| Any Old Kind of Day in Memory of Harry Chapin |
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TaxiThis song was Harry's first single and what started it all. It remained a staple in his concerts. At benefit concerts where he appeared without the band he often brought members of the audience up to sing "the high part in Taxi". Author's note: I was fortunate enough to be one of those audience members who sang on stage with Harry at the University of Illinois in 1977. Taxi peaked at #24 on the Billboard charts. It was the first of four top 40 hits for Harry. This story is semi-autobiographical. When Harry was a going through hard times as a film maker he got "hack" Taxi license. The day he got the license he received three offers for film work and never actually drove a cab. The reference to "flying so high" is supposedly a reference to his time at the Air Force Academy. According to one review, the movie Taxi Driver was inspired by Taxi. Peter Steward provides some additional comments about this song and Sequel. Sequel, told a story about the same characters as in Taxi many years later, was on the last album released before his death in 1981. If you are in a bar and request a Harry Chapin song, it will typically be this or Cat's in the Cradle. From the Heads and Tales songbook for the album, Harry writes, "It's funny how ironic situations hit you in the face and point out how much things change. over the years. 'Taxi' is about how dreams can come true in sad an unexpected ways." AlbumsHeads and Tales
(1972) Videos
Book of Chapin
(1995) video CoversLies and Legends (1984) Sheet Music, Tablatures & ChordsSheet music is available in Heads and
Tales, Legacy in Song, Authentic
Guitar Style, The
Music of Harry Chapin Made Easy for Guitar. |
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Copyright 1998, 2004 Marty Acks |