming a stronger and better person because of it. "Corey's Coming" is a great but it may take some a while to figure out what it going on. Not exactly casual listening. Britt really ought to give "Sequal", "A Better Place to Be", and "Corey's Coming" a try. It would be interesting to see how she handles it. But coming in to Harry Chapin cold may be a bit of a shock. He combines heart and mind to the story. "WOLD" is a radio jock favorite.

@tfodthogtmfof7644

3 ай бұрын

I would love to see someone react to Corey’s Coming, Mr Tanner, or Mercenaries. However my favorite Harry Chapin song is There Only Was One Choice. However Britt needs to check out Harry’s brother Tom. He has some great children songs that my kids loved singing along to in the car.

@terrycornelius3279

3 ай бұрын

Harry's favorite song he wrote was A Better Place to Be.

@ericdavis4428

3 ай бұрын

Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas

@SanJoseBob

2 ай бұрын

Now you have to hear his “The Sequel”? It will answer some of your questions. I love it! For another story teller listen to “El Pasó” by Marty Robbins. It will paint a picture in your mind as the story unfolds. You won’t be disappointed…. SanJoséBob

Apparently 'Chapin was inspired to write “Taxi” in 1971, when he had indeed become a cab driver in order to support his wife, Sandy, and their growing family. He read old girlfriend MacIntyre's marriage announcement in The New York Times and began to fantasize the song's scenario.'

Met him and his brother Tom at the Air Force Academy for a concert. Spent a couple of hours with him, very personable. He said he'd attended for a few months then quit, stating he thought he'd make a bigger impact on the world with his music rather than as a pilot. This song refers to that ; he was going to learn to fly.

@marshabailey1121

3 ай бұрын

I saw Harry in concert in Winnipeg, where he stood out in the lobby signing programs for fans as long as they were there. And by then he was very famous. Just a great person.

There is a sequel to this song aptly titled sequel

Be honest how many are you like me heard this song on the radio for years and didn't know the high soprano part was sung by a gentleman named Big John and not a woman

@tfodthogtmfof7644

3 ай бұрын

I love Big John in the live version of 30,000 Pounds. I sort of feel guilty laughing at such a tragic tale but in a way it memorialized a tragedy in a way we could cope with it.

@jeff1930

3 ай бұрын

The live version of 30,000 pounds of bananas is a must listen

@christineg8151

2 ай бұрын

Big John's range is INCREDIBLE. The fact that he can do this song, then turn around and do the super deep parts in 30,000 pounds of bananas is just mind-boggling.

@bryanglass4686

2 ай бұрын

I know I saw this on pbs in the 70s, beautiful performance!!

@jesseleesmom2003

Ай бұрын

Another wonderful artist gone before his time.

I've loved Harry Chapin for as long as I can remember.. I had all his albums as a young teen... yeah, I'm old.. I remember crying like a baby when he died in a senseless car accident when I was 16. He was a kind and generous human being! An awesome and talented story teller and artist. His song Sequel, is the sequel to this story.. please check that out soon. He has SO many GREAT songs! Well deserving of a deep dive... Peace!

@frosty3693

3 ай бұрын

I was driving on Long Island when I heard about it. Yeah, I'm older.

So many masterpieces. “A Better Place To Be,” “We Grew Up A Little Bit,” “Mr. Tanner,” “Dreams Go By,” “Flowers Are Red,” “Dance Band On The Titanic,” “W.O.L.D.,” “I Wanna Learn A Love Song,” “There Only Was One Choice,” “30,000 Pound Of Bananas,” “Country Dreams,” “She Is Always Seventeen,” “All My Life’s A Circle,” “Saturday Morning.” No particular order because EVERY song is a masterpiece. There are more, but these popped off the top of my head.

@thomasbrown6376

3 ай бұрын

From Greatest Stories Live.

@armadillotoe

3 ай бұрын

He was a very special talent.

@davidkettell6236

3 ай бұрын

thank you for reminding me of all those great songs. I used to have his greatest hits on cassette but it died of old age. I am heading that way but still life in me yet.

A similar song about meeting up with a longlost love is Dan Fogelberg's "Auld Lang Syne." Based on a true story. Fogelberg bumped into an old flame years after they were involved. And he was on the top of charts at the time. Bittersweet and lovely song. You should react to it.

@terri2494

3 ай бұрын

Isn’t it “Same Old Lang Syne”?

@John_Chu

3 ай бұрын

@@terri2494 You're right. I'm an idiot.

@8aNda1d

3 ай бұрын

My favorite after Cat's in the Cradle

Here is that very high falsetto lyric as it is hard to hear. I think it helps with the meaning of the song: (Baby's so high that she's skying) (Yes, she's flying, afraid to fall) (I'll tell you why baby's crying) ('Cause she's dying, aren't we all)

My favorite Harry Chapin song. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at a local college in southeast PA in the late 70s. He was so down to earth. After the show he went to the rear of the Auditorium and greated people as they departed while also soliciting contributions for his pet charity which was feeding the hungry. He was a true humanitarian.

@karensilvera6694

3 ай бұрын

He did the same thing in Miami and everything purchased went directly to the charity.

@valap_

20 күн бұрын

Was it Penn State? If so, my dad was also at that concert and became a lifelong fan of him, it must have been some concert.

@tome2294

20 күн бұрын

@@valap_ no, not Penn State. It was a small college near Philly called West Chester State, now West Chester U.

I used to use this song to help my students see what precise, simple language can do.

Since you're liking Harry Chapin, you might also check out his songs "Mr. Tanner", "W.O.L.D.", and "30,000 Pounds of Bananas". Love your reactions!

Harry was the ultimate story teller, writer and humanitarian. I saw him so many times, and then he was gone! He did over 200 full shows a year ,to benefit World Hunger. You can read his biography, The Harry Chapin Story, written by Peter Morton Coan. I was at one concert in NY where he invited all those attending to come to his house for a charity barbecue with the band and Pete Seager! Please review "A Better Place to Be". If not, please at listen to it. A beautiful story so elegantly written and delivered!

Please let "Mr. Tanner" be the next HC song you cover... Then, "A Better Place to Be." So emotional....

@Joehickey52

3 ай бұрын

totally agree

@georgeseanor

3 ай бұрын

i agree, both of them next

@eolair

3 ай бұрын

I couldn't agree more, these 2 should be Britt's next reactions of Harry's. "A Better Place to Be": kzread.info/dash/bejne/goFkqtCOhs-ZfLQ.htmlsi=o4oklj5M7QYy3LIR "Mr. Tanner": kzread.info/dash/bejne/p6SOpJePnMWpZtI.htmlsi=y6bVZPFhrUXgSLCp

@cnatview

3 ай бұрын

I agree.... I live in Watertown, NY, the town where A Better Place to Be was born. Best song ever...along with Mr. Tanner. peace

@fineas219

3 ай бұрын

A Better Place to Be is one of my all time favorites

So glad you enjoy Harry. My all time favorite artist. He did a sequel to Taxi. I believe it was just called sequel. Certainly makes me think this was a true story as many of his songs are. I want to learn a love song is a great song, but my all time favorite is Old College Avenue. I could listen to it over and over.

You may now want to check out "Sequel"

"THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS OF BANANAS" or "MR TANNER" are two interesting songs by Harry Chapin. Really liked your reaction, especially when you realized that you had nailed the song.

We all start out as actors then we learn our own realities through life experience. There is a sequel to this song. RIP Harry Chapin.

Sequel is a must as it continues the story. Harry's lyrics always make you think, Big John has nice baritone part on Mr Tanner that you will never see coming either. Roses are Red is probably his saddest song. 30,000 Pounds of Bananas his most fun (with all 5 endings!). A Better Place to Be is arguably his best but Sniper is by far his most disturbing as it is based on a real life event.

You are absolutely my FAVOURITE reactor Britt. I just love everything about you. You have the kindest heart and the loveliest soul. Don't get freaked out. I’m a 75 year old grandma, and wish you nothing but the best. King that loving joyous heart my girl. Greetings from Vancouver Island Canada

He had you right to the end, then he opened the door and let you walk into his story. Masterpiece.

There are a handful of songs that I can listen to a hundred times and they still bring a tear to my eye. You did two of them today (this and the Edmund Fitzgerald) I love this channel more every day.

@frosty3693

3 ай бұрын

And how many times do you find yourself singing them to yourself? But sometimes his songs either take me to a dark place or I turn to them when I am in a dark place, sometimes it's hard to tell which.

@robertmiller2633

3 ай бұрын

America's best storyteller, Harry Chapin, amd Canada's best storyteller, Gordon Lightfoot. May they both RIP

@frosty3693

3 ай бұрын

@@robertmiller2633 I think Gordon Lightfoot was called the poet laureate of Canada.

You freaking rock Britt! You are beyond your years with your analysis. Love that you enjoy the music that I grew up with.

You need to do a follow up first reaction video to Harry's song "Sequel" which is part two of Taxi. Taxi was written in 1971 and Sequel was written in 1980, nine months before his death in a car accident. I think you'll be quite surprised. Mr. Tanner is another great story song of his, too.

Britt, the part in the middle that you did not see coming, was the incredible Big John Wallace, Harry's friend and great vocalist, who had a 5 octave range. Here you heard his very high "falsetto" voice, now you should see him in Mr. Tanner with his beautiful low baritone. Big John made Harry's band complete.

You're hitting all the songs from my high school days today, I just saw "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot. "Taxi" and "cat's in the Cradle" were Chapin's two most famous songs. Just a song about a chance encounter between two old lovers who's lives went in different directions and knowing they couldn't turn back time. Interesting fact - Chapin, Lightfoot, John Denver and James Taylor performed together in 1977 to fight world hunger.

He was such a good storyteller

Love this song. Britt, Mr Tanner is another one of Harry's songs I think you will enjoy. It's about music and singing. Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂

Harry was a great artist and so good to his fans. Just a great guy, Gone too soon! (Love your reactions!)

Ding ding ding, winner winner chicken dinner, I love it when a plan comes together...this is why we listen to you Mrs.Britt, your face literally lights up when you get the song !! Keep reacting and smiling young lady !!

I just love your reactions. I find myself talking to you. Answering your questions “ did I just nail this” me “ yes,yes you did”

@brittreacts

3 ай бұрын

You're the best!

it warms my heart to see someone find harry for the first time. he's one of the greats. "a better place to be" and "mr tanner" would be good reaction vids. and although very very short, "the shortest story" would run chills down your spine and a good reaction video that probably nobody has covered. what are you doing doing reaction videos. the way you can piece things together, and have that understanding and empathy, you would be a good counselor...

there is a part two to this song storyline, called Taxi the sequel

The 70's was the Singer song writer decade.The 50's through the 90's they raited the 70's as 1#

You could be right about the woman, but I always took it as she got to be an actress, that's why she's living in the rich house in Frisco. But a dream realized doesn't guarantee happiness nor does it prevent loneliness and pain. As for Harry the songwriter, he took two life experiences, his short-lived Air Force career and his time as a cabbie to come up with this brilliant and compelling story.

@SK-lk3iu

3 ай бұрын

I think she married a wealthy man & never became an actress.

I grew up on this song.

So happy to see people still appreciate song storytellers which I grew up on FYI there is a (Taxi 2) release about 10 years later. Or. the song 30,000 lb of bananas. . Live he brought songs about life like no one could.

Watching your glee while you follow the song is just addictive! I'm so glad you're enjoying his music. It's always got a point, whether it's the story, or the message, or both. I love listening to him.

He's one of the best. Thanks for letting me enjoy it again.

A Better Place To Be is another classic that plays like a movie screen in your mind. gorgeous melody and and incredibly touching tale of the journey to love.

One of my favorite concerts was seeing Harry Chapin in Central Park. Tom Paxton opened for him with an hour and a half set, followed by Harry, who did three hours.

Better Place to Be, next. the high vocal break in the middle is 'Big' John Wallace. To hear more of John's voice try 30,000 Pounds of Bananas or Mr. Tanner.

I remember studying this song in High School Eng. Lit. class. (55 yrs. ago ). Every line told something to think about to get the whole story.

"Mr Tanner" that is another Harry story song you'll love. & "A Better Place to Be."

one of my fav harry songs is A better place to be

Wonderful troubadour who died much too young in 1981 (age 39) in a car crash on the way to a charity performance. He was dedicated to fighting hunger and raised a considerable amount of money performing in benefits for the cause.

You need to check out the sequel to find out what happened to them!

Chapin was a genius. This song always reminds me of "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. It's another heartbreaking song about serendipitously meeting a love long lost. Good stuff.

I managed a concert venue for 20+ years and Harry played a number of times. One season he agreed to do a ‘one off’ for us and the entire band said ‘No’, so we had Harry solo with guitar. The best 2 1/2 hour concert I’ve ever witnessed!

love him miss him ❤

Love your reactions, love that smile. Keep up the great work!

Mr. Chapin could certainly spin a great yarn. 10 years after this song he released the sequel to it. It's title is (get ready. . .) Sequel.

thank you for reviewing the old classics, this younger generation has to keep the memory's of these songs and artist alive for future generations

He recorded a sequel to this song that you might want to check out. Another great song to check out would be "Flowers Are Red" . BTW, great reaction as usual.

There is a sequel to this story/song. It is literally called "Sequel". It is definitely worth checking out.

DING DING DING! I knew you would get it at the end!!!!!!!

You did Taxi and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald back to back. Two amazing examples of storytelling music from the 70s. Good for you.

There is a Sequel to this song, appropriately called Sequel. His best song is called “There Only Was One Choice”. It is 14 minutes long, and talks about his journey in music. “Strum your guitar sing it kid, just write about you feeling not the things you never did.” “Inexperience once had cursed me, but your youth is no handicap it’s what makes you thirsty”.

I put this record on at my mother's request when she busy doing housework about a million times as a kid

Must check out the sequel to this song! Also "Flowers are Red" for your Son!!

I was lucky to see Harry, live in concert about 4 months before he passed. One of the best story tellers. Ps; try not to cut in as much.

Try “Mr. Tanner” from Harry next Another wonderful but sad story song. Worth the listen FYI, he also wrote a sequel to this song called “Sequel”. You get to hear what happens years later

The next chapter (song) is "SEQUEL" and takes place after another 10 years gone by. They meet and many things are different. Great stories by Harry, "Mr Tanner" or "A better place to Be" are so good.

There is another song released in '80 or '81, called "Sequel", same two characters meet again years later. I have never seen this video. I loved the song, it was a big part of my younger days. I always thought that high voice in the bridge was a woman. That was amazing.

Awesome, Britt. An absolute fave from the day. In an interview, Harry said this was a "true story that never happened". Making no money in music he applied for a 'hack' license. The day it came in the mail this story went through his head. The next day he got a call for his first paying music gig. The license went on the mantle and the rest is history. He did attend the USAF academy for a short time. Went back a few years later to do a concert.

You nailed it!! 😊❤

NAILED IT, Britt! Harry was a fantastic storyteller. RIP

The greatest storyteller ever! I have been enjoying his music since the 1970's. The day he died; the music really died.

Ten years or so after he had a hit with Taxi Harry recorded a sequel to the song titled "Sequel" (duh). You should check it out as it updates the characters from Taxi!

Harry Chapin continues this story in his song "sequel"

I'm so glad you did this song. I have loved it since it was released. Thanks

This truly is one of the greatest songs ever written. I'm so happy you took a listen. Now it's time for Sequel. You nailed it. Good for you.

Two more great stories from Harry, "A Better Place To Be" And "Mr. Tanner"

"Learn t fly" and "Looking for the Sky" could be drug conotations. Perhaps the reason she left was he wanted to be high all the time. She did become an actress. The house has a gate and nice yard. Implying she is rich.

@PogueMahone1

2 ай бұрын

It has been said (mostly by Calvinist-leaning friends) that "God oft curses us by giving us what we want." My take was/is that Harry and Sue were both relatively innocent high school kids, each with their own big dreams, up until their separate and inevitable collisions with uncaring reality. They both survived their crashes, but their ambitions got somewhat twisted in the wreckage. Now, she spends her life acting the part of a loving wife to a rich man who mistreats her. He's night-flyin' at ~30,000 ft -- presumably his hack has some sort of auto-pilot -- "takin' tips and gettin' stoned." Neither story is bound to end well...

Now you have to listen to Sequel…what happens to these two 10 years later….saw Harry in concert….he was fantastic!!

He made a sequel to this song that finishes the story. You need to find that song and react to it

If you liked this song, you have to check out the sequel to it. You might also enjoy "W.O.L.D." which is a story about an AM radio morning disc jockey who has to move from town to town for his profession.

"A Better Place To Be" by Harry Chapin might well be my favourite song ever.

30,000 lbs of bannas is a great story about a truck driver in the hills of Scranton Pennsylvania. Taxie is one of my favorites so thank you very much! Your awesome

You're doing the classic Chapin songs. The ones that made it to the radio. His better works (ok, they're longer, too) were on the albums and never really played on the radio. Another one you might like for your son is called "Flowers are Red". You'd really like "Odd Job Man" or "The Mayor of Candor" for twists in the ending. Chapin was also big in donating his time and playing to various causes. He died too young in a traffic accident due to a heart attack. There's a B&W video on YT with an entire concert with just Chapin and his guitar.

Another story from Harry: "Bummer", "A Better Place to Be", "Mr. Tanner", "Sniper", "Mayor of Candor Lied" ... ALL masterpieces!

One of my favorites is "30,000 Pounds of Bananas". It tells a story, just like all of his songs, but it has a little more humor than most of his other songs.

Yup! You nailed it first shot! 😄

Harry actually went to the Air Force Academy for a brief time which is referenced in the song when a says I wanted to learn to fly and I took off to find the sky.

Another good story time song by Harry Chapin is "Mail Order Annie"

“They know each other” - I loved your reaction there. Harry was a documentary film maker before he did songwriting. So, it’s not a surprise that his songs are like little movies. Also, back then 20 dollars was a lot of money. It’s like 100 or more dollars now. I remember the day Harry died & they played this song on the radio.

Harry once said about World Hunger...."Thanksgiving. Remember junior high school, high school, elementary school, "Everybody bring in your cans for the hungry people?" Remember that? Just imagine if somebody when you were in fifth or sixth grade, if the principal had the gonads to say on Monday, "Children, it was the most single wonderful outpouring of generosity that this school has ever seen. More cans of food, feeding a hundred ninety three families, came to this school than ever before. We only have one problem, and we're going to deal with it this coming week. We’re going to cancel our regular classes and what we're going to talk about is, what are those people going to eat next week?" Now doesn't that sound like a sensible educational system that dealt with those types of questions?

"I've got something inside me, not what my life's about. Cause, I've been letting my outside tide me over til my time runs out." This might literally be one of the greatest lines ever written. This dude is so slept on

We All Waited years for the second part of this story It’s a MUST for you

Now you MUST do Sequel! I always loved this story/song because it is so emotionally true. We all have a Harry or Sue in our youth. We all wonder could it have been more?? Truthfully?? Most likely not. But the sentiment will live in our memories forever.

With these old songs, I am reliving my teens. Wonderful to see you react to the old great music of the old great songwriters. Thank you for helping to keep these alive.

gotta listen to the" sequel TO TAXI NOW TOO." this drama is continued

Him and his band were always some of my favorites. I sat and cried the day he died.

Another amazing story by Mr Chapin is "A Better Place To Be"

I believe Sue did become a successful actress although unhappy playing someone else. She leaves the profession and her handsome home.in the Sequel. Saw Harry 5 times. A true songwriting genius.

Mr Tanner, A Better Place to Be are stories you must experience.

It is so much fun watching you finding my fifty year favorites.

Harry Chapin was an amazing song writer. I was able to see him in concert once before his death.

"The Sequel" is a continuation of the story told here.