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.
Mismatch
Harry Chapin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a finer better life
Much more than I could ask for
In a lover or a wife
Though I work with my body
And my work makes my hands rough
There are gentle things inside me
That are anything but tough
There are lessons you could teach me
Things I do not know
Things I've never done, girl
And places we could go
But you only wear your tailored suits
For me to rip and tear
Ah, can't I hold you quietly
And smell your perfumed hair?
I saw you as the answer
That I never dared to dream
I saw you as the window
Into a world I'd never seen
I saw you as the vision
Come to raise me from the mud
But you came to use my sweat to cool
The fever in your blood
I'm not Marlon Brando
On his motorcycle bike
When you call me your animal
It's a name I do not like
Please do not tear my back
Yes, of course I bleed
The violence you thirst for
Is not what I need
Your silken skin is armor
That begs for brutal hands
But why can't I be gentle
And tell you of my plans?
I know that you're using me
Not I just using you
And you're not so scared
Of losing me as I losing you
At first you seemed...
The song "Mismatch" by Harry Chapin is a story of an unlikely romance between two individuals from different worlds. The singer, who works with his hands, sees his lover as a fine, elegant woman who he never thought could be interested in him. He sees her as a dream, a window to a world he has never seen, and a vision that could raise him from his current life. However, he soon realizes that she is using him for her own desires and pleasures. She only wears her tailored suits for him to rip and tear, and she thirsts for violence and brutality, which is not what he needs in a relationship.
The singer is aware that he has much to learn from his lover, things that he has never done before and places that he has never been to. He also understands that she is not scared of losing him, as he is of losing her. He sees her silken skin as armor that begs for brutal hands, but he wishes to be gentle and tell her about his plans.
The song speaks about the difference in social status and the struggle between two individuals in a love affair. Despite the differences, the singer admires his lover's sophistication and desires her company. However, he becomes aware that she is using him, which leads to a sense of betrayal.
Line by Line Meaning
At first you seemed just like my dream
At first, you appeared like the dream I've always wanted - a better life, someone I could love and count on.
Of a finer better life
Of a much better and improved life than what I have now.
Much more than I could ask for
More than what I could ever hope or ask for in a partner or spouse.
In a lover or a wife
Someone who I could cherish and love in a romantic sense or marry.
Though I work with my body
Although I work physically hard for a living,
And my work makes my hands rough
Which results in rough and calloused hands,
There are gentle things inside me
I still have gentle and soft parts of my personality,
That are anything but tough
Despite the rough exterior or appearance.
There are lessons you could teach me
You have knowledge or experience that I lack and could learn from,
Things I do not know
Skills or information that are new to me,
Things I've never done, girl
Activities or tasks that I have never attempted, my love.
And places we could go
There are destinations or locations we can visit together,
But you only wear your tailored suits
However, you only dress up in fancy, tailored clothing,
For me to rip and tear
For me to take off or rip apart, which seems like a waste.
Ah, can't I hold you quietly
Can't I just embrace you softly and gently,
And smell your perfumed hair?
And enjoy the scent of your fragrant hair?
I saw you as the answer
I viewed you as the solution or answer to my prayers,
That I never dared to dream
Which I never thought was possible.
I saw you as the window
To me, you were a gateway or window that opened to a new world,
Into a world I'd never seen
That I've never experienced or seen before.
I saw you as the vision
You were like a vision or apparition to me,
Come to raise me from the mud
Who came to rescue or save me from my current state of life.
But you came to use my sweat to cool
However, all you wanted was to use my hard work to satisfy your own desires,
The fever in your blood
Specifically, your want or hunger for luxury and pleasure.
I'm not Marlon Brando
I'm not a tough, iconic rebel like Marlon Brando,
On his motorcycle bike
Riding on his motorcycle as a symbol of his rugged independence.
When you call me your animal
When you refer to me as an animal,
It's a name I do not like
It's not a name or label that I appreciate or enjoy.
Please do not tear my back
I don't want you to scratch or hurt me,
Yes, of course I bleed
Even though I may not show it or admit it, I am vulnerable and can be hurt or wounded.
The violence you thirst for
The aggression or force you desire or crave,
Is not what I need
It's not something that appeals or appeals to me.
Your silken skin is armor
Your soft and smooth skin acts as a defense or armor,
That begs for brutal hands
That seems to invite or call for rough and cruel handling.
But why can't I be gentle
Why can't I express my affection softly and tenderly,
And tell you of my plans?
And share my goals or aspirations with you?
I know that you're using me
I am aware that you are taking advantage of me,
Not I just using you
And the situation is not just the opposite - that I am the exploiter and you are the exploited.
And you're not so scared
And you are not as worried or afraid,
Of losing me as I losing you
Of losing me as I am of losing you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY F. CHAPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MARY SEIFERT
Harry Chapin is a brilliant singer, songwriter. This is one of my favorites, although there are SOOOOO many. They are all amazingly beautiful stories.
kevin brown
God how I miss this wonderful man!
Bisma
This song by him is one of my favorites
Dennis Reynolds
I've been a Harry Chapin fan since he began. When 23 this song came out and I heard it and fell in love with it. Unfortunately this song became all too true for my life and relationship. I love and still miss you Becky everyday 40 years later.
John Joseph
Ginny 50 years ago I still love you
Lee Stoll
I have been listening to Harry's songs so long now I feel I know him and his life.
Trey West
Thank you so much for sharing this song.
I needed to find it tonight and here it is.
So true about so many relationships.
This hearts my heart as it is about misunderstanding love, what it truly means, and how so many see it so differently.
Thank you again.
It is what I needed tonight and I love you for that.
A heartfelt thank you.
Jackson Sorrells
Almost hypnotic. Beautiful, brilliant...
Laurier Mazier
Played this with Steve Chapin and Big John Wallace...it was surreal, to say the least.
sillyone52062
Still missing you, Harry.