Sis don’t you ever apologize for crying. Your human, your allowed to feel real emotions. I commend you for letting those raw real emotions out. I just want to send you a great big hug all the way from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Don’t ever apologize. I cried with ya. And I’ve heard the song so many times. ♥️💖💜
I loved this song as a young teen. Not knowing what the lyrics meant. Now at 64, it brings tears to my eyes. Knowing the meaning of the song! You are NOT alone with the tears, Ashley!!!!
Same here. I lived this myself being at work and school when my kids were young. I rarely had time to do much with them and my wife. I deeply regret it now. Chasing money is a waste of time, you'll never have enough.
It happened to me and my Dad,it takes many years to realize the true meaning and message this song has, my Dad is gone now along with my Mom and youngest sister, I think of them every day and wish the hell I spent more time with them, but that's life I guess and I was just trying to live it 😢
I've loved this song since it came out in the 70's, and as a grandparent now I've yet to hear another song that so clearly speaks to the importance of being in your kids lives as much as possible right from the start. They grow up so quickly, and you don't want to spend your later years regretting what you didn't do.
I appreciate the fact that you allow yourself to be real on your channel. That's part of the reason the channel has grown. This is genuine emotion, not a fake. Even I, not the most emotional person, can sense that. Your personality comes through and people are responding to it. Keep being you.
Charles! You are so correct! Ashley’s channel is growing because she is so authentic! I have watched others, and she has a unique perspective on the songs! Just Jammin’ is another channel that I like! Thank you for your intelligent take on this matter! ❤️😎
Agreed ! Message was so powerful and in other words “ if you don’t make the time,there will never be any” I absolutely felt everything about this song. It’s timeless for sure 💓💓
@@TheOfficialAshleyReacts yes we must take advantage of the time we have with our loved ones because we never know when our day will come to leave this earth...you got me crying.
He sadly died in a car accident right off exit 41 on the LIE. This was right by my then Girlfriend’s house. We were working at a day camp on Long Island when we heard the news. He was on his way to the Westbury Music Fair to perform.
The back story about Chapin makes it even sadder. Only 38 yrs when he was killed. That last verse when the father realized his short comings ruined his sons relationship with him. In life our mistakes with love ones may have a day of reconing.
Another great singer songwriter & storyteller. I had his "Greatest Stories Live" double album. "Cat's In The Cradle" is his most famous piece. "Taxi" was another big hit for Harry Chapin. Ten years later he followed it up with "Sequel" showing what happened to the 2 people in the story. He had so many great songs such as "W·O·L·D", "Mr. Tanner", "Mail Order Annie", "They Call Her Easy", "I Wanna Learn A Love Song", "30,000 Pounds Of Bananas", "Shooting Star", "Halfway To Heaven", "Six String Orchestra", "Dreams Go By", "Remember When The Music", "Story Of A Life". We lost him too young in a car accident in 1981 at the age of 38. He left a great legacy of music.
A++... we used to ride to Houston from Dallas and back then no black radio til you reach houston😂... when I heard this song it made me tear up every time watching my daddy drive as he unknowingly didn't know I was staring thinking that one day he was gonna die.... he didn't notice me though... Everytime I heard this song it still affects me to this day😢😢😢.... he's in heaven now... 😢😢😅
No need for feeling sorry. But, we do miss your beautiful smile! Pushing well over 50 and this song always punches me square on the nose. Even growing up hearing it, we all realized we were living it. Nevertheless, it plays out and then is clearly and awfully true. Terrible trick of the light indeed. Blessings to all who hurt in hope for peace and pardon.
A lovely young lady with a deep and rich "heart" full of love for her family and understanding of life lessons that songs often give. Beautiful reaction.
Cautionary tale and a powerful one. I have no doubt there are countless people over the years that made some extra time for their kids with this song still in their head.
Wow, I'm 57 and never saw the interview and how much it changed their life, just wow! And what would the father/son relationship have been like especially not knowing the Dad was going to die so young. How many relationships did this one song save? Maybe even more now and in the future with lovely young people like yourself taking a chance on "old school" music. I'm very impressed with YOU, new subscriber here! Love from Texas 💝
My two Daughters are 36yrs and 19yrs old married and I have 4 grandchildren and I was a sailor for 30yrs I missed a lot.Now I am RETIRED trying to catch up.
I raised 9 children, I always made sure I was as present as finances allowed. They all live with 10 miles of me now and visit me every weekend. 5 grandchildren are with me a lot. This song meant a lot to me when I was young. My dad was present and available.
Harry Chapin was one of the all time great story tellers. Harry's songs are profound. Check out: Flowers are Red Taxi **Tangled Up Puppet** have your tissues handy The Circle There Only One Choice (the end in disjointed -- but the first stanzas, and the line: "I have a problem with my aging I no longer can ignore. A tame and toothless tabby can't produce a lion's roar", are some of the best lyrics ever written. If you need a good laugh: 30,000 lbs of Bananas - (make sure it's the 1975 live version) the studio version is not as good.
There's a lot of reaction people on youtube. U just moved to the front of the line. Your emotion and sincerity and heart are only matched by your physical beauty. I cried watching that song with u and I've probably heard it 100 times before. But I never enjoyed it more than a few minutes ago. Thanks!
I'm 76 years old and I LOVED my dad. I didn't call him nearly as often as I should have (no cell phones then). These days, my kids tend to text us rather than call us. Dad has been gone for 35 years and there is never a day that I don't think of him. I would give anything to hear my dad's voice again. Texting reminds me of "Cats in the Cradle" in the fact it is like saying, I don't have time to talk to you. Tell your kids to call you and not text you.
Unfortunately there really are fathers and sons that experience this family lifestyle. This songs's lyrics tell a story of what actually happens. It's The American way.
In 1983 I was deployed to Beirut Lebanon with the Marine Corps. One of the guys that was in my platoon brought a guitar and we were all sitting outside our bunker and he started playing this song, and we all started singing the song, one of the guys recorded us singing and the guy playing the guitar sent the recording to a DJ he knew in Maine and they played it on the radio station. A few months later a terrorist suicide bomber blew up the Marine barracks in Beirut. Now every time I hear this song I think about the dads who died over there who’s sons never got to see their dad again or in some cases never even knew their dad because they were born while they were deployed to Beirut.
No need to apologize!! I am 66 years old and have loved this song since I was a teenager and it does get to you when you hear this song! Kids do grow up so fast and now I have grandchildren that are growing fast as well and they live 11 hours from us so it’s hard. We have to make the time count for sure! ❤
one of my all time favorite songs. Incredible song , I am a 53 yr old dude , and it brings a tear to my eye from time to time, reminds me of my grandpa who raised me
My wife and I went to a Harry concert shortly before his death. We brought a grocery bag a of canned goods with us because he was collecting for his WhyHunger Foundation in the lobby. He was a beautiful human and a spectacular storyteller. Gone way too soon. “Harry, Keep the Change”
Hi Ashley, I saw Harry play at a lunchtime concert in our theater at my college in NYC in 1974. I didn’t know him then but my friends did and said I had to go. My next class was 2pm so I had the time, or so I thought. My friends knew his song Taxi which was a small hit but big locally as Harry played a lot around NYC. Needless to say the concert turned into one of the best of my life. He went long and I cut my 2pm American History class as nothing there was changing and I already knew what I was experiencing. Cats was just about to come out and I assume he played it but I don’t remember. When it became a hit that year (#1 on Billboard Hot 100) then I knew. When Harry was killed in that car crash it was devastating. First John, murdered then Harry in the crash then Karen from anorexia. The early 80’s was rough, musically for me. You need to do Taxi, and keep some more tissues handy. Harry’s songs aren’t dance around and have fun, usually. But they hit hard when they connect. Go watch the opening segment again without concern you were on the wrong video, it’s strong, knowing what happened. I’m going to also make another different request based on you covering Carpenters. That’s how I initially found you and Harry was a personal bonus. I see you covered We’ve Only Just Begun. That’s the song but covered my a group of musicians from all over the world and a lead singer that was the reason Jim Wilkas thought it was now time to make the song he always wanted to cover. I’m not sure if I asked for this from you or not. I don’t see it. The song was just recently released on 3/2/24 Karen’s birthday in heaven, in her honor. I hope you will give this song a chance to win your heart over as this group are all Carpenters fans, including the 20 year old lead singer!! I’m an OG Carpenters fan and to me this is the finest cover of a Carpenters song, ever. Thank you for your time. Joe ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-J95lfJqo9VY.htmlsi=o38br8zU6pIW1XIZ .
I've LOVED that song, for longer than you've been alive! That's life in a nut-shell! If you think bout it - it's VERY sad - but SO realistic! It really makes you put things in perspective! Which is OFTEN so sad in reality!
Wonderful reaction. It's ok to "Cry" it's a part of being human. I'm now 52 going on 53 in dec - I have always cried when I hear this and first heard it when I was 18.
This song did a lot to make me a better parent. I'm sure many others from my generation would say the same. I was 10 when it was new but I got the message. Nothing is more important for your kids than you being with them. Actually being there. Money isn't as important as your time.
As a father of 4 boys, I tear up every time I hear this song. As a musician, I can't sing this song even at karaoke without my voice breaking. It's THAT kind of song. When my son was in high school, he used these lyrics for a dramatic reading in one of his classes. When he finished, there were a few seconds of silence, and then massive applause from the other students. Some students had tears. He got an A for the reading. His teacher told him it was amazing - all his classmates were hanging on every word as he spoke. Me personally, I didn't even know he knew this song. Proud Dad Moment!
Harry Chapin died in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway(L I E)...Heading to an outside concert at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow , Long Island,NY 1981,,,,Remember it like it was yesterday.....Place was packed everyone waiting for Harry to Arrive....Remember everyone saying ...WHERE;S HARRY.....Then what happened started spreading around the crowd .....Harry was big in NY,A LONG Island guy,,,,,,Free outdoor concert Beautiful day by the lake,Can't get any better then that,,,,It turned out to be a sad day,,,,,,R.I.P HARRY CHAP[N
after a bunch of time passes, you realize that you dont have as many memories as you thought you would.. and youll be searching for memories, and youll realize that you just did a bunch of the same crap over and over.. so youll have no memories, but a lot of vacant time spent.. and then youll most likely go and spend your remaining days doing the same ol crap over and over.. and then right before you die, youll think, well... that was a wasted life
Harry died in a car wreck on the Long Island Expressway about 10-12 miles from where I live....such a loss, I saw him in concert around 1978 and it was great
Don' t apologize, your tears makes your reaction priceless, It's imposible to be moved by this kind of lyrics and performances (i knew the version of the band called "Ugly KId Joe "), great reaction!! The real art makes you feel emotions, makes You laugh, cry, think, comprehend, feel. I want to suggest you a band (and genre) that is a real treasure: Nightwish (Finnland) Song: Ghost love score (Live at Wacken open air 2013) You will find incredible lyrics, awesome performances, and great compositions (not only by this band)
So true, lost time is lost time.... can't get it back. I missed a few times due to my military career, but my daughter (34 years old) is still around where I live and we spend as much time together as we possibly can. WE ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT TIME TOGETHER! Your reaction made me cry. Harry Chapin was another artist gone way too early in life. RIP HC
You're human. The song hits a nerve in our busy lives. TV, cell phones & the internet intrudes on our lives without sensitivity or apology, robbing us of time we could have used to grow relationships, time we can't get back. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will rejoice," Jesus said. Everyone only wants a minute of our time, but the demands add up & time flies away. If we don't have eternity in order, our time will be a total loss!
We parents feel like we Never are good enough! (Natural thing) But dont abuse it to skip time with them! ❤. Greetings from Jonas Gothenburg, Sweden. (60+)😊
I think the work/life balance in the U.S. is much harder than in other countries !? Here in Germany we usualy work between 35 and 40 h & and have between 25 and 30 days paid vacation. (a Y.) We have much more time to spend with family ! Even if you're sick, you can stay home for 6 weeks (and longer) paid !!
Was sitting on the hill of the Amphitheatre at Eisenhower Park on Long Island NY when a man came out and said Harry Chapin just passed away in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway. ( July 1981 )
Young people- this s the "secret" : You have to MAKE memories...cooking together, putting something together, trying to camp (LOL!),we used to go Christmas caroling too. If you did that today though you'd be in the news as "missing persons" . We gotta stop all this hatred andenjoy each other and take chances to love before it's too late. LOVE!!!
Your reaction was beautiful. This song holds a special place in my heart. I really think you'd really love "Simple Man" from Lynyrd Skynyrd! It's cut from the same cloth as this one, Skynyrd puts their own flavor down though...
How many men have lived this song? I know I have! I had a wife, three kids, a mortgage and three jobs. I worked 80-90 hrs 7.days a week for 10 years. In ten years I had maybe 12 or 14 days off and none were back to back. My daughter would hide my keys, I guess she thought that would keep me home. One day Cass threw a fit all day wanting her daddy. My wife and my mom got here calmed down hours later. Mom said her and Cass was sitting out on the after she calmed down and Cass was looking all sad. Mom asked her what was wrong? Cass said.." Nanny, I wish my dad would visit me.".........I lived in the same house..
I’ve seen some younger commenters who didn’t know what “cats in the cradle” was so here’s a RU-vid video, explaining how to play it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VpHTPnrYLzQ.htmlfeature=shared The rest of the chorus is also about childhood, a silver spoon was often given to babies for their first utensil, and Little Boy Blue, and The Man in the Moon are both nursery rhymes. Just in case you hadn’t heard of these things.🤷♀️😄
These song make me cry everytime I hear it Time In Bottle, Honey, and Our Love by the Bee Gees with Andy Gibb. I just remembered one more Seasons In The Sun by Steven Jacks. This will make you cry from jump. He best friend is saying goodbye because he's dying from cancer.
I have always said, "you cant buy time." Spending time with my daughters has always been my priority. And now that 2 of them are college and 1 lives in NY state, I'll drop everything to spend time with them.