OldMan Remembers
The Oldman Remembers Cat's In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
Cat's in the Cradle is a 1974 folk rock song by Harry Chapin from the album Verities & Balderdash. The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974. As Chapin's only number-one song, it became the best known of his work and a staple for folk rock music. Chapin's recording of the song was nominated for the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.
The song's lyrics began as a poem written by Harry's wife, Sandra Gaston; the poem itself was inspired by the awkward relationship between her first husband, James Cashmore, and his father, John, a politician who served as Brooklyn borough president. She was also inspired by a country music song she had heard on the radio. Chapin also said the song was about his own relationship with his son, Josh, admitting, "Frankly, this song scares me to death." By Source, Fair use, Link - Harry Chapin's Official Website Am I the only one that always believe this was sung by Cat Stevens? I think I was in my 40s or 50s when I heard the news. Shocker - they sound the same - I wonder why Cat Stevens didn't cover this song himself? As a father of three boys, this particular song really hits me and always brings a tear to my eye. I'd like to think I spent a good deal of time with my boys when they were kids; but, hind-sight tells me I might have done better. Thank god all three of my boys have become great men and I'm very proud of them. They 'sort of' followed my foot-steps (minus all the horrible crap I found myself involved in). I suppose I was a great teacher of "what not to do". Actually, as I read the lyrics again, I could have written this myself. Tears. |
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You know I'm gonna be like you, Dad
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon When you comin' 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 walked away but his smile never dimmed And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah You know I'm going to be like him" And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon When you comin' 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 cats in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon When you comin' 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 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 had occurred to me He'd grown up just like me My boy was just like me And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon When you comin' home, son, I don't know when But we'll get together then, Dad We're gonna have a good time then |