One of the best songs set in San Francisco is Harry Chapin‘s “Taxi.” The song is one of those great story songs that is able to take a long compelling tale and wrap it into a song you can listen to again and again.
“Taxi” and Initial Reactions
“Taxi” is about lost chances and lost loves. When you hear that first line setting the song in San Francisco you know you are in for a great ride from a master storyteller as shown in this Soundstage performance.
The song originally appeared on Chapin’s 1972 album Heads and Tales, but I first got to know the song from hearing my sister play the album Greatest Stories Live (1976) over and and over and over again (especially the song about bananas). I have another friend in Cleveland who loves the song too.
But not everyone loved the song when it was released. Ben Gerson noted in a Rolling Stone magazine review, “The opening melody is merely banal, but more seriously, Harry doesn’t know how to construct a story.” But the song survived the review to become beloved by many Harry Chapin fans.
Inspiration for the Song
“Taxi” begins with rain falling on the streets of San Francisco. Yet, the story about Harry and Sue was inspired by a real event in New York. Chapin, who briefly attended the United States Air Force Academy and did have an interest in flying, revealed that there was some truth to the story in “Taxi,” although it is not all true.
Chapin never drove a taxi, but the song was inspired by an encounter with old lover when he went to get a taxi license. As Chapin later explained on a 1980 concert program, “I set into New York City to sign up for a hack license. On the way I meet an old girlfriend who has married money instead of becoming an actress, and I contemplate the irony of ‘flying in my taxi.'”
Skying?
I have often wondered about some of the words in the falsetto segment, sung on the recording by John Wallace. Wikipedia reports the verse as the following, noting that “skying” is an obscure slang word for going around naked along the lines of what later became called “streaking.”
Baby’s so high, that she’s skying
Yes she’s flying, afraid to fall
I’ll tell you why baby’s crying
Cause she’s dying, aren’t we all…
“Sequel”
The tale in “Taxi” is perfect as it is, but Chapin later returned to the characters in “Sequel,” bringing them together for a reunion of sorts. Again, the song begins in San Francisco where “Taxi” left us and takes us on a journey with a somewhat more happy ending.
“Sequel” features Harry’s return to San Francisco where he goes looking for Sue. Check out “Sequel”:
“Sequel” ends with the line, “I guess only time will tell,” making us wonder what happened to Harry and Sue. Unfortunately, we will never get a third song about them. In 1981, Harry Chapin died near exit 40 on the Long Island Expressway when he crashed with a tractor-trailer truck, perhaps after he had a heart attack while driving.
In 1987, Chapin was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his work on social issues, including his work raising awareness about hunger around the world. Today, the Harry Chapin Foundation continues his good work.
And that is the story behind the song.
What do you think of “Taxi” and “Sequel”? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)
Jeff,
I’m 58, so Taxi hit me at an impressionable age. Loved it, and it may have affected how I viewed the inevitable loves and breakups to come.
Sequel seems a bit forced.
Thanks.
Bob Lucas
The song had a similar impact upon me. “Taxi” captures some emotions about loss and regret that are rare in songs. I agree that “Sequel” seems less organic than “Taxi,” like he wanted to meet the demand for more news about Harry and Sue. Still, I like it and think in some ways it is nice that he left them both off in a better place. Thanks for the comment!