Cats in The Cradle
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Child arrived just the other day
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."
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."

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, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
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 he 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 could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle and the kid's got 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."

Overall Meaning

The song "Cats in The Cradle" by Simon & Garfunkel tells a touching story of a father and son's relationship and how it changes over time. The song starts with a child's birth, but the father is too focused on his work to spend time with the child. As the child grows up, he aspires to be like his father, but the father is always too busy to spend time with him. Eventually, the son grows up to be just like his dad, and the cycle repeats.


The chorus of the song mentions "the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon," which refers to the child's toy that symbolizes the father's absence. The "man in the moon" and "little boy blue" represent the father and son relationship, with the father looking down from the moon and the son feeling lost and alone.


The song highlights the importance of spending time with loved ones and cherishing those moments because time doesn't stop for anyone. It's easy to get caught up in work and responsibilities, but it's essential to remember that family should always come first.


Line by Line Meaning

Child arrived just the other day
The singer's child was born not so long ago


He came to the world in the usual way
The child was born naturally in the same way that babies usually are


But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
The father had responsibilities that kept him away from his child


He learned to walk while I was away
The father was not around to witness his child's early milestones


And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
The child grew up quickly, and the father missed many important moments


He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
The child admired and wanted to emulate his father


You know I'm gonna be like you."
The child expressed to his father that he wanted to grow up to be just like him


And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Referring to the child's toy, symbolizing the child's childhood


Little boy blue and the man in the moon
Referencing the child's innocence and imagination


"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
The child wants his father to come home, but the father doesn't know when he will be home


But we'll get together then.
The father reassures his son that they will spend time together when they can


You know we'll have a good time then."
The father promises that they will enjoy each other's company when they are reunited


My son turned ten just the other day
The singer's son recently turned ten years old


He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
The son wants to play catch with his father and thanks him for the ball he got him


Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
The father declines his son's request to teach him how to throw a ball


I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok.
The son understands that his father is busy and doesn't push further


And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
The son is disappointed but still maintains a positive attitude


Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
The son still looks up to his father and wants to be like him


You know I'm gonna be like him."
The son reiterates that he wants to follow in his father's footsteps


Well, he came from college just the other day
The son returns home from college


So much like a man I just had to say
The father is proud of how much his son has grown and matured


"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
The father expresses pride in his son and wants to spend time with him


He shook his head and he said with a smile
The son declines the invitation to sit and talk with his father


"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
The son wants to borrow the father's car


See you later. Can I have them please?"
The son is in a hurry and wants the father to quickly give him the keys


And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Referring to the child's toy, symbolizing the end of the father's parental role


Little boy blue and the man in the moon
Referencing the end of the son's childhood and the beginning of his adult life


"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
The father asks his son when he will come back home, but the son doesn't know


But we'll get together then, dad.
The son promises to spend time with his father when they can


You know we'll have a good time then."
The son reassures his father that they will enjoy each other's company when they reunite


I've long since retired,my son's moved away
The singer has retired and his son has moved out


I called him up just the other day
The father recently tried to contact his son


I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
The father wants to see his son in person


He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
The son wants to see his father but is busy with his own life


You see, my new job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu.
The son has a lot going on in his life with work and taking care of his child with the flu


But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
The son values the conversation with his father


It's been sure nice talking to you."
The son enjoys talking to his father and appreciates the relationship they have


And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
The father realizes something as he ends the phone call


He'd grown up just like me
The father realizes that his son has become just like him


My boy was just like me
The father sees that his son shares many qualities with him




Contributed by Chase O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jamesmartin1300

Not Simon and Garfunkel but what a beautiful live version of this superb song by Harry Chapin

@maranon1971

I heard the original for the first time today. Only knew the Ugly Kid Joe version. Grabbed me by the throat immediately

@garybearman8771

This is NOT Simon or Garfunkel... This is the GREAT Harry Chapin from the Greatest Stories Live album.

@patmcdonald548

The worst thing I am freighted of is losing my Mom or Dad

@stflaw

UberMichel, you are an UberMoron.

@marimiracl

Dito

@barbarakelly6253

feels like summer

@lc07117

that's not simon & garfunkel

@foldiboy

Why not a billion views?

@7stringwings7

Who's singing this version? Always was my favorite ❤

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