DoYouRemember?

With Fathers Day coming up, Do You Remember wants to recognize a very touching song about a child and father relationship, "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. Chapin happens to be one of my all time favorite musicians. His soulful folk music and his story-telling lyrics always hit a chord with me. He was born on December 7, 1942 and passed away on July 16, 1981. He was an American singer-songwriter known for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and is best known for the Number 1 Billboard hit, "Cat's in the Cradle." Harry Chapin and his daughter Jen via SavvyDad The song is actually based on a poem that Harry's wife Sandy wrote. According to Sandy, "'Cat's In The Cradle' was a combination of a couple of things. Whenever I was on a long drive I would listen to country music, because words would keep me awake more than just music. And I heard a song… I can remember the story, but I don't remember who sang it or what the title was, but an old couple were sitting at their breakfast table and looking out the window, and they saw the rusted swing and the sandbox, and they were reminiscing about the good old days when all the children were around and then the grandchildren, and how it passed, and now it's all gone." Harry Chapin made sure to add various symbols of childhood in the lyrics as reminders of how quickly it ends. For example, "Cat's Cradle" is a game played with string, "Silver Spoons" are ornamental spoons for babies, and "Little Boy Blue" is a well-known nursery rhyme. "Man In The Moon" could be about the human features that children see when they look at the moon. To find out the full story, click "Next." The heartbreaking tune tells a story of a father and his son who just can't schedule a good time to be with each other. This serves as a warning against putting your career before your family. The first verses portray the tale of a father with his newborn son. Although dad gets the basics of childcare covered, he doesn't ever put in quality time with his son because his career takes up most of his time. At first, this seems like nothing because of his hectic and oblivious life dedicated to working and paying bills. Over time, both the father and his son naturally switch life roles. The father realizes his son's successes in college, grades, and driving, and wants to be there more for him, yet the father slowly comes to face the reality that his son is now getting older, and has no time for such things anymore. The last verse, paints an image of the son as an adult. He has a fast-paced job and children of his own, now. In a melancholic switch of roles, we see that the son now has no time to spend with his father. With a heavy heart, his dad realizes that his boy has become just like him. "I'm gonna be just like you, dad. You know I'll be just like you." Harry Chapin and son Joshua via HarryChapin.com This Fathers Day, make sure to spend some quality time with your children and/or your good old pops. Take Harry and Sandy Chapin's advice and never take that relationship for granted! Click "NEXT" to find out the lyrics to the hit song. "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 on 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 thenMy 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 ok" And 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 on 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 thenWell, 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 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 on 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 thenI'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 can 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 he hung up the phone it occurred to me He'd grown up just like me My boy was just like meAnd 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 What other good Fathers Day songs do you know? Tell us in the comments section below. SOURCES: (Lyrics.com, SongFacts, Youtube)