Cat's in the Cradle

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For the CSI episode, see Cats in the Cradle (CSI). For other uses of "Cat's cradle", see Cat's cradle (disambiguation).
"Cat's in the Cradle"
Chapin cradle cover.jpg
Side-A label of the U.S. vinyl single
Single by Harry Chapin
from the album Verities & Balderdash
B-side"Vacancy"
ReleasedOctober 1, 1974
Recorded1973
StudioConnecticut Recording Studios, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Genre
Length3:29 (single)
3:45 (album version)
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Harry Chapin
Sandra Chapin
Producer(s)Paul Leka
Harry Chapin singles chronology
"WOLD"
(1973) 		"Cat's in the Cradle"
(1974) 		"What Made America Famous?"
(1974)

"Cat's in the Cradle" is a 1974 folk rock song by Harry Chapin from the album Verities & Balderdash. The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974. As Chapin's only number-one song, it became the best known of his work and a staple for folk rock music. Chapin's recording of the song was nominated for the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.[4]

In 1992, American rock band Ugly Kid Joe covered the song and released it as a single; their version topped the Australian Singles Chart and became a major hit in several other countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

Composition and background[]

"Cat's in the Cradle" is narrated by a man who becomes a father in the first verse. Not long after his son's birth, the father is repeatedly unable to spend time with him due to his job, despite his son looking up to him and saying he will grow up to be just like his father. After the son graduates from college, he declines his father's offer to relax with him and instead asks for the car keys. In the final verse, the now-retired father calls his adult son and asks if they can spend some time together. However, the son's own job and family prevents him from promising to spend time with him, and the father realizes that his son has indeed grown up to be just like him.

The song's lyrics began as a poem written by Harry's wife, Sandra "Sandy" Gaston; the poem itself was inspired by the awkward relationship between her first husband, James Cashmore, and his father, John, a politician who served as Brooklyn borough president. She was also inspired by a country music song she had heard on the radio.[5] Chapin also said the song was about his own relationship with his son, Josh, admitting, "Frankly, this song scares me to death."[6]

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Ugly Kid Joe version[]

"Cats in the Cradle"
Ugly Kid Joe Cat's in the Cradle Single.jpg
Single by Ugly Kid Joe
from the album America's Least Wanted
Released1993
Recorded1992
GenreHard rock[16]
Length4:01
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Harry Chapin
Sandra Chapin
Producer(s)Mark Dodson
Ugly Kid Joe singles chronology
"So Damn Cool"
(1992) 		"Cats in the Cradle"
(1993) 		"Busy Bee"
(1993)
Music video
"Cats in the Cradle" on YouTube

In 1992, American hard rock band Ugly Kid Joe included a cover of the song, renamed "Cats in the Cradle" (without the apostrophe), on their debut album America's Least Wanted. The cover was issued as a single in 1993 and peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, the group's highest position on that chart. The song also peaked at number three on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The single sold 500,000 copies domestically, earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Worldwide, the cover peaked at number one in Australia for a week and reached the top five in Iceland, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

Critical reception[]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic noted the band's "revamped" version of Harry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle", in his review of America's Least Wanted.[17]

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[39] Platinum 70,000^
United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Elsewhere in popular culture[]

Rapper Darryl "DMC" McDaniels was inspired to rewrite "Cat's in the Cradle" and perform it as "Just Like Me," featuring Sarah McLachlan. The song was released from DMC's album Checks Thugs and Rock n Roll in March 2006; it tells the story of his birth and adoption.[51][52] Used in an episode of The Office by Dwight to guilt trip his coworker Jim Halpert into going home to his wife and child; the attempt is almost successful, playing on the clear theme of the relationship between father and son in the song. Ultimately, Dwight's attempt backfires.

References[]

  1. ^ The Catholic World. 234–235. Paulist Press. 1991. p. 95.
  2. ^ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  3. ^ Kuge, Mara (7 February 2019). "14 Secretly Cruel Soft Rock Love Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  4. ^ "Grammy Awards: Best Pop Solo Performance". Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  5. ^ Mike Grayeb. "Behind the Song: Cats in the Cradle". Harrychapin.com. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  6. ^ "Chapin's opening commentary at Soundstage and live performance of the song: "Cat's In The Cradle"". Youtube.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3899a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
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  12. ^ CASH BOX POP SINGLES – 1974
  13. ^ "The Top 200 Singles of '74". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 28, 1974.
  14. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1975/Top 100 Songs of 1975". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
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  16. ^ Institute, Bathroom Readers' (2012). Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Cat Lover's Companion. Simon and Schuster. p. 219. ISBN 978-1-60710-656-2.
  17. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ugly Kid Joe – America's Least Wanted". AllMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  18. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
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  26. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (19.–25. mars)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 18, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  27. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Cats in the Cradle". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  28. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  29. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  30. ^ "Charts.nz – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  31. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle". VG-lista. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  32. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 13. March 27, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  33. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  34. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  36. ^ "Ugly Kid Joe Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  37. ^ "Ugly Kid Joe Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  38. ^ "Ugly Kid Joe Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "1993 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  40. ^ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  41. ^ "1993 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1993" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  43. ^ "Árslistinn 1993". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 4, 1994. p. 16. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  44. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1993" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  45. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  46. ^ "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  47. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  48. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 24.
  49. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  50. ^ "American single certifications – Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in the Cradle". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  51. ^ Grayeb, Mike (Winter 2004). "Run-DMC Star Strikes A New Chord With 'Cat's In The Cradle'". Circle!. HarryChapin.com. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  52. ^ Moss, Corey (January 16, 2004). "DMC Gets Real with Sarah McLachlan on Checks, Thugs, and Rock 'n' Roll". MTV. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

External links[]

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