HAUPPAUGE, NY — Do you think you have what it takes to sing a cover of “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin?
The winners of three cat—egories will get the chance to perform at one of three Long Island Cares-sponsored contests, as well as recognition from the food bank, the organization announced.
Chapin founded Long Island Cares before his tragic death in 1981 when the car he was driving was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer on the Long Island Expressway in Jericho. Chapin was 38.
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The lyrics to “Cats in the Cradle” were written by Chapin’s wife, Sandy. The song was released in 1974 and quickly became Harry Chapin’s most beloved hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“The song means so much to my family,” Jason Chapin, Harry and Sandy’s son, told Patch. “We always think of him when we hear it or someone mentions the song.”
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Because the song reached #1, Jason said he thinks it also gave his father the opportunity and resources to start WhyHunger, Center for Food Action and Long Island Cares as part of his “crusade to end hunger.” Chapin called the song “the bridge between his music and humanitarian legacies.”
There are three contest categories:
People can enter the contest on the Long Island Cares website. The contest will run through July 8.
Winners of the Cats in the Cradle Song Contest will receive recognition across Long Island Cares social media platforms, be published on the Long Island Cares Website and YouTube channel, and get to perform at one of these Long Island Cares-affiliated concerts:
The contest will be judged by the Chapin family, including Jason; his sister, Jaime, and her son, Cody; Jason’s brother, Jono; Jason’s wife, Christina; and his children, Katie and Will. Other family members may join.
The song has been covered more than 50 times by musicians like DMC and Johnny Cash and has been featured on television shows like “The Simpsons” and “Modern Family.” Jason calls the recognition an “amazing tribute” to his parents.
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“I’ve been fortunate to hear Judy Collins, DMC, Mandy Patinkin and others perform the song live, and I love when artists talk about what the song means to them,” he said. “It’s remarkable that so many music legends have covered the song and that it’s remained so popular 50 years later.”
The song lends itself well to covers, according to Long Island Cares.
“Its poignant lyrics and soulful melody continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, making it a perfect piece to reinterpret and make your own,” Long Island Cares wrote.
Jason Chapin said his father encouraged people to pursue their passion and that Harry would want a lot of people to enter the contest and have fun with the experience.
“He loved to visit schools and colleges to try out new songs and he organized songwriting workshops on Long Island for young musicians,” Chapin said. “He’d be very interested in hearing variations of the song.”
The Chapin family made a documentary about Harry called “Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something,” released in 2020.
“It got great reviews and included many friends of his from Billy Joel to Pat Benatar to Bruce Springsteen and family members talking about him as a person, musician and humanitarian,” Jason said.
The family is working on a new documentary about “Cat’s in the Cradle” and plans to release it in December.
“It focuses on fans, fellow musicians and family members talking about what the song means to them as well as reaction videos,” Jason said. “I’m really looking forward to responses and sharing the proceeds with his charities: WhyHunger, Long Island Cares and The Harry Chapin Foundation. I’m grateful that so many people remember my father, still appreciate his music and support his charities.”
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