Harry's wife, Sandy, wrote these lyrics. Harry wrote the music. It is a work of fiction BUT she wrote this as a cautionary tale that he shouldn't let music success and his advocacy for the hungry rise above the relationship with his kids. He had at least 4 and was a good father. As far as you crying; big boys don't cry but real men do! Thanks for posting
My college roommate and I saw Harry live on campus in the spring of ‘81. Two hours of heaven - just Harry and his guitar making us all laugh and cry and sing Circle together at the end. Talked to him afterwards for a few minutes while getting autographs on albums. Thanked him for sharing his gift with us and got a big hug in return. Such a kind caring soul. Later that summer on July 16 - my 21st birthday - he was gone. Put on his records and cried and laughed. It really is all a Circle.
That's what some men from that age felt they had to do to provide for their families. That was the real outcome of that thinking/action. Thank you for bringing it to a new generation.
NEVER be ashamed to cry. Real men cry because it shows they have a heart. A heart for things that have true meaning. A father and son. Great reaction. Thanks
exactly true. But even if people were to have a "restricted list" of "Things Men Can Cry To" this song would absolutely make the cut. This is one of those songs you could see a giant arena full of cigarette lighters lit up for.
agree. humans have emotions and emotionally mature men express them. too often men only express anger, and “under” the anger is fear or sadness which is stuffed.
Harry does not have a personal TH-cam channel. At the time he passed away in 1981, ARPANET, the primordial predecessor to the Internet, was still new and shiny.
This song is my generation! My Dad also worked long hours to support his family. We knew he loved us, but he worked so hard to give us what we needed. Not wanted, but needed with a few wants from time to time.
As a father of two sons this song stabs me right in the heart. I worked shift work and worked a lot of overtime. I thought I was doing the best thing by making as much money as I could. I missed so many things by not being there. I’m 65 now and widowed. Thank God my sons are here for me.
You nailed it. It came full circle. The busy successful man who provided for him his whole life was the man he idolized, and did eventually become. Do yourself a favor now that you've heard this song at this age. Listen to it again every 10 years as you move through your own life and you'll hear it with different ears. First time I heard this song I think I was 12. It grabbed me again in my 20s, and 30s, and now I've come full circle (as a single father with a busy adult son) at the age of 58. It's timeless, but not ageless. Good one for you to hear at this stage in your life.
Things were very different then. Our fathers didn't receive affection from their fathers, many of them didn't know how to give it to their children. My dad didn't come right out and say "I love you" to me until I was in my mid-30s. Yet, I always knew I was loved. Back then, a dad showed his love by providing them with security. My dad and I had this discussion on his death bed, when he told me that he wished he had been a better father. I reassured him that he had been a great father. He's been gone over 20 years, and I still cry when I think of that conversation. Most of us do the best we can, with what we have.
For me, as a father, this song serves as a cautionary tale to remind us that our kids are the most important things in our lives. We are sometimes tempted to put work and success ahead of family, but we need to step back and remember why we wanted success in the first place.
My dad was very much like the dad in this song. When I cried at his funeral it was for what "might have been." Hopefully, I have been a better dad for my own two kids.
This is completely a song of the times. People were still recovering from the materialistic times of the fifties and sixties. Fathers worked to the detriment of the other aspects of their life. Now we spend a lot of time on life/work balance. As others have said it is a cautionary tail about what you miss without that life/work balance.
I'm 75 years old, Dan, and I'm really impressed with your ability to think so deeply about life. And in my opinion, you really understand life more than most because you analyze life where most people just keep moving through it only dealing with it as it comes without thinking about how to make their lives better.
This song probably made me a better father because after hearing this as a young man, I said, no matter what, I will never tell my kids I'm too busy to play. No matter how I felt. As a father I did that, Even as they got in to things I didn't quite get, like video games. I tried. I'm so glad I did... my kids are grown and they always make time for me.
Same here it was always in the back of my mind concerning my daughter but I also felt that the father worked hard to put his son through school and support his family such a sad song its just life sometimes.
No shame, Daniel. I tear up every time I hear this song. That was one of Harry Chapin’s talents, he could touch your heart with his lyrics and performances. RIP Harry Chapin
I've been both kinds of a dad. When my oldest son was young I was working 7 days a week and 16 hours a day. I thought I needed to make as money money as I could so my kids could have things i never had. By the time my youngest son came along I realized that the most important thing I could give my kids was my time.
Your reaction was one of the most authentic I've seen, I hate over dramatised reactions, I've heard this song hundreds is times and still cry at the end. I just subscribed. Great channel!!!
You have the best and most genuine reactions on TH-cam, and your deep dives are really well interpreted and illustrated. You say your a kid but you're a hell of a lot more measured and nuanced than most "adults" I've met
When I was 19, I felt as though I had lived for a million years. I'm now 60, and can confirm that Time will indeed begin to drop that accerator to the floor faster than you can know, and everything you know, and all the family you love, will vanish into dust, lost in the rearview mirror. Pull that emergency brake as often as you can. I have very little "later" left.
I distinctly remember where and when I heard this song different then I ever had before. It was May 19th of 1980 and I was driving down Harry street in Wichita, Kansas trying to figure out where to have a drink to celebrate my sons birth. This song came on the radio. My son is now 40 years old. The day before his birth was momentous all over the earth as Mt St. Helens in Washington state erupted. As I say His mother erupted the next day, she was just waiting her turn... What I think this is all about is at the end... his son is still trying to be like his dad really. He still sees his dad as being the provider, he never lost that aspect. And he is trying to be the provider. Of course I can say this after another 40 years of thinking, but I thought the same thing right about 40 years ago. Because time was so meaningful right after my son was born. I wanted him to experience so many of the same tings I did and then before the year was out, Music lost John Lennon and we had to figure out what to d next.. Such is life...
Chapin is buried in the Huntington Rural Cemetery in Huntington, New York. His epitaph is taken from his 1978 song "I Wonder What Would Happen to This World": Oh if a man tried To take his time on Earth And prove before he died What one man's life could be worth I wonder what would happen to this world
My dad was career military person then so was I. Talked about many fishing trips that never happened. He past away when I retired from the army. Still hurts today.
This is a cautionary tale. Don't do this, life is short and love is the only thing that is important in the end. You display the soul of an artist in your reactions. Don't be afraid to go there. That path leads to truth. And, we know it's ultimately a question of honesty. (Thanks, Neil) About the song itself, this was the typical way fathers uses to be. So much importance was placed on bread winning that it was accepted as the proper role. (At certain times of the year my own father had 4 jobs.) Now, we know better. The father had time only because he was finally retired, but now the son has to provide for his own family. Following the example set by the father. An American tragedy that happened every day.
Harry was special, unique in popular music. His concerts were amazing and real. I got to partake in 3. I was vacuuming , home from school, listening to FM rock/pop and Taxi was on. I knew Harry had died. I cried.
Don't feel bad about tearing up, Daniel. Every single one of us did, too. The tears were flowing for me by the end of the song. Chapin just has that affect on me. Honestly, it's nice to see because it shows you grasp the meaning behind the lyrics, and shows your reactions are genuine. There are a couple of reactors who've listened to this who weren't in the least bit choked up, and frankly, I don't even watch them anymore because I know just how fake their reactions are. Thank you so much for keeping it real. It's why your channel is growing as fast at it is!
Yep. I avoid listening to this song because it’s as painful as it is beautiful. During one of Chapin’s live performances of this song, he seems to a have moment where his throat catches on the line “...as I hung up the phone...” It’s only a moment and that is enough. And I think this song breaks the hearts of men in a particular way. You might never be a father, but you’ll always be someone’s son.
@@matsv201 yeah having heard it many times before and knowing what’s to come/happened (Both in song and life) The song always brings the feels at some point in it. All the best to you and your family.
Harry Chapin was the quintessential story teller. A Better Place to Be, Taxi, Sequel, Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas and so many more Hope you get a chance to listen to a few more in the weeks and months to come
What this song means is very straight forward and clear. Chapin’s wife wrote the lyrics and he composed the music. This came out before videos were made to accompany songs.
Daniel, you constantly AMAZE me on how WISE you are beyond your years. LOVE your analysis of the songs and how you feel about them. Your parents must be extremely PROUD of you. You are heads above all the other reactors to songs on You Tube. Stay safe young man, looking forward to watching more by you.
This is one song that I cannot listen to without shedding a tear. I have to really focus on not hearing the words...because they tell such a sad story. Absentee fathers in our Nation today are at an all time high.....I think it is time to bring this song back!
Heartbreaking song. I always thought it was a great warning to dads everywhere...never take anything for granted. Enjoy every minute of being with the people you love.
Well, now that you've done those tear-jerkers, you oughta do a song about a real-life tragedy - Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald".
When Harry sang this on the Michael Douglas show, the guest host was a child star named Mason Reese. Mason started crying nonstop so that they had to stop filming...
In those days dads were providers. it was their role. Those dads of the 50’s and 60’s left early, came home late and stayed busy and that might’ve been fine if the rest of the family didn’t need more. They were loving dads, but loving looked very different for them than the generation behind them. Harry Chapin speaks for the young people in the 60’s who valued relationships and love more than work, financial solvency and leaving an inheritance. This song perfectly captures that tension. Harry shows us what a cycle of dysfunction looks like. It’s a beautiful, searing song from a guy whose music I didn’t normally enjoy listening to. Thanks for reviewing it! Nice job!
I totally agree with you I know my father loved us more than anything but he had to work and work hard to provide for all of us and mother took care of the kids but he never forgot about the holidays he was always there.
I was a senior in high school went this song first came out and it had a profound affect on me. My parents were divorced and my father was not around. I decided that I would never be like him. My wife and I have 3 sons, now in their 30's and I made sure I was available for them. I took them to all their sports activities, helped coach and even at times, drew on it when my wife and I had issues. I worked on overcoming marital issues because I felt it was so import to be an present, active father for them. It made me a better man and I feel it has also made them loving fathers for my 4 grandchildren. . Do not be ashamed of crying. Every time I hear this song, it brings tears to my eyes and I am 64 years old. I avoided listening to your reaction because I wasn't sure how I would react to it.
See this is from the Parent's perspective, not the child's, this is all about Time, and how fast Time goes, I am 53 right now, yet it seems like yesterday i was 17 and the only worry in life i had was who we were playing this week in High School Football
Yep! The most haunting lyrics about that subject for me come from Pink Floyd's tune "Time" on the Dark Side Of The Moon album. "And then one day you find ten years have got behind you. No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun." Ugh! That will hit you like a ton of bricks when you dwell on it.
I remember at 17 I thought I had a handle on life. It is funny how much brighter and more intelligent my parents became by the time I was 22. Or maybe I just grew up a bit.
The only thing about time in this song is that time goes by fast and it is too late to make up for what you should have done and in this song it was to spend that important time with his son. Now the son is grown and doesn't have the time for his dad. Full circle but it didn't have to be that way but rather staying close and spending important quality time together would have kept the bond in tact forever. Job first and family second has a price to be paid in the end.
Please trust me when I say when you keep swallowing the tears eventually they'll drown you, and sometimes even sooner than you think. Love your reactions. Never be afraid to let your emotions show. They're what make us human.
I work for a small company. My boss told me he once was a consultant for one of the big national firms. Perks for his job included the most expensive gym membership that I had ever heard of. But the job included a lot of travel. He heard this song one day. It was new to him and led him to quit his job.
It had a big effect on me as far as my relationship with my daughter and we get together at least once a week even though she is 22 and in graduate school we will remain close for the rest of my life.
I buried my father 10 years ago. At 50, I still tear up every time i hear it. He told me how much he hated this song because it spoke too much truth to him. I literally did learn to walk while he was away. There is a clip on TH-cam of Harry Chapin playing this live, and as he introduces it he says "it's about my boy Josh, and frankly; this song scares me to death." I understand exactly why.
Don't feel bad....I just teared up again, and I've been listening to this song for nearly 50 years...one son and three grandsons later. And I wish I had had the wisdom at 16 years old that you have now....you're on the right path, just keep moving forward, more wisdom to come....
Crying right along with you young man. This song is from my youth and its message and haunting sound have always stuck with me. My dad died two years ago, but I lost him long before then to a stroke and the consequent dementia. I was fortunate that he wasn’t anything like the dad in this song. He always made time for us and our connections were strong. I have my own sons now and the time flies by faster than you can believe. Thanks for your authentic reaction. 🙏🏻
I am a 56 year old folk singer-songwriter and I am loving your reactions...that is why folk people write these types of songs. I suggest you react to "At Seventeen' by Janis Ian. Thank you for doing these types of songs, they help me to keep pushing on in a music genre that is not as genuine as it once was.
I was 11 when this came out and I got it. I never saw any kind of malice or resentment by the son towards the father. Just the opposite. I always felt the son admired the father, looked up to him and aspired to be him. He saw the life his father provided him and wanted that for himself as an adult. As we see the tables have turned. Now that the father has time to spend with the son, it is the son who is busy. I don't think the son, as an adult, looks back at his father's absenteeism and throws it in his face to get back at him. I think a lot of teenagers would rather spend time with their friends than with their fathers. That's why, when I see a little kid wanting to help his parents cut the grass or with the grocery shopping I kid them and tell them to enjoy it while you have it because when they're older that moment won't be there. Watch a 3 year old wanting to take out the trash and a 10 year old whine about it! LOL Great song. It's the circle of life in many respects.
The way I see it, it is the father that is disappointed in the way things came out. As you say, the child admires his father for everything he did. It is the father who sees how much he gave up...
@@ChrisB-xm3mg and yet, I do think the father is still enormously proud that his son is so much like him, even if he also wishes they could have had more time together.
Right, he wasn't a bad father - not at all. The son obviously loved his dad and looked up to him. But, the lost time together will never be made up and since he grew up to be just like his dad, his own children will grow up not having that quality time with their dad either. IMO we need to make family a priority with our time. Work is important but take that much needed time to spend it with the people we love. Life is just too short.
I worked hard and long days when my daughter was growing up and even more so after my wife died when my daughter was seven years old. Later on when my grandson was born I have made sure that almost every Sunday I get together with them and do something or another as long as I am with them!👍🏻❤️☮️
"Boomers" grew up on this stuff. We thought about these issues and topics, sang about them ... cried over them some. Sang the songs, bought the music and played it for others. And sometimes when the B-word comes out, I think of songs like this and think of how awfully well we emulated it. Nice reaction. If you hadn't teared up I'd have unsubscribed. Stay honest with yourself and open to love.
Daniel... You are SO incredible! Your insights belie your age. This is a song I grew up with. It always made me cry. I never knew my father... he left my mother before I was born. I had abusive step-fathers. This song always hit me in the feels. Thank you for listening to it. I love Harry Chapin. This song is part of life soundtrack.
My son has his own kids now. When his first was born I sent him a copy of this song. I told him to think deeply about it. And yeah, I cry sometimes with this song.
Harry Chapin was a great balladeer my favorite song by him is called Shooting Star, such a great song. I had his albums and played them all the time. Good song for a reaction. Harry is really writing about his own life here. He was a performer so he was on the road all the time to provide for his family. It is a trade off. Sometimes it boils down to time or money. He loved his family and his boy but he was unable to be home because all he knew how to do was music. Don't feel bad about the tears, I saw him live once and there was not a dry eye in the place.
I love and miss Mr. Harry Chapin. I saw him many times and met with him twice, receiving hugs and kisses both times. He was a great preformer, song writer and philanthropist. RIP Harry ❤
I am an old Chaplin fan from when he was still with us. You need to listen to all. But one of the most gut wrenching songs of his was Sniper. Will rock you to the core.
It's called a Cautionary Tale. He had his priorities wrong. And you know a lot of guys of my generation took the message to heart. ONe favorite part of the song is the reversal of the normal sequence when he asks for the car keys ... "See you later, can I have them please?" Speaks to the son's desire to get away and not spend time with his dad. I'm not sure that his son has a different relationship with his kids, sometimes people do what you said, raise their kids differently (that just means they make different mistakes but hey--) but sometimes they don't. The ending of the song is unmistakable. And yes it's sad. But again, it's a Cautionary Tale. At least within the relationships his son IS just like him.
As a father of 3, it's an easy trap to get into. "I don't have time for you, I'm too busy, etc., etc." MAKE the time! Prioritize what is important. Some things can wait - some cannot. Time with your kids CANNOT wait. They do indeed grow too fast - the moments when they want you and nothing more is fleeting, then the tide reverses and you want to spend more time with them - lo and behold, they're in their teens, have friends, want to go out, YOU are no longer the centre of their world. Then they get married, have their own family, it becomes more of a struggle. It's such a cautionary tale. My parents did do their best to spend time with me. I see that very clearly. I made every attempt to reciprocate back to them, and still do! (my mom passed 2 years ago, what I wouldn't give for more time with her - she loved this song). I've tried my best to do the same with my children. Don't ever be afraid to show your emotions...there are too many songs that play on mine, and the waterworks do indeed flow. Music is emotion to me (and becomes moreso as I get older).
Parenting is an awesome responsibility. It is so important that they make time for their children. "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it." Pr.22:6
I was five when this came out, and I loved it so much my father went out and bought the 45 record for me so I could listen to it over and over. My Dad is very frugal, and he was a single father raising us working in a factory. The fact that he shelled out money we didn't have to buy me this when it wasn't even a special occasion shows how much this song affected me, and him too I guess.
I saw Harry Chapin in concert shortly before his death in 1981. He was a phenomenal story teller. He was killed in a car accident on his way to another free concert. A sad, sad day.
i literally JUST found your channel... so, Hi! a beautiful reaction and as others have already commented, *never* be ashamed to feel your feelings. it really shows quite a high 'emotional intelligence' (that is a real thing i promise ha.) BUT now that i have seen this reaction and you mentioned Jim Croce, you *really really* should listen (and of course react) to a song named 'Vincent' by a musician named Don Mclean. another tear jerker, but *so* very beautiful. the way you pay attention to the lyrics and meaning of songs that one is a must.
I can relate. My father was always working and too busy for many ball games, etc but I admired how hard he worked to provide for us. I disliked how strict he was but we grew closer together once I was on my own and would visit. I miss him a lot.
What, were you crying? Didn't notice, as I had something in my eye at the time. But of dust, or...yeah, something...hahahaha. I still remember the first time I heard this song, I was about 7 or 8 and the station my Mum listened to sometimes did a 'whatever happened to...' feature - usually of a pre-Beatles act I had no interest in, but they gave Harry's life (and death) story in about a minute and something about it drew me in, then they played this and I was stunned and was desperate to hear it again, but didn't until about 4 years later I picked up a copy of his Greatest Stories Live album at my school fair, and swiftly became the superfan I remain to this day. Not long after that Ugly Kid Joe's cover came out and I was so ANGRY at how awful it was - and more so that all my friends liked it and none of them had ever heard of Harry - no justice! Oh, that radio announcer called him CHAP-in so I mispronounced his name for years as a result; I've also heard people insert an L to make it ChapLin.
It’s not sad .it’s life ,as a parent we have to balance our time with our kids and family with the need to support our family . My girls are in college now and this song hits kinda hard . Your young and I have to say grab that dragon by the tail ... live life to the fullest... we only get to ride this merry go round called life once . Loved the reaction
This is the beauty of reactions like this. When the original feelings the song made you feel have kind of started to fade, seeing someone else listen for the first time brings them all back. It's like we get to listen to it for the first time again. Thank you for that!
Wow! Your reaction to this amazing song made me tear up too. You have a heart of flesh. No perfect family out there. Welcome to the human race. Songs like these make us realize what is important in life. You're very mature for your young age....you're on the right path. This came to my mind while listening, another song of regrets by the Beatles from the Sgt. Pepper LP " She's Leaving Home." Worth reacting to. Peace. 🙂🎶🙏👍
My dad and I weren't like this but we always messed with each other with this song. He has been gone 10 years and hard for me to hear this song but thanks for reacting to it
Crying shows the quality of the message. You’re a brave man. You knew the emotional reaction would be in the song but you did this video for us anyway. Putting yourself in such a spot for your craft. Wise beyond your years.
Glad to see a thoughtful young man enjoying this music. 68 year old grandma listening 😊
Harry's wife, Sandy, wrote these lyrics. Harry wrote the music. It is a work of fiction BUT she wrote this as a cautionary tale that he shouldn't let music success and his advocacy for the hungry rise above the relationship with his kids. He had at least 4 and was a good father.
As far as you crying; big boys don't cry but real men do!
Thanks for posting
My college roommate and I saw Harry live on campus in the spring of ‘81. Two hours of heaven - just Harry and his guitar making us all laugh and cry and sing Circle together at the end. Talked to him afterwards for a few minutes while getting autographs on albums. Thanked him for sharing his gift with us and got a big hug in return. Such a kind caring soul. Later that summer on July 16 - my 21st birthday - he was gone. Put on his records and cried and laughed. It really is all a Circle.
That's what some men from that age felt they had to do to provide for their families. That was the real outcome of that thinking/action. Thank you for bringing it to a new generation.
NEVER be ashamed to cry. Real men cry because it shows they have a heart. A heart for things that have true meaning. A father and son. Great reaction. Thanks
❤❤👍👍 AMEN.
Perfect. And it's- Amenra- google it
Count your blessings there.
exactly true. But even if people were to have a "restricted list" of "Things Men Can Cry To" this song would absolutely make the cut. This is one of those songs you could see a giant arena full of cigarette lighters lit up for.
agree. humans have emotions and emotionally mature men express them. too often men only express anger, and “under” the anger is fear or sadness which is stuffed.
Harry does not have a personal TH-cam channel. At the time he passed away in 1981, ARPANET, the primordial predecessor to the Internet, was still new and shiny.
This song is my generation! My Dad also worked long hours to support his family. We knew he loved us, but he worked so hard to give us what we needed. Not wanted, but needed with a few wants from time to time.
Every parent should listen to this song at least once a week. Because time goes so very fast.
As a father of two sons this song stabs me right in the heart. I worked shift work and worked a lot of overtime. I thought I was doing the best thing by making as much money as I could. I missed so many things by not being there. I’m 65 now and widowed. Thank God my sons are here for me.
You nailed it. It came full circle. The busy successful man who provided for him his whole life was the man he idolized, and did eventually become. Do yourself a favor now that you've heard this song at this age. Listen to it again every 10 years as you move through your own life and you'll hear it with different ears. First time I heard this song I think I was 12. It grabbed me again in my 20s, and 30s, and now I've come full circle (as a single father with a busy adult son) at the age of 58. It's timeless, but not ageless. Good one for you to hear at this stage in your life.
Things were very different then. Our fathers didn't receive affection from their fathers, many of them didn't know how to give it to their children. My dad didn't come right out and say "I love you" to me until I was in my mid-30s. Yet, I always knew I was loved. Back then, a dad showed his love by providing them with security. My dad and I had this discussion on his death bed, when he told me that he wished he had been a better father. I reassured him that he had been a great father. He's been gone over 20 years, and I still cry when I think of that conversation. Most of us do the best we can, with what we have.
For me, as a father, this song serves as a cautionary tale to remind us that our kids are the most important things in our lives. We are sometimes tempted to put work and success ahead of family, but we need to step back and remember why we wanted success in the first place.
My dad was very much like the dad in this song. When I cried at his funeral it was for what "might have been." Hopefully, I have been a better dad for my own two kids.
This is completely a song of the times. People were still recovering from the materialistic times of the fifties and sixties. Fathers worked to the detriment of the other aspects of their life. Now we spend a lot of time on life/work balance. As others have said it is a cautionary tail about what you miss without that life/work balance.
I'm 75 years old, Dan, and I'm really impressed with your ability to think so deeply about life. And in my opinion, you really understand life more than most because you analyze life where most people just keep moving through it only dealing with it as it comes without thinking about how to make their lives better.
This song probably made me a better father because after hearing this as a young man, I said, no matter what, I will never tell my kids I'm too busy to play. No matter how I felt. As a father I did that, Even as they got in to things I didn't quite get, like video games. I tried. I'm so glad I did... my kids are grown and they always make time for me.
Same here it was always in the back of my mind concerning my daughter but I also felt that the father worked hard to put his son through school and support his family such a sad song its just life sometimes.
No shame, Daniel. I tear up every time I hear this song. That was one of Harry Chapin’s talents, he could touch your heart with his lyrics and performances. RIP Harry Chapin
I've been both kinds of a dad. When my oldest son was young I was working 7 days a week and 16 hours a day. I thought I needed to make as money money as I could so my kids could have things i never had.
By the time my youngest son came along I realized that the most important thing I could give my kids was my time.
Your reaction was one of the most authentic I've seen, I hate over dramatised reactions, I've heard this song hundreds is times and still cry at the end. I just subscribed. Great channel!!!
Show that emotion, it's great to see a young person react to music with honesty and passion. Something that is severely lacking in these times.
Such a crucial message for fathers; hopefully, Daniel, you will tuck this in he back of your mind for the future.
You'd be pretty cold not to have that reaction-- I have heard this song so many times and it always touches me.
You have the best and most genuine reactions on TH-cam, and your deep dives are really well interpreted and illustrated. You say your a kid but you're a hell of a lot more measured and nuanced than most "adults" I've met
When I was 19, I felt as though I had lived for a million years. I'm now 60, and can confirm that Time will indeed begin to drop that accerator to the floor faster than you can know, and everything you know, and all the family you love, will vanish into dust, lost in the rearview mirror. Pull that emergency brake as often as you can. I have very little "later" left.
I distinctly remember where and when I heard this song different then I ever had before. It was May 19th of 1980 and I was driving down Harry street in Wichita, Kansas trying to figure out where to have a drink to celebrate my sons birth. This song came on the radio.
My son is now 40 years old. The day before his birth was momentous all over the earth as Mt St. Helens in Washington state erupted. As I say His mother erupted the next day, she was just waiting her turn...
What I think this is all about is at the end... his son is still trying to be like his dad really. He still sees his dad as being the provider, he never lost that aspect. And he is trying to be the provider. Of course I can say this after another 40 years of thinking, but I thought the same thing right about 40 years ago. Because time was so meaningful right after my son was born. I wanted him to experience so many of the same tings I did and then before the year was out, Music lost John Lennon and we had to figure out what to d next..
Such is life...
Chapin is buried in the Huntington Rural Cemetery in Huntington, New York. His epitaph is taken from his 1978 song "I Wonder What Would Happen to This World":
Oh if a man tried
To take his time on Earth
And prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth
I wonder what would happen
to this world
My dad was career military person then so was I. Talked about many fishing trips that never happened. He past away when I retired from the army. Still hurts today.
This is a cautionary tale. Don't do this, life is short and love is the only thing that is important in the end. You display the soul of an artist in your reactions. Don't be afraid to go there. That path leads to truth. And, we know it's ultimately a question of honesty. (Thanks, Neil)
About the song itself, this was the typical way fathers uses to be. So much importance was placed on bread winning that it was accepted as the proper role. (At certain times of the year my own father had 4 jobs.) Now, we know better. The father had time only because he was finally retired, but now the son has to provide for his own family. Following the example set by the father. An American tragedy that happened every day.
*Neil
@@k_spats my bad. I corrected it.
@@jonnyyen7169 I wasn't being a d***. I know you understand. 💙
Thank you. 🙏🏻
@@k_spats it's all good. I appreciate the heads up. I respect the man, least I can do is get his name right.
Harry was special, unique in popular music. His concerts were amazing and real. I got to partake in 3. I was vacuuming , home from school, listening to FM rock/pop and Taxi was on. I knew Harry had died. I cried.
Don't feel bad about tearing up, Daniel. Every single one of us did, too. The tears were flowing for me by the end of the song. Chapin just has that affect on me. Honestly, it's nice to see because it shows you grasp the meaning behind the lyrics, and shows your reactions are genuine. There are a couple of reactors who've listened to this who weren't in the least bit choked up, and frankly, I don't even watch them anymore because I know just how fake their reactions are. Thank you so much for keeping it real. It's why your channel is growing as fast at it is!
It might be worse for us fathers that are in verse 2 or 3.... or 4...
Yep. I avoid listening to this song because it’s as painful as it is beautiful. During one of Chapin’s live performances of this song, he seems to a have moment where his throat catches on the line “...as I hung up the phone...” It’s only a moment and that is enough. And I think this song breaks the hearts of men in a particular way. You might never be a father, but you’ll always be someone’s son.
@@matsv201 damn I’m not a father (though old enough to be lol) and it almost got me at the first bridge lol
@@clintonburr852 Well i guess i finished verse 2 a few years back. Well to my son.
I do have younger daughters, but its not quite the same
@@matsv201 yeah having heard it many times before and knowing what’s to come/happened (Both in song and life) The song always brings the feels at some point in it.
All the best to you and your family.
The singer died 7 years later. He made sure he wasn't like the father in the song to his own kids, before he died [in a car crash].
Harry Chapin was the quintessential story teller. A Better Place to Be, Taxi, Sequel, Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas and so many more
Hope you get a chance to listen to a few more in the weeks and months to come
When I was a kid, a friend of my parents heard this song and realized he was like the dad and he changed his ways to be more with his kids
Cool 🤔😍😍😍😍
We learn two things from our parents: 1. How we WANT to act towards our own kids and 2. How we DON'T WANT to act towards our own kids.
And no matter how much we try, we end up making the same mistakes they did.
This song has helped more fathers than you could have guessed - I always had this song in my head when dealing with my kids.
we ALL teared up at this song. you're a good man, Daniel.
What this song means is very straight forward and clear. Chapin’s wife wrote the lyrics and he composed the music. This came out before videos were made to accompany songs.
Daniel, you constantly AMAZE me on how WISE you are beyond your years. LOVE your analysis of the songs and how you feel about them. Your parents must be extremely PROUD of you. You are heads above all the other reactors to songs on You Tube. Stay safe young man, looking forward to watching more by you.
This is one song that I cannot listen to without shedding a tear. I have to really focus on not hearing the words...because they tell such a sad story. Absentee fathers in our Nation today are at an all time high.....I think it is time to bring this song back!
Harry Chapin (Chay pen) was a great storyteller and an incredible person. He was among the 1st musicians to do concerts to feed the hungry.
Heartbreaking song. I always thought it was a great warning to dads everywhere...never take anything for granted. Enjoy every minute of being with the people you love.
Well, now that you've done those tear-jerkers, you oughta do a song about a real-life tragedy - Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald".
I love Gordon Lighfoots singing.its sad but I love the song ❤️💙
I agree
Yes
Harry Chapin did a song about a real life tragedy called Sniper
@@donpardo2510 ? The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was a real life tragedy.
He always loved his dad, so much so he thought and bought into providing is the way a man shows love
When Harry sang this on the Michael Douglas show, the guest host was a child star named Mason Reese. Mason started crying nonstop so that they had to stop filming...
In those days dads were providers. it was their role. Those dads of the 50’s and 60’s left early, came home late and stayed busy and that might’ve been fine if the rest of the family didn’t need more. They were loving dads, but loving looked very different for them than the generation behind them. Harry Chapin speaks for the young people in the 60’s who valued relationships and love more than work, financial solvency and leaving an inheritance. This song perfectly captures that tension. Harry shows us what a cycle of dysfunction looks like. It’s a beautiful, searing song from a guy whose music I didn’t normally enjoy listening to. Thanks for reviewing it! Nice job!
I totally agree with you I know my father loved us more than anything but he had to work and work hard to provide for all of us and mother took care of the kids but he never forgot about the holidays he was always there.
I was a senior in high school went this song first came out and it had a profound affect on me. My parents were divorced and my father was not around. I decided that I would never be like him. My wife and I have 3 sons, now in their 30's and I made sure I was available for them. I took them to all their sports activities, helped coach and even at times, drew on it when my wife and I had issues. I worked on overcoming marital issues because I felt it was so import to be an present, active father for them. It made me a better man and I feel it has also made them loving fathers for my 4 grandchildren. . Do not be ashamed of crying. Every time I hear this song, it brings tears to my eyes and I am 64 years old. I avoided listening to your reaction because I wasn't sure how I would react to it.
See this is from the Parent's perspective, not the child's, this is all about Time, and how fast Time goes, I am 53 right now, yet it seems like yesterday i was 17 and the only worry in life i had was who we were playing this week in High School Football
Yep! The most haunting lyrics about that subject for me come from Pink Floyd's tune "Time" on the Dark Side Of The Moon album. "And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun." Ugh! That will hit you like a ton of bricks when you dwell on it.
When my son was about 16, I had him listen to this song. I truly wonder if he remembers my doing so.
😍
I remember at 17 I thought I had a handle on life. It is funny how much brighter and more intelligent my parents became by the time I was 22. Or maybe I just grew up a bit.
The only thing about time in this song is that time goes by fast and it is too late to make up for what you should have done and in this song it was to spend that important time with his son. Now the son is grown and doesn't have the time for his dad. Full circle but it didn't have to be that way but rather staying close and spending important quality time together would have kept the bond in tact forever. Job first and family second has a price to be paid in the end.
Please trust me when I say when you keep swallowing the tears eventually they'll drown you, and sometimes even sooner than you think. Love your reactions. Never be afraid to let your emotions show. They're what make us human.
His dad always loved him just never had time and when he was older and had time the son didn't but the love was always there.
Lived this. Dad worked hard to provide a better life for us. We grew later in life. It's never too late
I work for a small company. My boss told me he once was a consultant for one of the big national firms. Perks for his job included the most expensive gym membership that I had ever heard of. But the job included a lot of travel. He heard this song one day. It was new to him and led him to quit his job.
It had a big effect on me as far as my relationship with my daughter and we get together at least once a week even though she is 22 and in graduate school we will remain close for the rest of my life.
Classic #1 'song. Harry was a great songwriter Sadly Gone too soon.🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
I buried my father 10 years ago. At 50, I still tear up every time i hear it. He told me how much he hated this song because it spoke too much truth to him. I literally did learn to walk while he was away. There is a clip on TH-cam of Harry Chapin playing this live, and as he introduces it he says "it's about my boy Josh, and frankly; this song scares me to death." I understand exactly why.
As you age this song hits harder each year. You get one chance and you cannot hit a reset button.
Don't feel bad....I just teared up again, and I've been listening to this song for nearly 50 years...one son and three grandsons later. And I wish I had had the wisdom at 16 years old that you have now....you're on the right path, just keep moving forward, more wisdom to come....
You know an artist is of the highest caliber when their songs make you tear up. Awesome song!
Crying right along with you young man. This song is from my youth and its message and haunting sound have always stuck with me. My dad died two years ago, but I lost him long before then to a stroke and the consequent dementia. I was fortunate that he wasn’t anything like the dad in this song. He always made time for us and our connections were strong. I have my own sons now and the time flies by faster than you can believe. Thanks for your authentic reaction. 🙏🏻
I am a 56 year old folk singer-songwriter and I am loving your reactions...that is why folk people write these types of songs. I suggest you react to "At Seventeen' by Janis Ian. Thank you for doing these types of songs, they help me to keep pushing on in a music genre that is not as genuine as it once was.
Great song
The message in this classic is more important today than ever
My brother and I used to sing and hum this song to our dad to guilt him into buying us things, lol. God he hated this song
That’s dirty pool dude. 🤣
😂😜😘
Which is the opposite of what the song means 🙂
Your dad should have bought you nothing and just played ball with you instead.
I was 11 when this came out and I got it. I never saw any kind of malice or resentment by the son towards the father. Just the opposite. I always felt the son admired the father, looked up to him and aspired to be him. He saw the life his father provided him and wanted that for himself as an adult. As we see the tables have turned. Now that the father has time to spend with the son, it is the son who is busy. I don't think the son, as an adult, looks back at his father's absenteeism and throws it in his face to get back at him. I think a lot of teenagers would rather spend time with their friends than with their fathers. That's why, when I see a little kid wanting to help his parents cut the grass or with the grocery shopping I kid them and tell them to enjoy it while you have it because when they're older that moment won't be there. Watch a 3 year old wanting to take out the trash and a 10 year old whine about it! LOL
Great song. It's the circle of life in many respects.
Yep🤔😢😜😘
The way I see it, it is the father that is disappointed in the way things came out. As you say, the child admires his father for everything he did. It is the father who sees how much he gave up...
@@ChrisB-xm3mg and yet, I do think the father is still enormously proud that his son is so much like him, even if he also wishes they could have had more time together.
Right, he wasn't a bad father - not at all. The son obviously loved his dad and looked up to him. But, the lost time together will never be made up and since he grew up to be just like his dad, his own children will grow up not having that quality time with their dad either. IMO we need to make family a priority with our time. Work is important but take that much needed time to spend it with the people we love. Life is just too short.
If you don't cry with this song you have a heart of stone!! My kids used to sing this when their dad left.
I worked hard and long days when my daughter was growing up and even more so after my wife died when my daughter was seven years old. Later on when my grandson was born I have made sure that almost every Sunday I get together with them and do something or another as long as I am with them!👍🏻❤️☮️
Don’t ever change, your showing your emotions is a genuine thing.
"Boomers" grew up on this stuff. We thought about these issues and topics, sang about them ... cried over them some. Sang the songs, bought the music and played it for others. And sometimes when the B-word comes out, I think of songs like this and think of how awfully well we emulated it. Nice reaction. If you hadn't teared up I'd have unsubscribed. Stay honest with yourself and open to love.
Daniel... You are SO incredible! Your insights belie your age. This is a song I grew up with. It always made me cry. I never knew my father... he left my mother before I was born. I had abusive step-fathers. This song always hit me in the feels. Thank you for listening to it. I love Harry Chapin. This song is part of life soundtrack.
My son has his own kids now. When his first was born I sent him a copy of this song. I told him to think deeply about it. And yeah, I cry sometimes with this song.
Harry Chapin was a great balladeer my favorite song by him is called Shooting Star, such a great song. I had his albums and played them all the time. Good song for a reaction. Harry is really writing about his own life here. He was a performer so he was on the road all the time to provide for his family. It is a trade off. Sometimes it boils down to time or money. He loved his family and his boy but he was unable to be home because all he knew how to do was music. Don't feel bad about the tears, I saw him live once and there was not a dry eye in the place.
I love and miss Mr. Harry Chapin. I saw him many times and met with him twice, receiving hugs and kisses both times. He was a great preformer, song writer and philanthropist. RIP Harry ❤
I am an old Chaplin fan from when he was still with us. You need to listen to all. But one of the most gut wrenching songs of his was Sniper. Will rock you to the core.
It's called a Cautionary Tale. He had his priorities wrong.
And you know a lot of guys of my generation took the message to heart.
ONe favorite part of the song is the reversal of the normal sequence when he asks for the car keys ... "See you later, can I have them please?" Speaks to the son's desire to get away and not spend time with his dad.
I'm not sure that his son has a different relationship with his kids, sometimes people do what you said, raise their kids differently (that just means they make different mistakes but hey--) but sometimes they don't.
The ending of the song is unmistakable. And yes it's sad. But again, it's a Cautionary Tale. At least within the relationships his son IS just like him.
This song is an example of what goes around comes around
As a father of 3, it's an easy trap to get into. "I don't have time for you, I'm too busy, etc., etc." MAKE the time! Prioritize what is important. Some things can wait - some cannot. Time with your kids CANNOT wait. They do indeed grow too fast - the moments when they want you and nothing more is fleeting, then the tide reverses and you want to spend more time with them - lo and behold, they're in their teens, have friends, want to go out, YOU are no longer the centre of their world. Then they get married, have their own family, it becomes more of a struggle.
It's such a cautionary tale.
My parents did do their best to spend time with me. I see that very clearly. I made every attempt to reciprocate back to them, and still do! (my mom passed 2 years ago, what I wouldn't give for more time with her - she loved this song). I've tried my best to do the same with my children.
Don't ever be afraid to show your emotions...there are too many songs that play on mine, and the waterworks do indeed flow. Music is emotion to me (and becomes moreso as I get older).
😍
Parenting is an awesome responsibility. It is so important that they make time for their children. "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it." Pr.22:6
Anther generational song that I like even more is 'Father and Son' by Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf). Please give it a listen, he's an amazing talent.
Or try Elton John's "Last Song" about a deathbed reconciliation. It's heart rending.
I was five when this came out, and I loved it so much my father went out and bought the 45 record for me so I could listen to it over and over. My Dad is very frugal, and he was a single father raising us working in a factory. The fact that he shelled out money we didn't have to buy me this when it wasn't even a special occasion shows how much this song affected me, and him too I guess.
I love how you do the research at the end. It is so important to have perspective
I'm 65, this song came out when I was in high school. It's always brought tears to my eyes.
I’m really enjoying your reactions to songs that I’ve always enjoyed. You remind me of my grandson. It’s nice to see such a sensitive soul.
I saw Harry Chapin in concert shortly before his death in 1981. He was a phenomenal story teller. He was killed in a car accident on his way to another free concert. A sad, sad day.
If you have a heartbeat, you can't help but feel a deep emotional connection when you hear this song. It means you are a human.
love that you are brave enough to show your sensitivity and vulnerability - continue to let music move you!
Bless you heart, we’ve all cried to this song. ♥️
Keeping this theme going (making Daniel cry) the next song should be "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian.
And most of Dan Fogelberg songs.
Such a great song and brilliant artist. I hope he does this one.
Tada ! Same Auld Lang Syne- Fogelberg
Leader of the Band - Fogelberg
Vincent by Don Mclean might get him a bit misty. I'll check my list of songs I can't listen to in public and get back to you.
^^^THIS^^^
i literally JUST found your channel... so, Hi! a beautiful reaction and as others have already commented, *never* be ashamed to feel your feelings. it really shows quite a high 'emotional intelligence' (that is a real thing i promise ha.) BUT now that i have seen this reaction and you mentioned Jim Croce, you *really really* should listen (and of course react) to a song named 'Vincent' by a musician named Don Mclean. another tear jerker, but *so* very beautiful. the way you pay attention to the lyrics and meaning of songs that one is a must.
I can relate. My father was always working and too busy for many ball games, etc but I admired how hard he worked to provide for us. I disliked how strict he was but we grew closer together once I was on my own and would visit. I miss him a lot.
What, were you crying? Didn't notice, as I had something in my eye at the time. But of dust, or...yeah, something...hahahaha. I still remember the first time I heard this song, I was about 7 or 8 and the station my Mum listened to sometimes did a 'whatever happened to...' feature - usually of a pre-Beatles act I had no interest in, but they gave Harry's life (and death) story in about a minute and something about it drew me in, then they played this and I was stunned and was desperate to hear it again, but didn't until about 4 years later I picked up a copy of his Greatest Stories Live album at my school fair, and swiftly became the superfan I remain to this day. Not long after that Ugly Kid Joe's cover came out and I was so ANGRY at how awful it was - and more so that all my friends liked it and none of them had ever heard of Harry - no justice! Oh, that radio announcer called him CHAP-in so I mispronounced his name for years as a result; I've also heard people insert an L to make it ChapLin.
It’s not sad .it’s life ,as a parent we have to balance our time with our kids and family with the need to support our family . My girls are in college now and this song hits kinda hard . Your young and I have to say grab that dragon by the tail ... live life to the fullest... we only get to ride this merry go round called life once . Loved the reaction
Nice job Daniel. It's ok to tear up. Good music will do that.
Still causes a tear.
This is the beauty of reactions like this. When the original feelings the song made you feel have kind of started to fade, seeing someone else listen for the first time brings them all back. It's like we get to listen to it for the first time again. Thank you for that!
Yes yes yes.
Wow! Your reaction to this amazing song made me tear up too. You have a heart of flesh. No perfect family out there. Welcome to the human race. Songs like these make us realize what is important in life. You're very mature for your young age....you're on the right path. This came to my mind while listening, another song of regrets by the Beatles from the Sgt. Pepper LP " She's Leaving Home." Worth reacting to. Peace. 🙂🎶🙏👍
If you want a song where a son praises his dad....such a wonderful song..."The Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg. A new rabbit hole for you...
You are twice as smart as I was when I was twice your age, Daniel. Amazing.
Music is supposed to move you. Just discovered your channel. New sub❤️
My dad and I weren't like this but we always messed with each other with this song. He has been gone 10 years and hard for me to hear this song but thanks for reacting to it
Crying shows the quality of the message. You’re a brave man. You knew the emotional reaction would be in the song but you did this video for us anyway. Putting yourself in such a spot for your craft. Wise beyond your years.
That's the same way the song hit all of us when it was first released. 40 years later and it still has meaning.
Thank you much for listening Daniel. I tried to warn you on this one but so glad you reacted to it. Please keep it up
Crying? Me? Nooooo.... It's just raining on my face:)
@@DiconDissectionalReactions I totally understand in more ways than you will ever know.
This song came out before I had kids but it made me a better father.