Dancing Boy

I looked at some of the tags on this blog site and Drew was clearly lacking attention. So, here's some long overdue Drew love.

When I was a little kid, my Dad played Harry Chapin songs pretty much daily. If my father had theme music it would be something by Harry Chapin. In my opinion, Chapin is probably the most underrated singer songwriter of his generation. Few singer-songwriters have the ability to write songs that take on new meanings as you get older.

Dancing Boy, was a song that my father played when I was about Drew's age. At the time I remember thinking it was an excuse to get me to dance, which I often did. Well, I'm a father now and I have my own Dancing Boy. Drew will be four in June and he continues to amaze me everyday. His humor, his antics, his unabashed approach to life, and well, his dancing. Drew's got a thing for Kid Rock, Ray Lamontagne and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog" song. Quite an eclectic taste and he's probably game for some Harry Chapin - sooner rather than later.

So I started thinking about this song and of course there are no live version of Chapin singing Dancing Boy so I had to make my own video. I'll be honest in saying that looking back at these pictures stirred some great memories inside of me. And if you know Drew, it should stir similar emotions in you as well.

As you watch the video, I encourage you to read the lyrics. I was going to bold the lyrics that make me pause and reflect on this little man I have the prevelidge to call son, but it seems like every word of the song was written for a father and son. My dad's a whole lot smarter than I ever gave him credit for as a kid.

And now that Harrison is here, all of six weeks, I get to have two dancing boys. A good way to go through life, don't you think?

Harry Chapin's, Dancing Boy

When your daddy plays guitar,
You dance without a smile.
Kid you may not have great rhythm,
But you sure got style.
Just four years old and still it seems,
You've got it figured out.
When daddy sings, and then you dance,
The people clap and shout.

Cuz, you're my dancing boy,
And it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Dancing boy, I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.

Yes, I'm so proud when you are with me,
That my heart digs in my throat.
And when you stop to strut your stuff,
My eyes go all afloat.
And when I have to leave you home
As sometimes it must be.
I feel that with my leaving
I leave far too much of me.

Yes, you're my dancing boy,
And it's scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
You're my dancing boy,
I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.

You know the time will come my dancing boy
When you're dancing days are done,
And when daddy and his dancing boy
Will have dwindled down to one.

You know the world will've taught you other steps
To match the march of time,
So you'll have to keep our dancing days
Dancing in your mind.

Yes, do your dancing, boy,
Cuz it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Do your dancing, boy.
I'm sure by now that you must see
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine