Intellectual Meaning of an American Song

Cats In The Cradle – Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I kind of grew up listening to this song, there was a mix CD that we would listen to in the car on the way to softball tournaments that included all the classics: Harry Chapin, Frank Sinatra, Cat Stevens, etc. I’ve known the lyrics since I was probably ten; it’s just one of those songs.

This song can be taken very literally, about a happy little boy wanting to grow up to be like his father who has never made time for him, always promising for another day. But when another day comes, the son is all grown up and just like his father finding it hard to make time for him. When the general ‘storyline’ is translated into an intellectual meaning that stretches beyond fathers and sons, I feel that the meaning is to take time to enjoy your loved ones while you can, whether they are young or old. There are certain relationships that are really important to keep, and once damaged take a hell of a lot more to repair than others. Those are the relationships that you can’t put off to another day.

When you listen to the song, and you hear Chapin’s folky voice hit certain words a little lower and longer, it only emphasizes the lesson so to speak that needs to be taken away from the song. I think it’s an absolutely lovely song although I am quite biased.

Sidenote: Chapin was once quoted as saying “Frankly, this song scares me to death.”