'Cats in the Cradle' (1974) is Harry Chapin's best-known song. It's a poignant narrative about a father too busy for his son – 'a working man, then a working dad' – only to find the roles reversed years later. The lyrics were inspired by a short story Chapin’s wife brought him from a friend. The track hit #1 in the US as its bittersweet message resonated deeply. Its chorus ('cats in the cradle and the silver spoon') has since become shorthand for the pain of missed time between parents and children.
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