30,000 Pounds of Bananas

30,000 Pounds of Bananas is a Harry Chapin song released on the Verities and Balderdash album.

This song was based on an actual truck wreck in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Jerry Lynott, a writer for Times-Leader, looked back on the March 18, 1965 truck accident this story was based on recently.

In spite of the serious theme, Harry had a fun time with end of this song in concert supposedly coming up with new endings because his band did not like the first ending. The Chapin catch phrase "Harry, It Sucks" originates from Harry's retelling of the bands first reaction to the proposed ending to the song.

Releases

First release

• Verities and Balderdash (1974)

Live

• Greatest Stories Live (1976)
• Bottom Line Encore Collection (1998)

Anthologies

• Anthology of Harry Chapin (1985)
• Story of a Life (1999)
• VH1: Behind the Music (2001)
• The Essentials: Harry Chapin (2002)
• Harry Chapin Classics (2003)

Videos

• You Are the Only Song (1983)
• Rockpalast Live - 25th Anniversary (2002)

Compilations

• Wacky Classics of the '70s (1984) - Warner Special Products (CD)
• American Pie - Great Tales & Sagas in Song (1998) - Reader's Digest (CD, cassette)
• On the Road Again Essential Truck Driving Songs (2010) - Australia

Covers

• In 1984, George Ball performed this song on the Lies and Legends cast album. The song was simply titled as "Bananas" on the liner notes.
• In 2006, Tom Chapin sings the lead in The Chapin Family live performance of this song on the Harry Chapin: A Celebration in Song: Volume I album.

Sheet Music

• Verities and Balderdash (songbook)
• Greatest Stories Live (songbook)
• A Legacy in Song (songbook)