Cats In The Cradle

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The song’s cautionary tale is every bit as timeless now as it was then – just as Harry’s driving determination to make the world a better place lives on today through the extraordinary work of The Harry Chapin Foundation.

Please take time to learn more about it – and to lend your support: harrychapinfoundation.org
This video ©2024 Doug James Music / DougJamesMusic.com

CREDITS:

“Cat’s in the Cradle” Music and Lyrics:
Harry Chapin, Sandy Chapin, and Martin Ruminski

Artist (2024): Doug James

Arrangement:
Don Hart: (strings)
Keith Mack and Doug James:
(track and vocals)

Produced by:
Jeff Silverman, Keith Mack, and Doug James

Executive Producers:
Kenny and Ann Simpler
Jeff and Ida Rowe
Eamon and Patty Loftus
Will and Bettye James
Nicole Barka-James and Doug James

Doug James:
Lead and Background Vocals, Nord Electric Piano (Wurlitzer), M-Tron

Keith Mack:
Guitars, Bass, Bouzouki, Mandolin and Background Vocals

Background Vocals:
Angela Cappelli
Rachele Cappelli
Gavin Spencer
Eltesa Weathersby
Armand Hutton

Drums & Percussion:
Eran Esias
Matthew Burgess

Solo Violin:
Nate Grower

Violins:
David Davidson, Concertmaster
Karen Winkelmann
Janet Darnall
Ali Hoffman
David Angell
Amy Helman
Jenny Bifano

Violas:
Seanad Chang
Monisa Angell

Cellos:
Nicholas Gold
Paul Nelson

String Bass:
Craig Nelson

Engineers:
Keith Mack, Eamon Loftus, Gavin Spencer,
Kevin Harper, Jeff Silverman, Doug James

Mixed and Mastered in Dolby Atmos:
Jeff Silverman
Palette Music • Studio • Productions,
Mount Juliet / Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Artwork:
Debra Lyn Silverman
DLS Graphics
Mount Juliet / Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Marty Burnswolfe

Video:
Markey Blue Productions
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Special Thanks to:
Jeanne Boardman
Nancy Stenger

Cats In The Cradle

Music and Lyrics:
Harry Chapin, Sandy Chapin, and Martin Ruminski

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.
Ya 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 ya comin’ home, Dad?” “I don’t know when, But we’ll get together then –
We’re gonna 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 ya teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today
I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s O.K.” And he walked away,
But his smile never dimmed and said, “I’m gonna be like him.
Ya 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 ya comin’ home, Dad?” “I don’t know when, But we’ll get together then –
We’re gonna 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 awhile?” He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys. See ya 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 ya comin’ home, Son?” “I don’t know when, But we’ll get together then, Dad
We’re gonna have a good time then.”

Well, 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 could find the time – Ya see, my new job’s a hassle,
And the kids have the flu,
But it’s sure nice talkin’ to you, Dad. It’s been sure nice talkin’ 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 ya comin’ home, Son?” “I don’t know when, But we’ll get together then, Dad.
Ya know, we’ll have a good time then.”