“Cat’s In The Cradle” (1974) by Harry Chapin

HARRY CHAPIN

Cat’s In The Cradle

written by Harry Chapin and Sandra Chapin

produced by Paul Leka

Here’s another held-over holiday tribute, as I’m making the page for

this song on the Monday immediately after Father’s Day ’21. Late

American folk singer and storyteller Harry Chapin wrote this song

together with his wife Sandy, who had originally wrote a poem that

evolved into the song’s lyrics. The poem was about Sandy’s first husband’s relationship with his father. After she and Harry had and began raising their own son, Harry realized just how much “Cat’s In The Cradle” frightened him. And why not; underneath all the success and iconic legacy the song’s brought... it remains a pretty sad story.

The arc and twist of the storyline—and the music narrating it—almost gives me the chills, in a way. Just that little figure of the short instrumental middle eight between verse/chorus three and four can indicate to you the irony of the story turning about on itself. But sad though it may be, it’s also relatable for many, and resulted into the most famous and beloved song in Harry’s career, and his only #1 hit. It’s been passed down, discussed and sung along with by fathers and sons for the 45+ years since. It’s of course the suitable way to keep Harry’s memory alive. In the summer of 1981, he was killed in a horrible car accident... at only 38 years of age. How very frightening and fleeting... but presuming Harry(’s character in the song) and his son had managed to get together to enjoy some quality Dad and son time, I always wondered what specifically they would’ve done together. What do you think they’d have done?

RIP Harry, 12/7/42 to 7/16/81.

(Just one more time, Happy Father’s Day, Dads. Please remember not to take that precious flying time for granted. It can go so fast.)

Have notes to add? Let me know!

YT:

full version

Harry’s official website

1974

Lyrics

My 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 on 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 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” / x1 / 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 on 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 on 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”

first release: Verities & Balderdash (1974/08/24)

CAT’S IN THE CRADLE {Single}—Harry Chapi

audio treated sample

This page was originally made on June 21st, 2021 and last edited on July 23rd, 2021