Ya'all need to get over yourselves! and stop worry'in whether "The slight deepening is an excellent touch" "If there was one thing I'd change about the song I'd kick out the Chorus" god almighty it is Chapin's art in song that touches each of us in ways that is personal to each of the ones listening to him. Stop the fuckin analyzin of it and just listen!!...!!!
I like this one better. I'm a little partial because I used to drive for them. It is true though. Even as a driver out of Florida, used to ride to N.Y.C. to work for the summers. Made a lot of money doing it.
The slight deepening is an excellent touch. (I am a carrier audio engineer). This a truly beautiful song. I have been in love with this whole album since I discovered it in my college days in the 80s (dogtown never did that much for me but the rest makes up for it)
@SongsofHarry Very Good, He talked about how Greyhound was looking forward to hearing it and thought they may use it in a commercial, of course they didn't, At live concerts he would usually give a story about what led to the song before he sang it, sometimes very funny stories where the band would banter with him,
I agree... with both of you. Beyond the meaning that each of us takes from each song, taxi strikes me a little more personal, whereas greyhound seems a broader appeal to enjoy the journey, msgs.en masse.The trip may be tougher, but on the whole Greyhound is a bit more blunt, like a bus, it's a rough ride in realism & like life goes faster, til you stop, get off & realize the ride's wrung your heart & you don't know how & it may take years to unravel so many tangles messages; layers of meaning.
Ran out of room :-) Just wanted to add that I rarely play "Taxi" without following it up with "Sequel", so I tend to think of it as one long song. "Greyhound" is a terrific song for what it is, but I will always vote for "Taxi/Sequel" which really isn't fair, but what can ya do? I still smile and/or cry a little tear when he sings "But I ended up taking a taxi 'cause that how I got this far" in "Sequel", but I'm just an old softie at heart. Thanks for asking, hon!
Personally speaking, I think "Taxi" grabs you and drags you into the story right from the get-go. This one is more of a message song as opposed to a story song, that message being (as you've mentioned), "It's got to be the going not the getting there that's good." I've always found that whole frantic bridge (if that's the right term) a little jarring on the nerves as compared to the "Baby's so high that she's skying" part in "Taxi" which doesn't take you out of the song, but just adds to it.
I have to disagree I feel that it never takes you away from the story, but in fact adds a climax to it one more intense and deep to the character then what's provided in Taxi "Well another man...". If there was one thing I'd change about the song I'd kick out the Chorus. I'm very interested in what you'll have to say, if you have anything to say, about Sniper.
@SongsofHarry My nutshell opinion of "Sniper": Freakin' brilliant! Now, that kind of "jarring" works perfectly within the storyline of the song. Must admit it took me a couple of listens to "get" it, but it really gets under your skin. Could be written today, of course, and would probably be a smash hit. Didn't gel with his persona back then, though, and I don't think it ever gets played on the radio. It's the one I play and say, "So, you think you know Harry? Dig this!" Many minds blown.
It's got to be the goin', not the gettin' there that's good! I miss you Harry.
sonnyboy39 1 month ago
This man was a genius!!
kpjlaw 2 months ago
Ya'all need to get over yourselves! and stop worry'in whether "The slight deepening is an excellent touch" "If there was one thing I'd change about the song I'd kick out the Chorus" god almighty it is Chapin's art in song that touches each of us in ways that is personal to each of the ones listening to him. Stop the fuckin analyzin of it and just listen!!...!!!
nutuvocare 5 months ago
I like this one better. I'm a little partial because I used to drive for them. It is true though. Even as a driver out of Florida, used to ride to N.Y.C. to work for the summers. Made a lot of money doing it.
bigkw 6 months ago
Finally, someone posted this!!!!!!!!!!!
bigkw 6 months ago
The slight deepening is an excellent touch. (I am a carrier audio engineer). This a truly beautiful song. I have been in love with this whole album since I discovered it in my college days in the 80s (dogtown never did that much for me but the rest makes up for it)
bcbrewski 7 months ago
I heard a live version of this on Harry Chapin Radio (Harry -Chapin-Foundation-org / radio)
nutballgazette 7 months ago
@nutballgazette
Was it any good?!?!?!?
SongsofHarry 7 months ago
@SongsofHarry Very Good, He talked about how Greyhound was looking forward to hearing it and thought they may use it in a commercial, of course they didn't, At live concerts he would usually give a story about what led to the song before he sang it, sometimes very funny stories where the band would banter with him,
nutballgazette 7 months ago
I agree... with both of you. Beyond the meaning that each of us takes from each song, taxi strikes me a little more personal, whereas greyhound seems a broader appeal to enjoy the journey, msgs.en masse.The trip may be tougher, but on the whole Greyhound is a bit more blunt, like a bus, it's a rough ride in realism & like life goes faster, til you stop, get off & realize the ride's wrung your heart & you don't know how & it may take years to unravel so many tangles messages; layers of meaning.
mythtree 7 months ago
Ran out of room :-) Just wanted to add that I rarely play "Taxi" without following it up with "Sequel", so I tend to think of it as one long song. "Greyhound" is a terrific song for what it is, but I will always vote for "Taxi/Sequel" which really isn't fair, but what can ya do? I still smile and/or cry a little tear when he sings "But I ended up taking a taxi 'cause that how I got this far" in "Sequel", but I'm just an old softie at heart. Thanks for asking, hon!
TinyDancer500 7 months ago
Personally speaking, I think "Taxi" grabs you and drags you into the story right from the get-go. This one is more of a message song as opposed to a story song, that message being (as you've mentioned), "It's got to be the going not the getting there that's good." I've always found that whole frantic bridge (if that's the right term) a little jarring on the nerves as compared to the "Baby's so high that she's skying" part in "Taxi" which doesn't take you out of the song, but just adds to it.
TinyDancer500 7 months ago
@TinyDancer500
I have to disagree I feel that it never takes you away from the story, but in fact adds a climax to it one more intense and deep to the character then what's provided in Taxi "Well another man...". If there was one thing I'd change about the song I'd kick out the Chorus. I'm very interested in what you'll have to say, if you have anything to say, about Sniper.
SongsofHarry 7 months ago
@SongsofHarry My nutshell opinion of "Sniper": Freakin' brilliant! Now, that kind of "jarring" works perfectly within the storyline of the song. Must admit it took me a couple of listens to "get" it, but it really gets under your skin. Could be written today, of course, and would probably be a smash hit. Didn't gel with his persona back then, though, and I don't think it ever gets played on the radio. It's the one I play and say, "So, you think you know Harry? Dig this!" Many minds blown.
TinyDancer500 7 months ago