I was 10 years old when Charles Whitmam made is infamous place in history, and remember the t.v. coverage as it went on live. The 1st time I heard this song was when I was first turned onto Harry Chapin..... Wow, a compelling singer/ song-writer, it was instant love for me. Now my youngest daughter is a junior at UT Austin. Whenever we go there I find myself staring at that tower, and can fell the horror and hear the screams echoing from that day in 1966
I sang background vocals on the Verities adn Balderdash album. I saw Harry everytime he performed in the New York area and visited him backstage on many occasions. He was the nicest, most generous man. Always welcomed me and never turned me away. Wish there were more like him. Wish he were still around. Wonder what kind of stories he would tell about the world today. Miss him dearly.
I have no memory of this song, although I knew in the first few words exactly what the song was about... Oddly, this song sounds so unlike Harry and yet so much as I would have expected him to be. Seeing things from a different perspective and helping you to understand.....
Harry Chapin, probably the most underrated songwriter of any recent generation. I can't think of a single better storyteller, in any media format.... if no one reading this has heard his Bullet in the Head, please listen to it now
Wow. What a song and what a performance. Thanks for posting this. It really brings back memories. I saw Harry Chapin in concert in Miami, Florida, many years ago (I think it was the fall of 1978). Amazing talent.
Thanks a million for posting this! I was born in '74 so I never saw a live show. First got tuned in to Harry by Michael Tearson (Philly & Sirius DJ), on a show he did called the Sunday Night 6-Pack. He played Greatest Stories Live, and I was hooked. I received the VHS of this PBS soundstage concert about 15 yrs ago as a (great) gift. Awesome awesome awesome musician and storyteller. Glad to know that the internet is forever!
@TheGEARS2013 Gee, I wonder if the US has a military base in Korea? Could I possibly be an American living here?
Like most, you are uneducated. Are a product of America's intentionally "dumbed down" society. You question very little, believe mainstreet media, and believe you live in a democratic society. You fully embrace the status quo.
Like it or not, the truth is heading your way. Faster than you think.
@rfwelsh Believing conspiracist theories without proof is FAR worse than "fully embracing the status quo". By asserting that 9/11 or Vietnam were faked (again, with no proof, save some spurious allegations from others like yourself) you do tremendous injustice & disrespect to those who lost their lives during these events. This is insensitive, ignorant & shortsighted. If you truly believe these things to be true, why not try to do something about it; as opposed to being pointlessly alarmist?
@7hink It's ironic that your tagname is "think" ... Saying there is no proof about 9/11 is just flat out wrong. The proof is overwhelming. But on the topic of 9/11, where is the proof that Osama was the mastermind behind it all? As for insensitive and ignorant, you do realize that a significant portion of the "truth movement" is driven by families of the deceased who are unsatisfied with the answers they have been given.
@TheGEARS2013 If you believe 9/11 happened the way the governments says it happens, then it is YOU that will believe anything. As for Vietnam, please research "The Bay of Tonkin" incident.. The US faked the attack of one of their ships, blamed Vietnam, then entered the war. 100% fact.
@TheKIDS12345678 Cheers man. Keep this conversation in the back of your mind. In the next year or two, you will start to see amazing changes to the US. And at some point, it will become clear to you and millions of others, that the USA was purposely destroyed by globalist bankers.
@crod1994 Just seems suspicious. Dead at 39. Harry had a strong and loyal following and he was preaching peace. He was trying to get people to connect their minds to their hearts. Precisely the opposite of what we see today. We are a society ruled by the Military Industrial Complex; "look at your navel and say boogie" might as well be our slogan.
Once you accept that 9/11 was an inside job, it becomes obvious that JFK was assassinated, Vietnam staged, etc... why not off Harry too?
Sniper has always been my favorite Chapin song, ahead of The Rock, Flowers Are Red, Cats in the Cradle, and Dreams Go By..... love the passion in this song....
Monday, August 1, 1966--only days after Richard Speck killed 8 student nurses--Charles Whitman, after killing his wife and mother, went to the top of the University of Texas tower. For more than a hour, he fired on people on the campus below. He shot 44, killing 12, before he was finally killed by police.
Yes the world was indeed robbed. I miss our story-teller so much. Saw Harry and company in concert twice in Chicago. Packed the house and after every concert always took the time to meet his fans and sign autographs for however long it took.
Yes and Harry has never left my life. He created World Hunger Year and it evolved with Live Aide , thanks to many for carrying on his mission. His music is the best.
I had the honor of meeting him 4 times and will never forget how profound the 1st meeting was. Keeping the spirit alive..........
@TheGuitarClint I was being sarcastic and facetious, but thank you! I already knew that...I was just hoping someone else who WASN'T in the know would notice...
Harry used to live in Vermont when I was a teenager. One day I was 16 and driving my grandparants for a ride in the country in Vermont. A Jaguar came up behind me
fast and as it passed I noticed the license plate. It said Chapin.
I looked over and there Harry was driving the car.
Too sad he died in a volkswagon, If he had been in the Jag he may not have perished.
My favorite is Mr Tanner.
Full time consideration of another endeaver, might be in order.
"reality poured from her face, staining the floor." god his use of language is amazing. the way he describes the shooting as a "conversation" between the shooter and the town show his titanic ability as a storyteller.
100% amazing! where the fuck was I when Harry came to town? How did I miss this? I am 52 years old and have seen every great performer that came to town. Why wasn't I told there was more then the cats in the cradle? Harry I will do my best to keep you alive. I still remember the day they said you had died in an car accident. thanks for this Harry, you da man!
i suppose not even the composer of 76 trombones (merideth wilson) blowing 76 trombones out her ass would impress you.....keep your stupid "da" comments to yourself.....
People are so blinded.. Harry chapin is the one with real talent; he sings with soul, with amazing lyrics, with great detail, but people these days are into the non-talented lady gaga and justin beiber, Harry deserves some more credit!
@jeffpoet Well, there aren't many but, I work with one that would make Harry proud! Check him out sometime, he's on Face Book Chakulla Smith great musician & humanitarian!
i certainly love this game. i obtained it a couple weeks ago for free at mw2forfreeSinfo (replace S with .) and then put to use the funds i conserved to purchase a new far better mouse. i believe that im pretty good however mainly because of the mouse i bought
how could this theatrical genius be so over looked?I mean hes brilliant its insane all the work he did in his short years even during his life his fame was nowhere near the level it should have been so sad.
from harry's forthcoming box set "how to suceed in torture without really trying" I'd like to hear william shatner cover this turkey! HARRY KEEP THE CHANGE!
it is simply such a spectacular game. we'd have purchased it nonetheless im so thrilled i received it totally free out of mw2forfreeWinfo (replace W with . ) so i could use my cash on a new mouse.
Wow what an extremely powerful video and song from Harry Chapin. Just listening to the words makes you realized what happened and how that horrific day in 1966 really was. It makes you think on not only this massacre but the others in our past. It is a very sad but a great song to listen. I miss you Harry! There is noone who can write like you nor sing like you!! Even these days.
While in Germany in the late 70s Bob Crutcher and Bob Jones introduced me to "Dance Band On The Titantic" which I guess none of that mucis is here. I remember one song where somebody kept saying "You're going to have to put a bullet in his head". Also a song about women taking other lovers and telling there main man "that it's alright boy, cause I'm yours tonight"..etc. possible post somebody. bilbo2shire
i cant say its a good song because he portrays charlie whitman and the events that happened on that day inaccurately and seemingly twists it to tell the message and story HE would LIKE to tell. it was not an emotional shooting for charlie, he was cold and calculating on that day. he did not hate his mother, he had a deranged love for her that led him to believe she needed to be taken out of her misery. anyone who DOES even a minimal amount of research (but i've done a LOT) knows the REAL story.
I have been wanting to learn how to play the guitar. Does anyone know if there is a real easy beginner lesson on here or if someone can put it up!? Thanks.
@lakelandchief Do you want to play the guitar, or do you specifically want to play this song? If the latter, I have the chords, if the former there are guitar tutorials on Youtube. Just type in guitar tutorials in the YT search engine.
@proinsiaspad I want to find a very easy understanding lesson of how to play this song. I had a Gibson electric for about 5 years now. My friend is in a band. I have been wanting to learn the notes in a very easy understandable way, chords, tabs and everything else. If you or anyone can help me out thanks!
@proinsiaspad I forgot to respond to your reply I thought I did so sorry. Thanks for getting back to me. But that still is confusing! I am a really really novice player! I am a better video learner if that makes since. Is there a video where it tells you "OK put your finger here and here and it makes this note"? All I remember about notes is the Big E and the small E haha. To give you an idea of how much of a new learner I am. Thanks for your reply. Sorry it took so long I just forgot.
Each of its four faces is 12 feet wide and trimmed in gold leaf. It was originally designed for 39 bells, but budget constraints kept the university to just 17 until 1985 when 22 more were donated by Hedwig Thusnelda Kinker. Her donation was greatly appreciated, except that the C# and B bells did not fit into the elevator. To make up for the missing notes the university added 17 more for a total of 56 bells. The building also has a notorious side, thanks to Charles Whitman. On 1 August, 1966 .
I watched Whitman on TV live as his reign of terror unfolded on Austin, Texas. Several weeks later I was in Austin and actually went up in the tower and saw the bullet holes still evident in the cement walls. This is such a powerful song.
Royic I kinda read about this story it got creepy for me. I was not born until 1985 in which parts is it not accurate?
theycouldance I could see how this song could take a lot out of him. Looks like he is sweating at the end! And in another world. I am a novice song writer learning the ropes and trust me you can "become part of the lyric".
Harry was a class act. Every conert of his I attended he came out to the lobby afterwards and signed autographs till everyone got theirs. I miss his music
@lakelandchief Big John is alive and well,and still performing. He tours with the Chapin Family doing the Harry Tribute concert,aswell as with his own band
I was lucky enough to see Harry live 3 times. In those 3 concerts he only did this once. Keep in mind he usually did two hours with no opening act. He said before he played it that he could only do it once a night because it took so much out of him. Hearing it live was amazing.
@theycouldance I saw him about 5 times a year, and this has always been one of my favorites. You are right, he rarely did it in concert, but I had the privelage of hearing it live a few times. He was usually drained by the end
I saw Harry live in concert five times, just turned 50.....was in my late teens, early 20's when I saw him. My brother turned me on to him and he will be 58 tomorrow. Harry left this earth way too soon! Awesome live, great show, great man, he basically died broke because he gave all of his money to starving people throughout the world. Not the greatest voice of all time, but live he is great......blows anyone away with songwriting! Hands down, the best songwriter and words on music!
@stefano4 Yes, I have played this song from the album and the eerie background makes you feel the pain that this man was in...I know who this song is about and Harry just blows you away with his telling of the story.
I think the world is missing a true oratory genius in Harry. The way that he could translate an experience into words that we can all understand and relate to (there are many many songs of Harry's to which i relate in my own personal life) was unique. why can there not be more people like him in the world? Harry, I am privilaged to have been introduced to your music, May you forever rest in Peace...
I remember reading somewhere that Harry mentioned that every time he performed this song he lost a year from his life.... Perhaps there was something to that.
I was born 5 years after he died. I would have LOVED to see him in concert. Oh well, I can live them vicariously through my mom, who was lucky enough to see him several times in the 70's.
Harry was fantastic. My wife and I were lucky enough to have seen him perform twice in Hartford, CT. One time at the Hartford Civic Center, he came out to the center court after the show and signed autographs for anybody that hung around. He was so down to earth and just a regular guy. His music was incredible and he probably was the best "live" performer I've ever seen, but even more impressive was the amazing humanitarian drive that Harry had. He is sorely missed!
when i first heard this song i thought "damn this song is deep" and yet another brilliant performence from harry chapin... Rest in peace good sir rest in peace
I first heard this song in the early 70s when I was in college. I am just as impressed with Chapin brilliance hearing this again as I was back then. Thanks for adding this to You Tube.
1973 in Manchester Hall and my buddy Rick playing this song over and over in his dorm room while he sits in the window looking down at the campus. We used to wonder about that boy...
My uncle played this to me when i was 11, i loved it...didn't have a clue what it was about but 22 years on and i can honestly say it's the most amazing song i've ever listened to. Well done harry!! RIP x
it's reall a song about this former Marine marksman
Charles Joseph Whitman (June 24, 1941 August 1, 1966), as a student at the University of Texas at Austin, killed 14 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus. . The tower massacre happened shortly after Whitman murdered his wife and mother at their homes. He was shot and killed by Austin Police Officer Houston McCoy,[1] assisted by Austin Police Officer Ramiro Martinez.
You know the emotion he sings with is so great. I just dont know why but i feel like it is so real and better than anyone trying to sing with emotion, it just seems fake compared to this.
once again this is not my comment my brother inlaw likes to ues my youtube acc to mess with ppl interferences1966 i apologize for my brother inlaw funorbfrank i concur (Chaplin owns)
i never met him , but my brother did. Harry was my "teacher". With this song he taught me there are no rules to writing a song. No edges. No boundaries. By the way, ~jim
sniper is one of the most, over the top, bizarre songs ever put on vinyl. i break this album out at parties and the look on people's faces is just astonishing, a cretified room clearer! i just found his dance band on the titanic 2 lp set. i have had the courage to play it yet! HARRY KEEP THE CHANGE!
For those who understand Harry's purpose in creating this song, no additional words are necessary. For those who are too ignorant and self-indulgent, no amount of words will suffice.
You seem to care more about the fact that you understand it than helping those who don't to be more enlightened, which is contrary to his motive and others in his movement.
Congratulations, you've just let down a two generations of free-thinkers.
Boy, there are som many idiodic comments on this upload. Hary Chapin was not only a great performer/songwriter he was a great humanitarian. He was the man that pretty much started World Hunger Foundation. He was brilliant!! He passed too soon!!
that should be "World Hunger Year" (WHY). Honest mistake. From what I've heard, Harry had too much of the "common touch" with his charity work, and neglected his own family's needs.
in his last days harry was attempting to better balance his social causes with his family time. three days before he died they had returned from a two week hawaiian vacation
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
There you go again, Kreskin. Can't you raise your level of sophistication above the second grade? How ironic I find it that you rant about me knowing what you are thinking, then you turn around and tell me what I am thinking. I'd bet you even go snipe-hunting.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I'm sorry that your life sucks so bad that all you seem to be able to do is run people down. Don't contact me again, please. I refuse to participate in a duel of wits and intelligence with a totally unarmed individual. Have you considered professional therapy for your obvious pathetic feelings of self-importance and the aggrandized idea of your own self-worth?
Boderline insanity, frustrated rage, only Harry Chapin could pull it off. Genius is a word thrown around to much, but this is the only word to describe him.
You are so right...The song only includes weapons, times, names of victims and how the standoff came to an end. Harry Chapin obviously never heard of Whitman until he walked on stage this night to make up this song on the spot. You tool
Dude you make no sense. Who could he be 100% right and only make it up on the spot? He obviously heard/researched about the guy and felt like honoring the victims death that they didn't deserve by telling everyone about the horrible targdey through song and what could possibly have driven this man Whitman to do it and hope the family might forgive this man because of all the things that driven him to it.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Xter I'm guessing English is not your first language and reading the classics has never been a priority. That was a sarcastic comment referring to someone else saying that Harry Chapin did not research Whitman before he wrote the song. Sorry to shoot so far over your head. Look up sarcasm (try wikipedia or some other easy to use venue), you tool
English is my first languge, i just have really bad grammer and spelling in writing. I normally don't care if you do hate it or not. Anyways i don't really care, i'm just makin a point cause its hard to tell sarcasm online like if someone posts, I'm gonna blow up America online, and hes just being sarcastic, America can't tell online so u gotta act no matter what.
FYI I believe that tower was closed for years after the tragedy, but I believe parts, if not all of it have been reopened to the the public in a very belated attempt to leave this event in the past.
saw Harry in a small University in Montevallo Alabama in the mid 70s 300 seat venue show couldnt have been better
garyroadrage69 1 day ago in playlist story tellers
I was 10 years old when Charles Whitmam made is infamous place in history, and remember the t.v. coverage as it went on live. The 1st time I heard this song was when I was first turned onto Harry Chapin..... Wow, a compelling singer/ song-writer, it was instant love for me. Now my youngest daughter is a junior at UT Austin. Whenever we go there I find myself staring at that tower, and can fell the horror and hear the screams echoing from that day in 1966
tedster1956 1 week ago
I sang background vocals on the Verities adn Balderdash album. I saw Harry everytime he performed in the New York area and visited him backstage on many occasions. He was the nicest, most generous man. Always welcomed me and never turned me away. Wish there were more like him. Wish he were still around. Wonder what kind of stories he would tell about the world today. Miss him dearly.
Encinobro 1 week ago
I have no memory of this song, although I knew in the first few words exactly what the song was about... Oddly, this song sounds so unlike Harry and yet so much as I would have expected him to be. Seeing things from a different perspective and helping you to understand.....
debseek 2 months ago
I see there are 10 dislikes for Harry...how can anyone not be deeply touched by his music & words?
ikoiko84 3 months ago
Harry Chapin, probably the most underrated songwriter of any recent generation. I can't think of a single better storyteller, in any media format.... if no one reading this has heard his Bullet in the Head, please listen to it now
WhiteBlues 3 months ago 3
This is very similar to the music of Comus, only they are slightly weirder. Love it!
Mauroleiicus 3 months ago
Wow. What a song and what a performance. Thanks for posting this. It really brings back memories. I saw Harry Chapin in concert in Miami, Florida, many years ago (I think it was the fall of 1978). Amazing talent.
lsudduth1 4 months ago
One of the best songs ever.
0JohnCage0 4 months ago 2
My god, this song takes my breath away every time.
Racquetballplayer76 5 months ago
R.I.P Chapin.
huang602041 6 months ago 2
Thanks a million for posting this! I was born in '74 so I never saw a live show. First got tuned in to Harry by Michael Tearson (Philly & Sirius DJ), on a show he did called the Sunday Night 6-Pack. He played Greatest Stories Live, and I was hooked. I received the VHS of this PBS soundstage concert about 15 yrs ago as a (great) gift. Awesome awesome awesome musician and storyteller. Glad to know that the internet is forever!
themattclean 6 months ago 2
Wow...just wow.
NRSwebmaster 7 months ago
I miss him!!
muse101100 8 months ago
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The best song ever done!
0JohnCage0 8 months ago
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0JohnCage0 8 months ago
@TheGEARS2013 Gee, I wonder if the US has a military base in Korea? Could I possibly be an American living here?
Like most, you are uneducated. Are a product of America's intentionally "dumbed down" society. You question very little, believe mainstreet media, and believe you live in a democratic society. You fully embrace the status quo.
Like it or not, the truth is heading your way. Faster than you think.
rfwelsh 8 months ago
@rfwelsh Believing conspiracist theories without proof is FAR worse than "fully embracing the status quo". By asserting that 9/11 or Vietnam were faked (again, with no proof, save some spurious allegations from others like yourself) you do tremendous injustice & disrespect to those who lost their lives during these events. This is insensitive, ignorant & shortsighted. If you truly believe these things to be true, why not try to do something about it; as opposed to being pointlessly alarmist?
7hink 8 months ago
@7hink It's ironic that your tagname is "think" ... Saying there is no proof about 9/11 is just flat out wrong. The proof is overwhelming. But on the topic of 9/11, where is the proof that Osama was the mastermind behind it all? As for insensitive and ignorant, you do realize that a significant portion of the "truth movement" is driven by families of the deceased who are unsatisfied with the answers they have been given.
rfwelsh 8 months ago
Justin Bieber's baby has 500 million views.
Sniper has 160,000.
The world is tragically ****** up.
Harry, we need you now more than ever.
rfwelsh 8 months ago
@TheGEARS2013 If you believe 9/11 happened the way the governments says it happens, then it is YOU that will believe anything. As for Vietnam, please research "The Bay of Tonkin" incident.. The US faked the attack of one of their ships, blamed Vietnam, then entered the war. 100% fact.
rfwelsh 8 months ago
@rfwelsh your insane
TheKIDS12345678 8 months ago
@TheKIDS12345678 I gather you did not do the research. I can also only assume you will vote for Obama again next year.
rfwelsh 8 months ago
@rfwelsh i hate Obama. but you just need help.
TheKIDS12345678 8 months ago
@TheKIDS12345678 Cheers man. Keep this conversation in the back of your mind. In the next year or two, you will start to see amazing changes to the US. And at some point, it will become clear to you and millions of others, that the USA was purposely destroyed by globalist bankers.
rfwelsh 8 months ago
I wonder if the CIA had any involvement in Harry's death?
rfwelsh 8 months ago
@rfwelsh why do you say that?
crod1994 8 months ago
@crod1994 Just seems suspicious. Dead at 39. Harry had a strong and loyal following and he was preaching peace. He was trying to get people to connect their minds to their hearts. Precisely the opposite of what we see today. We are a society ruled by the Military Industrial Complex; "look at your navel and say boogie" might as well be our slogan.
Once you accept that 9/11 was an inside job, it becomes obvious that JFK was assassinated, Vietnam staged, etc... why not off Harry too?
rfwelsh 8 months ago
harry was not only a song writer he was a saint. only the good die young!!!
dongers1011 9 months ago
This is pretty good. learned this in Social Studies ....
ButtHoleGuy88 9 months ago
Sniper has always been my favorite Chapin song, ahead of The Rock, Flowers Are Red, Cats in the Cradle, and Dreams Go By..... love the passion in this song....
balooko31 10 months ago
@balooko31 good god another "the rock" fan, I thought I was the only one! One of the most under rated of his songs, besides this one of course
fusEldar 7 months ago 14
@fusEldar
It's been up there all these years, it'll never come down any time soon...silly child/ crazy boy/mad man!
papoj1PVR 4 months ago
Monday, August 1, 1966--only days after Richard Speck killed 8 student nurses--Charles Whitman, after killing his wife and mother, went to the top of the University of Texas tower. For more than a hour, he fired on people on the campus below. He shot 44, killing 12, before he was finally killed by police.
asbpab1966 11 months ago
Yes the world was indeed robbed. I miss our story-teller so much. Saw Harry and company in concert twice in Chicago. Packed the house and after every concert always took the time to meet his fans and sign autographs for however long it took.
loveluray 11 months ago 2
Yes and Harry has never left my life. He created World Hunger Year and it evolved with Live Aide , thanks to many for carrying on his mission. His music is the best.
I had the honor of meeting him 4 times and will never forget how profound the 1st meeting was. Keeping the spirit alive..........
rubytoo1 11 months ago
Finger tapping in 1975...predating Eddie?
ricaard 11 months ago
@ricaard Players have been utilizing that technique for a few centuries, Eddie used it in his own way obviously and did it beautifully.
TheGuitarClint 9 months ago
@TheGuitarClint I was being sarcastic and facetious, but thank you! I already knew that...I was just hoping someone else who WASN'T in the know would notice...
ricaard 9 months ago
@TheGuitarClint Nice Fernando Sor, by the way...
ricaard 9 months ago
@ricaard Haha Sorry to steal away your fun my friend. Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it greatly
TheGuitarClint 7 months ago
@TheGuitarClint You're very welcome.
ricaard 7 months ago
top tune, lyrics and passion...:)..vn indeed...dig the jefferson type backing vocals too..:D:D
naveenikita 11 months ago
Harry used to live in Vermont when I was a teenager. One day I was 16 and driving my grandparants for a ride in the country in Vermont. A Jaguar came up behind me
fast and as it passed I noticed the license plate. It said Chapin.
I looked over and there Harry was driving the car.
Too sad he died in a volkswagon, If he had been in the Jag he may not have perished.
My favorite is Mr Tanner.
Full time consideration of another endeaver, might be in order.
OurCayla 11 months ago
He has never left my world.
bensdadfrank 1 year ago
you can tell how much he cared about the song with all that energy and passion that he puts in it. its too bad he left our world so early
musketeerman23 1 year ago
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if this blows you away
check out 'Bummer'
ryanshaunkelly 1 year ago
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ryanshaunkelly 1 year ago
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this is funnier than a three stooges marathon! I HATE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Harry's gotta be kidding with this turkey!
connecticuttigerfan 1 year ago
The latest shooting in Arizona reminded me of this song... Thnx for posting...
OregonWolfe 1 year ago
Amazing, incredible....thank you....
geoffp13 1 year ago
powerful, daring, truth, reality, anger, love, oh!! this song can express so many things
magicalgold010 1 year ago
Two hand tapping BEFORE Eddie!
havi70 1 year ago 2
"reality poured from her face, staining the floor." god his use of language is amazing. the way he describes the shooting as a "conversation" between the shooter and the town show his titanic ability as a storyteller.
fusEldar 1 year ago
Outstanding... Always how I rembered it to be...
GETTYSBURGbook 1 year ago 10
i used to shoot drano when i listened to this record! HARRY KEEP THE FUCKING CHANGE!
theDAfromLA 1 year ago
hes a poser, thats the sniper from dirty harry, he says he is sad but hes hiding from the brutish reality of his hidious acts
the whole fuckin group looks like the sniper
rebinator19 1 year ago
100% amazing! where the fuck was I when Harry came to town? How did I miss this? I am 52 years old and have seen every great performer that came to town. Why wasn't I told there was more then the cats in the cradle? Harry I will do my best to keep you alive. I still remember the day they said you had died in an car accident. thanks for this Harry, you da man!
tommy5586 1 year ago 2
@tommy5586
he was in the building takin shots at the negro.. you know the one
rebinator19 1 year ago
dear da la
i suppose not even the composer of 76 trombones (merideth wilson) blowing 76 trombones out her ass would impress you.....keep your stupid "da" comments to yourself.....
witros 1 year ago
People are so blinded.. Harry chapin is the one with real talent; he sings with soul, with amazing lyrics, with great detail, but people these days are into the non-talented lady gaga and justin beiber, Harry deserves some more credit!
PhenomenalConspiracy 1 year ago 3
Where are the people who wrrite songs like Croce and Chapin today?Music today really blows!
jeffpoet 1 year ago
@jeffpoet Agreed... the golden years have gone...
GETTYSBURGbook 1 year ago
@jeffpoet Well, there aren't many but, I work with one that would make Harry proud! Check him out sometime, he's on Face Book Chakulla Smith great musician & humanitarian!
natsway 1 year ago
From the album 'Sniper and other Love Songs'
GETTYSBURGbook 1 year ago
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i certainly love this game. i obtained it a couple weeks ago for free at mw2forfreeSinfo (replace S with .) and then put to use the funds i conserved to purchase a new far better mouse. i believe that im pretty good however mainly because of the mouse i bought
morelmarthachfi 1 year ago
how could this theatrical genius be so over looked?I mean hes brilliant its insane all the work he did in his short years even during his life his fame was nowhere near the level it should have been so sad.
seanbon74 1 year ago
from harry's forthcoming box set "how to suceed in torture without really trying" I'd like to hear william shatner cover this turkey! HARRY KEEP THE CHANGE!
theDAfromLA 1 year ago
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it is simply such a spectacular game. we'd have purchased it nonetheless im so thrilled i received it totally free out of mw2forfreeWinfo (replace W with . ) so i could use my cash on a new mouse.
arubaaerogenedgbb 1 year ago
A powerful song and one of my favorite Chapin pieces.
warofthewords1 1 year ago
Wow what an extremely powerful video and song from Harry Chapin. Just listening to the words makes you realized what happened and how that horrific day in 1966 really was. It makes you think on not only this massacre but the others in our past. It is a very sad but a great song to listen. I miss you Harry! There is noone who can write like you nor sing like you!! Even these days.
deacon072007 1 year ago 2
Timeless.
purewolf1 1 year ago
astonishing - RIP Harry
edseyfried 1 year ago
While in Germany in the late 70s Bob Crutcher and Bob Jones introduced me to "Dance Band On The Titantic" which I guess none of that mucis is here. I remember one song where somebody kept saying "You're going to have to put a bullet in his head". Also a song about women taking other lovers and telling there main man "that it's alright boy, cause I'm yours tonight"..etc. possible post somebody. bilbo2shire
bilbo2shire 1 year ago
@bilbo2shire The first one is called bummer I think. I think someone has posted it.
seamusmurphy55 1 year ago
i cant say its a good song because he portrays charlie whitman and the events that happened on that day inaccurately and seemingly twists it to tell the message and story HE would LIKE to tell. it was not an emotional shooting for charlie, he was cold and calculating on that day. he did not hate his mother, he had a deranged love for her that led him to believe she needed to be taken out of her misery. anyone who DOES even a minimal amount of research (but i've done a LOT) knows the REAL story.
CharlieSoldier 1 year ago
mert40...well said. HC was a special talent. I saw him twice in the mid-70's. Too bad he is largely forgotten.
skibluiz 1 year ago
I don't get "she said not now not now" But big John is saying "Talk about me talk about me" Like there inside Charles head right?
lakelandchief 1 year ago
So few people recall Harry Chapin, who was an amazing person as well as musician. Thank you.
4rainbowed 1 year ago
No words can describe this intriguing story.
gavran666 1 year ago
@gavran666 Harry's done a pretty good job of it, though.
radiofan6872 1 year ago
I have been wanting to learn how to play the guitar. Does anyone know if there is a real easy beginner lesson on here or if someone can put it up!? Thanks.
lakelandchief 1 year ago
@lakelandchief Do you want to play the guitar, or do you specifically want to play this song? If the latter, I have the chords, if the former there are guitar tutorials on Youtube. Just type in guitar tutorials in the YT search engine.
proinsiaspad 1 year ago
@proinsiaspad I want to find a very easy understanding lesson of how to play this song. I had a Gibson electric for about 5 years now. My friend is in a band. I have been wanting to learn the notes in a very easy understandable way, chords, tabs and everything else. If you or anyone can help me out thanks!
lakelandchief 1 year ago
@proinsiaspad I forgot to respond to your reply I thought I did so sorry. Thanks for getting back to me. But that still is confusing! I am a really really novice player! I am a better video learner if that makes since. Is there a video where it tells you "OK put your finger here and here and it makes this note"? All I remember about notes is the Big E and the small E haha. To give you an idea of how much of a new learner I am. Thanks for your reply. Sorry it took so long I just forgot.
lakelandchief 1 year ago
Each of its four faces is 12 feet wide and trimmed in gold leaf. It was originally designed for 39 bells, but budget constraints kept the university to just 17 until 1985 when 22 more were donated by Hedwig Thusnelda Kinker. Her donation was greatly appreciated, except that the C# and B bells did not fit into the elevator. To make up for the missing notes the university added 17 more for a total of 56 bells. The building also has a notorious side, thanks to Charles Whitman. On 1 August, 1966 .
wee1man111 1 year ago
FYI it was indeed a four sided clock tower
wee1man111 1 year ago
I watched Whitman on TV live as his reign of terror unfolded on Austin, Texas. Several weeks later I was in Austin and actually went up in the tower and saw the bullet holes still evident in the cement walls. This is such a powerful song.
Boardstheman 1 year ago
Another masterpiece by Harry; the passion and emotion he puts into this performance are beyond incredible.
Endless chills! Thanks for posting!
GarAndTeed 1 year ago
Also what is the next song from this performance?
lakelandchief 1 year ago
Royic I kinda read about this story it got creepy for me. I was not born until 1985 in which parts is it not accurate?
theycouldance I could see how this song could take a lot out of him. Looks like he is sweating at the end! And in another world. I am a novice song writer learning the ropes and trust me you can "become part of the lyric".
lakelandchief 1 year ago
@lakelandchief
He could only play this song once a night because it took a helluva lot out of him.
A lot of Harry's songs were based on real events & people.
knoxvilleguy2 1 year ago
omgosh hary is a genius but when i listened to it the first time it scared the heck out of me. the lyrics i mean
mikkiebabi 1 year ago
Great song, even if it's not very accurate.
Royic 1 year ago
Why and how did my comment get deleted??? And what is big John saying? "Talk about me"??
lakelandchief 1 year ago
Harry was a class act. Every conert of his I attended he came out to the lobby afterwards and signed autographs till everyone got theirs. I miss his music
MrArcelton 1 year ago 2
Never heard this song till now love it! I was born in 85 so it was after John died?? I think. I heard big John is dead to?
lakelandchief 1 year ago
@lakelandchief Big John is alive and well,and still performing. He tours with the Chapin Family doing the Harry Tribute concert,aswell as with his own band
lulubelle410 1 year ago
awesome!
Jaaronswitness 1 year ago
I was lucky enough to see Harry live 3 times. In those 3 concerts he only did this once. Keep in mind he usually did two hours with no opening act. He said before he played it that he could only do it once a night because it took so much out of him. Hearing it live was amazing.
theycouldance 1 year ago
@theycouldance I saw him about 5 times a year, and this has always been one of my favorites. You are right, he rarely did it in concert, but I had the privelage of hearing it live a few times. He was usually drained by the end
lulubelle410 1 year ago
I've never heard this song before - WOW! I just sat in front of my computer - mesmerized - and listened, and watched. I feel numb.
Susana1027 1 year ago
Incredible, Powerful This guys music is way overlooked. Awesome
time7152005 1 year ago
this song is brilliant it's so morbid but yet is brilliant. I have been listening to this song alot lately and it's pure brilliance.
Diopriest2 2 years ago
What a find, thanks for this. Harry Chapin is a musical genius!
propaganda63 2 years ago 8
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I saw Harry live in concert five times, just turned 50.....was in my late teens, early 20's when I saw him. My brother turned me on to him and he will be 58 tomorrow. Harry left this earth way too soon! Awesome live, great show, great man, he basically died broke because he gave all of his money to starving people throughout the world. Not the greatest voice of all time, but live he is great......blows anyone away with songwriting! Hands down, the best songwriter and words on music!
rickyrat78 2 years ago
he could get the message across through song could you imagine what he would sing today thanks HARRY!
pin4all 2 years ago 2
You can really feel the pain... its a really sad story if you research really well
stefano4 2 years ago 30
@stefano4 Yes, I have played this song from the album and the eerie background makes you feel the pain that this man was in...I know who this song is about and Harry just blows you away with his telling of the story.
ronnelson82 1 year ago
@stefano4
dont be a fag
rebinator19 1 year ago
@stefano4 I agree with you!
huang602041 1 year ago
@stefano4 Well if you research well you'd actually find that this song isn't really what was going on... none the less it's an amazing song.
Royic 1 year ago
The depth and intensity of his performance is overwhelming
inztrees 2 years ago 2
he was brilliant. i can say no more.
MrMikeyb26 2 years ago
I think the world is missing a true oratory genius in Harry. The way that he could translate an experience into words that we can all understand and relate to (there are many many songs of Harry's to which i relate in my own personal life) was unique. why can there not be more people like him in the world? Harry, I am privilaged to have been introduced to your music, May you forever rest in Peace...
gearjam44 2 years ago 4
Yeah - ask the CIA about his end...
Tell Barack to release the CIA's documents...
bloomingdedalus 2 years ago
I remember reading somewhere that Harry mentioned that every time he performed this song he lost a year from his life.... Perhaps there was something to that.
I was born 5 years after he died. I would have LOVED to see him in concert. Oh well, I can live them vicariously through my mom, who was lucky enough to see him several times in the 70's.
erickamcc1701 2 years ago
Harry was fantastic. My wife and I were lucky enough to have seen him perform twice in Hartford, CT. One time at the Hartford Civic Center, he came out to the center court after the show and signed autographs for anybody that hung around. He was so down to earth and just a regular guy. His music was incredible and he probably was the best "live" performer I've ever seen, but even more impressive was the amazing humanitarian drive that Harry had. He is sorely missed!
Chippy777Jake 2 years ago
when i first heard this song i thought "damn this song is deep" and yet another brilliant performence from harry chapin... Rest in peace good sir rest in peace
atgskater14 2 years ago
You like this one try there was only one choice, truly deep.
tecwolfen 2 years ago
I first heard this song in the early 70s when I was in college. I am just as impressed with Chapin brilliance hearing this again as I was back then. Thanks for adding this to You Tube.
Poetheart7753 2 years ago
the world was ROBBED of you Harry
AllStarAmerican 2 years ago 23
Brilliant background vocals:
TalkAboutMeTalkAboutMeTalkAboutMeTalkAboutMe
Sonovox01 2 years ago 2
a master peace this song is true art
atgskater14 2 years ago 2
1973 in Manchester Hall and my buddy Rick playing this song over and over in his dorm room while he sits in the window looking down at the campus. We used to wonder about that boy...
jonpetry 2 years ago
This is one of my favorite song and I'm siting my dorm right now. O,o
MrCopperhead1861 2 years ago 2
My uncle played this to me when i was 11, i loved it...didn't have a clue what it was about but 22 years on and i can honestly say it's the most amazing song i've ever listened to. Well done harry!! RIP x
angelicmush 2 years ago
Dateline did a story about Whitman about a few years back and they said after this event gave birth to SWAT teams.
squallbourne 2 years ago
EASILY the best live performance I've ever seen/heard.
RaidersFan2469 2 years ago 5
it's reall a song about this former Marine marksman
Charles Joseph Whitman (June 24, 1941 August 1, 1966), as a student at the University of Texas at Austin, killed 14 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus. . The tower massacre happened shortly after Whitman murdered his wife and mother at their homes. He was shot and killed by Austin Police Officer Houston McCoy,[1] assisted by Austin Police Officer Ramiro Martinez.
sylverfeathers 2 years ago
harry chapin is needing a docudrama starring michael douglas!
DRUMMERMAN77 2 years ago
RIP Harry. May your song be sung!
cpossberg 2 years ago
GREAT STORY
SEVFEST 2 years ago
You know the emotion he sings with is so great. I just dont know why but i feel like it is so real and better than anyone trying to sing with emotion, it just seems fake compared to this.
311herbs 2 years ago
amen
funorbfrank 2 years ago
1966 you are so lame dude ha ha ha
Atm0spher 2 years ago
you bich i love chapin
funorbfrank 2 years ago
once again this is not my comment my brother inlaw likes to ues my youtube acc to mess with ppl interferences1966 i apologize for my brother inlaw funorbfrank i concur (Chaplin owns)
Atm0spher 2 years ago
i used to shoot drano in my veins when listening to this song back in 1972. oh those good old days!
interferences1966 2 years ago
Uhmmm..."Drain-O"?? Like...as in, the drain cleaner?? WTF
revolutionday1 2 years ago
Saw the man 4 times in concert. He was an amazing human being. Simply amazing.
VooDooRocketry 2 years ago 4
i never met him , but my brother did. Harry was my "teacher". With this song he taught me there are no rules to writing a song. No edges. No boundaries. By the way, ~jim
pickrjm 2 years ago 4
This song is as relevant today as it was in '66.
It could've been written about Columbine or Virginia Tech.
I agree with " popartafterflash " - over the top, bizarre. Harry Chapin explored the whole range of human emotion in his songs.
This one is disquieting, because it could be anytime.
knoxvilleguy2 2 years ago
harry keep the change!
friendsofnortonkarno 2 years ago 2
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i like snipers
Xenthos095 2 years ago
This is nice. I've heard 2 songs so far by Mr. Chapin, and I'm enjoying!
Manu9078 2 years ago 5
sniper is one of the most, over the top, bizarre songs ever put on vinyl. i break this album out at parties and the look on people's faces is just astonishing, a cretified room clearer! i just found his dance band on the titanic 2 lp set. i have had the courage to play it yet! HARRY KEEP THE CHANGE!
popartafterflash 2 years ago 2
Harry's music. and particularly this dynamic song, touches you inside...it's hard to explain, even harder to ignore.
From his album "Sniper and other love songs.".
Harry's work lives on in his music. It still has the power to change the heart and reach the soul.
RIP Harry !
mert40 2 years ago 32
@mert40 totally agree and its so powerful because he puts so much into his music more than any other musician ive ever heard
zebrabear96 1 year ago
For those who understand Harry's purpose in creating this song, no additional words are necessary. For those who are too ignorant and self-indulgent, no amount of words will suffice.
The5thAngelRose 2 years ago
You seem to care more about the fact that you understand it than helping those who don't to be more enlightened, which is contrary to his motive and others in his movement.
Congratulations, you've just let down a two generations of free-thinkers.
corsikaa 2 years ago 2
dude the guitarist is tapping! its 75!
blindfolddrive 2 years ago
That was pretty cool, so much for Eddie the visionary! JK, EVH is the man.
tentwo70 2 years ago
The best version of this version
royalhunt69 2 years ago
I have loved this sing since I first heard it back in the 70's
KakesGpa 2 years ago
When I saw him sing this in 79 I got chills and he got a new fan
Cptjaialai 2 years ago
Makes me want to go signt-in my scope.
Harry was the Edgar Allen Poe of acoustic rock.
CamarilloJoe 2 years ago
Boy, there are som many idiodic comments on this upload. Hary Chapin was not only a great performer/songwriter he was a great humanitarian. He was the man that pretty much started World Hunger Foundation. He was brilliant!! He passed too soon!!
pdud71 3 years ago
that should be "World Hunger Year" (WHY). Honest mistake. From what I've heard, Harry had too much of the "common touch" with his charity work, and neglected his own family's needs.
3DogsLive 2 years ago
in his last days harry was attempting to better balance his social causes with his family time. three days before he died they had returned from a two week hawaiian vacation
heileman28 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
There you go again, Kreskin. Can't you raise your level of sophistication above the second grade? How ironic I find it that you rant about me knowing what you are thinking, then you turn around and tell me what I am thinking. I'd bet you even go snipe-hunting.
oldenuff2know99 3 years ago
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I'm sorry that your life sucks so bad that all you seem to be able to do is run people down. Don't contact me again, please. I refuse to participate in a duel of wits and intelligence with a totally unarmed individual. Have you considered professional therapy for your obvious pathetic feelings of self-importance and the aggrandized idea of your own self-worth?
oldenuff2know99 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
banana blueberry smoothies r good
amosmosesdude 3 years ago
This composing is pure genuity!
ID0ntLikeM0ndays 3 years ago 2
Wow! Where did this come from? Is the whole concert available?
Johnfern99 3 years ago
Boderline insanity, frustrated rage, only Harry Chapin could pull it off. Genius is a word thrown around to much, but this is the only word to describe him.
SgtBarnes14 3 years ago
Wow...I'd never seen this performance before. Thanks for uploading it.
I just uploaded a bunch of stuff from his final performance to my account.
onekgguy 3 years ago
anyone know what FRAK is? I would hate to be called something and not even know what it is...
Guess I'm not up on what the youngsters are saying these days.
And I'm pretty sure there is such a thing as artistic license. Otherwise it would be a piece on the biogrphy channel...and boring.
Harry Chapin was a gret man and an incredible story teller. he nailed this.
gartnerfan 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
what does 'gret man' mean?
UH, oh yea, FRAK ..
delete the RA, and add UC, an additional suffix of 'ED' may also be used.
(user mileage may vary)
dtordahl 3 years ago
You are so right...The song only includes weapons, times, names of victims and how the standoff came to an end. Harry Chapin obviously never heard of Whitman until he walked on stage this night to make up this song on the spot. You tool
gartnerfan 3 years ago
What are you talking about?
Have you ever heard of changing the names to protect the innocent?
I'll bet you throw in the argument that Harry uses the phrase 'four sided clock' when it really was a round clock.
How can you be so frak?
dtordahl 3 years ago
Dude you make no sense. Who could he be 100% right and only make it up on the spot? He obviously heard/researched about the guy and felt like honoring the victims death that they didn't deserve by telling everyone about the horrible targdey through song and what could possibly have driven this man Whitman to do it and hope the family might forgive this man because of all the things that driven him to it.
XterTheTexter 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Xter I'm guessing English is not your first language and reading the classics has never been a priority. That was a sarcastic comment referring to someone else saying that Harry Chapin did not research Whitman before he wrote the song. Sorry to shoot so far over your head. Look up sarcasm (try wikipedia or some other easy to use venue), you tool
gartnerfan 3 years ago
English is my first languge, i just have really bad grammer and spelling in writing. I normally don't care if you do hate it or not. Anyways i don't really care, i'm just makin a point cause its hard to tell sarcasm online like if someone posts, I'm gonna blow up America online, and hes just being sarcastic, America can't tell online so u gotta act no matter what.
XterTheTexter 3 years ago
Dude, YOU make no sense either.
But as far the C.W. shooting is concerned, the 'four sided clock' did not chime nor was it a four sided clock.
Does that help you make your point?
dtordahl 3 years ago
FYI I believe that tower was closed for years after the tragedy, but I believe parts, if not all of it have been reopened to the the public in a very belated attempt to leave this event in the past.
oldenuff2know99 3 years ago