Harry Chapin, a name synonymous with compelling storytelling and heartfelt melodies, left an indelible mark on the landscape of American music. More than just a singer-songwriter, Chapin was a dedicated humanitarian and activist, using his platform to advocate for social change long before it became a common path for musicians. His untimely death in 1981, in a tragic car accident on the Long Island Expressway, cut short a life brimming with creativity and compassion. However, his musical legacy endures, primarily through his poignant and narrative-driven Harry Chapin Songs.
Chapin’s artistry lay in crafting musical narratives, each song a miniature film exploring the complexities of the human experience. Across nine studio albums and two live recordings, he amassed a rich catalog of songs that resonated deeply with listeners. Beyond his recordings, Harry Chapin was celebrated for his captivating live performances. He was a natural storyteller, weaving anecdotes and insights between songs, forging a powerful connection with his audience. Those fortunate enough to witness him live often recall feeling less like spectators in a concert hall and more like guests in Chapin’s intimate living room.
While decades have passed since his prime, the power of harry chapin songs remains undiminished. For those seeking an introduction to his remarkable body of work, or for longtime admirers wanting a curated reminder of his genius, this list of ten essential songs serves as a starting point. These selections aim to reignite appreciation for Chapin’s storytelling prowess and ensure that his contributions to music are not forgotten. His songs, unconventional in structure and rich in narrative, offer a unique and rewarding listening experience, distinguished by their beginnings, middles, and ends – a hallmark of Harry Chapin’s distinctive artistry.
10. Story Of A Life (from ‘Sequel’, 1981)
Conceived during a turbulent flight, ‘Story Of A Life’ offers a reflective glimpse into Chapin’s own life journey. He described the song as a product of a moment where he felt his life flashing before his eyes amidst a storm. The lyrics unfold as a deeply personal narrative, tracing the arc of life from boyhood dreams to settling down with a family and navigating the unpredictable path of a musician. Lines like, “And all the towns that you walk through and all the people that you talk to sing you their songs. And there are times you change your stride there are times you can’t decide still you go on,” encapsulate the universal experience of life’s journey with its uncertainties and continued forward motion. The song’s production is grand and cinematic, featuring lush strings, resonant brass, and harmonious female backing vocals, enhancing its introspective and sweeping nature.
9. What Made America Famous (from ‘Verities & Balderdash’, 1974)
Harry Chapin performing live in concert, showcasing his storytelling through music.
Inspired by Point Lookout, Long Island, the town Chapin called home, ‘What Made America Famous’ is a vivid portrayal of small-town American life and its inherent social tensions. With the opening line depicting a quintessential American town – ‘Six traffic lights and seven cops and all the streets kept clean’ – the song quickly delves into the dramatic conflict between local ‘hippies’ and their more conservative neighbors. The narrative takes a compelling turn when a fire breaks out, and the town’s firefighters, despite social divides, heroically rescue the ‘hippies,’ leading to a poignant moment of unity. Musically, the song mirrors its dramatic storyline with a cinematic scope, highlighted by a magnificent string arrangement that amplifies the emotional peaks and valleys of the narrative.
8. Corey’s Coming (from ‘On The Road To Kingdom Come’, 1976)
‘Corey’s Coming’ exemplifies Chapin’s skill in crafting character-driven songs that leave listeners pondering deeper meanings. The song introduces us to old John Joseph, a man visited by the narrator, who is captivated by John Joseph’s tales of the past and his enigmatic lover, Corey. The recurring line, “My Corey’s coming, no more sad stories coming. My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory’s coming aren’t you girl? And like I told you, when she holds you she enfolds you in her world,” paints a picture of an almost mythical figure. The song masterfully plays with ambiguity, leaving the listener to question whether Corey is a real person or a figment of John Joseph’s imagination, a nostalgic creation to soften the harsh realities of the present. The song’s true impact lies in its twist ending, which encourages repeated listens to fully grasp the layers of its narrative.
7. Remember When The Music (from ‘Sequel’, 1981)
Beginning with a wistful reflection on simpler times when “When the music came from wooden boxes strung with silver wire,” ‘Remember When The Music’ evolves into a poignant tribute to lost innocence and the impact of societal tragedies. The melancholic mood is underscored by minor-key strings and somber male backing vocals. Chapin initially conceived the song as an ode to Allard K Lowenstein, a former New York congressman tragically murdered in 1980. However, its resonance deepened when John Lennon was also murdered in the same year, transforming the song into a broader elegy for lost icons and the fading idealism of past eras.
6. Sniper (from ‘Sniper And Other Love Songs’, 1972)
‘Sniper’ is a harrowing and powerfully relevant song, especially in contemporary times marked by increasing incidents of gun violence. This ten-minute epic is inspired by the 1966 University of Texas shootings, where Charles Whitman’s actions resulted in the deaths of 15 people. Chapin’s genius in storytelling is evident as he adopts three distinct perspectives: the narrator, the terrified reactions of people caught in the chaos, and the chillingly detached voice of the sniper himself. The sniper’s lines, “They’re coming to get me, they don’t want to let me stay in the bright light too long. It’s getting on noon now, it’s going to be soon now. But oh, what a wonderful sound!”, offer a disturbing glimpse into a fractured psyche. The song’s arrangement is complex and cinematic, shifting through time signatures and tempos, culminating in a hauntingly beautiful heavenly choir as the sniper’s final words, “I was. I am. And now I will be, I will be”, echo with chilling finality.
5. Dance Band On The Titanic (from ‘Dance Band On The Titanic’, 1977)
The title track from one of Chapin’s most acclaimed albums, ‘Dance Band On The Titanic’ is a masterful example of narrative songwriting, bringing to life the legendary story of the musicians who played on as the Titanic sank in 1912. Sung from the perspective of a band member, the song begins with optimism and bravado, with the musician confidently telling his mother, “Even God couldn’t sink this ship.” As reality sets in with the iceberg collision and the realization of insufficient lifeboats, the tone shifts dramatically. The band’s resolve to continue playing becomes a poignant metaphor for facing inevitable doom with dignity. The musical arrangement is eclectic, blending boogie-woogie, jazzy big band sounds, and electrifying guitar solos, culminating in a religious undertone as the ‘unsinkable’ ship disappears beneath the waves, taking all souls on board, including the steadfast band.
4. Cat’s In The Cradle (from ‘Verities & Balderdash’, 1974)
Chapin’s most commercially successful song, reaching number 1 in the US, ‘Cat’s In The Cradle’ is a timeless and universally relatable story about the unintended consequences of a life consumed by work. It portrays a father’s absence during his son’s formative years, despite promises of future time together. The poignant twist comes when the son, now grown, mirrors his father’s behavior, too busy for the relationship his father now seeks. The line, “He’s grown up just like me, the boy was just like me,” delivers a powerful emotional punch. Chapin, himself a father, found the song deeply affecting, admitting, “Frankly, this song scares me to death.” The song’s arrangement is notable for its inclusion of strings and a sitar, adding unique textures to its emotional narrative.
3. W.O.L.D. (from ‘Short Stories’, 1973)
‘W.O.L.D.’ stands as a lyrical masterpiece, perfectly embodying Chapin’s cinematic storytelling style. The title, a clever play on words combining the ‘W’ prefix for East Coast radio stations and ‘OLD,’ tells the story of an aging disc jockey grappling with professional obsolescence. The song begins with a gentle acoustic guitar and cello, gradually building instrumentation as the narrative unfolds. The DJ, introducing himself with, “I am the morning DJ on W.O.L.D,” recounts his fading career as his voice no longer fits the station’s evolving sound. He is relegated to hosting low-profile events like ‘sock hops,’ a stark contrast to his former prominence. The song poignantly captures themes of aging, relevance, and the transient nature of fame. A signature element is the inclusion of a mock radio jingle and heavy echo on the ‘W.O.L.D.’ refrain, amplifying the sense of fading broadcast signals and memories. In live performances, Chapin would customize the song by using the call letters of local radio stations, always eliciting enthusiastic responses from the audience.
2. Taxi (from ‘Heads & Tales’, 1972)
‘Taxi’, from Chapin’s debut album, might be his most recognized song, though it wasn’t a major chart hit. It’s a quintessential example of Chapin’s first-person character narratives. He embodies Harry, a taxi driver who picks up a fare only to discover it’s Sue, a former girlfriend with whom he once shared ambitious dreams. Sue had aspired to be an actress, while Harry dreamed of flying. The poignant lyrics, “She was going to be an actress, and I was going to learn to fly, she took off to find the footlights and I took off to find the sky,” highlight their diverging paths and unfulfilled dreams. Harry’s current reality as a cab driver juxtaposed with Sue’s apparent success living in a mansion underscores the bittersweet nature of their reunion and the paths life has taken them. Chapin himself described his songwriting approach as cinematic, aiming to immerse listeners in the story, stating, “I literally put you in that cab and let you experience. It’s a more involving form of music than sitting and hearing somebody sing ‘I’m lonely.” For listeners intrigued by Harry and Sue’s story, Chapin penned a sequel on his 1980 album ‘Sequel’, also the album’s title track, offering a continuation of their intertwined lives.
1. Mr. Tanner (from ‘Short Stories’, 1973)
Often cited as a deep cut but arguably Chapin’s most impactful song, ‘Mr. Tanner’ is a five-minute ballad that tells the poignant story of Martin Tanner, a baritone launderer from Dayton, Ohio, whose life was deeply intertwined with music. Described as someone for whom “Music was his life, it was not his livelihood And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul He did not know how well he sang, it just made him whole,” Mr. Tanner’s singing captivated his local community, who encouraged him to pursue a professional career in New York City. Tragically, his foray into professional singing is met with harsh critical reviews, devastating Mr. Tanner to the point where he never sings publicly again. The heartbreaking line, “Excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed, he sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes,” encapsulates the crushing blow of unfulfilled dreams and lost passion. A notable feature of the song is the rich baritone vocals of ‘Big’ John Wallace, Chapin’s bassist, who beautifully performs the part of Mr. Tanner, adding depth and authenticity to this moving narrative about artistic aspiration and vulnerability.
These ten harry chapin songs represent just a fraction of his extensive and compelling catalog. Exploring further into his albums promises a rewarding journey through the narratives and emotions that Harry Chapin so masterfully conveyed through his music. His legacy continues to inspire and resonate, reminding us of the power of storytelling in song and the enduring impact of a truly compassionate artist.
