Best Harry Chapin Songs?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 11:59 pm
I've been a long-time fan of Harry Chapin. "Taxi" was on The Early 1970's Singers & Songwriters collection, and "Cat's In the Cradle" was on Singers and Songwriters: 1974–1975, so I heard both of these quite often as a kid.
Maybe eight years ago, I downloaded half his albums, and he has some real fucking bangers. I'm not going to rank them, but I wanted to through them here for consideration
1) "What Made America Famous?"
Not the best song, but a very solid and powerful one with a quality story.
2) "Better Place to Be"
I'm not sure if the " I know I'm goin' nowhere and anywhere's a better place to be." is a good one or not, and the story here has a very "Allison Miranda"-Garth Brooks vibe to it, but still quite solid.
3) "The Parade's Still Passing By"
I may have cried the first time I heard this song. It's a tribute to folk singer Phil Ochs - making reference to many of his songs throughout - and as a big fan of Phil Ochs, this song hit me hard. Might not make a big impact if you don't know about Ochs, though.
4) "Sniper"
This song is a fucking banger. It's about a school shooter - a sniper in a tower - and is a sprawling 10 minute beast. It's not perfect, but there's a lot to love about this one.
5) "Taxi"
This is song I grew up on. The lyrics are powerful, and the song is close to perfect in my view.
6) "Cat's In the Cradle"
While I don't doubt this would be more touching if I were a father, "Cat's in the Cradle" is a beautifully depressing song, and highly recommended.
7) "Mr. Tanner"
This may be among one of Chapin's best songs. The chorus makes me tear up most times I listen to it:
"But 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"
This song is fucking beautiful.
8) "They Call Her Easy"
Not as great as others here, I love the free love message of this song, and makes me long for a time that never was for us.
9) "The Mayor of Candor Lied"
Another personal favorite. It's an eight minute song with a stellar story - a corrupt mayor, blackmail, and deception of the most sordid kind - I give it a 100/10 every fucking time come at me brahs.
10) "The Rock"
Another solid story-based song with a rockier vibe. Recommended.
11) "W.O.L.D."
"I am the morning DJ on W.O.L.D.
Playing all the hits for you wherever you may be"
Catchy as fuck song.
what are your favorite Chapin songs?
Maybe eight years ago, I downloaded half his albums, and he has some real fucking bangers. I'm not going to rank them, but I wanted to through them here for consideration
1) "What Made America Famous?"
Not the best song, but a very solid and powerful one with a quality story.
2) "Better Place to Be"
I'm not sure if the " I know I'm goin' nowhere and anywhere's a better place to be." is a good one or not, and the story here has a very "Allison Miranda"-Garth Brooks vibe to it, but still quite solid.
3) "The Parade's Still Passing By"
I may have cried the first time I heard this song. It's a tribute to folk singer Phil Ochs - making reference to many of his songs throughout - and as a big fan of Phil Ochs, this song hit me hard. Might not make a big impact if you don't know about Ochs, though.
4) "Sniper"
This song is a fucking banger. It's about a school shooter - a sniper in a tower - and is a sprawling 10 minute beast. It's not perfect, but there's a lot to love about this one.
5) "Taxi"
This is song I grew up on. The lyrics are powerful, and the song is close to perfect in my view.
6) "Cat's In the Cradle"
While I don't doubt this would be more touching if I were a father, "Cat's in the Cradle" is a beautifully depressing song, and highly recommended.
7) "Mr. Tanner"
This may be among one of Chapin's best songs. The chorus makes me tear up most times I listen to it:
"But 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"
This song is fucking beautiful.
8) "They Call Her Easy"
Not as great as others here, I love the free love message of this song, and makes me long for a time that never was for us.
9) "The Mayor of Candor Lied"
Another personal favorite. It's an eight minute song with a stellar story - a corrupt mayor, blackmail, and deception of the most sordid kind - I give it a 100/10 every fucking time come at me brahs.
10) "The Rock"
Another solid story-based song with a rockier vibe. Recommended.
11) "W.O.L.D."
"I am the morning DJ on W.O.L.D.
Playing all the hits for you wherever you may be"
Catchy as fuck song.
what are your favorite Chapin songs?
