Songs that make you cry
December 6th 2006 03:34
Songs elicit different kinds of emotions in us, most are attached to a certain memory. There are many sad songs that have been written, from the downright depressing like "Solitaire" to the cynically sad song like "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette. But seldom have i come across a song wherein just reading the lyrics made me cry.
I'm talking about "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin.
I'm quite familiar with the tune of this song but honestly I never paid much attention to the lyrics, that is until we discussed it in writing class.
Maybe I related to the song now because i'm now a parent who is noticing that her little girl is becoming more independent. For whatever reason just reading the lyrics of this song makes me teary-eyed.
Cats In The Cradle Lyrics
Artist: Harry Chapin
Album: Cats In The Cradle
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 dad?
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 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 on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then dad
You know we'll have a good time then
Are there any songs that make you cry?
EDITED TO ADD: YAY! I found a video of Harry Chapin singing "Cats in the Cradle". This vid really gives me the goosebumps. Harry Chapin died much too young, he was a great songwriter and performer.
I'm talking about "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin.
I'm quite familiar with the tune of this song but honestly I never paid much attention to the lyrics, that is until we discussed it in writing class.
Maybe I related to the song now because i'm now a parent who is noticing that her little girl is becoming more independent. For whatever reason just reading the lyrics of this song makes me teary-eyed.
Cats In The Cradle Lyrics
Artist: Harry Chapin
Album: Cats In The Cradle
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 dad?
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 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 on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then dad
You know we'll have a good time then
Are there any songs that make you cry?
EDITED TO ADD: YAY! I found a video of Harry Chapin singing "Cats in the Cradle". This vid really gives me the goosebumps. Harry Chapin died much too young, he was a great songwriter and performer.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
This was very moving and very touching and very TRUE. Life can be sad for all we try to get it right.
Have a good day, and a little pray. God loves you, as the Christians say.
katyzzz
Comment by Kate 1
Poster Of A Girl
Similarly, "I was only 19" by Redgum (about the Vietnam War) has been covered by an Australian Hip Hop band now. I hope it's bringing the original message to a younger generation.
Here's a link to the clip, if you'd like to have a look:
I WAS ONLY 19 - Redgum
Comment by Yolanda
Another one...Placebo 'Sleeping With Ghosts'. Very mellow song about a relationship dissolving (I think).
And another one...Pink 'Who Knew'. The video production is brilliant and works well with the song.
Although what I got is pretty mainstream it does the trick!
Cheers, Yolanda
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
Yes, letting go is always very sad which is why we must make the most of the time we have right now. Thanks for the prayer katyzz and hope you'll have a good day as well.
Kate,
Thanks for posting. It's funny i've heard this song many times but never really listened until I read the lyrics. I'm going to check out that vid you mentioned. Thanks again.
Yolanda,
I'm not familiar with the songs you mentioned but it all sounds interesting. I hope i can find a music sample somewhere. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I just added a video of Harry Chapin singing "Cats in the Cradle". Thank God for Youtube
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
I just saw the video, the song and music vid is very poignant. It's also very relevant to what is happening right now. Thanks for the link!
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Just saw the video, it was great , very moving.
A song that always gets to me is "help me make it through the night". Boy does that press all my buttons.
It was very typical of my life at a certain stage, sad, but the emotions were wasted on the person I through them away on.
katyzzz
Comment by Yolanda
The second song is from a more alternative band but it's still awesome regardless.
I also reckon Snow Patrol 'Chasing Cars' is a tear jerker as well once you close your eyes and take the lyrics and the music in.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for sharing the lyrics to that song, they are very powerful.
Two songs spring to my mind, Happy Christmas (War is over) by John Lennon. Here's some of the lyrics:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.
The lyrics always make me cry and feel guilty as though I haven't done enough for the world. But at the same time it's a beautiful song and I admire John Lennon's work.
And Bright Eyes by Simon and Garfunkle, it was on in the background as the doctor was telling me my sister was going to die. Plus, the film was sad too (Watership Down).
Oh and Christmas carols, I don't know why but they always make me cry too, makes shopping at this time of year very hard..!
Tracy
Comment by Kate 1
Poster Of A Girl
I think the theme of the song will always be relevant. I just wish it was in a distant sense, rather than in a current way, every generation.
Harry Chapin is great. I thought 'Cats in the Cradle' was by Cat Stevens... he must have covered it, too.
Hi Tracy,
Awesome choice. John Lennon was a great lyricist and that song makes me cry too. Out of the Christmas carols, I find 'Silent Night' and... the one that goes "Fall on your knees, Oh heeeeear the angels voices" makes me cry.
- Kate
PS. Last night I cried at a Kleenex add. It had duckies. Just to put the concept of me crying into context
Comment by Kylar
I too thought that Cats In The Cradle was a Cat Stevens song. I named my cat after Cat Stevens...
Comment by Whatever
Cinema of Australia
Music Times Australia
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
Harry Chapin composed and sang "Cats in the Cradle" although maybe Cat Stevens recorded it too?
I'm familiar with most of the songs mentioned above but there are several which I haven't heard before, hopefully I can find it through the powers of YouTube
Comment by Anonymous
Goodnight My Angel (Lullaby) - Billy Joel
and
America the Beautiful
Larry P, MD
doctorpastor@erols.com