Poem on a father-son relationship inspired 'Cat's in the Cradle'

Today's Morning Edition music is from Harry Chapin with "Cat's in the Cradle," which was the No. 1 song on the charts 40 years ago today.

It is based on a poem that Chapin's wife Sandy wrote about her ex-husband and his distant father. Chapin says he created the chorus by reworking nursery rhymes, especially "Hey Diddle Diddle."

Chapin was killed in traffic accident in 1981. He was 39 years old.

Here's a clip of Chapin's wife and son talking about the song.

More Morning Edition music

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