Parents are also growing up as their kids get older, they are living & learning too. I'm sure you did the best you could at the time, I think we all do. And as kids get older, they realize these things, that their parents did their best. Don't be hard on yourself, you did your best. ♥
I became friends with Harry just before he recorded this song. We sat in his kitchen while his little ones ran through the house. "I'm not sure about a song whether to record it or not," he said. He picked up the guitar and sang "Cat's In The Cradle." I was crying when he finished. "If you don't record that song, you are a fool," I said. We shared some of our songs together that night. I'll never forget what a wonderful artist, entertainer and person this man was. RIP, dear Harry. We miss you
I'm 39, and for years every time I hear this song I have to call my father. It's a moving song for those of us who have had life pull us in directions we never anticipated, making it hard to maintain contact with the people who helped us get started. That being said, the visual references found in this video are striking and hit wat close to the heart. And now I'm gonna go call my dad,
It may seem silly to you now, but the fact that you could make something like this at 14 says volumes about you and your character. I lost my father almost 3 months ago. This is a picture of so many families' dynamic with their fathers. This thing had me in tears. I salute you, my friend.
I'm VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS , I LOST MY DAD YEARS AGO AND MY MOM AS WELL AND AM GOING THRU A LOT TOO SO I HOPE THINGS R BETTER WITH YOU , NOW AS I SEE YOUR COMMENT WAS FROM 1 YEAR AGO !! God Bless! !
Im so sorry to hear about your loss 2yrs on i to know the pain of losing a parent your father was taken from you far to early in your life but he is always watching over you just concentrate on making him proud and honour his memory
Awesome song. Back in an era when music actually told a story and made you think in a good way. Unfortunately the same cannot be said in general about the music today. At least we'll all have these gems to look back on.
Mr. T All we get now are songs with trash talk or break ups or somehow rhyming things with swears!Those are songs and music, it's just nose! There's very few songs today have meanings
Mr. T I would jut like to say that I can agree with you but not all music is like that, when Biggie Smalls and 2pac were still alive all there songs had meaning and told a story.
I got it Rakin..I showed this in church one Sunday and it stirred a LOT of emotion from men that didn't have a good relationship with their Dads. It makes us Dads stop and reflect, what am I doing with my kids to NOT be this way. Great song, great video.
From the point of a student who is taking a course in developmetal psychology, this song is very relevant. It addresses some very strong points about attachment issues and the way they are shaped by the roles a growing child's parents play in his development. What's really neat about this song is speaks across the childhood lifespan of an individual and gives a great seiries of shapshot illustrations along the way.
This song is the theme of my generation. I was a kid who grew up in the 70s and our fathers were hard workers. I would not have wanted it any different. Our dads my have worked long hours, but they taught us great values and our moms were home. I know that many kids would have wanted it the way we had it. We were damn lucky to live when we did. Thanks, Dad. I miss you.
Great song, a definite lesson on life for sons and fathers. My father can't listen to this song in front of me because of the relationship with his father. He didn't want to have it like that, he was Army, so was gone a lot. He didn't let it happen though, he worked hard when he was home to ensure we had a good relationship. I now have a son, and sometimes my work in the military eats up a lot of time. When I deployed it was especially true... After deployment, I make sure I am home ASAP.
This is a great video! The images are perfect! I remember when this song came out in '73-'74. It was always a favorite of mine. It still makes me cry. I have no children, but my ex-brother-in-law is a perfect example of the father in this song. While his kids were growing up he never had time for them-he was always working or running off doing something else while my sister basically raised the kids. He finally divorced her, and I said, "Good riddance!!" Now his kids, (My nephews) who are now adults, want no part of him. The most they do is send him cards on the holidays. I hate to say it, but I hope he winds up alone and lonely like the father in this song. Only then maybe will he see the mistakes that he made by not being there for his kids, and by then it will be too late to fix them. My nephews always looked to my dad (their grandfather) as a father figure, and truthfully he was more of a father to them than their own father was! That's one reason why the younger of the two of them was completely devastated when my father died in 2013. We all were, but it really hit him hard.
I am sorry about your nephew's experiences, but that is NOT the message of this video. The video is about the cycle of life. The man is working his butt off in the culture of the time doing what men were expected to do at that time to provide for his family, even though he had to miss out on a lot of his son's growing up. Now his son is following his example, providing for his family in the same responsible adult manner he learned from his father.
Honestly its sad when a father or mother put there career ahead of there children i have a friend who is like that always works but he is there for his daughter on designated weekends but i do feel he needs to spemd more time with his kid but he has bills a mortgage ect ect to pay i cant understsnd why some parents are put into the fathers situation in this song because of lack of money or it might be the way ther country is where the father has to work all the time to provide for his kids and his family but it truly is a heart breaking song this the fsther is trying to balance a career to help his kid when he needs it like school fees clothes shoes that sort of stuff but he gets so cajght up in his work that by the time its to late he has already retired and has wasted the best years of hanging out with his son personally when i have kids i will try to spend as much time with them as i can im the type of person that could care less about money jf and when i have a kid im gonna make sure to provide for them first of all but i will also hang out eith my kid like in the song hey dad can you teach me to throw? If my kid said can you teach me something i would stop what im doing to do exactly that to me there is no greater reward in life then to see your children grow and teach them all you know about the world i just hope i get to have kids with the right person one day and i will make sure what happens in the song doesnt happen to me
That is SO not the message this song sends. It's about a man working hard in the rat race to support his family as was expected of men at the time. His son grows up learning to do the same, work hard to care for his family even if now he has to miss out on time with his father. Harry Chapin was a great singer/songwriter who always had a message in his songs that we could learn from
Absolutely brillant video. The song could have been written about me. I have no relationship with my father. I work two jobs7 days a week, to provide for my three children, so that they never go without. In seven years time my eldest will be 20 years old. I hope and pray that he has time for me. The artwork in this video is pure magic. You have a great future. God bless you.
On this date NOVEMBER 13th 1974 my father lost his battle with Leukemia. I hated him for years for leaving us. I grew out of it, and reconciled I guess in my own way. On his Birthday January 10th 2011 I had the honor of the USAF flying the flag in his memory which Was later added onto my retirement Shadow Box. I hope I made him proud with who I grew up to be… Now I’m a proud dad of an amazing woman and Grandfather of 3 incredible grandchildren
I always listened to this song with my dad. He knew we loved it so much that he put on a CD so we could listen to it in the car. Sometimes he'd sing it to get us to sleep. this brought tears to my eyes :') thank you so much.
You did a wonderful job depicting what Chapin was teaching. Yes teaching! Rather it be your child or anyone in your life you may receive back what you've done to others. I think the essence is what can happen when past meets the future. For every "action" there will always be a "reaction". Thank you for making a wonderful video. I appreciate you bringing Chapins words to life symbolically! If anyone cannot see this, by all means please purchase some glasses.
Just heard this on the radio whilst decorating, dropped the brush and sobbed. as a recently divorced Dad i have had to leave my two boys for a life on my own. i have dedicated my entire life to them and i am now feeling somewhat lost. thanks for posting your video, i didnt see much through the tears but i guess its good to get it out.
I'm watching this right now. (2012) The explanation is beyond what you have said Rakin. Indeed, you've almost said everything. I admire how wise you are to finally think of avoiding criticisms. This song means a lot to someone or maybe to a lot more people and you've given colors to it. More colors than usual. Just Awesome. :)
Every time i click on a video to listen to this song the Super Bowl commercial comes on and I'm like thanks internet it's not like I want to cry more than once today.
This song is such a good song. I love the imagery you brought to it. It makes me think of my dad, I lived with my mom but saw him when I could. Now I make sure I make the time to see him, he does the same...Now I have a daughter, my husband is a touring musician I hope this song doesn't describe their relationship as she grows up...Anyway thanks! I've watched it 2or3 times now.
I'm sorry, Rakin2008, but this video is way too generic and no where near worthy of such an epic story and classic song. It deserves all the creative force in visuals it can receive.
Is there another video somewhere? I have no relationship w/ my real dad and a fake one w/ my stepfather. I heard this song twice as a kid and many years went by until I found it on U-tube. The people in my culture had never heard the song. Cool if you can put a nice video out -- I'll be waiting. Thanx
@@solitonqt The problem with all the videos to this song is that they take song TOO literally. You don't need the videos to 'get' the feelings evoked by Harry. Here's a simple ad that does something similar. I'm sorry there's no real relationship with a Father figure in your life. Hopefully by now they've repaired the relationship or you've found a mentor - or survived despite it all (like many of us)..Bottom line to this song is not to do what 'your' Dad did. Be yourself, time is short, love those around you NOW as tomorrow isn't guaranteed (yes, I realize it's a cliche but it IS true nonetheless)..ruclips.net/video/6PH88aAL7hU/видео.html&ab_channel=AnthonyMiyazaki
This such a well written song. Depressing but at the same time helps me appreciate that my father was always thinking in the best interest of my family even when he wasn't around.
I'm almost 68 now and I still get sad every time I hear this song. My Dad was very similar to the father described in this song. I swore I would raise my child differently, but I think "I turned out just like him." My son and I don't have a close relationship, but we do speak to each other occasionally.
I grew up with a shitty excuse of a father. I first heard this song when I was 19, same year my son was born, it encouraged me to always be there. This song will always be a cherished part of my life. At 31 years old, he's still my pride and joy! L.Y.S.M. Son!
I'll never get tired of listening to this song or watching the video. It gives me a reality check each time if I'm spending enough time with my children before they move out and go to college. Excellent editing of putting the pictures to the words. You've really touched a lot of people with all these views.
It's funny, I'm only 16 but my dad always says "You'll never understand until you have your own." This song is a perfect example of it, and this song shows just how fast life can pass you by.
that was an AWESOME video "story" of Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle"... VERY impressive... such a sad but GREAT song... how many Dads and son's have lived this one... it is so neat to see your son grow from that little boy to the Man he is now... this I KNOW... I LOVE YOU SON, Love Always & Forever, your Mom xoxo...
To the young dude who posted this video.... I read what you said above and you seem to get it now, by what you say in the end. There's no reason for you to waste your time to the so so many who will say something negative. It is great and thank you for taking your time to do it.
I love this song I used to listen to it when I was little now when I listen to it I have flashbacks of stuff that I forgot a long time ago, the more I listen to it the more I remember. So now whenever I hear this song it almost makes me cry.
Thanks so much for this lovely video .The song by Harry Chapin is truly a reflection on life .Time goes bye so quickly ,thankfully I still get some time with my boys.God bless yer cotton socks . Fletcher
Cat's in the Cradle is one of my fav songs from my early childhood & still love it as a adult. Love this song for it's songwriting with meaning. The video is great . thanks for posting this 70's classic !
I watched this video, and I thought I caught onto what you were doing with most of the pictures, but then I read your description and was BLOWN AWAY by the thought and intricacy that went into the video's creation. I truly applaud you: for the pictures; for the development of the storyline; for the insight into the song; and for the level of analysis in your description. I've always liked this song (when it wasn't making me cry) but you made me appreciate it on an entirely new level. THANK YOU.
This song and Mike and the Mechanics in the living years always pulls me apart. Fortunately for me I've been able to have a good relationship with my father, but due to life I live 900 miles away and he's 76. My biggest concern is being there if and when he might pass away, since he's by himself. The good thing for him is that he loves where he's at, and is very busy. Still I miss just being around him. Don't have to say anything just being there. Next to my wife he's my best friend. Gr8 video.
Great song, it is so true. My four year old asked me the other day, "Why do I have to work all the time." I told him that it's for all the things that we have, house, cars, toys, the vacations we take, etc. But later that evening when I got home I realized that all he wants is to spend time with me. I have since cut back the number of hours that I am at work past my expected 40. My son needs me, and more importantly I need him.
This is amazing to think a 14 years old pulled all this together. The Old, Silly, Over-explanatory, description are fitting to the times. Great Job, Well done. Something I can see why you don't want to get rid of. Thanks for not removing it and I being able to enjoy. "Thanks to Groovy Reflections for sharing on facebook"
great video.. personal story about this song. 1965...I was 10, my parents got divorced. Dad was a friend out of town, but always made time for us kids.He got remarried in '67. Summer of '74 I lived with dad and stepmom while working oil fields as summer job. This was 1st time I had ever met my step mom. Of course... I wasn't gonna like her, but you know what? She was a nice lady. Winter of '75 dad came to visit me at college. After picking him up at airport... being a cocky 19 y/o.......
You were 14 when you created it. I think you did a great job and it was insightful from a 14 year old's perspective. I remember when this song came out. I thought about my Dad and me and how this song paralleled my own life. It's the cycle of life. All of these years have passed and my two sons are grown. Although, we are still tight, I am experiencing the drift between us. They now have their lives to live with their families. So goes, the cycle of life. Again, good job.
I first heard this song 40 years ago as it was one of my fathers favourite songs, along with W.O.L.D. This is a great visual experience and brings back many happy memories of my childhood.
I grew up near the Chapin's. My Father met him at parties, his Daughter Jen, sang in a band with me for a while. I played guitar once with his brother Tom, hung out on the back porch of the Chapin house a bunch strumming geetar. Those were fun days. I lost my Dad in 2006, this song means a lot to me because I made sure we were good. If you have a Dad and you don't talk to him, you should because it will hit you like a ton of bricks when you lose him, no matter what your relationship is.
Dude, I am 44. You nailed it. Screw the people who can't understand the song. Don't try to explain what or why you did what you did. The ones that get it are the ones that matter.
Thank you for taking the time to make this. It was very very touching for me. It was and is a song I have held onto, in my heart as a daughter. Seeing this brought light back to me that was gone. Great Job.
this song inspired me to take a very active role in my own sons life..it's been much better than working, much better than partying, much better than drinking .. it was well worth it...great video.
Man, that's an old childhood favorite. I was actually looking for the actual music video and I'm totally bugged that I can't find it. But this was really good! It really brings out the meaning of the song... and draws a few tears too.
This was really nice. The symbolism was subtle and beautiful. I think we are so used to being hammered with stuff with traditional music vids we see that something that is simple gets lost in translation.
Just makes you get a lump in your throat when you hear this song. As a kid, my dad worked shifts; so when he was working I was sleeping, and vice versa. At weekends, when he was home, I would follow him round as he did odd jobs in the house; holding the wood while he sawed it, and handing him the hammer and nails as required. This was the only time I got to spend alone with him, so it was very precious.
I want to thank you for this exceptional video to this song. Although this song is sad and it also reflects every young boys dreams from a divorced family. I personally never accomplished what this song writes about, and truly hope in the distant future they will play it at my funeral to tell how I felt about life.
Before I even read what u wrote I wanted to comment that u did one of the best jobs Ive seen on a video. This is a GREAT classic as u said and I think Harry would approve!
wow, my parents wanted me to watch this video to emphasize the necessity of spending time with them while I am young. Now that I've heard this song, and the helpful video, I don't want to live a regretful life trying to be away from my parents. Thanks
This song is so heartbreaking to me. This was on radio when I had babies. I did not want this to happen to my kids. My first husband didn't put work before family, instead, he put church before family. He was not home, our marrage fell apart, the kids were not raised in a loving family, and now we are scattered. It makes me cry. You don't have to be a workaholic to not be home. My husband wanted a "ministry". God gave him the ministry of three people: wife, son, daugther. He dropped the ball.
My dad just passed away, and I inherited his knifemaking shop. My biggest regret was simply being too busy with my life to really and truly appreciate how skillful he was until I was cleaning out and packing up the stuff, and I was able to see his genius at each level of construction of a knife, along with his design of custom tooling and benches. I hope I can honor his skill with my own, but I have a lot to learn. In the meantime, I have to figure out how to get this song out of my head!
i like how you explained your video, people think everything in it is literal because the meaning doesn't go really deep, but it still has some meaning behind it.
My boys had a wonderful father he had to work like that to make the money to give them all the things they wanted and pay for the big house etc. He is a hard worker. Now both boys are like him big homes family, they have good jobs that require allot of work. You have to work when you can and you miss the good times it is life. Great video . thank you ;)
I really like your notes and explanations. I missed a lot of the clues until you talked about them. It took you a lot of thought and work to compile it! Best wishes always to you.
my parent split up when I was 5. At that time I idolised my father and when he left it was really hard on me... nowadays, I live just round the corner from him, but he and I will never be as close as we used to be. This song is about a father who never had time for his son, and as time goes by, his son grows up to be just like his dad.
You and I have very similar taste in Music. Harry Chapin may be my favorite, His music was very personal to me.. I got to meet him several times as has almost everyone who went to see him. He almost always took the time to meet the fans and would stay till everyone had seen and talked to him
I really love this song, and yes the pictures matching the lyrics are a bit cliche but so is the song thats what makes it so relateable to many people. At least they were not the same pictures over and over again and i appreciate that and enjoyed the video and the pictures that went along with it. It must have taken a while to do this and I think this person did a good job.
I've loved this song since I was little. Everytime I would go out with my aunt and uncle for a late night drive when I slept over there, this always seemed to come on the oldies station at some point.
You know, even with your explanation of this song, it's amazing you took the time out to make it, esp. at the age of 14. It's an amazing video. Way to go. I love it!!! Thank you for taking the time out to make it, and even more time out to explain how you got the ideas, and did it. :D
That was a great video well represented, good job, thank you for your contribution, I shared it with many and it made me cry reminding me of how much I miss my mum and dad way across the ocean in England, that is, before they both died many years ago. ;(
Chokes me up every time. I wish I had spent more time with my kids. I would give anything to go back.
Parents are also growing up as their kids get older, they are living & learning too. I'm sure you did the best you could at the time, I think we all do. And as kids get older, they realize these things, that their parents did their best. Don't be hard on yourself, you did your best. ♥
I became friends with Harry just before he recorded this song. We sat in his kitchen while his little ones ran through the house. "I'm not sure about a song whether to record it or not," he said. He picked up the guitar and sang "Cat's In The Cradle." I was crying when he finished. "If you don't record that song, you are a fool," I said. We shared some of our songs together that night. I'll never forget what a wonderful artist, entertainer and person this man was. RIP, dear Harry. We miss you
I'm 39, and for years every time I hear this song I have to call my father. It's a moving song for those of us who have had life pull us in directions we never anticipated, making it hard to maintain contact with the people who helped us get started.
That being said, the visual references found in this video are striking and hit wat close to the heart.
And now I'm gonna go call my dad,
It may seem silly to you now, but the fact that you could make something like this at 14 says volumes about you and your character. I lost my father almost 3 months ago. This is a picture of so many families' dynamic with their fathers. This thing had me in tears. I salute you, my friend.
I'm VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS , I LOST MY DAD YEARS AGO AND MY MOM AS WELL AND AM GOING THRU A LOT TOO SO I HOPE THINGS R BETTER WITH YOU , NOW AS I SEE YOUR COMMENT WAS FROM 1 YEAR AGO !! God Bless! !
Im so sorry to hear about your loss 2yrs on i to know the pain of losing a parent your father was taken from you far to early in your life but he is always watching over you just concentrate on making him proud and honour his memory
Awesome song. Back in an era when music actually told a story and made you think in a good way. Unfortunately the same cannot be said in general about the music today. At least we'll all have these gems to look back on.
I agree. Im 14 and modern day music is awful! Bring back the 1900s!
Best era for pop/rock/R&B, even hip-hop and rap (80's), was the 60's thru 80's, hands down! Modern day music pales in comparison!
AudiophileTubes I agree I'm 32 and old school music is awesome
Mr. T All we get now are songs with trash talk or break ups or somehow rhyming things with swears!Those are songs and music, it's just nose! There's very few songs today have meanings
Mr. T I would jut like to say that I can agree with you but not all music is like that, when Biggie Smalls and 2pac were still alive all there songs had meaning and told a story.
I got it Rakin..I showed this in church one Sunday and it stirred a LOT of emotion from men that didn't have a good relationship with their Dads. It makes us Dads stop and reflect, what am I doing with my kids to NOT be this way. Great song, great video.
From the point of a student who is taking a course in developmetal psychology, this song is very relevant. It addresses some very strong points about attachment issues and the way they are shaped by the roles a growing child's parents play in his development. What's really neat about this song is speaks across the childhood lifespan of an individual and gives a great seiries of shapshot illustrations along the way.
This song is the theme of my generation. I was a kid who grew up in the 70s and our fathers were hard workers. I would not have wanted it any different. Our dads my have worked long hours, but they taught us great values and our moms were home. I know that many kids would have wanted it the way we had it. We were damn lucky to live when we did. Thanks, Dad. I miss you.
A real classic, fine like an antique timepiece..
Great song, a definite lesson on life for sons and fathers. My father can't listen to this song in front of me because of the relationship with his father. He didn't want to have it like that, he was Army, so was gone a lot. He didn't let it happen though, he worked hard when he was home to ensure we had a good relationship. I now have a son, and sometimes my work in the military eats up a lot of time. When I deployed it was especially true... After deployment, I make sure I am home ASAP.
This is a great video! The images are perfect! I remember when this song came out in '73-'74. It was always a favorite of mine. It still makes me cry. I have no children, but my ex-brother-in-law is a perfect example of the father in this song. While his kids were growing up he never had time for them-he was always working or running off doing something else while my sister basically raised the kids. He finally divorced her, and I said, "Good riddance!!" Now his kids, (My nephews) who are now adults, want no part of him. The most they do is send him cards on the holidays. I hate to say it, but I hope he winds up alone and lonely like the father in this song. Only then maybe will he see the mistakes that he made by not being there for his kids, and by then it will be too late to fix them. My nephews always looked to my dad (their grandfather) as a father figure, and truthfully he was more of a father to them than their own father was! That's one reason why the younger of the two of them was completely devastated when my father died in 2013. We all were, but it really hit him hard.
it came out in '74
I am sorry about your nephew's experiences, but that is NOT the message of this video. The video is about the cycle of life. The man is working his butt off in the culture of the time doing what men were expected to do at that time to provide for his family, even though he had to miss out on a lot of his son's growing up. Now his son is following his example, providing for his family in the same responsible adult manner he learned from his father.
Honestly its sad when a father or mother put there career ahead of there children i have a friend who is like that always works but he is there for his daughter on designated weekends but i do feel he needs to spemd more time with his kid but he has bills a mortgage ect ect to pay i cant understsnd why some parents are put into the fathers situation in this song because of lack of money or it might be the way ther country is where the father has to work all the time to provide for his kids and his family but it truly is a heart breaking song this the fsther is trying to balance a career to help his kid when he needs it like school fees clothes shoes that sort of stuff but he gets so cajght up in his work that by the time its to late he has already retired and has wasted the best years of hanging out with his son personally when i have kids i will try to spend as much time with them as i can im the type of person that could care less about money jf and when i have a kid im gonna make sure to provide for them first of all but i will also hang out eith my kid like in the song hey dad can you teach me to throw? If my kid said can you teach me something i would stop what im doing to do exactly that to me there is no greater reward in life then to see your children grow and teach them all you know about the world i just hope i get to have kids with the right person one day and i will make sure what happens in the song doesnt happen to me
That is SO not the message this song sends.
It's about a man working hard in the rat race to support his family as was expected of men at the time. His son grows up learning to do the same, work hard to care for his family even if now he has to miss out on time with his father.
Harry Chapin was a great singer/songwriter who always had a message in his songs that we could learn from
Absolutely brillant video. The song could have been written about me. I have no relationship with my father. I work two jobs7 days a week, to provide for my three children, so that they never go without. In seven years time my eldest will be 20 years old. I hope and pray that he has time for me. The artwork in this video is pure magic. You have a great future. God bless you.
love this song and thank you for the great video.
On this date NOVEMBER 13th 1974 my father lost his battle with Leukemia. I hated him for years for leaving us. I grew out of it, and reconciled I guess in my own way. On his Birthday January 10th 2011 I had the honor of the USAF flying the flag in his memory which Was later added onto my retirement Shadow Box. I hope I made him proud with who I grew up to be… Now I’m a proud dad of an amazing woman and Grandfather of 3 incredible grandchildren
I love this song. And the video is really nice :)
This song played major role in my life and I chose to retired to spend time with my son at age 33. Just pushed me to do really thinking. Thanks Harry.
Everyone loved this song, men, women, parents, etc...
I always listened to this song with my dad. He knew we loved it so much that he put on a CD so we could listen to it in the car. Sometimes he'd sing it to get us to sleep. this brought tears to my eyes :') thank you so much.
Whenever I hear this it always makes me think of the relationship I had with my father.
You did a wonderful job depicting what Chapin was teaching. Yes teaching! Rather it be your child or anyone in your life you may receive back what you've done to others. I think the essence is what can happen when past meets the future. For every "action" there will always be a "reaction". Thank you for making a wonderful video. I appreciate you bringing Chapins words to life symbolically! If anyone cannot see this, by all means please purchase some glasses.
This damn song gets me every time
Just heard this on the radio whilst decorating, dropped the brush and sobbed. as a recently divorced Dad i have had to leave my two boys for a life on my own. i have dedicated my entire life to them and i am now feeling somewhat lost. thanks for posting your video, i didnt see much through the tears but i guess its good to get it out.
Thank you. Great video! 👌🏼
I'm watching this right now. (2012) The explanation is beyond what you have said Rakin. Indeed, you've almost said everything. I admire how wise you are to finally think of avoiding criticisms. This song means a lot to someone or maybe to a lot more people and you've given colors to it. More colors than usual. Just Awesome. :)
Every time i click on a video to listen to this song the Super Bowl commercial comes on and I'm like thanks internet it's not like I want to cry more than once today.
put on adblocker this will stop all adverts on all advertising I use it and works well here is a link try it out adblockplus.org/
jane mitchell ah thankyou
jane mitchell I had no idea , THANK YOU !
hawkfrost541 its a pleasure to help with thanx
Great Job on this video for this Classic Iconic Song. XO
TELLS A STORY / GREAT !!!
This song is such a good song. I love the imagery you brought to it. It makes me think of my dad, I lived with my mom but saw him when I could. Now I make sure I make the time to see him, he does the same...Now I have a daughter, my husband is a touring musician I hope this song doesn't describe their relationship as she grows up...Anyway thanks! I've watched it 2or3 times now.
I'm sorry, Rakin2008, but this video is way too generic and no where near worthy of such an epic story and classic song. It deserves all the creative force in visuals it can receive.
Is there another video somewhere? I have no relationship w/ my real dad and a fake one w/ my stepfather. I heard this song twice as a kid and many years went by until I found it on U-tube. The people in my culture had never heard the song. Cool if you can put a nice video out -- I'll be waiting. Thanx
@@solitonqt The problem with all the videos to this song is that they take song TOO literally. You don't need the videos to 'get' the feelings evoked by Harry. Here's a simple ad that does something similar. I'm sorry there's no real relationship with a Father figure in your life. Hopefully by now they've repaired the relationship or you've found a mentor - or survived despite it all (like many of us)..Bottom line to this song is not to do what 'your' Dad did. Be yourself, time is short, love those around you NOW as tomorrow isn't guaranteed (yes, I realize it's a cliche but it IS true nonetheless)..ruclips.net/video/6PH88aAL7hU/видео.html&ab_channel=AnthonyMiyazaki
This such a well written song. Depressing but at the same time helps me appreciate that my father was always thinking in the best interest of my family even when he wasn't around.
The Goldbergs brought me here.
Same
I'm almost 68 now and I still get sad every time I hear this song. My Dad was very similar to the father described in this song. I swore I would raise my child differently, but I think "I turned out just like him." My son and I don't have a close relationship, but we do speak to each other occasionally.
I grew up with a shitty excuse of a father. I first heard this song when I was 19, same year my son was born, it encouraged me to always be there. This song will always be a cherished part of my life. At 31 years old, he's still my pride and joy!
L.Y.S.M. Son!
Harry Chapin was one of the greatest balladeers ever. All of his songs told a story that is relevant in any time.
Absolutely= a very powerful message here if people only paid attention to it
"he walked away but his smile never did" . . . chokes me up everytime
I'll never get tired of listening to this song or watching the video. It gives me a reality check each time if I'm spending enough time with my children before they move out and go to college.
Excellent editing of putting the pictures to the words. You've really touched a lot of people with all these views.
Harry hit #1 in Billboard, 12-21-74. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! RIP, Harry.
It's funny, I'm only 16 but my dad always says "You'll never understand until you have your own." This song is a perfect example of it, and this song shows just how fast life can pass you by.
Well did you have your own??
Brilliant, and gave me goose bumps about how much the pictures showed the passage of time. Thank you for all your work.
that was an AWESOME video "story" of Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle"... VERY impressive... such a sad but GREAT song... how many Dads and son's have lived this one... it is so neat to see your son grow from that little boy to the Man he is now... this I KNOW... I LOVE YOU SON, Love Always & Forever, your Mom xoxo...
One of the most overlooked songs of all time. Simply amazing
To the young dude who posted this video.... I read what you said above and you seem to get it now, by what you say in the end. There's no reason for you to waste your time to the so so many who will say something negative. It is great and thank you for taking your time to do it.
Thanks, I just sent this to the father of my children, he just came to see them this weekend....last visit was June 2006...thats right....4 years ago.
Harry Chapin was a very WISE Intelligent man... there was very deep meaning in ALL of his songs... He was an incredible human being.
I love this song I used to listen to it when I was little now when I listen to it I have flashbacks of stuff that I forgot a long time ago, the more I listen to it the more I remember. So now whenever I hear this song it almost makes me cry.
Thanks so much for this lovely video .The song by Harry Chapin is truly a reflection on life .Time goes bye so quickly ,thankfully I still get some time with my boys.God bless yer cotton socks . Fletcher
Cat's in the Cradle is one of my fav songs from my early childhood & still love it as a adult. Love this song for it's songwriting with meaning. The video is great . thanks for posting this 70's classic !
Thank you for sharing this Masterpiece, my 4yr old grandson needs to listen every night...& So he sleeps😌..miss Harry's genius...😔😪
I watched this video, and I thought I caught onto what you were doing with most of the pictures, but then I read your description and was BLOWN AWAY by the thought and intricacy that went into the video's creation. I truly applaud you: for the pictures; for the development of the storyline; for the insight into the song; and for the level of analysis in your description. I've always liked this song (when it wasn't making me cry) but you made me appreciate it on an entirely new level. THANK YOU.
This song and Mike and the Mechanics in the living years always pulls me apart. Fortunately for me I've been able to have a good relationship with my father, but due to life I live 900 miles away and he's 76. My biggest concern is being there if and when he might pass away, since he's by himself. The good thing for him is that he loves where he's at, and is very busy. Still I miss just being around him. Don't have to say anything just being there. Next to my wife he's my best friend. Gr8 video.
Great song, it is so true. My four year old asked me the other day, "Why do I have to work all the time." I told him that it's for all the things that we have, house, cars, toys, the vacations we take, etc. But later that evening when I got home I realized that all he wants is to spend time with me. I have since cut back the number of hours that I am at work past my expected 40. My son needs me, and more importantly I need him.
I wonder how many people hear this song and wish they had spent more time with their children when they were growing up in stead of at the office?
This is amazing to think a 14 years old pulled all this together. The Old, Silly, Over-explanatory, description are fitting to the times. Great Job, Well done. Something I can see why you don't want to get rid of. Thanks for not removing it and I being able to enjoy. "Thanks to Groovy Reflections for sharing on facebook"
great video.. personal story about this song. 1965...I was 10, my parents got divorced. Dad was a friend out of town, but always made time for us kids.He got remarried in '67. Summer of '74 I lived with dad and stepmom while working oil fields as summer job. This was 1st time I had ever met my step mom. Of course... I wasn't gonna like her, but you know what? She was a nice lady. Winter of '75 dad came to visit me at college. After picking him up at airport... being a cocky 19 y/o.......
You were 14 when you created it. I think you did a great job and it was insightful from a 14 year old's perspective. I remember when this song came out. I thought about my Dad and me and how this song paralleled my own life. It's the cycle of life. All of these years have passed and my two sons are grown. Although, we are still tight, I am experiencing the drift between us. They now have their lives to live with their families. So goes, the cycle of life. Again, good job.
Great job on the video!!! Harry Chapin was the greatest storyteller in music, and this was definitely one of his very best. Thanks for posting it!!!
I first heard this song 40 years ago as it was one of my fathers favourite songs, along with W.O.L.D. This is a great visual experience and brings back many happy memories of my childhood.
I grew up near the Chapin's. My Father met him at parties, his Daughter Jen, sang in a band with me for a while. I played guitar once with his brother Tom, hung out on the back porch of the Chapin house a bunch strumming geetar. Those were fun days.
I lost my Dad in 2006, this song means a lot to me because I made sure we were good. If you have a Dad and you don't talk to him, you should because it will hit you like a ton of bricks when you lose him, no matter what your relationship is.
beautiful song!! ty Harry Chapin..God Bless You..rip..ty also to who did this video..great job!!😃
Dude, I am 44. You nailed it. Screw the people who can't understand the song. Don't try to explain what or why you did what you did. The ones that get it are the ones that matter.
Thank you for taking the time to make this. It was very very touching for me. It was and is a song I have held onto, in my heart as a daughter. Seeing this brought light back to me that was gone. Great Job.
this song inspired me to take a very active role in my own sons life..it's been much better than working, much better than partying, much better than drinking .. it was well worth it...great video.
I love this song. I love the way you did this video. As I sit here tonight consoling my son who's father stood him up AGAIN this song came to mind
One of the BEST OF THE BEST music videos i ever seen.... this is just PURE genius
and your description helped me to truly understand the meaning of it
Man, that's an old childhood favorite. I was actually looking for the actual music video and I'm totally bugged that I can't find it. But this was really good! It really brings out the meaning of the song... and draws a few tears too.
I remember singing this song when I was little...I wish I had my dad when I was little..This song reminds me of how I felt.Thanks for this
This was really nice. The symbolism was subtle and beautiful. I think we are so used to being hammered with stuff with traditional music vids we see that something that is simple gets lost in translation.
Just makes you get a lump in your throat when you hear this song. As a kid, my dad worked shifts; so when he was working I was sleeping, and vice versa. At weekends, when he was home, I would follow him round as he did odd jobs in the house; holding the wood while he sawed it, and handing him the hammer and nails as required. This was the only time I got to spend alone with him, so it was very precious.
This video was perfect for the song. Thank you for making it - I used it for my blog post today and it fit just right.
I want to thank you for this exceptional video to this song. Although this song is sad and it also reflects every young boys dreams from a divorced family. I personally never accomplished what this song writes about, and truly hope in the distant future they will play it at my funeral to tell how I felt about life.
very well done, my favorite; from 25 plus years ago -- you did Harry proud
and all of us that lost our dads
Before I even read what u wrote I wanted to comment that u did one of the best jobs Ive seen on a video. This is a GREAT classic as u said and I think Harry would approve!
wow, my parents wanted me to watch this video to emphasize the necessity of spending time with them while I am young. Now that I've heard this song, and the helpful video, I don't want to live a regretful life trying to be away from my parents. Thanks
This song is so heartbreaking to me. This was on radio when I had babies. I did not want this to happen to my kids. My first husband didn't put work before family, instead, he put church before family. He was not home, our marrage fell apart, the kids were not raised in a loving family, and now we are scattered. It makes me cry. You don't have to be a workaholic to not be home. My husband wanted a "ministry". God gave him the ministry of three people: wife, son, daugther. He dropped the ball.
It was like, totally different feeling from reading and listening . thankyou very much for uploading i am very thankful of you !!!!!
I'd love to hear the original irish folk song version of this great piece of music. Excellent. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for putting this together. It is also a wonderful warning to new parents and I sure wish I had listened!
My dad just passed away, and I inherited his knifemaking shop. My biggest regret was simply being too busy with my life to really and truly appreciate how skillful he was until I was cleaning out and packing up the stuff, and I was able to see his genius at each level of construction of a knife, along with his design of custom tooling and benches. I hope I can honor his skill with my own, but I have a lot to learn. In the meantime, I have to figure out how to get this song out of my head!
Wow, I think this was amazingly made. Great JOB! This song became special to me at 14 (as a daughter). Thanks for taking your time to make it.
i like how you explained your video, people think everything in it is literal because the meaning doesn't go really deep, but it still has some meaning behind it.
My boys had a wonderful father he had to work like that to make the money to give them all the things they wanted and pay for the big house etc. He is a hard worker. Now both boys are like him big homes family, they have good jobs that require allot of work. You have to work when you can and you miss the good times it is life. Great video . thank you ;)
I really like your notes and explanations. I missed a lot of the clues until you talked about them. It took you a lot of thought and work to compile it! Best wishes always to you.
my parent split up when I was 5. At that time I idolised my father and when he left it was really hard on me... nowadays, I live just round the corner from him, but he and I will never be as close as we used to be. This song is about a father who never had time for his son, and as time goes by, his son grows up to be just like his dad.
This was a really powerful video, I feel like you really captured the essence of the song. Very emotionally stirring - well done. Thank you.
Very, very well done vid, kid!!! Thanks for taking the time to put all of that together for such an amazing song!
You did a great job on the video upload. It's one of my favorite songs and I always get goosebumps when I hear it. Thanks
You and I have very similar taste in Music. Harry Chapin may be my favorite, His music was very personal to me.. I got to meet him several times as has almost everyone who went to see him. He almost always took the time to meet the fans and would stay till everyone had seen and talked to him
Love the attaché case. Reminds me of Dad's. Video made me cry just like the original song did. Thats exactly how i grew up!
the description was very helpful thank you so much :) i would never have thought about that without your explanation
I really love this song, and yes the pictures matching the lyrics are a bit cliche but so is the song thats what makes it so relateable to many people. At least they were not the same pictures over and over again and i appreciate that and enjoyed the video and the pictures that went along with it. It must have taken a while to do this and I think this person did a good job.
Brought tears to my eyes I have always loved this song it rings true to way to many families. Good job
Rakin2008, You did an "excellent" job and I'm quite sure that Harry Chapin and his son would be very proud of what you did here. Thanks for posting.
I've loved this song since I was little. Everytime I would go out with my aunt and uncle for a late night drive when I slept over there, this always seemed to come on the oldies station at some point.
I loved this! The pictures and how you placed them together with the flashback effect, it was really really interesting.
This is a song that will always be a favorite of mine. It is always good to have a song like this to help one reflect on one's life.
You know, even with your explanation of this song, it's amazing you took the time out to make it, esp. at the age of 14. It's an amazing video. Way to go. I love it!!! Thank you for taking the time out to make it, and even more time out to explain how you got the ideas, and did it. :D
Great job, great song from my childhood. Thanks for posting.
That was a great video well represented, good job, thank you for your contribution, I shared it with many and it made me cry reminding me of how much I miss my mum and dad way across the ocean in England, that is, before they both died many years ago. ;(
It's good enough for me, love the song, love what you've made to accompany it. Thank you.
The way this video was put together was wonderful!! very easy for me to understand because my life is very much like this video thanx!!!