In the mid 1970s, Chapin focused on social activism, including raising money to combat hunger in the United States and co-founding the organization World Hunger Year, before returning to music with On the Road to Kingdom Come. He also released a book of poetry, Looking...Seeing, in 1977.
His fellow Long Islanders loved him for his support of local artists, as well. He and his wife Sandy raised funds for the Performing Arts Foundation, a now-defunct local theatre group. They also supported the Long Island Ballet. The band shell at Huntington's Hecksher Park is named for Harry Chapin.
Chapin died on July 16, 1981 in an automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway at the age of 38. He was headed west from Huntington Bay, where he lived with his wife and three children, to perform a concert in Eisenhower Park in Nassau County when his car was struck by a truck. An autopsy showed that he had suffered a heart attack, but it could not be determined whether that occurred before or after the collision. Supermarkets General, the owner of the truck, paid $12 million in the ensuing litigation.
Cat
Harry Chapin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw, I said-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then
Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
He shook his head, and they said with a smile
What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then, dad
You know we'll have a good time then
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to, dad, if I can find the time
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then, dad
We're gonna have a good time then
The song Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin tells the story of a father and son's relationship and the missed opportunities to spend quality time together as the father prioritized work and other commitments over his son. The song starts with the birth of the son and the father's realization that he missed significant moments of his son's life due to work obligations. The father then realizes that his son has grown up and he missed the chance to create a strong bond with him. When the son comes to visit, he sees how much his son has grown and how similar they are in personality and priorities. The son then reveals that he is too busy with work and family to visit often, mirroring his father's previous behavior, and ending the song with the same line that once came from the son's voice: "But we'll get together then, dad. We're gonna have a good time then."
Line by Line Meaning
My child arrived just the other day
The singer's child was born recently
He came to the world in the usual way
The child was born in the same way as any other child
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
The singer was busy with work and other responsibilities
He learned to walk while I was away
The child reached the developmental milestone of walking while the singer was not around
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
The child quickly developed speech and continued to grow up
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"
The child admired his father and aspired to be like him
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then
The chorus is a repeated reminder that the singer is frequently absent and his son frequently asks when he'll be home, but they promise to have a good time together whenever they do see each other
My son turned ten just the other day
The singer's son has reached the age of ten
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play"
Can you teach me to throw, I said-a, "not today"
I got a lot to do, he said, "that's okay"
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
The son asks the father to play catch and learn to throw, but the father is too busy. Despite this, the son still admires his father and wants to be like him
Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and they said with a smile
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"
The son comes back from college and has grown into a young man. The father is proud of his son and wants to spend time with him, but the son just wants to borrow the car keys and leave
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I can find the time"
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
The father has retired and his son has moved away. The father calls his son to catch up, but the son is busy with his own life. As the father reflects on the conversation, he realizes that his son has become just like him
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then, dad
We're gonna have a good time then
The chorus repeats, but this time it's the son who doesn't know when he'll come home. They promise to get together and have a good time like they always do
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sandy Chapin, Harry F. Chapin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marinfamily3
True story...
I remember this song being played in the background during my childhood. Just enough to barely recall the memories and music.
Fast forward to being an angst filled teenager and rediscovering this song (Nirvana was the rage), trying to share this song with my Father.
My Father being very familiar with this song and one of his favorites long ago, shut me down and dismissed me as silly and whatever nonsense. Didn't want to hear me or listen to the song.
Fast forward again...
I am a father of a son.
I don't have a relationship with my father anymore. That's his decision.
10 years now raising my son along with my wonderful wife and this song has an entirely different meaning.
Still a beautiful, sad and penetrating song.
I broke the cycle.
No longer living for my Father's approval. Living for myself and most importantly raising my son in a healthy and loving way.
Very grateful.
@Philo-ul2uq
Lessons from this song;
1. Time is a thief
2. People are more important than money
3. Don't repeat the mistakes of the past
@maineh488
Love has no time.....love you💗
@voilet8050
also, be the person you want your kids to be when they get older
@rpena62
Giving someone your time has no price
@BrittanyIttany
Ouch in the feels 😫
@AstoundinglyBadIdeas
the like count is 1 2 3
@johnfulcher2447
No father with sons can ever deny this song. I am 77 now, my sons are 57, and 55. They are just like me- the good, the bad, the ugly. To all fathers who read this- GIVE THEM YOUR TIME !!!!!
@HansLiu23
Hell no
@Compulsive-Elk7103
@@HansLiu23😂
@thereaction8648
“Think of Edward, still at college. You send him letters, which he doesn’t acknowledge...”
_ “Private Hell” by The Jam. 🎸
Different song, similar theme. 😉