Harry Chapin- Taxi

[bubbah671]

16 parkside lane bitch.

[airkooled05]

We need you now Harry

[airkooled05]

You wont find talent like this on Idol

[deedelign]

haaaa great song... I always thought that was a Woman @3:30 hehe

[airkooled05]

@deedelign I did too

[natobanatotoo]

@deedelign Me too! Is that one of Harry's brothers doing the very high vocals?

[Tellie72]

our generation will be known for our music.....nothing more ...nothing less......but i am so lucky to have lived it.....jbt

[moegreene72]

The best music sometimes comes from personal experience as this song does. I must have listened to this song a hundred times back in '72. My 40th high school reunion is this year, and this song is a bitter sweet memory of that time in my life.

[hippiechick261]

I miss harry so much. His music was the soundtrack of my life for many years. There's no one out there now who can even come close to his talent.

[TheBluesDixonary]

I loved this guy's music. Ioved his soul. I wish to God he were still here.

[lmthj]

I saw Harry in 1977, not too long before he was killed in an auto accident. This song is in my tonp ten overal, and I a 56 years old - it is beautifully written and tells a story that could be mine or anyone's. Take Madonna and Lady Gaga and stuff them - nothing of this beauty and substace there.

[MrFalcon61]

One of the finest songs ever written and sung by one of the most talented story tellers

[auntalice1]

After watching and applauding and yelling from the theater's balcony, he came out to the foyer of the auditorium as he always did for so many others and graciously signed my copy of his book 'Looking...Seeing' after his concert. He signed "to a cheap seater! -Harry"

Entirely true. And I only wish I had been front row.

I can only guess where he is now....

But wherever he is,

I hope that's where I'm headed.

(thanks for sharing)

[tatjanasutube]

He died too soon.

[sassy2476]

The greatest song Harry ever sang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bjbhappy]

Awesome and Timeless~ Happy Birthday Harry~

[zelmanzelman]

I saw Harry at a coffee shop in Bryn Mawr many years ago. He was great then. He still is. Thank you. Thank you.

[homey32100]

I fly so high when I`m stoned , how true .

[mcdavey105]

Such a great artist and song...love it.

[paddyboyobrien]

I will never forget the day Harry died...I was on the L.I.E stuck in traffic for hours, only to find out is was Harry Chapin, very sad day for music

[airkooled05]

nope , this would never make it in idol . Most of these alleged talents will be forgotten about in five years . This wasnt a money game for Harry . This is the real thing . I sure miss these days . Badly

[MindGoingNumb]

4:55 chills man :D!

[Madayy]

Anyone that has had an easy life would not get this song.

[killingamps]

I'll tell you why Baby's crying....'cuz she's dying. Aren't we all?

[jpavlekovich]

she said "Harry keep the change".

[jkbraves10]

this is great music from a great era.....I saw Harry Chapin at a small college in ohio in the 70's...thanks for the memory!

[norton9411]

what did she mean "keep the change"? stay as a taxi driver m?

[R9ZSPACE]

Mr Chapin was real people ; saw his concert at Worcester Auditorium 1977.

Rick F.

[MsNickie1001]

I've always loved the haunting melody and lyrics of this song. It is so original, but so popular.

[santatigerclaus]

wow -- did the original have the guitar player singing the female solo? quite unique

[19540071]

ALL HARRY'S SONGS HAVE A LOT OF MEANING ,.TO US OLD FOLKS..IN SOME WAY..

[GrrrWhatAWasteOfTime]

Harry at his best. Still miss you! See you on the other side.

[L1S91]

Fantastic story teller who left us too soon!

[dkshotwell]

I first heard this at age 11 in 1973, it burrowed itself into my brain like a tick, and i have loved this mans music ever since. He didnt just sing songs, he told tales, every tune was a short story. HC was the last of a kind.

[jason75]

@dkshotwell Agreed, today this rap crap or this pop bull is the pits, today its about the money and spotlight, back in the days it was about the talent and instruments, I wonder why I'm still stuck in the past, 50s' through the 80's is the best era for anything.

[coyotestory]

A song for the lost generation. A generation with great dreams lost their way. I heard this song a thousand times.I want to hear it a thousand time more.

[dakotahstr]

@coyotestory I know its a song that resonates with you a lifetime.

[caargoqueen1]

Thanks Harry for the great music and the reminder to never take one day for granted. We make our plans and God laughs. RIP your music keeps you alive in our hearts.

[giordana101]

Taking Tip's and getting Stoned! Perfect ! My Lady Blue ! Sir. Tony !

[dmarkham10]

Gone 30 years today. "I still remember you"

[auntalice1]

From a Canadian cheap seater.

Harry was a mentor to me in my earliest years through his music in an otherwise isolated upbringing.

I was so lucky.

I only hope my Life reflects a tiny ounce of the goodness he offered us.

One day, after my own road to Kingdom Come has ended,

I hope to meet him - again.

He'll look at me and, hopefully, say:

Kid, at least you tried. -M.

[natobanatotoo]

I like what the person said about Harry never making it on American Idol - most music of today lacks any cohesiveness let alone tells a story and sends chills up your spine. There are a few exceptions but very few. Even in his day - Harry wasn't a top 10 at selling discs but was and still is a Top 1 poet, writer, and entertainer! Let the music live on!

[airkooled05]

@natobanatotoo gosh yes . I love this music . what a great time to be alive . Thanks

[1952FMS]

this transports me to a simplier time, reminds me of my best friend and some of the great times we've had. THX for sharing!

[cvoborny]

one of best if not the best my sister had tickets the he passed

[cvoborny]

one of the story tellers

[rhythm2007mc]

@cvoborny I was just think that Harry and Cat Stevens are both very talented and tell good stories in their soongs and create suitible moods with their music :)

[mooredaver]

One of the greatest song of all time.  Best storyteller of the 70's. Lost him way too early. Been there and the awkwardness is frightening. Class envy will always prevail.

[2007cabinboy]

This is my very favorite! It carries a very personal message for me.

[34652lilac]

I am so blessed to have seen him in his last concert in Laguna beach California...before he crashed his car...sad sad sad but his music is and will always live on!!!!!!

[Frankiarmz]

Songs that told a story and painted pictures in our minds. Thanks for this treasure Harry!

[equinelassi]

harry was a wonderful man he was always wanting to help people he was going to come to my dads work and play for the children but his flight was canceled and he called my dad personally to apologize and sent someone else and promised to come another time but he passed away a few months later my dad just passed away and in lieu of flowers we asked people to donate to long island cares harry chapin food bank my dad taught me that you should always be generous with your time and what you have..

[megzmuzic]

There was not much more for us to talk about,

Whatever we had once was gone.

[papajohn315]

Back when I was 20, I had a "checker cab" we called it 'STONY'S TAXI' we all had our little pow wow at work, on our breaks,it held about 13 people, they all made fun of my car, till they were in it, then the song TAXI came out,. I turned a lot of people on to Harry's music. He will be missed!!!

[pippyspot]

I've been on and off listening to Harry's music since I was a kid but listening to his songs again recently I've appreciated it more and learnt so much about him, I knew he passed away at a young age but never the causes. I never knew how much he did for the world as well, I am very glad that one day my brother brought home the album and played it in his room because if he hadn't, I doubt I would ever have found Harry!

One of my favs this one, ty for uploading <3

[MrPinsh]

Brings back sweet memories.

[NoirFan01]

This is a song I didn't care for when it came out in 1970(?) but now I have it on my iPod and listen to it all the time.

[deltaraider21]

Folk singer HARRY CHAPIN died in a bizarre 1981 accident on New York's Long Island Expressway. Chapin had turned on his emergency flashers and was slowing and changing lanes when his car was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer rig. Sparks from the collision set Chapin's car on fire. According to the New York Times obituary, the truck driver "cut Mr. Chapin from his seatbelt and dragged him from the flaming wreckage," but Chapin was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

[deltaraider21]

Folk singer HARRY CHAPIN died in a bizarre 1981 accident on New York's Long Island Expressway. Chapin had turned on his emergency flashers and was slowing and changing lanes when his car was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer rig. Sparks from the collision set Chapin's car on fire. According to the New York Times obituary, the truck driver "cut Mr. Chapin from his seatbelt and dragged him from the flaming wreckage," but Chapin was pronounced dead.

[paulsborogirl]

to grandcanyonhyker: We lost Harry to a traffic accident on Long Island. I remember seeing the news reports on NBC out of New York.

[theovachannel]

I really like that song.....

[joehnunya]

I liked the song when I was younger, and somehow lived it. I guess I needed to age to appreciate it. It still gives a couple goosebumps. Thanks for posting

[MaybePilgrim]

Canzone citata nel libro "L'impronta dell'Anima"...

[gfelthatheartist1]

Thanks YouTube for bringing back to me one of my favorite songs

[Danswenson90]

this song gives me chills and great euphoria 

[trackfat5]

Miss you Harry

[grandcanyonhyker]

Looks like he's drugged up here, or drunk, too bad, he was good

[TheMidnightBell07]

@grandcanyonhyker Hey, looks can be decieving. He didn't do drugs or drink to my knowledge. (At least it has never been proven though there were a million theories about his death.) He was the cat in the craddle. If you listen to the song you'll know he was high on his work to the point of neglecting all else. I heard once that he gave his father a copy of Cat in The Craddle and his father gave it back.

[laylacalif]

@TheMidnightBell07 So, he wrote about flying high when stoned only in the theoretical sense, in your opinion?

[TheMidnightBell07]

@laylacalif Hey, yeah, I never really read anything that said he was an alcoholic or used drugs. He just mainly worked himself too hard. Coincidentally, he was on his way to sing somewhere after singing on tour somewhere else at the time of his death.

[WoodenYouKnowIt]

@TheMidnightBell07 I remember well when his stuff was on the charts and I remember where I was when I heard the news item that said he got killed in a car accident. But later there was talk about his heart giving out and folks thought that that's why he had the car accident. He lost control of his car and swerved into an oncoming 18 wheeler. As far as the heart attack premise, I don't think anyone ever knew for sure.

[TheMidnightBell07]

@WoodenYouKnowIt Hey, I don't know which came first but I bet they were very close in order. I do know he had exhauston issues because he just had to do to his excessive traveling.

[ChicagoNeilcon]

@WoodenYouKnowIt Correction: The Semi hit Harry's VW Rabbit from behind. The gas tank ruptured, and the car burst in to flames. Passers-bt extracated him from the wreck and he was unable to be revived at the Hospital.

[WoodenYouKnowIt]

@ChicagoNeilcon You're right. But I didn't get it wrong, maybe I should have been more specific. Maybe I should have said he ended up in the path of the 18 wheeler.

[aintgotnotrouble4]

I don't understand why all this religious ranting is in the comments section-? Did I miss something?

[miyan12]

Incrediable. A simple song, with a story that grips your heart, and you're never the same once you ponder its meaning to life. God bless you Harry. RIP

[MrNIRVANA100]

@monstermitsu

haha

i like that song.....

[seventiesweregreat]

Taxi............is a masterpiece............none that we will never see again by the value of contemporary music released today. For us guys......................we all had a Sue in our lives...............some left us, some stayed. Harry Chapin, you are missed, and will never be forgotten, RIP Harry

[ayla8251]

croce,chapin,true poetic justice in music. what a tremendous loss

[octomoda]

A great song. True classic and so beautiful. I always feel so much emotion when I listen to it. No matter how many times I hear it. Thanks for posting this.

[MartinTaylorOlson]

Thanks Harry. You inspired me. bluejosiah

[DaveTheyCallme]

Great ballad. A master at words was Harry , for sure. I couldnt believe hearing of his death when it happened .

[Scheherizade]

wow. i've never seen this version. this is so much more powerful than what you hear on the radio!!!

[atfatw]

he was hot doggin it. enroute to a big bucks money making concert he was speeding and got creamed by a massive gigantic truck!

[matt75hooper]

@atfatw 

[matt75hooper]

@atfatw  Jackass.

[EddieWWhite]

This song takes me back. Back to when there was such a thing as a $2.50 fare for a taxi.

[JLTravers8189]

@EddieWWhite - Yeah, but thanks to the economy and inflation, you can leave the lyrics the same. The only difference is that NOW it's a 2-50 fare = $250.00!

[seventiesweregreat]

Thank you for posting this timeless classic!! R.I.P. Harry.

[gshow1970]

good tune

[WBGIanTheRed]

Adam Carolla has turned another listener on to some new shit thats been around for a while. Fucking great song.

[garys1266]

Amazing singer and storyteller.  Gone too soon.

[rmeteer]

I saw Hary in concert 1973 or 1974 at Univ of Bridgeport CT and later one other time - what a memorable show and probably the best I ever.

[autumn1231]

great song but the dude's falsetto always weirded me out

[jsbach15]

@autumn1231 Really? That's my favorite part! I actually thought it as a woman singing that passage initially. Life would be quite boring is we were all alike (SMILE)

[madmiask]

really nice song and cool voice. I add it to my favourite.

[22stvander]

RIP -Harry, you were a great singer and Songwriter. Taxi is a bit of a mini-view of much of my life, but I did end up with my childhood friend - MY LOVE DOROTHY!

[portwoodjeff]

I think this guys talking about me. I took the money too.

[newyork44m]

Harry was one of the most significant losses to the field of music, ever. May he rest in peace.

[cadirector]

One of my all time favorite songs. Love hearing it now as much or even more, than since the first time I heard it when I didn't know who sang it. Brings chills and a smile everytime I hear it. I would love to make a video of what plays in my head each time I hear this song. Thanks for posting it.

[456114matthew]

Taking tips and getting stoned...

[PalmyBruce]

Thanks for posting the video. It's a song I've loved for decades and still sing sometimes. Tells one of the tragedies of life. He was a perceptive person, so capable of painting an image. Thanks again.

[612franklin]

best

[KYBluesKY]

who the hell are you to say what Harry Chapin knew or didn't know when he died? NO ONE. That's who.

[paulbortolazzo]

You think getting stoned is something someone who loves God would do? Real Christians don't need to get high.

[thealexforsyth01]

@paulbortolazzo sure helps me thoe mate

[paulbortolazzo]

@FastforwardTheRewind,

The tragic hinderence of being human is our selfishness. Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we can be saved and go to heaven. Anyone can know the truth by reading Jesus words; He is the Way the Truth and the Life, no man come to the Father but by Him.

[WBGIanTheRed]

@paulbortolazzo

Stop clinging to the crutch called religion. Religion is an archaic tool used to control primitive people who did not know why the seasons changed or the sun raised in the east and set in the west. Government has replaced religion, laws have replaced commandments and prison has replaced hell. Please join us on the 21st century I will be here with welcoming arms.

[DaveTheyCallme]

@WBGIanTheRed

Atheism is the crutch of secular religion ; atheistic first life (abiogenesis) calculated by world reknown atheist scientists at 10x40,000 th probability  shows why atheism is a mega-faith busting charade. Atheism is dead ...signed, God.

[WBGIanTheRed]

@DaveTheyCallme

Over billions and billions of years on trillions and trillions of stars each capable of supporting an earth like planet(s) those odds are pretty damn good.

[Bubingaman]

My favorite era in american popular music. Jim Croce, Joni Mitchel, James Taylor and Harry Chapin to name a few. None of wich could have won an American Idol compitation. True artists of an era gone by but never to be forgotten.

[snglatndad]

Wow, what a beautiful song! I used to sing this song with my recently deceased friend - also named Harry.

Does anyone happen to know who "Sue", in the song, is/ was?

[miketocci]

Claire Mcntyre (sp), THE love of Harry's life and an everlasting symbol to him of what he was always chasing after

[mjrichards53]

I cannot think of another songwriter who was such a great story teller. Taxi, Roses are Red, Cat's in the Cradle, etc. are all good stories. You could make a full length movie, and a good one to boot, out of any Harry Chapin song. We most certainly don't have story tellers like him today.

[MonsterMitsu]

Flowers are Red

[Thorrgils]

I always wondered who sang this song...now I know!

[shellback963]

Is that Donald Duck Dunn on the bass? Ah, wait he does not have a pipe hanging out of his mouth.

[mfha2]

He drove often with road rage- usually had a suspended license... drank coffee,argued and laffed for 2 hrs one night after one of his concerts..people roaring in and out of the room but he just waved them off. Had a real temper ...but was just as loving to even a greater degree....it's what's I saw one all too brief nite

[BladeRunner25463c]

I go flying so high. . .

when I'm stoned.

haven't heard this song in 15 years

[Kamiosity]

He was amazing. He was so young. One of my favorite songs ever.

[pseudohippie55]

big jon had an AMAZING range

deep in bananas and this

RIP Harry...we still miss you

you will never be forgotten

[jrb51055]

DAMN!!! I STILL so MISS HIM !!!!!!!

[SMKWW]

Please, guys - this is about the music. Religious debate somewhere else, please.

[SaxyBandit]

Gotta love youtube "discussions", don't you concur? :)

[Pooshhead]

lol Yup

[RubyColesMa]

Harry knew the Lord, and is with him now I'm sure.

I'm a Long Islander, and we still grieve him badly. He had a good soul and a great talent.

[Hornadayfan]

An incredible talent lost to soon...

[Danswenson90]

@Hornadayfan only the best get lost early.... imagine if buddy holly never died there very well may never of been the king

[34652lilac]

@Hornadayfan could not have said it better!!!!!!!!!! I waslucky enough to see him in his last concert in laguna beach california..bless his heart and may the music carry on forever

[geejo1976]

The Lord only takes the gifted ones from us...

[MetalMonta]

There is no such thing as a Lord... Shame Chapin had to leave us too soon though, he had alot to offer man kind :)

[geejo1976]

Too bad you feel that way...

Where do you think you got life?

You can doubt all you'd like, but unanswered questions do not amount to negative responses...

[MetalMonta]

You know, I do respect you and all other christians view on life, but honestly? I think I got my life from the chemical reaction between two cells - one from my mother, and one from my father... I always have been of the understanding that unanswered questions are better off unanswered until I have an answer that I know is right - and I simply don't feel that way about god...

[pseudohippie55]

dude. bring your aethism stuff somewhere else

[MetalMonta]

You are right, Facebook isnt really the right arena for such discussions :)

[Kamiosity]

Well maybe you'd feel different if you were diagnosed with a terminal illness (me), given a DEATH sentence, and I am alive 19 years later. NO coincidence, this was a miracle. Maybe if u looked for Him you would find him.

[wulfgang66]

So, you're more deserving of a miracle than the tens of thousands of others who succumb to illness every year?

Isn't that a little arrogant?

[calalilygirl]

Why?

[msstevie1951]

I had forgotten how hauntingly beautiful this song was until just listening to it.I got tired of "acting" when living in my handsome home,and this could be the story of my life, right down to the sequel of this song.Harry's songs all have such deep meaning to me,they mirror my life.What a talent we lost when we lost him.RIP Harry xx

[alyrixis08]

this song sequel and cats in the cradle are all very dear to me as my father who liked harry's songs (and subsequentcially (sp) turned me on to him) passed away in 2005 the man Harry Chapin was a legend and a masterful storyteller rip harry you will always be loved

[elvidom2]

One of the best songs of all time, Harry, we miss you...rest in peace

[AstralFlyer1]

Amazing song. Brilliant!

[wildflowerlu]

I miss him so very much. His music was poetry and it always touched the heart and soul.

[mspocahontas]

Still hauntingly beautiful with the power to evoke melancholy feelings after so many years. One of the great stand-out classic ballads that we will never forget.

[dianevaz]

I saw him in concert in Detroit twice, he sat at the edge of the stage and played a harmonica and sang" Mail order Annie", unforgettable, I still am heartbroken, over his loss.Tangled up puppet should be the father, daughter dance at every wedding. I will someday write the whole story of Taxi, sequel and all!

[Jeniwren59]

Must have listened this every few months since I was 16 - what a song! What a singer - able to evoke 33 years of memories with this one song.

[Rockfan178]

cool

[smile4mejmarie]

A smile seemed to come to me slowly,,,,it was a sad smile just the same..........

[japaname19]

I wish I heard this Before I heard the stephen lynch parody!

[Highnoon59]

This man is brilliant....

[dyinglikeflies]

One of the best modern ballads. Never fails to hit me. As a kid I didn't appreciate it- no losses to regret yet.

[archona4]

@dyinglikeflies - so very true....I didn't care for his stuff when he was alive and relevant...I so appreciate it now.....I wish he'd lived longer.

[nanajanamike]

I usually favor the original recordings over live songs,but the WMG police have wiped all of Harry's originals off the Tube.But this is a very,very good live performance of this great song.Great audio & video too!

[fingletoad]

Wow, brings back such memories and how ever did you get a hold of such a great-sounding and visually fab video? Thank you! Harry was such a talent and he is missed.

[johncorsino]

wow.........songs lie this arent written anymore!! I sooooomiss the 70s, some of the 80s. songs had harmony,feeling,heart,imaginat­ion, thanx for leaving this for us Harry...rip

[JackAwful]

truly great..