Sometimes i have this crazy dream that i just take off in my car. But you can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are......thank you Harry for this meaningful phrase which means a lot to me and hopefully for anybody else.
@Antoine Mac you hit the nail on the head, I got the chills!! I always quote that line when people tell me they are going on vacation. RIP Harry Chapin.🎸🥁
"Ok honey I see I guess he's better than me Sure, old girl, I understand You don't have to worry, I'm such a happy man." This ladies and gents, boys and girls is what depression sounds like. It's a brutal thing. Makes you wonder if living is worth it. Take care of your selves.
Saw him perform this live in 1974 at my college campus. With each "D" of W.O.L.D., he would turn his head further and further away from his microphone, to create the fading echo. Awesome. And very sad tune.
It's a realistic picture of what life is like in radio. "Town to town, up and down the dial" is the rule, not the exception. I wanted to live that life until a DJ visited the school and told me what it was really like.
Saw him in ‘79, dead of winter in Syracuse. He was late due to the weather, imagine that. Our local AM radio station WOLF sponsored him and of course, in one the last courses he sang at WOLF F F F... one my greatest shows and I got he autograph! RIP Mr. Chapin. You are sorely missed.
alfredagain I remember on American Top 40, that there really was a station in Virginia with those call letters at the time this was a hit, the wire services picked up on it and they got some free publicity from it. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
@@rockvilleraven True, that. Also, timing can work the other way . I heard that Corona Beer has taken a hit simply because of their name during these times.
Entire album is a classic.A shame many only remember Harry for Cats In The Cradle.He was a genius IMHO....In a day when we need more singer/songwriters,this music and genres of its kind are sorely missed...R.I.P. to this great musician, humanitarian and songwriter.
I always love "A Better Place to Be" and "Mister Tanner". But I have always looked at "Tanner" from a different angle... Tanner returned to Dayton a defeated man. He never sang again publicly. But, two things happened in New York: First, he took his best shot on the biggest stage of all. You have to give him credit for taking a leap of faith. Second, the critic's review was mostly positive, and they actually told Tanner what he needed to do to get to the next level: he needed a voice coach. Tanner needed to make a decision, and he did. We don't know what his background is, so perhaps the need to keep the wolves away from the door overrode his musical dreams? There is a huge difference between taking your shot and failing, and never taking your shot. Tanner may not have been a singing success, but he wasn't a failure either.
I heard this song for the first time before I was married in 1973. I have done a lot of things since then -- among which has been being a "morning drive-time" host (with afternoon and evening repeats because the show was quite popular) on a local radio station and divorced (her choice, and she is still alive) -- and I can no longer listen to this song without shedding a few tears. May God rest your sweet soul, Mr. Chapin.
+EdWatts Same here - except now I'm a hit again - at an old age and a community radio station... no checks, but lotsa pats... I was at one of Harrys final concerts... too many tears shed later, Harry knew his time was short - his song Circle was an audience heart wrencher - I couldnt sing along I was so choked up. Then, shortly after came the news on the radio - Harry was gone from our midst. In the song There Only Was One Choice he speaks of it long before the accident... When I started this song I was still thirty-three The age that Mozart died and sweet Jesus was set free Keats and Shelley too soon finished, Charley Parker would be and I fantasized some tragedy'd be soon curtailing me. Harry epitomized all the best fantasies we had for a beautiful future. Take care, Ed.
+Donny B You and me, too, bro! We had no idea that Mr Chapin would become the voice of a generation. "Hello, Honey, it's me..." My [eight] children, still poisoned by their mother, think that there is a LOT of money in radio...
+EdWatts The one I could always relate to was "Changes"... There I was in your Air Force (me) - Uncle Sam you owned my brain... I tried to see myself as a sex mad savior sailin on a silver plane... you had me on your honor roll - for your dream I would die... now I would even not cross the street to help you live a lie.
The lines, "Maybe I could settle down, if you take me back once more..." with that sad string arrangement directly after, sums up every man's desire to rekindle an old flame of a relationship.
This song evokes wonderful memories of two of the late, greats: Bob Sievers and Jack Underwood from WOWO Radio, Fort Wayne, Indiana. I sorely miss my youth and Top 40 AM radio. Where did the time and the years all go??? .).-:
I used to listen to WOWO out of Ft. Wayne on my little transistor radio. The thing is I was in Rhode Islamd! For some reason I could pick it up late late at nigjr. GREAT station!!!
Amazing orchestration! Particularly loved the double bass sawing away there 🎻 a song to get lost in...lyrics aced it with.. You can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are....
I lived in Brooklyn and he lived in Brooklyn Heights and remember hearing him play in his and his brothers apartment before they made it big. 1970. I still love his music
Harry Chapin what a great artist what an assortment of words that make you love a song forever. This song means a lot more to me now in my 60s than it did in my 20s. Rest in peace taxi driver
i CANT BELIEVE I heard this first when I was 14 ! Such a brilliant song but rarely played. I later went on to be a DJ! Still sounds fresh in 2023. "You can travel on 10,00 miles but still stay where you are!" What graphic and true lyrics when i was driving across USA on endless interstates.......
I love the backup vocals singing WOLD after he sings how he's "such a happy man." It makes me think that he doesn't have much time for this sad thought or any reflection because the voices are calling him back to his job and like it or not, it's time to get back on the air. I grew up an 80s child on 80s music, but what rich lyrics and stories are told in 70s music! Just played Willin and Blue Bayou for my father in law who has dementia. Amazing what music can do for people. What heart these writers and artists had. We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants. What's best is that I imagine very few if any of them would've regarded themselves this way. Just some random thoughts. . .
I first heard this gem via a local morning radio show in suburban Chicago about 10-15 years ago. Not sure why it didn't get more airplay over the years, what a great song.
Hadn't heard this song in decades. Still sounds as moving as it did half a century ago. I had a chance to see Harry Chapin in concert shortly before his death. I don't remember why I passed it up, but it sure was a huge mistake.
It was a French DJ on.the 1st radio in France who broadcast this song in his nightly show because he discovered Harry Chapin who was totally unknown in my country. Thanks to him I can write this commentry because without Georges Lang on RTL I wouldn't have been known that W.O.L.D was a fu** nice song.
You nuts? I know of three record stores within an hour of here that are doin fine, one of em is conveniently located a few stores down from a shop that exclusively sells Record Players and the related audio equipment. Fuckin Metalheads, Punks and Hipsters have been the life support for the record industry.
damn, I just lucked upon this song. All I remembered was the echoing call sign bit but didn't remember the exact call sign. I heard this when I was incredibly young and haven't heard it in probably 30 years. Awesome to score this one
My favorite DJ was Larry Lujack out of Chicago. In his book, he talks about how glamorous the DJ life seems to be. He said before you choose being a DJ as a profession, you should listen to this song. He said this is really more like it is.
If you look at the trajectory of these 3 songs, you see in Taxi regret at a past that could have been, in WOLD regret at a present that was (a failed marriage), and in Cradle regret at a future that should have been (his relationship with his son). Made me think long and hard, enough to rescue my relationship with my own son when he turned 14. Rock on, Harry! RIP!
Heard this for the first time in 2015 .. at work on a local radio station And i was interested by the way this was sounding.. special the W.O.L.D D D D
This just snuck in long ago because no one knew how to categorize it and it was recognized in its brilliance but the depth was lost on the average man. It is still here in the ethers for a glimpse and a listen. it's good. Not great, but quite good.
Heard this song today at work on the radio, i remember this trackbut never knew the name. thank god i found it on youtube, what a great track and thank god for youtube.
Memories of early 1974. I remember visiting WENE in Endicott, NY around this time, and the song seemed to ring so true. My personal favorite Harry Chapin song!!!
Spring of '74 - Hearing this for the first time on Capital Radio while visiting my Brother. The first time I'd heard a really good FM Radio tuner & system. - Blinding ! Great song & Artist RIP.
One of the great unsung musicians of the last century and a really nice guy too. Miss you Harry.
Loved this song since I was 12. Now I'm WO-L-D.
This song came out in 1973....it's been 39 years since.....it just never fades.....R.I.P. Harry Chapin....may God rest your soul.....
Classic. Ageless.
It never fades...48 Years later
Good old days! Gone forever.
Brilliant
he's never dead, him are presents in we hearts and we mind
Sometimes i have this crazy dream that i just take off in my car. But you can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are......thank you Harry for this meaningful phrase which means a lot to me and hopefully for anybody else.
Some of the best lyrics ever written.
Remember… no matter where you go, there ya’ be.
@Antoine Mac you hit the nail on the head, I got the chills!! I always quote that line when people tell me they are going on vacation. RIP Harry Chapin.🎸🥁
Same here brother, some times it's gonna happen. If only in my mind, listening to song of my youth......
Iiii am the the morning dj.. at w.o.l.d..d..d.d.d
"Ok honey I see
I guess he's better than me
Sure, old girl, I understand
You don't have to worry, I'm such a happy man."
This ladies and gents, boys and girls is what depression sounds like. It's a brutal thing. Makes you wonder if living is worth it. Take care of your selves.
One of most powerful and memorable choruses you will ever hear!
so love this song! First HERD it years ago, I am now 71 years old, still appreciate the words! super record!
Happy 80th Birthday, Harry Chapin. You are a legend, and we miss you.
Yes, Pearl Harbor +1. Love you, Harry. His songs were so brilliant. This DJ never asks about the ex and his kids. Still a selfish SOB.
Harry is truly the master story teller
This song should have reached Number One in the charts.
Still gets played on my local station here in UK
AMEN!!!
That first name... love, love, Love that first name.
It surely should have a wonderful song.
Saw him perform this live in 1974 at my college campus. With each "D" of W.O.L.D., he would turn his head further and further away from his microphone, to create the fading echo. Awesome. And very sad tune.
Saw him perform this live in 1978 at my college campus. Great concerts. Really connected to the audience.
DGolus I think I was there also. He came to Niagara U that year.
No shitDid you think it was magic? Thats literally EVERY singer creates the fading echo
I'm jealous
It's a realistic picture of what life is like in radio. "Town to town, up and down the dial" is the rule, not the exception. I wanted to live that life until a DJ visited the school and told me what it was really like.
74 years now but play this now and again..had a sports car back then when this came out brilliant when driving along country roads
This song is filled with joy, grief, and melancholy! RIP Harry! Miss you!
"Feeling all of 45 going on 15." Great lyric.
Also 45 is alluding g to 45rpm records which were singles songs.
Saw him in ‘79, dead of winter in Syracuse. He was late due to the weather, imagine that. Our local AM radio station WOLF sponsored him and of course, in one the last courses he sang at WOLF F F F... one my greatest shows and I got he autograph! RIP Mr. Chapin. You are sorely missed.
What a cool name for a radio station.
alfredagain I remember on American Top 40, that there really was a station in Virginia with those call letters at the time this was a hit, the wire services picked up on it and they got some free publicity from it. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
@@rockvilleraven True, that. Also, timing can work the other way . I heard that Corona Beer has taken a hit simply because of their name during these times.
Wow I remember this was there go cuse
Was he nice?
Entire album is a classic.A shame many only remember Harry for Cats In The Cradle.He was a genius IMHO....In a day when we need more singer/songwriters,this music and genres of its kind are sorely missed...R.I.P. to this great musician, humanitarian and songwriter.
I managed to find an old copy of this on vinyl at a local oddities store for like $5, damn glad I did.
Boy could we use genuine music like this in these times. You're ever so right. I've just decided to be glad it happened, rather than sad it's over.
@@madjack58 Was it this full-length version, or (like my own 45) the abridged, misleadingly upbeat one that featured in the UK charts in 1974?
My heart melts listening to Harry's stories. Wish he was here
I always love "A Better Place to Be" and "Mister Tanner". But I have always looked at "Tanner" from a different angle...
Tanner returned to Dayton a defeated man. He never sang again publicly. But, two things happened in New York:
First, he took his best shot on the biggest stage of all. You have to give him credit for taking a leap of faith.
Second, the critic's review was mostly positive, and they actually told Tanner what he needed to do to get to the next level: he needed a voice coach.
Tanner needed to make a decision, and he did. We don't know what his background is, so perhaps the need to keep the wolves away from the door overrode his musical dreams?
There is a huge difference between taking your shot and failing, and never taking your shot.
Tanner may not have been a singing success, but he wasn't a failure either.
Damn, I wish Harry was still around. Would have been a living legend.
Trysometenderness Me too Trysmometendermess me too.
He still is, in my mind.
@@angelajackson7428 Agree Angela. He was on this earth for a short while, but left a superb catalogue of great songs. From an Aussie fan!
Dear GAWD, the songs he'd be writing NOW, if we'd been lucky enough to still have him with us...
yes, you some up him up perfectly.
These gotta be some of the most powerful lyrics in a pop song
He was a great ENTERTAINER. I loved his concerts. The crowds were fantastic.
I'd def put this more in folk. Pop is never profound
I agree fabulous song .
@Aaron What’s the difference?
Your not wrong my friend.
I heard this song for the first time before I was married in 1973. I have done a lot of things since then -- among which has been being a "morning drive-time" host (with afternoon and evening repeats because the show was quite popular) on a local radio station and divorced (her choice, and she is still alive) -- and I can no longer listen to this song without shedding a few tears.
May God rest your sweet soul, Mr. Chapin.
+EdWatts Mr Watts, I share your sadness....Upon hearing this song, I too shed more than a few tears.
+EdWatts Same here - except now I'm a hit again - at an old age and a community radio station... no checks, but lotsa pats... I was at one of Harrys final concerts... too many tears shed later, Harry knew his time was short - his song Circle was an audience heart wrencher - I couldnt sing along I was so choked up. Then, shortly after came the news on the radio - Harry was gone from our midst. In the song There Only Was One Choice he speaks of it long before the accident...
When I started this song I was still thirty-three The age that Mozart died and sweet Jesus was set free
Keats and Shelley too soon finished, Charley Parker would be and I fantasized some tragedy'd be soon curtailing me.
Harry epitomized all the best fantasies we had for a beautiful future. Take care, Ed.
+Donny B
You and me, too, bro! We had no idea that Mr Chapin would become the voice of a generation.
"Hello, Honey, it's me..." My [eight] children, still poisoned by their mother, think that there is a LOT of money in radio...
+EdWatts The one I could always relate to was "Changes"... There I was in your Air Force (me) - Uncle Sam you owned my brain... I tried to see myself as a sex mad savior sailin on a silver plane... you had me on your honor roll - for your dream I would die... now I would even not cross the street to help you live a lie.
EdWatts so sweet EdWatts. memories of good radio.
A great human being and a great humanitarian, who wanted to see an end to poverty and world hunger.
One of the results: We now turn food (corn) into alcohol, add it to gasoline and marvel at how we are saving the planet.
Those are the people that die young.
The man was a legend
He could say things that you thought only you had, hidden away deep in your soul
'Sometimes i get this crazy dream that i just take off in my car- but you can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are....'
+Mithrandir Yeah I know
crazy dreams I often get myself as I get older. I realise though, that my life would be the same.
Harry Chapin forever.0
I gave that advice to my son.
@@RJC96cj those lines remind me of a lot of the discontent in my young days, I always wanted to go somewhere else, and still couldn't find the peace
The lines, "Maybe I could settle down, if you take me back once more..." with that sad string arrangement directly after, sums up every man's desire to rekindle an old flame of a relationship.
My beloved dad died on the morning this single was released; I remember having cried buckets when it was being played.
Sorry about your dad 😢 That must have been a tough time for you. Were you a teenager?
@@bibber123 Yes - I was only 13 when he died.
I’m so sorry.
Being a Radio DJ, I can relate to this. Harry Chapin was the most amazing story teller of our time.
I CAN NOT LISTEN TO A BETTER SONG THAN W.O. L. D of HARRY CHAPIN.
Well, Taxi. I mean, let's get a little serious here.
Of course, there is also 30,000 pounds of Bananas, if you are in that kind of lite mood.
This song evokes wonderful memories of two of the late, greats: Bob Sievers and Jack Underwood from WOWO Radio, Fort Wayne, Indiana. I sorely miss my youth and Top 40 AM radio. Where did the time and the years all go??? .).-:
I used to listen to WOWO out of Ft. Wayne on my little transistor radio. The thing is I was in Rhode Islamd! For some reason I could pick it up late late at nigjr. GREAT station!!!
Age & weight sorta sneaks up on you, when you’re not looking …..
I love the violins in the background
My favorite Harry song. The arrangement and production are perfect for the track.
Amazing orchestration! Particularly loved the double bass sawing away there 🎻 a song to get lost in...lyrics aced it with.. You can travel on ten thousand miles and still stay where you are....
The man could tell a story with song, no doubt about it. Lost him way too soon but he left his mark. Not many of us will be able to say the same. :o)
Tonithenightowl he will always be one of the best
My dad was a radio DJ for 30 years, so this has always been a special song for me...
IVE PLAY THIS IN MEMORY FOR STEVE WRIGHT R.I.P 😔
A powerful and unique piece of music that still sends shivers of joy down the spine even today. THANKS.
+Hairy Neck Looks like the fella in your userpic is living out your comment
ciscornBIG Ha ha. :)
PSYCHO...
He use to give great concerts.
I lived in Brooklyn and he lived in Brooklyn Heights and remember hearing him play in his and his brothers apartment before they made it big. 1970. I still love his music
Harry Chapin what a great artist what an assortment of words that make you love a song forever. This song means a lot more to me now in my 60s than it did in my 20s. Rest in peace taxi driver
A movie you don't have to rent...because every time the needle meets the groove...you see it in your MIND.
i CANT BELIEVE I heard this first when I was 14 ! Such a brilliant song but rarely played. I later went on to be a DJ! Still sounds fresh in 2023.
"You can travel on 10,00 miles but still stay where you are!" What graphic and true lyrics when i was driving across USA on endless interstates.......
I love the backup vocals singing WOLD after he sings how he's "such a happy man." It makes me think that he doesn't have much time for this sad thought or any reflection because the voices are calling him back to his job and like it or not, it's time to get back on the air. I grew up an 80s child on 80s music, but what rich lyrics and stories are told in 70s music! Just played Willin and Blue Bayou for my father in law who has dementia. Amazing what music can do for people. What heart these writers and artists had. We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants. What's best is that I imagine very few if any of them would've regarded themselves this way. Just some random thoughts. . .
I've always loved this song
Donna Frost how can you not
This song reminds me of my dad.
I've always liked this song but up until today never really understood the song or read the lyrics.Wow,truly beautiful and sad at the same time!!!
Thank goodness for stars like Harry. Who sounds like this today? No one.
I first heard this gem via a local morning radio show in suburban Chicago about 10-15 years ago. Not sure why it didn't get more airplay over the years, what a great song.
"Sometimes I get this crazy dream that I just take off in my car..." Most every guy has felt like this at one time or another...
I'll go you one better, Don. Most every woman has felt like this at one time or another. I know I have.
"Most"?
By the way, I've done radio.
Hadn't heard this song in decades. Still sounds as moving as it did half a century ago. I had a chance to see Harry Chapin in concert shortly before his death. I don't remember why I passed it up, but it sure was a huge mistake.
Such an evocative song, just speaking to lost dreams and drilling into your soul.
I agree
imagine seeing a remake of this with the full production of strings and singers etc.. he was amazing
Being a Lifer in Broadcasting 56 Years I and so many of my fellow Broadcasters can all relate to this during our radio careers!
I loved this song as a little kid. Hearing this again for the first time in forever, the story and lyrics floor me.
What a great singer/songwriter. And person.
I will miss him forever.
The story of many radio jocks, poignantly told by Harry.
Harry Chapin .rest in peace gbnf😓😓
I smoked with him after his show at the Armadillo World Headquarters more than once. He was an amazing person
It was a French DJ on.the 1st radio in France who broadcast this song in his nightly show because he discovered Harry Chapin who was totally unknown in my country. Thanks to him I can write this commentry because without Georges Lang on RTL I wouldn't have been known that W.O.L.D was a fu** nice song.
Sandy Beach out of Buffalo NY....we love and miss ya...
What a Supreme storyteller, The late Great Harry Chapin🗣 WOL-DDDDDDD!!!
A brilliant song
Just love the part where he says "OK honey, I see, I guess he's better than me ..." He's poured out his heart, but she's still not interested.
Cold chills every single time...
Listening to this song , Taxi and Sequel is so fitting while I drive Rideshare late at night . Sometimes makes me sad .
Harry was a poet.... Modern day. RIP...ole friend
I worked in small market radio and this song perfectly describes my life from 1978 - 1995.
It is probably the biography for a lot of DJs of the pre Talk Radio era.
Same. 1966-1990
"Start that record store"...whoever would have thought that record stores would go the way of the dinosaur...
You nuts? I know of three record stores within an hour of here that are doin fine, one of em is conveniently located a few stores down from a shop that exclusively sells Record Players and the related audio equipment. Fuckin Metalheads, Punks and Hipsters have been the life support for the record industry.
Mother of god. As haunting a song as there's ever been.
damn, I just lucked upon this song. All I remembered was the echoing call sign bit but didn't remember the exact call sign. I heard this when I was incredibly young and haven't heard it in probably 30 years. Awesome to score this one
For a few years, I was the morning DJ at WGLD! Loved Harry Chapin!
I seen him on WTVS channel 56 in concert on TV in the 1970's, very emotional concert for me.
So talented .......gone way too soon. RIP.😢🎶
I wish I could've met him 😔 I'm 19 and I grew up listening to him with my dad
Another touching song by Harry Chapin.
a real symphony of a song, beautifully crafted
I love all the songs by Harry Chapin
This is such a great song.
What a fricking tune.
Completely awesome.
Atmospheric.
He truly is the master story teller
My favorite DJ was Larry Lujack out of Chicago. In his book, he talks about how glamorous the DJ life seems to be. He said before you choose being a DJ as a profession, you should listen to this song. He said this is really more like it is.
Brilliant artist! This one & Cats in the Cradle being my favourites of his.
Great song about loss and longing and man that bridge rocks
In live performances he'd substitute a local radio station for "W.O.L.D." One of the great songwriters and storytellers of all time.
TAXI, CRADLE, THIS...HELLUVA COMPOSER, HARRY!!!
You only heard Taxi on FM stations or AM stations on the overnight shows. Too long for commercial radio.
If you look at the trajectory of these 3 songs, you see in Taxi regret at a past that could have been, in WOLD regret at a present that was (a failed marriage), and in Cradle regret at a future that should have been (his relationship with his son). Made me think long and hard, enough to rescue my relationship with my own son when he turned 14. Rock on, Harry! RIP!
This song always made me cry. It came out the morning my father died; he and my mother had separated a few months beforehand.
KILLER TRACK FROM THIS LEGENDARY SINGER !
Heard this for the first time in 2015 .. at work on a local radio station
And i was interested by the way this was sounding.. special the W.O.L.D D D D
Love this song 💓
Harry Chapin's second top forty hit-It peaked at # 36 in early 1974-Great song!
This just snuck in long ago because no one knew how to categorize it and it was recognized in its brilliance but the depth was lost on the average man. It is still here in the ethers for a glimpse and a listen. it's good. Not great, but quite good.
better than great
" quite good "...?!?!
None better. Harry made me feel others pain.
absolute classic - from the uk
When music had a story.
Musical masterpiece .
One of the best We ever had/R.I.P. Harry.
Another Chapin great from one of the best eras of music!
My favorite Chapin song, Thanks for the upload!
He was the master story teller
I get a rush listening to this song!
Heard this song today at work on the radio, i remember this trackbut never knew the name. thank god i found it on youtube, what a great track and thank god for youtube.
Harry you are missed love your music you did well thanks man rip .
One of my favorite Harry Chapin songs. Real good stuff.
Memories of early 1974. I remember visiting WENE in Endicott, NY around this time, and the song seemed to ring so true. My personal favorite Harry Chapin song!!!
Spring of '74 - Hearing this for the first time on Capital Radio while visiting my Brother. The first time I'd heard a really good FM Radio tuner & system. - Blinding ! Great song & Artist RIP.
Pity Capital do not play great tracks now. stopped listening to them 30 years ago
To Ed Watts, absolutely agree with you! This is my favorite Harry tune! I'm sure you having been a DJ, this really hits home. R.I.P. Harry
+Tim Carroll
Thanks.
Iwas listning to dzrj in the 70's when morning dj took its hit r.ip Harry one of the best