Mr. Tanner

Harry Chapin

About Mr. Tanner

"Mr. Tanner" is a song by Harry Chapin from his 1973 album, Short Stories. Big John Wallace plays Mr. Tanner by singing the chorus to "O Holy Night" in the background to the song's chorus.


Year:
1984
33 

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Mister Tanner was a cleaner from a town in the Midwest.
And of all the cleaning shops around he'd made his the best.
But he also was a baritone who sang while hanging clothes.
He practiced scales while pressing tails and sang at local shows.
His friends and neighbors praised the voice that poured out from his throat.
They said that he should use his gift instead of cleaning coats.

But music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

His friends kept working on him to try music out full time.
A big debut and rave reviews, a great career to climb.
Finally they got to him, he would take the fling.
A concert agent in New York agreed to have him sing.
And there were plane tickets, phone calls, money spent to rent the hall.
It took most of his savings but he gladly used them all.

But music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

The evening came, he took the stage, his face set in a smile.
And in the half filled hall the critics sat watching on the aisle.
But the concert was a blur to him, spatters of applause.
He did not know how well he sang, he only heard the flaws.
But the critics were concise, it only took four lines.
But no one could accuse them of being over kind.

Mr. Martin Tanner, Baritone, of Dayton, Ohio made his
Town Hall debut last night. He came well prepared, but unfortunately
His presentation was not up to contemporary professional standards.
His voice lacks the range of tonal color necessary to make it
Consistently interesting.

Full time consideration of another endeavor might be in order.
He came home to Dayton and was questioned by his friends.
Then he smiled and just said nothing and he never sang again,
Excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed.
He sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes.

Music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

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Harry Chapin

Harry Forster Chapin (December 7, 1942 – July 16, 1981) was an American singer-songwriter best known for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the No. 1 hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977. In 1987, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his humanitarian work. more »

5 fans

Written by: HARRY F. CHAPIN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Musical Composition
"Mr. Tanner" is a folk-rock song written and composed by Harry Chapin, showcasing his brilliant storytelling ability through music.
Album Release
First recorded in 1973, the song was part of Harry Chapin's fourth studio album, "Short Stories."
Inspiration
The song was inspired by a review in The New York Times of a performance by Martin Tubridy, a tenor who was also a manager of a cleaning and dyeing shop.
Storyline
"Mr. Tanner" tells the story of a humble Midwest cleaner who is also a passionate amateur baritone singer. Venturing away from his cleaning business, he decides to make a living by singing, but a single harsh criticism forces him back into his old life.
Critical Review
Contrasting from the narrative of the song, "Mr. Tanner" received widely positive reviews, earning praise for its emotive storytelling and Chapin's vocal delivery.
Live Performances
"Mr. Tanner" was one of the top songs Harry Chapin performed live in concerts. His unique delivery of the song, full of passion and emotion, made it a fan favorite at shows.
Music Notation
The song is written in the key of F major, showcasing Chapin's comfort and skill within this tonal landscape.
Duration
The original album version of the song has a duration of five minutes and ten seconds, though live versions of the song often varied in length.
Band Contributions
Besides Chapin, who served as the primary vocalist and guitarist, the song featured a number of other musicians, including John Wallace on the bass and Tim Scott on the cello.
Legacy
"Mr. Tanner," like many other Harry Chapin songs, has left a long-lasting legacy, being covered by numerous artists over the years.
Charity Work
Chapin, who was known for his philanthropic efforts, often used the proceeds from his songs, including "Mr. Tanner," to support the cause of combating world hunger.
Posthumous Recognition
Harry Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1987, which mentioned his music, including "Mr. Tanner," in its citation.

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