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My Life’s A Circle
“Circle” is a song written and performed by Harry Chapin included on the 1972 album “Sniper and Other Love Songs”. Though it wasn’t released as a single, it quickly became a fan favorite and is the “Chapin theme song.” According to Tom Chapin (Harry’s brother), Circle was written by Harry for a TV show, Make a Wish of which Tom was host. Here is my humble tribute to a favorite singer/songwriter of mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jumItFrY594It has been just over 40 years since singer/songwriter Harry Chapin’s tragic death in 1981 at the age of 41. I had the great privilege to attend his small venue concert on the campus of a North Carolina college in 1974. It was very intimate as only a handful of students attended. I remember his sense of humor. Got to speak with him and his two band mates, “Big John” Wallace, bassist and vocal pyrotechnics (very high & low) and, Tim Scott, cellist. I recall Harry, playing guitar, had the audience participate while singing this song’s principal verse over and over.
Harry spoke about his combined role as a musician and activist. In an interview at the time, he stated “One of the things I’m in this for is to have some moments carved in stone, in a sense – not just based on the fact that at any particular moment in musical history, this kind of sound or that kind of thing is in. I’m trying to find things that 20 years from now might still have some meaning (for instance ‘Remember When the Music’).” It was Harry who showed compassion through his world hunger efforts long before the Live Aid era of U2, Springsteen and Sting.
For me, the song’s lyrics have much greater meaning now than when I was a senior in college.
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14 Replies
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Great oerdoemance @Guitargeezer-Jack ! Thought you played and sang extremely well. I’d like to see your fretting and strumming hands in the video. That’s always a great help to me and others. Keep on plunking Jack!
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Thanks so much for your remarks @Loraine – yes, I will try to get a wider view of my fingers in action next time. Got to start learning how to play standing up too. Just so you know, regarding this song, I was quickly transitioning the D chords (D / Dmaj7 / D6 / Dmaj7 / D) followed by ‘Em & A, then G A D to complete each verse. Fun song to play!
Someday I want to play Chapin’s “Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas” regarding a true yet tragic incident near Scranton, PA.
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That was great Guitargeezer-Jack! 👍 keep on playing guitar and posting videos. 🎸
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could tell you’re having a fun time, thx for sharing!
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Thank you @stevieblues for the acknowledgement and encouragement.
Appreciate @zeebow (Dzuy N’s) comment as well. Yes, having fun is the goal.
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That is a great song, I love your narrations and the globe and planet in the background! Thanks for sharing @Guitargeezer👍🏼😄
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Just sounds so good with your vocal style. I’ve never come across Harry Chapin so every day is an education on TAC! Thanks for all the background. Really helps set the context for the song.
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👍🏼
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I really enjoyed that Guitargeezer-jack! I haven’t heard that song in years and you did a great cover. Pretty cool that you met Harry Chapin too. I love that old album Verities and Balderdash with “Cats in the Cradle” and “30,000 pounds of bananas”.
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Thank you @Jonathandavid – Chapin had a number of great albums but the Verities and Balderdash is one of my favorites in the LP collection.
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Very nice @Guitargeezer you have a very nice voice. 😊😊😊😎
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@Marty69 Always nice to hear from another of my “M” TAC friends that I so enjoy listening to your play for us videos. I am working toward gaining more guitar proficiency so to further improve my vocals. Been singing in choirs for over 50 years, playing guitar about one year so got some ground to cover. I really do appreciate the encouragement from TAC members!
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Nice performance @Guitargeezer-Jack ! This has been a favorite song of mine for many years!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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