Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song

Subject: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: oldhippie
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 06:43 PM

Is there a conspiracy out there on mainstream radio re; Harry Chapin? The only song you ever hear is "Cats In The Cradle".

In my opinion, its not even one of his better songs. I'd love to hear "A Better Place To Be" or "Mr Tanner" or "I Wanna Learn A Love Song" now and then, or even "Taxi" and "Sequel" - good stuff!

Somebody please tell the programmers to wake up and listen!

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Peace
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 06:45 PM

Chapin is a good writer. (I agree about CITC.)

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: jeffp
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 09:41 PM

I heard Taxi the other day as I was driving to my girlfriend's house. I sat in her driveway with the engine running until it finished. Great song.

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Peace
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 09:43 PM

Yeppers.

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 04:45 AM

Not that this will stay on...but...Harry Chapin was, imo, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, along with being an incredibly caring man, who did much to help others and try and change the world for the better.

I miss him deeply.


Lizzie

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 09:48 AM

You are listening to the wrong station! I know a lot of folk DJ's who play more than just "cats".   The problem is, commercial radio is only geared toward the hits, and "cats" and "taxi" were his biggest hits.

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: GUEST,wayne
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 05:43 PM

He explained it once in concert; his songs tended to run a little long.

Subject: Lyr Add: PARADE'S STILL PASSING BY (Harry Chapin)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 05:54 PM

THE PARADE'S STILL PASSING BY
(Harry Chapin)

I got the news today
That you refused to play
Cause you never made number one
But it's not just the words
It's the deeds that are heard
When all is said and done
You know the kings take their crowns
They melt them all down
Trying to get the gold out
You went to hell and
Even when you weren't selling
You never ever sold out.


You weren't no leader
You were more like a bleeder
Who was trying to cry for us all
You weren't no sage
But your sense of outrage
Sounded like a trumpet call
Fifteen years ago
In the old folky show
You were just one voice in the crowd
But now with so few singing
Your voice would have been ringing
Out 'bout twice as loud.


Chorus
There but for fortune
Say a small circle of friends
Some may see the changes
So few see the end
The pleasures of the harbor
Have come to you at last
You may not be marching anymore
But the parade's still going past


We're not taking the blame
That we killed you
You know you did that to yourself
But it's kind of a shame
That you played that game
You were better than anyone else
One shot o' your bottle
Got you full throttle
It's the friend that was always there
But your greatest gift
And the curse you lived with
Was that you could always care.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 06:11 PM

The first two verses describe Chapin well. Of course, he didn't depart the way Phil did. I don't know which death was more tragic.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 06:56 PM

Born Today.an excellent song.

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 12:32 AM

And of course on a lighter note --- there was the truck that got away and finished up carrying -- 30,000 lbs of mashed bananas........

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Camper-Ted
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 11:32 AM

I saw Harry in person about eight times. His in person shows were great, but his studio recordings were not as great. I have read his biography; it gives insight into his complex life.

My favorite is "Flowers are red." I saw him introduce this song on the Johnny Carson Show. This song tells about the lasting effect that teachers can have on one's life. It is very moving. I am a school administrator and I have played this song to my teachers at several meetings.

My other favorites are Taxi, Circle, a Better Place To Be, Dance Band on the Titanic and Dreams Go By.

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: GUEST,Bill Hahn/WFDU
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 11:56 AM

Well, a shame you have not been listening to TRADITIONS on WFDU where I have played HC quite frequently. In fact besides the very songs mentioned in the first posting I spent the entire 3 hrs some years back w/ just HC music and interviews at a WHY fundraiser.

3 weeks ago you would have heard the rarely played "Dance band On The Titanic".   He was a brilliant composer/writer.

Best to tune in if not on the air then on the web www.wfdu.fm

Interestingly we are in the middle of our short annual fundraising efforts---I will certainly play some HC this coming Sunday--perhaps you will call 201 692-2012 and support us---or go to the website (or mine) and do the same thing.

Bill Hahn
http://billhahnprogramnotes.blogspot.com

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 12:34 PM

...and since Bill is my co-host, I guess that means I will be playing Harry Chapin as well!!

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 12:58 PM

Ah, TRUBRIT, great minds think alike. I was thinking of "30,000 Pounds of Bananas," too. I think my favorite Harry Chapin song is "Taxi." "Mr. Tanner" comes a close second. Guess I'd better pull out my Harry Chapin CD's. I haven't listened to him for a couple years - but I do sing "Circle" occasionally.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: danensis
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 02:58 PM

"So I stride down sunny streets and the band plays back my song
They're applauding at my shadow long after I am gone
Should I hold this wistful notion that the journey is worthwhile
Or tiptoe cross the chasm with a song and a smile?"

John

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 06:08 PM

I have only Harry Chapin LPs -- with a home made tape.......but I did think that song was wonderful, Joe......

'Christ - funny how he named the only man who could help him now........'

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 06:47 PM

Since this thread has really gotten into Harry Chapin and is music/persona/etc; let me make a suggestion.

If anyone has a request for a particular Harry Chapin piece I would be happy to play it on SUnday (2/10). Only one caveat---I cannot take more than 3 requests for that one show. The program TRADITIONS airs 3-6 pm on WFDU 89.1 FM in the NY NJ CT metro areas and streams on the web.

I also know that some of you have listened on the web http://wfdu.fm . That being the case I also urge you to pledge via the internet to keep this kind of programming where it is.

Let's face it--the complaint that only the hits get played applies to commercial clap=trap radio---not here. The last bastion of radio the way one should have it---music, talk, personalities, local interest and not the blandness of satellite or the commercialism of other radio stations.

I shall surely honor any requests---pledges would be appreciated but not mandated.

You can also e mail a pledge to wfdu.fm or to me [e-mail].   

By the way any pledge of 40.00 or more gets a CD---the list is on the website.


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 06:48 PM

By the way---Cats in The Cradle is a great song---but there were so many others


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Radio conspiracy - Harry Chapin song
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 12:31 PM

Harry Chapin said it himself, many times, in his introduction to WOLD - that his songs were generally too long to be played on the radio.