We named our band "Tanner's Revenge" and have told people for 15 years, "We play for ALL the Mr. Tanner's in the world...playing REGARDLESS of what the critics think. We play because it JUST MAKES US WHOLE!"
@@janicepaisley8304 Thanks Janice....we will be putting on a show of ONLY our originals in a few weeks. Still sharing what makes us happy with anyone that will listen.
I saw him when I was 14 years old at the Centre of the Arts in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I had second row seats… he was up there on his stool with an acoustic guitar.. to this day I see it like it happened yesterday. Little did I know at that moment what a privilege it was, he died the summer I graduated from high school, I’m still gobsmacked! 😶
Stangrus430, Hi Stan, Great comment. Thank You. My sister Liz & I had tickets to see Harry about 8 days before he died. (In Des Moines, Iowa) I was 18 at the time. I am thankful to my close friend Craig Williams who introduced us to Harry. Craig passed away about 4 years ago. Blessed Day 🙏
Was raised on this amazing man.. I was known as the old soul of my friends.. no one my age knew him until I reached adulthood, but he definitely made an impact of who I turned out to be..
Nobody else could take a taxi driver, or a midnight watchman on a one-night fling, or a singing dry-cleaner and make such wonderful songs about them. Genius.
Big John Wallace bone chillingly good!! Poor Harry Chapin, never forgotten. He had the gift, another who added color to the tapestry, laughter and tears to our lives. 😇
Several years ago, my church choir was singing Cantique de Noelle ("Fall on your knees...etc" in case you don't know) on Christmas Eve and our director offered up solos for the verses for anyone who wanted. A man in his late 70s asked to sing one of the verses - he was someone who was once very musical but in his older days he tends to bay like a hound dog and many of us were really questioning the choice. When he sang in our Christmas Eve service, his voice was very strained and he was very out of tune. But he was pleased. I remember my daughter was aghast afterward saying she was so embarrassed for him. However I told her that he was very proud that he was able to give a gift to the congregation. I explained that accepting his gift with grace was like giving him a present because it made him so happy. Then I played Mr Tanner for her and we both cried together.
In this song, and the one by Kevin Johnson called Rock n roll I gave you the best years of my life, the narrator gives up. And I find that so sad. What a great debate though... should Martin Tanner and the guy in Kevin's song have given up or was it correct to just say "you know what, I tried. I'll sing for myself."
Harry Chapin was a master storyteller. His kind is in short supply these days. He was called away to a higher purpose and is missed by those of us who grew up with his wonderful stories. We will always have his music. Thank the Lord for that!
I got into Harrys music from my brother Carl who use to play guitar and sing Harrys songs. I was just a teenager and younger than most of his fans at the concert in Norfolk, VA.I got a chance to meet and get his autograph. He kissed me and said I was lovely. He was an amazing story teller, a gentleman, a humanitarian and I wish he was still with us.If anyone has the Mayor of Candor Lied please post.. I had his complete works but someone stole them. I miss you Harry
Recently went to the Harry Chapin at 80: Retrospective concert in Long Island...drove up from southwestern New Jersey to see it and it filled us with so much joy to see the Chapin family and BIG JOHN WALLACE performing together again...Steve, Tom, Jen, Abigail, Lily, Big John, and several other very talented musicians...the joy they still have playing music together is so palpable and inspiring for their audience and Harry would certainly be very proud of his family and the way he is remembered. Tears and laughter all evening long! The Chapins have been a major soundtrack to our lives and we are thankful for them and the musicians and crews who work with them!
I saw Harry in concert in Chicago several times. One concert was on my birthday, my husband bought me the concert program and Harry gave me a birthday kiss. It was a wonderful kiss.
I watched this entire concert for the first time, on VHS tape, on my 9th birthday in 1982 and I fell in love with Harry. I have loved him ever since…. He was far realer to me than my own father and I think he replaced my father in my mind at around that age…. He was wonderful. Miss this man and his precious soul…
I was in the middle East for a long time and late night I first heard this song and don't know why but I begin to cry and didn't stop for a while,Thanks Harry Chapin.R.I.P.
I saw Harry Chapin in the fall of 1977 at the little college in western Florida that I was attending. He asked for a volunteer to come out of the crowd to sing Mr. Tanner's part. Of course we already knew he would and had a ringer lined up. It was such a wonderful touch to a magnificent evening. Harry Chapin was taken from this world far too early.
I've just started learning to play piano again at the age of 56. I took lessons for a year when I was a teenager, and haven't played at all in 30 years. I'm finding that music is to me what it was to Mr. Tanner. It makes me feel so happy, and it makes me feel so good. It makes me whole.
+bigvan24 I'll be 61 next month. After two months of lessons I've got "Horse with No Name" down pat on the guitar. My instructor asked what my goals were, and I told him if I can sit by a campfire and sing a couple of Harry Chapins song to my grandkids, I'll die a happy man. (not for a long time, I hope)
Thanks Mr. Harry Chapin for reminding us all about humanity and to not be in a rush to judge others... R.I.P. . You did well while you walked the earth, the mark you left was one most could only dream of leaving. BRAVO BRAVO... :(
I am so grateful that my mom exposed me to this wonderful era of music at a young age. I remember hearing folks like Harry singing these wonderful and heartfelt songs on the car radio. Long lost is the era of musical storytellers.
I remember him from all those years ago. I was a kid when I went to see him. Then I became a musician, and every time I read a review, every time I took the stage, I tried to remember: "He did not know how well he sang/It just made him whole."
omg, I haven't heard this song in probably 30 years!!! I remember seeing him in Worcester, Ma. and I was just in awe!! We lost a great entertainer & humanitarian when we lost Harry!! The ending can almost bring you to tears!! I played a lot of his tunes back in the day & meeting him briefly for an autograph, was the highlight of my life, back then! It was actually my brother, who got me the tickets!!
In my mind I am Mr. Tanner - Saw Harry 5 times live and still have the ticket for the Music Tent show he was to play - 1 week after. Harry, Keep the change!
These songs that Harry sung, always seemed to touch you in the deepest parts of your soul! I'm glad I saw him in 1980, and met and talked to him, and saw him 2 months before his death, at The Westbury music Fair! Harry was a good man, with a heart for the poor and hungry! He was definitely missed by me all these years! Peace and Love, BobbyK
Amazing singer songwriter and storyteller..... the world Lost a great talent with his passing. I still play his music ....late at night..a glass or two of bourbon and the lights down low... bring's a tear to your eyes. God bless you Harry...we all miss you.. Doug from Australia
I remember growing up in Dayton Ohio staying up at night listening to this and other great Harry Chapin songs. What a great storyteller he was, sure do miss him and his music!
im watching this beautiful footage with my 7yr old, William Chapin K+#@ky). my father was a huge fan so ive heard Harry's voice my whole life.both of those men are gone but they live on everyday in my little Dancing Boy
An expertly-crafted song that means more today, with hundreds of songs being "released" on the Internet each and every HOUR, than it ever meant before. PLEASE, do society a favor and share this song with your musical friends who think they can sing/dance/play guitar/piano, etc. Mr. Tanner was a real person, and this really happened, more or less. Giving "participation trophies" to everyone who writes and records a song only diminishes the value of truly good music. And free music is removing the incentive for truly talented artists to make a living at their craft. If you make music because you love it, fine. But let's not reward everyone with a participation trophy. It hides the trophies which should be reserved for the real winners!
I'm constantly amazed at how well Harry understood those with talent who play music for the love of it and either don't get the training or the chance to do more with it. Usually professional musicians overestimate the difference between their talent and those like Mr. Tanner.
This is probably my favorite song of Harry's and one of my favorite songs of mine, period. I first heard it on the Greatest Stories Live album when I was 12 and the song resonated with me even then. 48 years later, this song hits my emotional core just as much as it did back then. I play music for the love of it and this song was a big reason why.
harry was a genius , taken far to soon his lyrics are from the heart his music was nector to the ears . I have seen many great performers in my life , but I would of loved to of seen harry before he died ,
Oh how I miss him...:-( I saw him in Phoenix...twice. AND after the show, he was greeting the fans and even gave me a kiss...ON THE LIPS!!! Will never forget it. Wonderful man!! God rest his soul...a real treasure and the best story teller!!
I had the great pleasure of seeing this amazing musician and even more amazing man too many times to count. his music touched people. hell, it still does even all these years later. he was taken from this world way too soon.
This song has always touched me deeply. The recitation of the newspaper review still now, even after all these decades since I first heard it, still chokes me up to where I can't speak with a normal voice. Kudos to "Big John" Wallace.
I had front row seats to see him on Saturday night in Toledo and he died on Thursday my wife and I were devastated it would have been our third time to see him but never front row
Like so much of his work this paints such a vivid picture. I can so clearly see Mr. Tanner in the shop late at night pressing clothes and practicing his songs. Harry was so good at imagery.
Harry Chapin one of the REAL geniuses of MUSIC awesome voice brilliant lyrics and wonderful stories Check Out The Mayor of Candor Lied and Corey's Coming
I heard Harry sing this in concert twice and the character of Mr. Tanner is someone I can relate to...I took on a cabaret career later in life and I love it. and how it makes me feel....I've always wanted to sing this song and am working on it...if all goes well I'll be doing it soon with a cello player...I'm hoping that I don't cry when I sing it...I'm in tears as I write this...I don't perform for the money and give what I make to the musicians...who make me feel whole
HARRY AT " MY FATHER'S PLACE, ROSLYN, LONG ISLAND, 1974/75. ONE OF THE " GREATEST ARTIST/MUSICIAN/STORY TELLERS FOR ALL TIME. MISS HIM & HIS BAND( BIG JOHN & TOM CHAPIN & THE CELLISTS). HARRY WORKED FOR WORLD HUNGER & SADLY OVERWORKED HIMSELF. GONE MUCH TOO EARLY. R.I.P., FROM A 4EVER LOYAL FAN, STEVE. SO BEAUTIFUL, SO TIMELESS IS " MAIL ORDER ANNIE". (WRITTEN WAITING AT LONG ISLAND TRAIN STATION FOR HIS WIFE TO ARRIVE...PER HARRY CHAPIN).
This song always gets me all teary. Mr. Tanner loved to sing, not professional, but for love of singing and expressing himself, and the "know-it-all" critics ruined that spirit.
One of my all-time favorite performers. Don't know popular music today as I well as when this came out. I seem to remember more artist like Harry in those days (Croce,Fogelberg,Lightfoot,Steve Goodman etc.) That is; Bards who could tell interesting and enjoyable stories through song.
This man sang like he had all the experience of a one hundred year old, but he died so young. It's said about many artists, but for this one, it holds true.
Thanks for this. I saw Harry in concert three times, once long before he was famous. He brought an intimacy to the show that I could not have imagined from another singer. I'm sending this clip to my ukuele playing granddaughter as an example of a singer who could pierce your soul.
I went to see him back in the late 70s at the Capital Music Hall in Wheeling, WV. It was a fantastic concert. At the end of the concert he announced that he would be by the far left exit door and he would kiss every woman and shake the hand of every man who was willing to wait in line. We waited in a long line and it was worth it. What a wonderful person. Just a couple years later he was gone. RIP Brother.
I saw Harry 3 or 4 times in the late 70's or early 80's. Once we were actually on the front row in a small venue. What a pleasure to listen to this man tell a story. I still enjoy his music 30 years later and always crank the radio up when one of his songs come on.
Instantly transported back to high school, just down the QEW from where this concert was recorded. There was a group of us who all ate lunch together and sang Harry's songs. There was one guy who did an amazing job of Big John Wallace's part of Mr. Tanner. I cannot hear this song, or 'Circle' without thinking of Jeff, Janice & Kate.
I love this song from the deepest depths of my soul. And I love the fact you shared this beautiful song because it resonates most of our dreams. Heart symbol.
I saw Harry and his group 1979 in Atlanta GA , 3000 lbs of bananas his music impressed me and I have given time to learning to pickup the banjo, Happy Healthy and Enthusiastic, let's pick
The greatest concert I ever saw was Harry, Pete Seeger, and Tom Chapin in Tarrytown, NY, It was just the three of them and their guitars and banjos, totally acoustic. Harry stepped to the edge of the stage and sang Mail Order Annie accapella. I just got goosebumps thinking about it.
We named our band "Tanner's Revenge" and have told people for 15 years, "We play for ALL the Mr. Tanner's in the world...playing REGARDLESS of what the critics think. We play because it JUST MAKES US WHOLE!"
How many people die with their song inside of them…live out loud to all.. share your love share your gifts
@@janicepaisley8304 Thanks Janice....we will be putting on a show of ONLY our originals in a few weeks. Still sharing what makes us happy with anyone that will listen.
@@mikeknowles9098 you post videos of you playing??
Music brings the inside…..outside
Amazing.
This man was the greatest storyteller songwriter i ever heard in my 66 years on this planet, listen up young folks, and learn.
I fully agree, Stan
I saw him when I was 14 years old at the Centre of the Arts in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I had second row seats… he was up there on his stool with an acoustic guitar.. to this day I see it like it happened yesterday. Little did I know at that moment what a privilege it was, he died the summer I graduated from high school, I’m still gobsmacked! 😶
Stangrus430,
Hi Stan, Great comment. Thank You.
My sister Liz & I had tickets to see Harry about 8 days before he died. (In Des Moines, Iowa)
I was 18 at the time. I am thankful to my close friend Craig Williams who introduced us to Harry. Craig passed away about 4 years ago.
Blessed Day 🙏
Hope you’re doing well these days
Was raised on this amazing man.. I was known as the old soul of my friends.. no one my age knew him until I reached adulthood, but he definitely made an impact of who I turned out to be..
I heard this song when I was very young- and it moved me so much! Decades later- I am still moved to tears. So beautiful & thoughtful! RIP Harry
Nobody else could take a taxi driver, or a midnight watchman on a one-night fling, or a singing dry-cleaner and make such wonderful songs about them. Genius.
Beautifully stated, my friend.
Harry and crew really gave us a beautiful gift with the music. God bless you Harry........wherever you are.
Big John Wallace bone chillingly good!! Poor Harry Chapin, never forgotten. He had the gift, another who added color to the tapestry, laughter and tears to our lives. 😇
Yes,music was his life,I miss you dad.
Several years ago, my church choir was singing Cantique de Noelle ("Fall on your knees...etc" in case you don't know) on Christmas Eve and our director offered up solos for the verses for anyone who wanted. A man in his late 70s asked to sing one of the verses - he was someone who was once very musical but in his older days he tends to bay like a hound dog and many of us were really questioning the choice.
When he sang in our Christmas Eve service, his voice was very strained and he was very out of tune. But he was pleased.
I remember my daughter was aghast afterward saying she was so embarrassed for him. However I told her that he was very proud that he was able to give a gift to the congregation. I explained that accepting his gift with grace was like giving him a present because it made him so happy.
Then I played Mr Tanner for her and we both cried together.
I completely understand.
@@Steelhorsecowboy I totally understand
good story
In this song, and the one by Kevin Johnson called Rock n roll I gave you the best years of my life, the narrator gives up. And I find that so sad. What a great debate though... should Martin Tanner and the guy in Kevin's song have given up or was it correct to just say "you know what, I tried. I'll sing for myself."
Thank you
One of the world’s great singer-songwriters. Thank you, Harry ❤️
Harry Chapin was a master storyteller. His kind is in short supply these days. He was called away to a higher purpose and is missed by those of us who grew up with his wonderful stories. We will always have his music. Thank the Lord for that!
One of the saddest songs ever. My heart hurts for all the Mr. Tanners who love what they do and want to share their gift.😢
I got into Harrys music from my brother Carl who use to play guitar and sing Harrys songs. I was just a teenager and younger than most of his fans at the concert in Norfolk, VA.I got a chance to meet and get his autograph. He kissed me and said I was lovely. He was an amazing story teller, a gentleman, a humanitarian and I wish he was still with us.If anyone has the Mayor of Candor Lied please post.. I had his complete works but someone stole them. I miss you Harry
I miss Harry.
Oh, me, too.
I do too SueAnn.... :(
His daughter sings!
Never regret what you have done , but what you have not done. Praise to all the Mr. Tanners. God bless you Harry
Big John Wallace singing O Holy Night makes this song nearly perfect
My wife worshiped Harry Chapin, she got to see him live here in Indianapolis one year before he passed away
Recently went to the Harry Chapin at 80: Retrospective concert in Long Island...drove up from southwestern New Jersey to see it and it filled us with so much joy to see the Chapin family and BIG JOHN WALLACE performing together again...Steve, Tom, Jen, Abigail, Lily, Big John, and several other very talented musicians...the joy they still have playing music together is so palpable and inspiring for their audience and Harry would certainly be very proud of his family and the way he is remembered. Tears and laughter all evening long! The Chapins have been a major soundtrack to our lives and we are thankful for them and the musicians and crews who work with them!
I saw Harry in concert in Chicago several times. One concert was on my birthday, my husband bought me the concert program and Harry gave me a birthday kiss. It was a wonderful kiss.
harry died way too young..this is a beautiful song
I watched this entire concert for the first time, on VHS tape, on my 9th birthday in 1982 and I fell in love with Harry. I have loved him ever since….
He was far realer to me than my own father and I think he replaced my father in my mind at around that age….
He was wonderful. Miss this man and his precious soul…
I was in the middle East for a long time and late night I first heard this song and don't know why but I begin to cry and didn't stop for a while,Thanks Harry Chapin.R.I.P.
I saw Harry Chapin in the fall of 1977 at the little college in western Florida that I was attending. He asked for a volunteer to come out of the crowd to sing Mr. Tanner's part. Of course we already knew he would and had a ringer lined up. It was such a wonderful touch to a magnificent evening. Harry Chapin was taken from this world far too early.
Why is Harry NOT in the Songwriter's Hall of Fame??? What can I do to help make it happen?
I've just started learning to play piano again at the age of 56. I took lessons for a year when I was a teenager, and haven't played at all in 30 years. I'm finding that music is to me what it was to Mr. Tanner. It makes me feel so happy, and it makes me feel so good. It makes me whole.
+bigvan24 I'll be 61 next month. After two months of lessons I've got "Horse with No Name" down pat on the guitar. My instructor asked what my goals were, and I told him if I can sit by a campfire and sing a couple of Harry Chapins song to my grandkids, I'll die a happy man. (not for a long time, I hope)
I just broke 100 years old…yes yes, 100. Harry was in his prime back in the late 70’s….even at my age, Harry was an inspiration of sorts
Thanks Mr. Harry Chapin for reminding us all about humanity and to not be in a rush to judge others... R.I.P. . You did well while you walked the earth, the mark you left was one most could only dream of leaving. BRAVO BRAVO... :(
Still miss this great story teller!
I am so grateful that my mom exposed me to this wonderful era of music at a young age. I remember hearing folks like Harry singing these wonderful and heartfelt songs on the car radio. Long lost is the era of musical storytellers.
Still revallent to day great story telling .left us too soon but great memories and tunes. Love you forever Henry ❤❤❤
I remember him from all those years ago. I was a kid when I went to see him. Then I became a musician, and every time I read a review, every time I took the stage, I tried to remember: "He did not know how well he sang/It just made him whole."
Wonderful sentiment... look after yourself stay safe Doug from Australia
omg, I haven't heard this song in probably 30 years!!! I remember seeing him in Worcester, Ma. and I was just in awe!! We lost a great entertainer & humanitarian when we lost Harry!! The ending can almost bring you to tears!! I played a lot of his tunes back in the day & meeting him briefly for an autograph, was the highlight of my life, back then! It was actually my brother, who got me the tickets!!
In my mind I am Mr. Tanner - Saw Harry 5 times live and still have the ticket for the Music Tent show he was to play - 1 week after. Harry, Keep the change!
These songs that Harry sung, always seemed to touch you in the deepest parts of your soul! I'm glad I saw him in 1980, and met and talked to him, and saw him 2 months before his death, at The Westbury music Fair! Harry was a good man, with a heart for the poor and hungry! He was definitely missed by me all these years! Peace and Love, BobbyK
Amazing singer songwriter and storyteller..... the world Lost a great talent with his passing. I still play his music ....late at night..a glass or two of bourbon and the lights down low... bring's a tear to your eyes. God bless you Harry...we all miss you.. Doug from Australia
Got to give a billion props to "Big" John Wallace for the Mr. Tanner vocals
I was so amazed that John Wallace could sing this deep and, on Taxi, so high. Such talent!
Big John heard him live with Harry twice.
Today's internet would destroy a man like Mr. Tanner.
This song/exquisite story touched my soul. See
I remember growing up in Dayton Ohio staying up at night listening to this and other great Harry Chapin songs. What a great storyteller he was, sure do miss him and his music!
Omg .I just have no words. I miss Harry.
You cannot kill the love one has for music.
So glad there are people with footage like this to share. I would hate to see this die with the erosion of ages wind.
im watching this beautiful footage with my 7yr old, William Chapin K+#@ky). my father was a huge fan so ive heard Harry's voice my whole life.both of those men are gone but they live on everyday in my little Dancing Boy
Long time Harry fan..If this isn't one of his very best, I don't know what is...
The imagery painted, the poetry, and the presentation, transported concert attendees to another place.
An expertly-crafted song that means more today, with hundreds of songs being "released" on the Internet each and every HOUR, than it ever meant before. PLEASE, do society a favor and share this song with your musical friends who think they can sing/dance/play guitar/piano, etc. Mr. Tanner was a real person, and this really happened, more or less. Giving "participation trophies" to everyone who writes and records a song only diminishes the value of truly good music. And free music is removing the incentive for truly talented artists to make a living at their craft. If you make music because you love it, fine. But let's not reward everyone with a participation trophy. It hides the trophies which should be reserved for the real winners!
Pitch correction was the worst "invention" ever...
this song just hits you just where it should.
I'm constantly amazed at how well Harry understood those with talent who play music for the love of it and either don't get the training or the chance to do more with it. Usually professional musicians overestimate the difference between their talent and those like Mr. Tanner.
This is probably my favorite song of Harry's and one of my favorite songs of mine, period. I first heard it on the Greatest Stories Live album when I was 12 and the song resonated with me even then. 48 years later, this song hits my emotional core just as much as it did back then. I play music for the love of it and this song was a big reason why.
We need more "Mr. Tanners" and fewer "critics" in this world!
he was so good died to soon, had so many good songs, i will still watch this Mister Tanner
Your stories and your wisdom are so missed.
Rip harry
My real last name is Tanner. I love this song. And singing. But I don't think I will make it in the music industry but I tried. Lovely song. 🎵🎶🎵
I really miss Harry. Saw him in concert multiple times. A troubadour who knew how to tell a heartfelt story.
miss harry so much this is a beautiful song. harrys songs told the most wonderful stories
harry was a genius , taken far to soon his lyrics are from the heart his music was nector to the ears . I have seen many great performers in my life , but I would of loved to of seen harry before he died ,
Love hearing Big John!
the stories of life
Big John Wallace had fantastic range, and still does, and he was the perfect complement to Harry on this great song.
been to all his concerts in Boston. His memory will never leave the hearts of my wife,Carol and me, Jim Galliford!
Oh how I miss him...:-( I saw him in Phoenix...twice. AND after the show, he was greeting the fans and even gave me a kiss...ON THE LIPS!!! Will never forget it. Wonderful man!! God rest his soul...a real treasure and the best story teller!!
I had the great pleasure of seeing this amazing musician and even more amazing man too many times to count. his music touched people. hell, it still does even all these years later. he was taken from this world way too soon.
A man with some true talent... There is a little bit of Mister Tanner in all of us.
Another wonderful story from the last of the great troubadores.
oh that just made me cry
This song has always touched me deeply. The recitation of the newspaper review still now, even after all these decades since I first heard it, still chokes me up to where I can't speak with a normal voice. Kudos to "Big John" Wallace.
I had front row seats to see him on Saturday night in Toledo and he died on Thursday my wife and I were devastated it would have been our third time to see him but never front row
Like so much of his work this paints such a vivid picture. I can so clearly see Mr. Tanner in the shop late at night pressing clothes and practicing his songs. Harry was so good at imagery.
Harry Chapin one of the REAL geniuses of MUSIC awesome voice brilliant lyrics and wonderful stories Check Out The Mayor of Candor Lied and Corey's Coming
great story teller singer musician
I heard Harry sing this in concert twice and the character of Mr. Tanner is someone I can relate to...I took on a cabaret career later in life and I love it. and how it makes me feel....I've always wanted to sing this song and am working on it...if all goes well I'll be doing it soon with a cello player...I'm hoping that I don't cry when I sing it...I'm in tears as I write this...I don't perform for the money and give what I make to the musicians...who make me feel whole
HARRY AT " MY FATHER'S PLACE, ROSLYN, LONG ISLAND, 1974/75. ONE OF THE " GREATEST ARTIST/MUSICIAN/STORY TELLERS FOR ALL TIME. MISS HIM & HIS BAND( BIG JOHN & TOM CHAPIN & THE CELLISTS). HARRY WORKED FOR WORLD HUNGER & SADLY OVERWORKED HIMSELF. GONE MUCH TOO EARLY. R.I.P., FROM A 4EVER LOYAL FAN, STEVE. SO BEAUTIFUL, SO TIMELESS IS " MAIL ORDER ANNIE". (WRITTEN WAITING AT LONG ISLAND TRAIN STATION FOR HIS WIFE TO ARRIVE...PER HARRY CHAPIN).
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Better to have love and lost than to never have loved at all. Awesome song!
Big John Wallace was an incredible singer, who had a range of five octaves.
This song always gets me all teary. Mr. Tanner loved to sing, not professional, but for love of singing and expressing himself, and the "know-it-all" critics ruined that spirit.
My parents owned and ran a dry cleaner shop from the early 70s to the early 90s...this hits hard...
Seeing Harry perform this with John Wallace has brought tears to my eyes. He was one of a kind and still sadly missed.
Sadly missed by me, as well. .....and John Wallace was stellar, here.
Nicely said, Alan :)
Mozart reincarnated... I will always love you, Harry...
Saw Harry on Long Island in the late 70's. He was fantastic and always one of my favorite singers
I miss you Harry. I miss the stories that went untold. God Bless Harry Chapin and the cause he supported.
One of my all-time favorite performers. Don't know popular music today as I well as when this came out. I seem to remember more artist like Harry in those days (Croce,Fogelberg,Lightfoot,Steve Goodman etc.)
That is; Bards who could tell interesting and enjoyable stories through song.
I was fortunate enough to see Harry Chapin 13 times...Iwas and still am a Chapin junkie
Born in 86 so i obviously missed his glory, however my father made it a point to raise me on the man with the greatest stories ever told
This man sang like he had all the experience of a one hundred year old, but he died so young. It's said about many artists, but for this one, it holds true.
Thanks for this. I saw Harry in concert three times, once long before he was famous. He brought an intimacy to the show that I could not have imagined from another singer. I'm sending this clip to my ukuele playing granddaughter as an example of a singer who could pierce your soul.
I went to see him back in the late 70s at the Capital Music Hall in Wheeling, WV. It was a fantastic concert. At the end of the concert he announced that he would be by the far left exit door and he would kiss every woman and shake the hand of every man who was willing to wait in line. We waited in a long line and it was worth it. What a wonderful person. Just a couple years later he was gone. RIP Brother.
ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL...BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME i HEAR IT. Chapin was simply brilliant.
I saw Harry 3 or 4 times in the late 70's or early 80's. Once we were actually on the front row in a small venue. What a pleasure to listen to this man tell a story. I still enjoy his music 30 years later and always crank the radio up when one of his songs come on.
Have always love this song. this version John really brings it!
Instantly transported back to high school, just down the QEW from where this concert was recorded. There was a group of us who all ate lunch together and sang Harry's songs. There was one guy who did an amazing job of Big John Wallace's part of Mr. Tanner. I cannot hear this song, or 'Circle' without thinking of Jeff, Janice & Kate.
Harry Chapin makes it sound great to enjoy our talents and what makes us happy. Criticism can damage us so badly.
Glad I'm not the only one. Those were my thoughts precisely.
What a great song!
I love this song from the deepest depths of my soul. And I love the fact you shared this beautiful song because it resonates most of our dreams. Heart symbol.
I saw Harry and his group 1979 in Atlanta GA , 3000 lbs of bananas his music impressed me and I have given time to learning to pickup the banjo, Happy Healthy and Enthusiastic, let's pick
Every time I hear him I think of my DAD!!
One of the saddest songs ever. Still makes me cry.
I feel so fortunate that I saw Harry in concert, at least once. Gone too soon, Harry! What a wordsmith.
Food for the soul. Mr. Tanner is my favorite Christmas song.
The greatest concert I ever saw was Harry, Pete Seeger, and Tom Chapin in Tarrytown, NY, It was just the three of them and their guitars and banjos, totally acoustic. Harry stepped to the edge of the stage and sang Mail Order Annie accapella. I just got goosebumps thinking about it.
He sings it in acapella in this concert too: ua-cam.com/video/z_f6NTCIsLQ/v-deo.html
I never knew there was a video of Harry singing this song. I've listened to his CD "Greatest Stories Live" for a long time, a great CD.
He changed my life ❤️💛😎💖🦋
my name is tanner. this is a superb song.
Still, listen young folks and learn! Oh, how I've missed him all these years.