One of his greatest songs ever. No one could tell a story like Harry. Who cares if his songs were "too long" for radio. No one could paint a mental picture thru words like the genius of Harry
Wow, what a great song. I remember when I heard Harry Chapin for the first time. I was digging through a bunch of compact discs in my parents room when i came across one that I thought looked cool. I put it into my cd walkman and was blown away. Mr. Tanner, The Sniper, Corey's Coming, The Rock etc. He was such a great story teller. Thanks for the upload!
This is a great song that packs a tremendous punch. Especially the last rift about the clock. The screaming lead guitar comes through loud and clear as an alarm clock going off waking him up to the possibilities of life that he had previously been asleep to.
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. It really made me think. And, arguably, this is the closest Harry ever got to singing a rock song. Musically and lyrically, it comes from the same place emotionally as Goodbye to love by The Carpenters.
A man who realizes that what around him is changing. His life. His age. His desires. his expectations. societies expectations. He's a Drone without a metronome that needs to break out. I hear it.
Love the intro with John Tropea on guitar and the lyrics are so bitter. Harry sings this so well. He did a few shows in the UK in the late 70's. I saw him talk about it and then play it with his regular band of musicians. For me, it is one of those songs that I can sing every word to. Altogether now..."she brings a pad into my office".
Mr. Chapin had a way of capturing and relaying the emotions and feelings that approached taboo in our society. He gave them voice and recognition. Sure, this song is about a man getting ready to start an affair but it's also about the taboos of his youth that prevented him from exploring him self, and how he had to watch those taboos drift into common behavior as he grew older. Is it ok, even today to have an extramarital affair? no. But it is ok to test the waters beforehand. it wasn't then.
First time hearing the original version. I have a tape in my collection which features a portion of the A&E show "Variety Tonight," and Alec Willows (who was starring in the stage show "Lies and Legends") sang this song on the show.
I really don't know if I will be deserving for heaven. I cannot determine. I don't and can't make those decisions. I think our forgiveness is different as morals. Asking God, is different.
There isn't a married middle aged man alive who couldn't relate to this song. Regardless of how good a marriage is, regardless of how good his marriage is. It is in our nature to be dissatisfied and it has nothing at all to do with how loving and attentive his wife is. Men are tempted to have an affair every day of their adult lives. What men have to realize is that giving in to that temptation won't make anything better. What about after? What women have to realize is that if their man is faithful, they could make them so happy just by saying that they appreciate them for being faithful. These ideas are not original to me. They mostly come from Dennis Prager.
This is one of the most prolific messages I’ve seen on you tube Men are never satisfied, always seeking, woman on a different level same God is the answer to end all of this I don’t know this to be true but I am seeking and hope to experience what I believe to be the truth I hope that you find your satisfaction and it is with God Maybe we will meet there
One of his greatest songs ever. No one could tell a story like Harry. Who cares if his songs were "too long" for radio. No one could paint a mental picture thru words like the genius of Harry
Wow, what a great song. I remember when I heard Harry Chapin for the first time. I was digging through a bunch of compact discs in my parents room when i came across one that I thought looked cool. I put it into my cd walkman and was blown away. Mr. Tanner, The Sniper, Corey's Coming, The Rock etc. He was such a great story teller. Thanks for the upload!
Vereties and Balderdash is the most underrated album of all time.
One of the best Harry songs!!!
This is a great song that packs a tremendous punch. Especially the last rift about the clock. The screaming lead guitar comes through loud and clear as an alarm clock going off waking him up to the possibilities of life that he had previously been asleep to.
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. It really made me think. And, arguably, this is the closest Harry ever got to singing a rock song. Musically and lyrically, it comes from the same place emotionally as Goodbye to love by The Carpenters.
A man who realizes that what around him is changing. His life. His age. His desires. his expectations. societies expectations. He's a Drone without a metronome that needs to break out. I hear it.
Yeah, and who hasn't been there!? If not, then you're even lying to yourself. Good post, Phish!
Love the intro with John Tropea on guitar and the lyrics are so bitter. Harry sings this so well. He did a few shows in the UK in the late 70's. I saw him talk about it and then play it with his regular band of musicians. For me, it is one of those songs that I can sing every word to. Altogether now..."she brings a pad into my office".
Have known the song since I was 16, good man gave the this record to me, to put a few words of life, fantastic, a beautiful man.
SongsofHarry. Thank you for posting all of Harry's music and providing lyrics.
الأسطورة العظيمة هاري شابن مازال هناك الكثير من القصص التي نحتاجها الآن رحلت سريعا
Just listened to the previously unreleased original version of this song. This version, that is posted, is so so much better.
Mr. Chapin had a way of capturing and relaying the emotions and feelings that approached taboo in our society. He gave them voice and recognition. Sure, this song is about a man getting ready to start an affair but it's also about the taboos of his youth that prevented him from exploring him self, and how he had to watch those taboos drift into common behavior as he grew older. Is it ok, even today to have an extramarital affair? no. But it is ok to test the waters beforehand. it wasn't then.
Nine years after this comment, is it o.k. now to have extra marital affairs?
Nah.
Amen
First time hearing the original version. I have a tape in my collection which features a portion of the A&E show "Variety Tonight," and Alec Willows (who was starring in the stage show "Lies and Legends") sang this song on the show.
WHO could have possibly disliked this?!?
I really don't know if I will be deserving for heaven. I cannot determine. I don't and can't make those decisions. I think our forgiveness is different as morals. Asking God, is different.
@SekiRakushun
Good Comment! I love your thoughts on this!
But tomorrow night....
3:16
When I was a teen this was my "emo" music.
There isn't a married middle aged man alive who couldn't relate to this song. Regardless of how good a marriage is, regardless of how good his marriage is. It is in our nature to be dissatisfied and it has nothing at all to do with how loving and attentive his wife is. Men are tempted to have an affair every day of their adult lives. What men have to realize is that giving in to that temptation won't make anything better. What about after? What women have to realize is that if their man is faithful, they could make them so happy just by saying that they appreciate them for being faithful. These ideas are not original to me. They mostly come from Dennis Prager.
This is one of the most prolific messages I’ve seen on you tube
Men are never satisfied, always seeking, woman on a different level same
God is the answer to end all of this
I don’t know this to be true but I am seeking and hope to experience what I believe to be the truth
I hope that you find your satisfaction and it is with God
Maybe we will meet there
Halfway to Heaven, meaning half way in Hell; done what I should have nice wife, home, kids, but the temptations drag you into Hell....