# Harry Chapin - son Josh - Cats in the Cradle inspiration **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-chapin-son-josh-cats-in-the-cradle-inspiration/630573 "2012-08-06T01:15:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-chapin-son-josh-cats-in-the-cradle-inspiration/630573/1 "2012-08-06T01:15:50Z")
Never knew _Cats in the Cradle_ was based on Harry’s son Josh. Great interview here with Josh and Harry playing _Dancing Boy_. I don’t recall hearing this song before. [http://www.anyoldkindofday.com/index.php/Josh\_Chapin](http://www.anyoldkindofday.com/index.php/Josh_Chapin) Sounds like Harry had a good father/son relationship. I still can’t believe he’s been dead over thirty years. Harry was only 38 when he died. Josh was only 9 when his dad passed away. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-chapin-son-josh-cats-in-the-cradle-inspiration/630573/2 "2012-08-07T00:39:44Z")
mr chapin said after his wife wrote cats in the cradle he always had one or more of his children with him when he toured. it is a good thing he took that as seriously as he did with his early death in a car crash. thankfully his children do have memories of being on the road with him, and just plain being with him. the living room suite had quite a few very strongly and pointed songs. flowers are red, and little girls are just amazing.