Song – Cat’s in the Cradle

Songwriters: Harry F. Chapin, Marc Christian Gernert, Sandy Chapin, Andy Love

The song ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ with its gentle yet powerful lyrics may resonate with us all – whether it touches upon relationships with family, friends, and others, and even decisions we make in life.

60s70sTheBest says:

Cat’s in the Cradle”, by American singer-songwriter Harry Chapin from his 1974 album Verities & Balderdash, reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although his only #1 hit song, it became his best known work, and a staple for folk rock music. The recording 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 actually started out as a poem written by Chapin’s wife who was inspired by a country music song she had heard about how the parent’s children grew up and leave home bringing an end to the good old family days. It touched Chapin personally after his son [Josh] was born. He added various “symbols” of childhood to the lyrics as reminders of how quickly it ends. As a producer, Chapin was best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs that achieved worldwide success in the 1970’s. He became one of the most popular artists and highest paid performers, and one of the best charting musical artists in the U.S. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he established The Harry Chapin Foundation for which he raised more than $3 million in the last six years of his life.

Wikipedia says:

The song’s lyrics began as a poem written by Harry’s wife, Sandra “Sandy” 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. …. [Harry] Chapin also said the song was about his own relationship with his son, Josh, admitting, “Frankly, this song scares me to death.”

Cat’s in the Cradle

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 talkin’ ‘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 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, c’mon 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 and 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 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 cat’s 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 kid’s got the flu”
“But it’s sure nice talkin’ to you, Dad
It’s been sure nice talkin’ 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 comin’ home, son?
“I don’t know when
But we’ll get together then, Dad
We’re gonna have a good time then”

Harry Chapin – Cats in the Cradle live

Cat’s in the Cradle has been widely covered since – most famously by Cat Stevens, Johnny Cash and Ugly Kid Joe.