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.
W
Harry Chapin Lyrics
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What did you think when you heard me back on the radio?
What did the kids say when they knew it was their long lost daddy-o?
Remember how we listened to the radio
And I said "That's the place to be"
And how I got the job as an FM Jock the day you married me?
It was two kids and I was was into AM rock
But I just had to run around
Let me tell you 'bout what's gone down
[Chorus]
I am the morning DJ at W*O*L*D
Playing all the hits for you wherever you may be
The bright good-morning voice who's heard but never seen
Feeling all of forty-five going on fifteen
The drinking I did on my last big gig, it made my voice go low
They said that they liked the young sound when they let me go
So I drifted on down to Tulsa, Oklahoma to do me a late night talk show
Now I worked my way down home again, here to Boise, Idaho
That's how this business goes
[Chorus]
I been making extra money doing high school sock hops
I'm a big time guest MC
You should hear me talking to the little children
And listen what they say to me
Got a spot on the top of my head, just begging for a new toupee
And a tire around my gut from sitting on my butt
But it's never gonna go away
Sometimes I get this crazy dream
That I just take off in my car
But you can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are
I've been thinking that I should stop disk jockeying
And start that record store
Maybe I could settle down if you'd take me back once more
OK Honey, I see
I guess he's better than me
Sure, Girl, I understand
You don't have to worry; I'm such a happy man
W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D*
I am the morning DJ at K*A*H*J
Playing all the hits for you, playing 'em night and day
The bright good morning voice who's heard but never seen
Feeling all of forty-five, going on fifteen
I am the morning DJ at W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D
The song W*O*L*D* by Harry Chapin is a story about a man who used to be a rock musician but who now works as a morning disc jockey for W*O*L*D*, a radio station. The song starts with the man calling his wife and asking her what she and the kids thought when they heard him on the radio. He reminisces about how they used to listen to the radio together and how he always wanted to be a DJ. He talks about how he got the job and how he drifted around doing different gigs until he found himself back in Boise, Idaho.
The chorus of the song features the man introducing himself as the morning DJ at W*O*L*D* and playing all the hits for his listeners. He talks about how he is the voice people hear but never see and how he feels like he's going on fifteen even though he's forty-five years old. The lyrics also touch on his struggles with alcohol and his weight, as well as his desire to start a record store and settle down with his wife.
Overall, W*O*L*D* is a song about a man who has found a new purpose in life as a radio DJ but who also longs for the stability and love of his family. The lyrics are relatable and poignant, and the melody and instrumentation are catchy and upbeat.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Honey, it's me
The singer is addressing their partner.
What did you think when you heard me back on the radio?
The singer is asking their partner how they felt about hearing them on the radio again.
What did the kids say when they knew it was their long lost daddy-o?
The singer is curious about how their children reacted to hearing them on the radio after being away for a while.
Remember how we listened to the radio
The artist is reminiscing about a past memory of listening to the radio with their partner.
And I said 'That's the place to be'
The artist expressed their desire to work in radio when they listened to it with their partner.
And how I got the job as an FM Jock the day you married me?
The singer got their job in radio on the same day they got married.
It was two kids and I was was into AM rock
After having two children, the singer was into AM rock music.
But I just had to run around
The artist felt restless and needed to explore other opportunities.
It's been ages since I left you babe
The artist has been away from their partner for a long time.
Let me tell you 'bout what's gone down
The artist wants to update their partner on what has happened since they've last seen each other.
[Chorus] I am the morning DJ at W*O*L*D Playing all the hits for you wherever you may be The bright good-morning voice who's heard but never seen Feeling all of forty-five going on fifteen
The singer is a morning DJ and plays popular music for listeners, but they feel younger than their age.
The drinking I did on my last big gig, it made my voice go low
The artist's voice became deeper due to excessive drinking on their previous job.
They said that they liked the young sound when they let me go
The singer's previous employer preferred a younger voice, which caused them to lose their job.
So I drifted on down to Tulsa, Oklahoma to do me a late night talk show
The singer moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to host a late-night talk show.
Now I worked my way down home again, here to Boise, Idaho
The singer moved back to their hometown of Boise, Idaho.
That's how this business goes
The artist acknowledges the unpredictability of their line of work.
[Chorus] I been making extra money doing high school sock hops I'm a big time guest MC You should hear me talking to the little children And listen what they say to me Got a spot on the top of my head, just begging for a new toupee And a tire around my gut from sitting on my butt But it's never gonna go away
The artist has been earning extra money by doing high school parties and events, where they enjoy talking to children. They also mentions physical changes they've experienced due to their sedentary job.
Sometimes I get this crazy dream That I just take off in my car But you can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are
The singer dreams of starting a new life and leaving their current situation behind, but they acknowledge that one's problems can follow them anywhere they go.
I've been thinking that I should stop disk jockeying And start that record store Maybe I could settle down if you'd take me back once more
The singer is contemplating leaving their career in radio and starting a record store. They suggest that they could settle down if their partner took them back.
OK Honey, I see I guess he's better than me
The artist's partner seems to prefer someone else over them.
Sure, Girl, I understand You don't have to worry; I'm such a happy man
The artist's partner doesn't have to worry about how they feel because the artist claims to be happy regardless of their situation.
W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D*
The artist repeats the call letters of the radio station they work for.
I am the morning DJ at K*A*H*J Playing all the hits for you, playing 'em night and day
The singer mentions another radio station they work for that plays music around the clock.
The bright good morning voice who's heard but never seen Feeling all of forty-five, going on fifteen
The artist's description of their job is repeated from earlier in the song.
I am the morning DJ at W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D
The singer repeats the call letters of the radio station they primarily work for.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY F. CHAPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spaceflight1019
I always love "A Better Place to Be" and "Mister Tanner". But I have always looked at "Tanner" from a different angle...
Tanner returned to Dayton a defeated man. He never sang again publicly. But, two things happened in New York:
First, he took his best shot on the biggest stage of all. You have to give him credit for taking a leap of faith.
Second, the critic's review was mostly positive, and they actually told Tanner what he needed to do to get to the next level: he needed a voice coach.
Tanner needed to make a decision, and he did. We don't know what his background is, so perhaps the need to keep the wolves away from the door overrode his musical dreams?
There is a huge difference between taking your shot and failing, and never taking your shot.
Tanner may not have been a singing success, but he wasn't a failure either.
@Weidneriffic
Loved this song since I was 12. Now I'm WO-L-D.
@allanchurm
74 years now but play this now and again..had a sports car back then when this came out brilliant when driving along country roads
@martinashton6629
One of the great unsung musicians of the last century and a really nice guy too. Miss you Harry.
@chrisghijsen2788
Sometimes i have this crazy dream that i just take off in my car. But you can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are......thank you Harry for this meaningful phrase which means a lot to me and hopefully for anybody else.
@lordlondon5798
Some of the best lyrics ever written.
@gruntopolouski5919
Remember… no matter where you go, there ya’ be.
@luisspeciale4675
@Antoine Mac you hit the nail on the head, I got the chills!! I always quote that line when people tell me they are going on vacation. RIP Harry Chapin.🎸🥁
@clouniecantley9742
Same here brother, some times it's gonna happen. If only in my mind, listening to song of my youth......
@ruger.22
Iiii am the the morning dj.. at w.o.l.d..d..d.d.d
@peterhumphreys3560
One of most powerful and memorable choruses you will ever hear!