About the song
“Cat’s in the Cradle” is a timeless folk rock song by American singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, released in 1974 on his fourth studio album, “Verities & Balderdash.” This poignant ballad quickly resonated with audiences and became Chapin’s only number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its enduring popularity has solidified “Cat’s in the Cradle” as a classic in the folk rock genre, earning Chapin a Grammy Award nomination and a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The song tells a poignant story about a father’s busy life and his growing estrangement from his young son. In the first verse, the father is consumed by his work, neglecting his son’s pleas for attention and admiration. Despite his son’s unwavering love and desire to be like him, the father remains preoccupied, prioritizing his career over family. As the years pass, the son grows up and achieves his own successes, but the father’s longing for connection remains unfulfilled.
In the final verse, the roles have reversed. The now-retired father yearns for his son’s company, but his son, mirroring his father’s earlier behavior, is too busy with his own work and family to spend time with him. The father’s realization that his son has become just like him is a bittersweet moment of reflection on the cycle of missed opportunities and the enduring impact of parental absence.
Chapin’s lyrics, inspired by his own experiences and observations, capture the universal themes of father-son relationships, the passage of time, and the consequences of neglecting loved ones in pursuit of career and success. The song’s simple yet evocative melody, combined with Chapin’s heartfelt vocals, creates a powerful and emotionally resonant listening experience.
“Cat’s in the Cradle” continues to touch the hearts of listeners of all ages, reminding us of the importance of cherishing our loved ones and making time for meaningful connections. It serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of material success is often at the expense of our most precious relationships.
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Lyrics
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 talking ‘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 in the moon
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then
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-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that’s okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It 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 in the moon
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then
Well, he came 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 they 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 in the moon
“When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then, dad
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 the 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 in the moon
“When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then, dad
We’re gonna have a good time then