THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

474-Harry Chapin-W.O.L.D.

1973-Number 34 single.

Best Bit-At 1.21.’Oh, if a man tried to take his time on earth, and prove before he died what one man’s life could be worth, I wonder what would happen to this world.’ These are the words inscribed on Harry Chapin’s gravestone, the epitaph is taken from his 1978 song ‘I Wonder What Would Happen to This World.’

Harold Forster Chapin (see also best songs 995) was born on December 7th, 1942, in New York City, United States, he died on July 16th, 1981 en route to perform a free benefit concert at Eisenhower Park, New York, when he was fatally injured in a traffic collision with a semi-trailer truck. Chapin’s widow Sandy won a $12 million decision in a negligence lawsuit against ‘Supermarkets General,’ the owners of the truck involved. Chapin was a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger, and would regularly perform for free to raise funds, and awareness.

Harry Chapin was one of the greatest storytellers through his music, releasing 11 studio Albums between 1972-1980, there have also been a further 17 posthumous compilations released between 1985-2019. In 1972 he signed a multi million dollar recording contract when ‘Electra’ records outbid ‘Columbia’ records for his signature, a wise move as Chapin has gone on to sell in excess of 16 million records worldwide.’W.O.L.D.’ was written by Harry Chapin and was released on his third studio Album ‘Short Stories’ from 1973. The lyrics tell the story of an ageing Disc Jockey who gave up his family life to travel around America working at several different radio stations following his passion, which he believed would bring him happiness, only to discover that his life, looks, and voice have all passed him by, as hinted in ‘O.L.D.’ in the songs title.

Chapin had been doing a promotion at a radio station, when he heard a telephone conversation between one of the station’s Disc Jockeys Jim Connors (1940-1987) who was speaking with his wife. This led to Chapin and Connors having a deep discussion on and off air about all the troubles associated with being part of the music business, inspiring Chapin to write this song.

‘Sometimes I get this crazy dream that I just take off in my car, but you can travel ten thousand miles and still stay where you are.’