Cat's in the Cradle

For the CSI episode, see Cats in the Cradle (CSI). For other uses of "Cat's cradle", see Cat's cradle (disambiguation).

"Cat's in the Cradle"
Side-A label of the US vinyl single
Single by Harry Chapin
from the album Verities & Balderdash
B-side"Vacancy"
Written1973–1974
Released1974
Recorded1974
StudioConnecticut Recording Studios, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Genre
Length
  • 3:29 (single version)
  • 3:45 (album version)
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Paul Leka
Harry Chapin singles chronology
"W.O.L.D."
(1973) 		"Cat's in the Cradle"
(1974) 		"What Made America Famous?"
(1974)

"Cat's in the Cradle" is a folk rock song by American singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, from his fourth studio album, Verities & Balderdash (1974). The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974. As Chapin's only number-one song, it became the best known of his work and a staple for folk rock music. Chapin's recording of the song was nominated for the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.[5]

  1. ^ The Catholic World. Vol. 234–235. Paulist Press. 1991. p. 95.
  2. ^ Smith, Troy L. (December 14, 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1970s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum.com. May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Kuge, Mara (February 7, 2019). "14 Secretly Cruel Soft Rock Love Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  5. ^ "Grammy Awards: Best Pop Solo Performance". Retrieved October 11, 2015.