There are songwriters, and then there are storytelling songwriters. Over the last century, we have seen great songwriters Burt Bacharach, Lennon and McCartney, and so many others.
We have also seen great storytellers who we more poets than anything else. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Gordon Lightfoot. And one of the best of them all was Harry Chapin. It is one of his masterpieces we are going to look at here. We are taking a look at the meaning behind “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin.
Sadly, we lost him far too early when a tractor-trailer hit his car on the motorway in New York. He was just 38. But who was Harry Chapin? And, how could he take you to places few other songwriters could?
The Man
Harry Chapin was a singer, songwriter, poet, husband, father, humanitarian, and champion of good causes. Especially hunger relief. His ancestry was English, and it is thought his ancestors were some of the first settlers to make the journey over the pond.
He was born in New York, the son of the renowned Jazz drummer Jim Chapin, who played with jazz greats like Woody Herman. His parents divorced due to his father being away much of the time. But music was still very much a part of his life from an early age. His first exposure was learning the trumpet, but he naturally took to most instruments.
During this time…
Harry Chapin met Big John Wallace. He became his sometime vocalist, bassist, and “straight man” for his later shows. Big John was also a great baritone with a five, count ‘em, five-octave range. If you have seen Chapin live, you will know Big John.
Harry had thought he wanted to be a documentary filmmaker. At one time, he started to work in the industry whilst playing at local folk clubs in New York.
First Recording Contract
He was offered a recording contract by Elektra after a bidding war. The little ripple he had made in the music world of New York had become a tidal wave. Chapin made an appearance on “The Johnny Carson Show” and, for the first time in the history of that program, was invited back the next night. The show had taken so many calls to see him again.
More Than Just Songs
Chapin did more than just write songs. He wrote his brand of social poetry and stories and added music. If you have never heard “Mr. Tanner,” it is worth a listen as it typifies the genius of his storytelling. It also features Big John Wallace and “that” voice. Or, if you want a real heartbreaker of a story, then “A Better Place To Be” will make you think.
A Brief History of “Cats In The Cradle“
The song was released in 1974 and went to #1 in America, #7 in the UK, and reached the Top 20 in twelve other countries. It was taken from his album, Verities and Balderdash. “Cats in the Cradle” was the opening track on the album and is still being played five decades later.
Writing the song…
You might not know that the inspiration for “Cats In The Cradle“ was Chapin’s wife, Sandra. She wrote a poem after hearing a song on the radio that reminded her of the distant relationship that her first husband had with his father. It was that feeling of being disconnected that caused her to write the poem, which became the lyrics of “Cats In The Cradle.”
The song on the radio was a Country song about an elderly couple looking back on their lives after the kids had all moved away. They were reminiscing about those days when the house was full of laughter and childish excitement.
Sandra and Harry were soul mates in more ways than one. Sharing not only their involvement with humanitarian projects but their ability to write insightful poetry.
A real family affair…
Sandra and Harry had two children, Jen and Josh. And when Josh was born, Harry decided to turn the poem into a song. He has said it was only after the arrival of his son that the song made sense to him, and he was able to find the music.
The Meaning Behind “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin
At its core, there is a hidden meaning to “Cats in the Cradle.” It is a warning to all new fathers, told through a story. The story goes from the birth of the son to a growing young boy, college, and finally ends with the son with his own family, from birth to adulthood.
The New Son Arrives
There is no prelude to the lyric; he goes straight in and quaintly announces the birth of his son, who arrived “in the usual way.” The scene is set in the very first few lines as the father is making excuses to justify his lack of any real interest in him. He was busy with his career, and he had “planes to catch.” After all, he needs to earn the money because there were “bills to pay.”
The tragedy of his actions begins to arrive without the father realizing what he is missing at all. His son learns to walk while he was away. He misses his first words as well. Precious moments that can never be recovered.
The son, of course, is doing what most sons do – looking at his father and wanting to be like him. His father must be important because he is away and never here. He looks at his dad and thinks to himself that when he grows up, he is “gonna be like you.”
Fast Forward Ten Years
The boy is growing fast and wants to enjoy some time with his father. The father still sees work as the prime mover in his life, and the boy is just someone he needs to take care of.
To that end, he buys him presents but doesn’t give him what he really needs – attention. He buys his son a ball, but when the boy asks to play and to teach him to throw, the answer is succinct. “Not today.” The father has a lot to do, and his boy just answers, “That’s’ okay.” Once again, the boy reaffirms in his mind that when he grows up, he’s “gonna be like you, dad.”
The College Years
The roles are beginning to reverse. Now, the son is college-age and has come home for a while. The father is proud of him and wants to spend some time with him. But the son doesn’t see the importance of that. Why should he? The father-son bond had not been created.
He would just prefer it if the father hands over his car keys, and once again, he assures the father he is “gonna be like you.”
And So To The End
This is the verse where the roles become reversed. It also demonstrates what a great storyteller Chapin was and how he could construct such a meaningful song.
The son has married and moved away, and the father has retired. The words the son uttered to himself throughout the song have become reality. The father calls him up and says he’d like to see him, but the son is too busy. Kids, new job, a string of excuses. It is at this point that the father realizes that the boy had grown up just like him.
The example he had set when the boy was young has left its mark. He acknowledges to himself that his boy was “Just like me.”
The True Meaning?
Obvious for all to see. There are no cryptic clues here, just a brilliant song that takes you on a journey. It shows what can happen if you get your priorities wrong. When the boy needed his father, he wasn’t there. Now, the father, in his old age, needs the son, and he isn’t there.
It is interesting how at no point is a mention made of the mother. But I supposed she isn’t central to the story. The meaning of the story to “Cats in the Cradle“ revolves around the lack of a relationship between father and son. Furthermore, it is one of the best songs about sons ever written.
Great Songs Inspire And Leave A Legacy
Today, Sandra Chapin, the woman behind the words of “Cats In The Cradle,” is nearly 90 and is still as active as she can be. Harry is long gone, but she honors his name through the Harry Chapin Foundation, of which she is the Chairperson.
The foundation supports causes that Harry Chapin supported and was passionate about during his short life. They include environmental, arts, education, and conservation issues.
The family is still represented in music. Their daughter Jen is a singer and songwriter; she also writes books. Brother Tom, who would appear occasionally on stage with Harry, still makes albums. Mary Chapin Carpenter is a cousin and has forged a successful career in music as a singer-songwriter.
Interested in Learning About Other Meaningful Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on The Meaning Behind “With or Without You” by U2, The Meaning Behind “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, the Meaning Of ‘American Pie’ Song Lyrics, the Meaning Behind “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, or The Meaning Behind “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones for more song interpretations and insights.
The Meaning Behind “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin – Final Thoughts
Sometimes in concerts, Harry would introduce the song as “the one that Sandra wrote.” A gentle reminder to him if he needed one of his role as a father. The song itself is a masterpiece that still resonates today and probably always will.
Songwriters that tell stories are more than simply songwriters. Maybe they are poets first. They can take you to places that are beyond your imagination and show you things, very much like this song does. It takes you to places and says that is what can happen.
That is the meaning of “Cats In The Cradle“ – a story with a warning of how things can go wrong. And, when it is written as it is here, a great song becomes something far more.
As he wrote…
Harry Chapin’s life was a “Circle’. His writing constantly brought him back to humanity and its needs. If you aren’t familiar with Harry Chapin’s work or just want to hear more, then you can find some of the best Harry Chapin songs here.
I had to go out and buy the CD because my vinyl copy of this live show that also included brother Tom and ‘Big’ John Wallace was worn out. Don’t be surprised if the same happens to yours.
Until next time, happy listening.
