“Cat’s in the Cradle” is sung by Harry Chapin, IIRC...LOL..
I don’t know why but I am a SUCKER for sweet/meaninful father and son songs! They make me cry like a baby! I’m not sure why since I’m the middle of three daughters, and I’ve always had a good relatonship with my father. I think it’s bc I don’t believe my father KNEW my Grandfather very well, and I’m a single mother of 2 boys myself. Plus, my ex-husband’s father was over 50 when he was born, and he doesn’t seem to “know” much about him. I’m sure they loved each other, but since my ex went to boarding school, they didn’t spend that much time together. The only time my EX remembers having a ‘real’ converstaion with his father was one of the times he and his father had to take a trip to South Florida to get the yacht worked on..(my ex made the trip with his Dad bc he had to get back to school)...and even then, he could never tell me what the conversation was about, but I was ABSOLUTELY SURE how IMPORTANT that ONE trip was to him! It almost makes me cry to think of it even now! Which is odd, bc I have a great relationship with my Dad, (although, he can be a bit overbearing at times). However, even though my Dad can be overbearing, I am still glad that I KNOW him and he KNOWS me...as much as a father and daughter can, that is.....
But, I guess growing up without brothers and ‘knowing’ my father would have liked a son, I just feel so emotional when I hear those songs about fathers and sons. And, of course, now having my own 2 sons and not being with their father, those songs make me even sadder.
Add to it, that my boyfriend is the youngest of 4 children and the ONLY BOY, and his father was also 50 when he was born! AND my BF has 5 boys of his own!
I guess it’s starting to make sense now...why I get all teary-eyed when I listen to those father-son songs! LOL....
Have you ever heard “Father and Son”, “Wild World”, or “Oh Very Young” by Cat Stevens (before he lost his mind and “converted”)?? I JUST LOVE those songs, and I’m not really THAT old! LOL
But there is something about the father-son songs that just ‘breaks me up’! And I’m not sure why except that I feel like I can ‘FEEL’ it for them. (And my boys are still young enough that I just want to ‘go through the pain’ for them and protect them)....but of course, that is not possible and they have to experience it for themselves and learn to grow from it. :)
I know all MALE relationships are difficult because they are contingent on male egos....and MOST if not all male egos are made of ‘spun sugar’ (in “Female Land”, this is known as ‘The life we create for the men we love’). CAUTION: DO NOT ADD WATER!!!....
If you’ve ever loved a man (whether a father, grandfather, boyfriend, husband, or son), you know what I’m talking about!!!
Also, if you ever listen to old Cat Stevens, listen to “Hard Headed Woman”....and you will get it...That’s who I am!
For the record, i did say the other day that i had no cell phone, and that is true. But for awhile not long ago my daughter gave me back my old cell phone cuz she got a new one at work. I used it for awhile and i kept her theme song ring tone on there cuz it fit me well. It's called "I'm Bossy". It's a RAP song and the kids said "mom, how immature, change your song!". But i thought it was funny. If anybody called me they would hear that and KNOW they didn't have the wrong number!
You entire post almost had me in tears. Very thoughtful observations on your part as to why you cry at those father-son songs.
I always thought that i cried from "Cats in the Cradle" because it was so real. It could and does really happen all the time. And i never wanted that to happen when i had kids. Thanks be that it hasn't happened. Our boys (and girls) are all in college or graduated from college and when they come home for summer they love to hang out with their dad, golfing, vacationing, talking, watching sports, etc. Now you're making me think.....
Speaking of father-son relationships I just watched Rebel Without a Cause for the first time the other night. Wow! That really is a terrific movie. I’d never seen James Dean in a movie before. He was a great actor in that movie.
Another one that died before his time. He could’ve really gone on to have a great long career had he lived. There was something real about him. That quality that John Wayne had.