Harry was certainly a "one of a kind" type of guy. His time among us was way, way too short for sure. Harry was one of the best story teller artists that ever was. RIP Harry - we sure miss you.
A man that I dated in the early 70s played Taxi on the old stereo and began my longest love affair ever. Not with the man, with Harry. I did see him in concert and, after all these years, still have the TShirt from that concert.....Harry Keep the Change. Harry Chapin is the only person I would ever have been a Roadie for.
I first heard this song when it was released in the 70s. I've followed Harry since then. I'm 64 now and recovering from two simultaneous strokes. I've been thinking a great deal about mortality lately. When I listened to the song this morning and he sang, "It's time that I moved on" my entire body felt it.
To all those saying you got to see him in concert, I envy you... He died 8 months before I was born... I've often said I'd sell my soul to get to go back and talk to him, meet him, hold a conversation with him... And probably tell him to go up to the hospital on that summer day instead of heading down th LI expressway towards his gig... The world lost a great one when we lost him!
I saw him at SMU, I can't remember the year but I have followed him since Taxi. I first heard that song in my car flying down the freeway and it gripped my heart right there. I bought every one of his albums. I watched him perform on TV whenever he was on. You might say I was obsessed with him, for good reason. When he passed away I felt that I had lost a real friend. It broke my heart. When I hear his music today it takes me back to those sweet times before his death. I often wonder what we missed without him here. 😪
Harry was an acquaintance of mine, and a very fine person. We are pushing his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame . Most people assume incorrectly that Harry is already there . His humanitarian efforts in the formation of WHY - World Hunger Year, among other things, earned him a Congressional Gold Medal of Honor posthumously in 1985 . R.I.P. my friend. See you in " A Better Place to Be ".
This man remains such a rare and amazingly gifted person. What an incredible experience it must have been - to be referenced, even in a not-so-flattering light. The haughty "Ex" in Taxi, the rotund waitress in this song, the lonely married lady in I Wanna Learn A Love Song... wow, who wouldn't want him? All Chapin's characters are so flawed and horribly REAL. We all know people like this, they're almost archetypes. He's still so incredibly attractive, even now, more than a generation after his passing. This guy exudes "blue collar" all the way, and yet still - what CLASS. That's the beauty of Harry Chapin - his exceptional talent - makes him timeless. Accessible. Hope I get to meet you on the flipside, Harry......
Oh how we miss Harry Chapin! We sometimes live in yesterday, and when we've cried our tears for tomorrow, we can still think back to better days and Harry's music. Harry died on the expressway here on Long Island, but in the expressway of my heart, he will always be alive. I really miss him.
I saw Harry in Duluth, Mn in 76 or so,, wonderful and personable concert,,, but the laugher was that I bumped into Harry at the Radison Hotel bar after the concert, and was completely starstruck,, tongue tied like a schoolboy (to quote),, I thought it ironic. Thanks for a great legacy Harry
He was the best saw him everytime he came to town......the shows were alway wonderful , he is gravely missed, b will always be in my heart.......Leelee
Without exahgerating, ive done about a thousand solo gigs or so and there was always that gig, more often than id like to admit, where the only person listening was the bartender and a bunch of empty chairs. its those times you better love to play the music for yourself, and you better love the music you play because in that moment of wide open silent and solitary confinement its just you and your guitar and it has to be enough or your career is over before it ever got started. During those nights i played this song and every other harry song on his double live album and it definitely got me through the night because the only thing better than listening to harry's songs was performing them. Im old now and ive seen alot of songwriters come and go but harry is the only one that actually makes me sad to think he is gone. we can only imagine how much more he would have given us. RIP my man, you are sorely missed. thanks for filling up all those empty seats
car pel, you just wrote a new hit record. Now sing it ! ...oh & don't forget Jim Croce. I miss him & Harry terribly. Long live Jim & Harry. Both of you rest in peace.
I feel the same way, there's never going to be another Harry and man I sure do miss him and his music. He was a prince of a man with enough love and compassion in his heart to light the world. And, our world needs more men like Harry Chapin.
What a wonderful song every time I see a version I have to watch it. Isn't it great to see the audience shots and see no cell phones recording it! Just people enjoying the moment.
my first concert was a small benefit performance in Memphis. It was just him and his guitar and it was AMAZING. At the end, he stood by the exit and introduced himself to everyone with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek - and said “hi I’m harry. what’s your name? hope you enjoyed it” and he did wait for answers - he was absolutely amazing - musically and just as a person
I was fortunate enough to see Harry in concert in the 70's in Pawtucket, RI. Best concert I have ever seen. Everyone in the audience knew all the songs and sang along. It was more like a community sing along. Had a great time. Sure do miss him.
RETURNED ONCE MORE FOR THE SEQUEL. ONLY HARRY CHAPIN BRIDGED TIME & SPACE THROUGH HIS MUSICAL STORIES. " THERE'V BEEN TOO MANY MILES & TOO MANY SMILES, BUT "I STILL REMEMBER YOU". "THERE'S A WILD MAN WIZARD HIDING IN ME, DRIVING A PRINCESS BLIND"." BABY'S SO HIGH THAT SHE'S SKYING, SO HIGH, SHE'S AFRAID TO FALL, I'LL TELL U WHY BABY'S CRYIN', CAUSE SHE'S DYIN"., AREN'T WE ALL". LOVE & LOSS THRU HARRY CHAPIN'S WORDS & MUSIC. " TAKIN' TIPS & GETTIN" STONED. I GO FLYIN' SO HIGH WHEN I'M STONED".R.I.P.
Harry was what you would call back in my day "one of the Beautiful people" an Icon, a man who for all his troubles somebody who would take the shirt of his back and give it to you without question or thought
The crowd was silent for a long time after the song. Then a huge applause and cheer. We took time to dry tears and take breaths before the applause. Harry was a person real and personal in the moment in the concert in Marquette, Michigan. The empty nights. The bother you is understood. Listen Good. YOUR heart will be more thankful. Your so dam beautiful I send you smiles and hugs.
I remember hearing this song on the radio in the 70s. It was one of those songs that as it ended I found myself staring at the radio with my mouth agape thinking, what a great song!
I remember this song so well. It always affected me deeply. And now all these years later it still does. He didnt get played much on radio because his songs were always too long. But he was always telling a story and the loss was radio's.
An incredibly touching song from the genius that was Harry Chapin. The world is a better place for having had him here, albeit for a time that was too short.
I saw Harry sing a few times in the Winnipeg Convention Centre in the mid-70's. He always started his shows by saying, "How's everybody doin in the cheap seats?" His concerts were amazing, some of the best I ever saw.
What a beautiful song! I saw him in Lansing, MI in 79, and met him afterwards in the lobby where he was signing merch sold for fundraising. What a good man. I remember exactly hearing of his death. RIP Harry.
so glad someone taped these performances. on the way home from a OB appt, in 198, we were considering going to his free concert at Eisenhower Park, when we heard of his accident and death. so sad. for sure we played every Harry song we had that night. my kids, the one born later that year and her older sister and younger brother, all grew up listening to Harry's" Greatest Stories Live' on every road trip we took. what a memory!
Actually used this song as a lullaby for my infant twins. I sing like a broken furnace, but the melody did it's job. It got to the point where I could just hum a little of the song and the babies would calm. Thanks, Harry.
Wouldn't it be great if they made a movie of his life or even better, a Broadway Musical sharing his enthusiasm for life...I can't think of a title for it...Can't just call it "HARRY"...or "A BETTER PLACE TO BE"...or "TAXI"...or "MR. TANNER"?????
there are videos available of him in concert, and frequently PBS stations will run a concert he did as a fundraiser for them. So you can still have at least a taste of what it was like. I'm so grateful for every song he's performed that has been preserved this way so those of us who never got to see him live get to introduce another generation to his work.
It's still amazing how his three or four minute song could tell such a complete story.I could see and feel the characters and live through their actions and pain as he performed them and as I played them again and again. Each one as I play it is my very best favorite one
Onondaga Community College...1974...he played there and then went to his friends bar with full band and played for hours....thanks J. Smeals. Leeks. GREAT walk home !
Like the kennedy killing I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news of his death. Best live appearances that I have ever been to. A true artist.
name a song anywhere anytime like this one. There's a reason you've never eard a cover version. Cannot be copied. .Anything this unique must be considered a stone-cold classic.
Check out George Donaldson's A Song for Harry Chapin. It's a wonderful tribute to this amazing man. George is a member of the smash band Celtic Thunder and recently had the honor of singing Cat's in the Cradle in front. Of Sandy Chapin. Herry truely was a visionary.
Same with “Halfway To Heaven” he talked to a man while sitting waiting for the subway. The man and him were discussing sexual morality and he told Harry that story.
1″ THING I’D CHANGE”I WOULD HAVE SAID TO”HER;”im off duty, better walk on bye”}:{HARRY STILL' INSPIRES MY " PLAYING/WRITING/DREAMING"}ONE HECK OF A CONCERT BY HARRY CHAPIN AT " MY FATHER'S PLACE" IN ROSLYN LONG ISLAND, N.Y., I WAS LUCKY TO ATTEND, STANDING ROOM ONLY; THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDED/CHEERED WHEN " HE STASHED THE BILL IN HIS SHIRT". A TRUE MAESTRO SINGER/SONG WRITER/STORY TELLER/ CHAMPION OF WORLD HUNGER, & OTHER CAUSES. R.I.P.{STANDING ROOM ONLY AT "MY FATHER'SPLACE}}} Reply 2 Show less
Harry was certainly a "one of a kind" type of guy. His time among us was way, way too short for sure. Harry was one of the best story teller artists that ever was. RIP Harry - we sure miss you.
A man that I dated in the early 70s played Taxi on the old stereo and began my longest love affair ever. Not with the man, with Harry. I did see him in concert and, after all these years, still have the TShirt from that concert.....Harry Keep the Change. Harry Chapin is the only person I would ever have been a Roadie for.
I first heard this song when it was released in the 70s. I've followed Harry since then. I'm 64 now and recovering from two simultaneous strokes. I've been thinking a great deal about mortality lately. When I listened to the song this morning and he sang, "It's time that I moved on" my entire body felt it.
To all those saying you got to see him in concert, I envy you... He died 8 months before I was born... I've often said I'd sell my soul to get to go back and talk to him, meet him, hold a conversation with him... And probably tell him to go up to the hospital on that summer day instead of heading down th LI expressway towards his gig... The world lost a great one when we lost him!
My favorite song of all time. I wish harry was came into the world 30 years later so i could see him now in his prime.
What an incredible artist will never be forgotten.
I saw him at SMU, I can't remember the year but I have followed him since Taxi. I first heard that song in my car flying down the freeway and it gripped my heart right there. I bought every one of his albums. I watched him perform on TV whenever he was on. You might say I was obsessed with him, for good reason. When he passed away I felt that I had lost a real friend. It broke my heart. When I hear his music today it takes me back to those sweet times before his death. I often wonder what we missed without him here. 😪
Harry was an acquaintance of mine, and a very fine person. We are pushing his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame . Most people assume incorrectly that Harry is already there . His humanitarian efforts in the formation of WHY - World Hunger Year, among other things, earned him a Congressional Gold Medal of Honor posthumously in 1985 . R.I.P. my friend. See you in " A Better Place to Be ".
Judy, you were fortunate. I saw Harry Chapin at our small college in Jacksonville, 1977. When he sings, I am always Seventeen!
This man remains such a rare and amazingly gifted person. What an incredible experience it must have been - to be referenced, even in a not-so-flattering light. The haughty "Ex" in Taxi, the rotund waitress in this song, the lonely married lady in I Wanna Learn A Love Song... wow, who wouldn't want him? All Chapin's characters are so flawed and horribly REAL. We all know people like this, they're almost archetypes. He's still so incredibly attractive, even now, more than a generation after his passing. This guy exudes "blue collar" all the way, and yet still - what CLASS. That's the beauty of Harry Chapin - his exceptional talent - makes him timeless. Accessible. Hope I get to meet you on the flipside, Harry......
Greatest Chapin song ever!
Oh how we miss Harry Chapin! We sometimes live in yesterday, and when we've cried our tears for tomorrow, we can still think back to better days and Harry's music. Harry died on the expressway here on Long Island, but in the expressway of my heart, he will always be alive. I really miss him.
My all time favorite singer!
Can't tell you Harry how much you are Missed.....
Glad I had the chance to meet you.
You wil be "Forever in our Hearts & Memories".
I saw Harry in Duluth, Mn in 76 or so,, wonderful and personable concert,,, but the laugher was that I bumped into Harry at the Radison Hotel bar after the concert, and was completely starstruck,, tongue tied like a schoolboy (to quote),, I thought it ironic.
Thanks for a great legacy Harry
His stories had such a meaning to me.....I was fortunate enough to see him 3 times in concert.
There is nobody
better than Harry
He was the best saw him everytime he came to town......the shows were alway wonderful , he is gravely missed, b will always be in my heart.......Leelee
What a song. My favorite of his.
Favourite.artist.of.all.time.miss,him.so.much
To young to have seen him live, my parents gave me a love of his music. This song is my oldest son's lullaby and "Mr Tanner" is my youngests'.
Without exahgerating, ive done about a thousand solo gigs or so and there was always that gig, more often than id like to admit, where the only person listening was the bartender and a bunch of empty chairs. its those times you better love to play the music for yourself, and you better love the music you play because in that moment of wide open silent and solitary confinement its just you and your guitar and it has to be enough or your career is over before it ever got started. During those nights i played this song and every other harry song on his double live album and it definitely got me through the night because the only thing better than listening to harry's songs was performing them. Im old now and ive seen alot of songwriters come and go but harry is the only one that actually makes me sad to think he is gone. we can only imagine how much more he would have given us. RIP my man, you are sorely missed. thanks for filling up all those empty seats
car pel, you just wrote a new hit record. Now sing it ! ...oh & don't forget Jim Croce. I miss him & Harry terribly. Long live Jim & Harry. Both of you rest in peace.
im with you baxter, croce and jackson browne were next on the list when i ran outta harry. your right, your 100% right. RIP gentlemen.
car pel AMEN! I'd like to add Steve Goodman and his great story songs.
I feel the same way, there's never going to be another Harry and man I sure do miss him and his music. He was a prince of a man with enough love and compassion in his heart to light the world. And, our world needs more men like Harry Chapin.
If life was fair, he'd still be with us ......... I sure do miss him. Anyone remember when Springsteen did a tribute to Harry?
What a wonderful song every time I see a version I have to watch it. Isn't it great to see the audience shots and see no cell phones recording it! Just people enjoying the moment.
my first concert was a small benefit performance in Memphis. It was just him and his guitar and it was AMAZING. At the end, he stood by the exit and introduced himself to everyone with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek - and said “hi I’m harry. what’s your name? hope you enjoyed it” and he did wait for answers - he was absolutely amazing - musically and just as a person
I was fortunate enough to see Harry in concert in the 70's in Pawtucket, RI. Best concert I have ever seen. Everyone in the audience knew all the songs and sang along. It was more like a community sing along. Had a great time. Sure do miss him.
Incredibly beautiful song.
"I don't want to bother you..."
RETURNED ONCE MORE FOR THE SEQUEL. ONLY HARRY CHAPIN BRIDGED TIME & SPACE THROUGH HIS MUSICAL STORIES. " THERE'V BEEN TOO MANY MILES & TOO MANY SMILES, BUT "I STILL REMEMBER YOU". "THERE'S A WILD MAN WIZARD HIDING IN ME, DRIVING A PRINCESS BLIND"." BABY'S SO HIGH THAT SHE'S SKYING, SO HIGH, SHE'S AFRAID TO FALL, I'LL TELL U WHY BABY'S CRYIN', CAUSE SHE'S DYIN"., AREN'T WE ALL". LOVE & LOSS THRU HARRY CHAPIN'S WORDS & MUSIC. " TAKIN' TIPS & GETTIN" STONED. I GO FLYIN' SO HIGH WHEN I'M STONED".R.I.P.
Harry was what you would call back in my day "one of the Beautiful people" an Icon, a man who for all his troubles somebody who would take the shirt of his back and give it to you without question or thought
One of my favorite songs of all time. I felt like the old man.
+solomon faber and I, the waitress
Greatest lyricist ever!! Greatest stories ever!! Harry Chapin you are missed.
Saying, " it's time that I moved on..." gets me every time. One of my all time favorite songs. Miss you, Harry.
The crowd was silent for a long time after the song. Then a huge applause and cheer. We took time to dry tears and take breaths before the applause. Harry was a person real and personal in the moment in the concert in Marquette, Michigan. The empty nights. The bother you is understood. Listen Good. YOUR heart will be more thankful. Your so dam beautiful I send you smiles and hugs.
I remember hearing this song on the radio in the 70s. It was one of those songs that as it ended I found myself staring at the radio with my mouth agape thinking, what a great song!
When he came to my hometown I never missed a show, and they were the best shows............ love him so much
I remember this song so well. It always affected me deeply. And now all these years later it still does. He didnt get played much on radio because his songs were always too long. But he was always telling a story and the loss was radio's.
An incredibly touching song from the genius that was Harry Chapin. The world is a better place for having had him here, albeit for a time that was too short.
Harry Chapin was a modern day poet whos music lives on. Thank you for posting.
I saw Harry sing a few times in the Winnipeg Convention Centre in the mid-70's. He always started his shows by saying, "How's everybody doin in the cheap seats?" His concerts were amazing, some of the best I ever saw.
What a beautiful song! I saw him in Lansing, MI in 79, and met him afterwards in the lobby where he was signing merch sold for fundraising. What a good man. I remember exactly hearing of his death. RIP Harry.
Big John Wallace. Great voice and blended so well with Harry's music.
Saw Harry quite a few times in the early 70's great singer/songwriter and a great man. Right on Harry
Wow, this is a great version, and he was in such great voice that night. I had tickets to see him when he passed. Rest in peace, Mr. Chapin.
Superb song, songwriter, performer, and person! Thanks!
Harry was a master story teller singer. I can see why he was so popular
One of my favorite Harry songs, and one that never fails to make me cry. God Bless you, my friend.
I first heard him and his band on the Carson Tonight Show, about 1968. He did TAXI and I was hooked.
I miss Harry!
so glad someone taped these performances. on the way home from a OB appt, in 198, we were considering going to his free concert at Eisenhower Park, when we heard of his accident and death. so sad. for sure we played every Harry song we had that night. my kids, the one born later that year and her older sister and younger brother, all grew up listening to Harry's" Greatest Stories Live' on every road trip we took. what a memory!
Actually used this song as a lullaby for my infant twins. I sing like a broken furnace, but the melody did it's job. It got to the point where I could just hum a little of the song and the babies would calm.
Thanks, Harry.
what a great talent, he is sorely missed by my wife and myself.
Brilliant song.vastly underrated.
Have missed him everyday.
This song will forever bring tears to my eyes...
Wouldn't it be great if they made a movie of his life or even better, a Broadway Musical sharing his enthusiasm for life...I can't think of a title for it...Can't just call it "HARRY"...or "A BETTER PLACE TO BE"...or "TAXI"...or "MR. TANNER"?????
He would have loved that
How about...”The Story Of A Life”...he did, after all, write a song with that title...
Im a 23 year old METALHEAD but i love harry chapin.
there are videos available of him in concert, and frequently PBS stations will run a concert he did as a fundraiser for them. So you can still have at least a taste of what it was like. I'm so grateful for every song he's performed that has been preserved this way so those of us who never got to see him live get to introduce another generation to his work.
I never got to see Harry in concert. That is something I truly wish I could change...
I love this song! It's so sad and happy at the same time!
It's still amazing how his three or four minute song could tell such a complete story.I could see and feel the characters and live through their actions and pain as he performed them and as I played them again and again. Each one as I play it is my very best favorite one
Delightful to see Sandy after so many years
One of my favorite songs of all time.
Onondaga Community College...1974...he played there and then went to his friends bar with full band and played for hours....thanks J. Smeals. Leeks. GREAT walk home !
@dosomethin888 25 year old metal head here that listens to Chapin as much as his favourite metal artists.
Just Awesome. All time favorite.
My Favorite Harry song
a master of music and I'm sure a good daddy
Would have loved to have seen him in concert~
"And lord lord lord...she was alright..."
I saw him perform live at the Norwich Rose Arts fesitval.. packed tent.. standing room only.. awesome show!!!
What a great story teller
The LAST great story teller. There has never been another like him...nor do I expect to see one in my lifetime. Love ya, Harry...
story song writer amazing
I miss Harry
Like the kennedy killing I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news of his death. Best live appearances that I have ever been to. A true artist.
Awesome to hear when i live in watertown
Thanks for posting this, its just about my favorite song.
Im a 52 year old HEAD BANGER & I so understand!!
Rhonda Hill *59
An extremely talented artist was taken from us to soon...
Still my living bible
name a song anywhere anytime like this one. There's a reason you've never eard a cover version. Cannot be copied. .Anything this unique must be considered a stone-cold classic.
Check out George Donaldson's A Song for Harry Chapin. It's a wonderful tribute to this amazing man. George is a member of the smash band Celtic Thunder and recently had the honor of singing Cat's in the Cradle in front. Of Sandy Chapin. Herry truely was a visionary.
Why can't music be like this again?
excellent
Great tune
Yes
@theredfoxdemon It was always a party when Harry came to our city, I don't begrudge a genius a party either!
@dianevaz its actually based on a story that a man had told him while he was visiting Watertown, NY
Same with “Halfway To Heaven” he talked to a man while sitting waiting for the subway. The man and him were discussing sexual morality and he told Harry that story.
🙋🙋🎈🕊☝🕶☝💕🎶✨✨
1″ THING I’D CHANGE”I WOULD HAVE SAID TO”HER;”im off duty, better walk on bye”}:{HARRY STILL' INSPIRES MY " PLAYING/WRITING/DREAMING"}ONE HECK OF A CONCERT BY HARRY CHAPIN AT " MY FATHER'S PLACE" IN ROSLYN LONG ISLAND, N.Y., I WAS LUCKY TO ATTEND, STANDING ROOM ONLY; THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDED/CHEERED WHEN " HE STASHED THE BILL IN HIS SHIRT". A TRUE MAESTRO SINGER/SONG WRITER/STORY TELLER/ CHAMPION OF WORLD HUNGER, & OTHER CAUSES. R.I.P.{STANDING ROOM ONLY AT "MY FATHER'SPLACE}}} Reply 2
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Does anyone know if this was in Atlanta at the Fox Theater?
@blueeyednirvana really , no kidding, I couldn't agree with you more.......
I think this was his last live performance
Four dislikes? I'm stupefied.
@dosomethin888 In that case you should check out Sniper.
@dojojojo Hamilton, Ontario, within months of his death
@losifer69