Chapin, Harry - Sequel Lyrics






Hey, she's actin' happy, inside her handsome home
And me, I'm flyin' in my taxi, takin' tips

I got into town a little early
Had eight hours to kill before the show
First thought about heading up north of the bay
Then knew where I had to go

I thought about taking a Limousine
Or at least a fancy car
I ended up taking a taxi
'Cause that's how I got this far

It was ten years goin' in the front seat
Drivin' stoned, feelin' no pain
Now, here I am straight and sittin' in the back
Hitting 16 Park Side lane

The driveway was the same, as I remembered
And a butler came and answered the door
He just shook his head, when I asked for her
And said, "She doesn't live here anymore"

But he offered to give me the address
They were forwarding her letters to
I just took it and returned to the cabbie
And said, "I got one more fare for you"

And so we rolled back into the city
Upto a five storey old Brownstone
Rang the bell, that had her name on the mailbox
The buzzer said somebody's home

And the look on her face as she opened door
Was like an old joke told by a friend
It'd taken ten more years, but she'd found her smile
And I watched the corners start to bend

And she said, "How are you Harry?
Haven't we played this scene before"
I said, "It's so good to see you now, Sue
Had to play it out just once more
Play it out just once more"

She said, "I've heard you flying high on my radio"
I answered, "It's not all it seems"
That's when she laughed and she said
"It's better sometimes, when we don't get to touch our dreams"

That's when, I asked her where was that actress
She said, "That was somebody else"
When I asked her, why she looked so happy now
She said, "I finally like myself, at last I like myself"

So we talked all through that afternoon
Talking about, where we'd been
We talked of the tiny difference
Between ending and starting to begin
We talked because, talking tells you things
Like, what you really are thinking about
But sometimes, you can't find what you're feeling
Till all the words run out

So I asked her to come to the concert
She said, "No, I, I work at night"
I said, "We've gotten too damn good at leaving, Sue"
She said, "Harry, you're right"

Don't ask me, if I made love to her
Or which one of us started to cry
Don't ask me why she wouldn't take the money that I left
If I answered at, all I'd lie

So I thought about her, as I sang that night
And how the circle keeps rolling around
And if I act, as I'm facing the footlights
How she's flying with both feet on the ground

Yes, I guess it's a sequel to our story
From my journey between Heaven and Hell
With half the time thinking of what might have been
And half thinkin' just as well

I guess only time will tell





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Chapin, Harry Sequel Comments
  1. m.... m....

    Shame we were never to hear proceeding update in '88, '96, 04, '12 and soon anticipated 48th anniversary in 2020

  2. B.... A....

    I loved taxi...the sequel just irritates the hell out of me.

  3. R.... H....

    I don’t mind bragging but I know “Taxi” by heart. Been listening to Harry for years and years. His songs are so visual. “A Better place to be” is another favorite.

  4. S.... B....

    Taxi is a classic and tough to match, though Harry's voice is stronger and more nuanced in Sequel.

  5. l.... ....

    When you cant touch your dreams. ...wow..

  6. M.... R....

    I think his last line was interesting... 'only time will tell' almost like the sequel was going to have a postscript but he never got that chance... such a talent, such a story teller.

  7. A.... C....

    This all seems to be fitting for my story. Names have changed to Allen & Judy.

  8. p.... ....

    everyone has to be questing to be in of at to of their dreams. it isnt easy and it isnt fair, but at least it is talst.

  9. R.... S....

    Harry Chapin I remember this song from way back and always liked it, because it is Philosophical and true to life. Funny when I first heard this song I was dating a lady named Sue.

  10. C.... B....

    Wow, I just found out there was a sequel..I had no idea..so had to come here to hear it. Taxi was such a "real" story and I think myself as well as others always wondered if there would be a sequel. This was bittersweet.
    RIP Harry and thanks for your stories

  11. b.... f....

    never knew this song existed, and don't take me wrong, but wish i'd never known. you cannot improve upon perfection.

    b.... f....

    I love that there's an ending tho

  12. O.... B....

    What a masterpiece. Brilliant!

  13. m.... ....

    "I watched her corners start to bend" gets me every time. "At last I like myself."

  14. B.... ....

    How ten years could change two lives. I never knew he recorded a sequel. I loved hearing it for the first time!

    B.... ....

    I am happy you finally heard the Sequel. At last, I am certain that Harry would have wished it were true, for it was the closure he so desired.

  15. K.... H....

    I love Taxi and this and I love him and I wonder what he would have done if he  lived longer

  16. r.... ....

    Never cared for the Sequel. Some things are better left alone...

  17. D.... S....

    I like this sequel but as a visual artist i find that taxi is on the most prolific songs of my lifetime.

  18. T.... S....

    Just listen to that diction and clarity....The best of his genre.

  19. h.... ....

    It had too much noisy music.

  20. M.... W....

    Love Harry

  21. J.... M....

    I still remember driving on the LIE trying to get home so I could go see Harry At Eisenhower Park I was very excited for the show as i past a terrible accident my excitement turned to sadness for the person in the car not knowing who it was at the time only to find out their would be no concert that night

    J.... M....

    Jimmy Monroe, I’m so sorry. I was 19 and so very excited to be seeing him the next night, but that did not happen. So sad. Such a loss to us all.

  22. B.... T....

    Prince Harry

  23. D.... D....

    Wonderful Harry Chapen.

  24. D.... V....

    Saw him live performing his music in Germany at a small Air Force venue. Spent a few minutes chatting, wow, he was so down to earth!

  25. W.... O....

    Amazing

  26. 2.... ....

    So, she was a hooker?

  27. s.... ....

    Some years ago I reconnected with a few select people from my past. I can identify with this song...I found some closure. Liked that. Only time will tell.

  28. F.... T....

    "Only the good die young"
    B.J.

  29. U.... ....

    I am amazed to find out after all these years he wrote a sequel.... but he did it.. .He knew he had to....... Everyone wanted to know what happened..... God Bless you Harry.... Rest in peace..... Your songs will still keep playing for a new generation to hear.... Mike in LA, Calif...

    U.... ....

    The story behind the making of sequal is fans use to come to him all the time and ask him questions like What every happened to Sue or y=You have to update the story or You have to write a sequal. SOme where between all of this he decided to not only write a sequal but his last album which he recorded and released , yes I know there was one released after his death after, was called Sequal. I have it its a great album.

    U.... ....

    I found it I think the album was called the gold medal album a presidential awards that was given to Harry Chapin but I can't find the album. I think it was around 1985 when I found it

    U.... ....

    UNICOMP

    U.... ....

    You do know he played them both back to back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeMX1JfqKuc

    U.... ....

    My dad raised me on his music, he never played Taxi without playing Sequel but we were discussing not long ago how few people do know he did this one.

  30. D.... ....

    I've never heard this before. It's long overdue.

  31. J.... W....

    So, its my understanding that Harry got famous for his singing, obviously, and Sue became a prostitute? She works at night and he left money for her after they screwed, correct?

  32. M.... J....

    wow, I remembered the original and ask these years never realized there was a sequel. I was dreaming this adding this morning, except I was living it...strange dream.
    I'm LOVING this sequel, a happy ending after all. Dreams do come true.

    Merry Christmas everyone, May the joy of this season carry into the New Year for you.

  33. D.... H....

    Happy belated 74th Birthday Harry 12/7/16,from Dayton Ohio

    D.... H....

    Dennis Hoskins ...So sadly missed and what a tragic loss.

  34. m.... s....

    I can feel what he said in this song. Been there done that. R.I.P Harry from a cabbie.

    m.... s....

    Wow, God bless you, brother.

  35. D.... C....

    I was a teenager when this song was released. It's not as good as "Taxi" but the original deserved a conclusion. We always want people to "land on their feet." It's nice to know how the story ended.

    D.... C....

    exactly

    D.... C....

    Man, you can't have Taxi with out this one. I think both are as equally deserving.

  36. S.... E....

    RETURNED ONCE MORE FOR THE SEQUEL. ONLY HARRY CHAPIN BRIDGED TIME & SPACE THROUGH HIS MUSICAL STORIES. " THERE'V BEEN TOO MANY MILES & TOO MANY SMILES, BUT "I STILL REMEMBER YOU". "THERE'S A WILD MAN WIZARD HIDING IN ME, DRIVING A PRINCESS BLIND"." BABY'S SO HIGH THAT SHE'S SKYING, SO HIGH, SHE'S AFRAID TO FALL, I'LL TELL U WHY BABY'S CRYIN', CAUSE SHE'S DYIN"., AREN'T WE ALL". LOVE & LOSS THRU HARRY CHAPIN'S WORDS & MUSIC. " TAKIN' TIPS & GETTIN" STONED. I GO FLYIN' SO HIGH WHEN I'M STONED".R.I.P.

  37. K.... ....

    "So here she's actin' happy inside her handsome home
    And me, I'm flyin' in my taxi, takin' tips and gettin' stoned.

    I got into town a little early.
    Had eight hours to kill before the show.
    First I thought about heading up north of the bay
    Then I knew where I had to go.

    I thought about taking a limousine
    Or at least a fancy car.
    But I ended up taking a taxi
    'Cause that's how I got this far.

    You see, ten years ago it was the front seat
    Drivin' stoned and feelin' no pain.
    Now here I am straight and sittin' in the back
    Hitting Sixteen Parkside Lane.

    The driveway was the same as I remembered
    And a butler came and answered the door.
    He just shook his head when I asked for her
    And said "She doesn't live here anymore."

    But he offered to give me the address
    That they were forwarding her letters to.
    I just took it and returned to the cabbie
    And said "I got one more fare for you."

    And so we rolled back into the city
    Up to a five store old brownstone
    I rang the bell that had her name on the mailbox.
    The buzzer said somebody's home.

    And the look on her face as she opened the door
    Was like an old joke told by a friend.
    It'd taken ten more years but she'd found her smile
    And I watched the corners start to bend.

    And she said, "How are you Harry?
    Haven't we played this scene before?"
    I said "It's so good to see you, Sue
    Had to play it out just once more."
    Play it out just once more.

    She said I've heard you flying high on my radio
    I answered "It's not all it seems"
    That's when she laughed and she said, "It's better sometimes
    When we don't get to touch our dreams."

    That's when I asked her where was that actress
    She said "That was somebody else"
    And then I asked her why she looked so happy now
    She said "I finally like myself, at last I like myself."

    So we talked all through that afternoon
    Talking about where we'd been
    We talked of the tiny difference
    Between ending and starting to begin.
    We talked because talking tells you things
    Like what you really are thinking about.
    But sometimes you can't find what you're feeling
    Till all the word run out.

    So I asked her to come to the concert.
    She said "No, I work at night."
    I said, "We've gotten too damn good at leaving, Sue"
    She said, "Harry, you're right."

    Don't ask me if I made love to her
    Or which one of us started to cry
    Don't ask me why she wouldn't take the money that I left
    If I answered at all I'd lie.

    So I thought about her as I sang that night
    And how the circle keeps rolling around.
    How I act as I'm facing the footlights
    And how she's flying with both feet on the ground.

    I guess it's a sequel to our story
    From the journey 'tween heaven and hell
    With half the time thinking of what might have been
    and half thinkin' just as well.

    I guess only time will tell."

  38. R.... J....

    it didn't work out for her and it and not for him.

  39. N.... P....

    Such a shame. He could have done so much more

  40. M.... T....

    second chances are the best...

    M.... T....

    yes they are aren't they...

  41. F.... ....

    TONIGHT FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT ABOUT "SEQUEL" AND "TAXI". I HAVE NOT HEARD EITHER SONGS IN DECADES !! I REMEMBER YEARS AGO, WHEN I FIRST HEARD "SEQUEL", I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS FANTASTIC THAT HARRY CHAPIN UPDATED HIS CLASSIC "TAXI" TIMELESS MASTERPIECE !! BUT "TAXI" PLAYED ON RADIO STATIONS FOR MONTHS !! "SEQUEL" EXPLODED AS A FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW, BUT FIZZLED OUT ON THE RADIO STATIONS A FEW WEEKS LATER !! THE GENIUS OF HARRY CHAPIN CANNOT BE DENIED, AND THE NEXT TIME I HEAR THESE SONGS PLAYED IN THE SAME NIGHT, I HOPE IT'S IN A HARRY CHAPIN HOLLYWOOD MOVIE OR BROADWAY PLAY !! THANK YOU SongsofHarry FOR POSTING THIS BEAUTIFUL FINAL ACT !!!! THANK YOU YOU/TUBE !!!!

    F.... ....

    RETURNED ONCE MORE FOR THE SEQUEL. ONLY HARRY CHAPIN BRIDGED TIME & SPACE THROUGH HIS MUSICAL STORIES. " THERE'V BEEN TOO MANY MILES & TOO MANY SMILES, BUT "I STILL REMEMBER YOU". "THERE'S A WILD MAN WIZARD HIDING IN ME, DRIVING A PRINCESS BLIND"." BABY'S SO HIGH THAT SHE'S SKYING, SO HIGH, SHE'S AFRAID TO FALL, I'LL TELL U WHY BABY'S CRYIN', CAUSE SHE'S DYIN"., AREN'T WE ALL". LOVE & LOSS THRU HARRY CHAPIN'S WORDS & MUSIC. " TAKIN' TIPS & GETTIN" STONED. I GO FLYIN' SO HIGH WHEN I'M STONED".R.I.P.

    F.... ....

    Actually Sequel was the Fastest grossing record of his career...

  42. H.... P....

    INDUCT HARRY CHAPIN

    H.... P....

    He is definitely deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame.

    H.... P....

    Herman Parodi you’re damn right Herman

    H.... P....

    Absolutely

  43. C.... S....

    entered Billboard Nov 1, 1980 ..reached #23

  44. T.... T....

    Maybe he is right sometimes it's better when we don't touch our dreams.Because in our heads they turn out as we want but in real life there are other factors. To many to list.

    T.... T....

    This is a song of love and Redemption it doesn't seem like something that we should mention we drive along on this road called life it's filled with love it's filled with strife we try to reconcile the difference between what we want and what are dreams it's hard to discern between them at times they don't always follow between the lines it's here I will end some may say I'm wondering on but I hope my Rhymes will help someone to carry on. I'm Bob you haven't heard the Last of Me. tell me what you think was it worth it or do I stink.

    T.... T....

    Teresa Torres So true about dreams not being up to expectations. When you are young you have a simple idea of what you can accomplish. When we grow up we realise all the selfishness and other rot that's out there. I guess that is why they call them dreams.

    T.... T....

    Teresa Torres Harry was & is the best & always be so sad that we lose the masters so young!!

  45. J.... S....

    Jake Walker, did you even listen to the words of Sequel? Before she says that she works nights, she says "I finally like myself, at last I like myself." No sane woman who is a prostitute likes herself. She hesitates "I, I..." before she tells Harry that she works night. I am guessing that she is doing menial work and doesn't want Harry to know how poor she is.

    And I can list a hundred or so jobs that require night work... starting with working on a night crew that cleans office buildings to anything related to nursing or 24-hour restaurant shifts. So don't post something that is not in the lyrics.

    J.... S....

    RETURNED ONCE MORE FOR THE SEQUEL. ONLY HARRY CHAPIN BRIDGED TIME & SPACE THROUGH HIS MUSICAL STORIES. " THERE'V BEEN TOO MANY MILES & TOO MANY SMILES, BUT "I STILL REMEMBER YOU". "THERE'S A WILD MAN WIZARD HIDING IN ME, DRIVING A PRINCESS BLIND"." BABY'S SO HIGH THAT SHE'S SKYING, SO HIGH, SHE'S AFRAID TO FALL, I'LL TELL U WHY BABY'S CRYIN', CAUSE SHE'S DYIN"., AREN'T WE ALL". LOVE & LOSS THRU HARRY CHAPIN'S WORDS & MUSIC. " TAKIN' TIPS & GETTIN" STONED. I GO FLYIN' SO HIGH WHEN I'M STONED".R.I.P.

  46. J.... W....

    she wouldn't take the money because she works at night... prostitution... she wouldn't be with Harry for the money...

    J.... W....

    it is a "story" not a true one just a song.

  47. B.... A....

    Harry was flying in his taxi, he had one more show to do,  his career was gone it was '81, but the trip wouldn't see him through.  Ya see Harry was gonna end world hunger, for the kids that's what he'd do, but there were too many smiles and too many miles, a heart attack. . .and he was through.  So now Harry's flyin up in heaven, on a cloud up in the sky, there's no more fears or anymore tears, he lights his joint. . . he's gettin' high.

    B.... A....

    That's what they reported, but he had a checkup, just a few weeks prior and given a clean bill of health. His wife Sandy sued the trucking Co. whose truck rear-ended him causing his daughters VW Rabbit to explode into flames.

    B.... A....

    that was beautiful bro

    B.... A....

    BIG AL ONE It's funny how Harry died in a VW, but Jerry Garcia drove a BMW.

    B.... A....

    @Ron Schulz there's nothing funny about him dying jackass

    Too bad it wasn't you

    B.... A....

    @David Wasserman By funny I meant strange or peculiar, not ha ha. So go eat a giant bag of dicks, douche bag.

  48. ".... y....

    SEQUEL is an,interesting song. But I find I can't take it very seriously. The more I listen to it & study the lyrics, the more it seems [to me anyway] like beautiful, wishful dreaming on Harry's part [possibly after another night of drinking]. Call me cynical,but everything about this song seems too good to be true. The first song [TAXI] painted a much more realistic & likely scenario so I prefer that song to this one.

    ".... y....

    You are cynical! No, seriously I think it's just Harry's ("Smoked") sense of humour and life is far too short for in depth analysis of what is an amazing bit of fun. I have to concur with Mateusz Cetnar. It's all about balance. dark and light, good and bad, yin and yang. Peace out.

    ".... y....

    To me it is a very believable scenario. It was a case of a man going, "Hey look at me now! Don't you want me now?" But nothing was going to change the fact that she just didn't want to be with him. But of course, "it's just a song" and it's not a real situation.

    ".... y....

    "Whyyyyy you..!" It's called ARTISTIC LICENSE, Harry never ACTUALLY drove a TAXI....Oh P.S. He didn't drink or smoke either

    ".... y....

    I realize that it's all fiction but the first song rings true. Chapin must've been a wise,astute observer of life to write something like that. This 2nd song rings false imo. A tacked on happy ending written many years later after the first song. But if others enjoy this song, fine.

    ".... y....

    Dennis Hoskins He was about to and was waiting on license
    . BUT I am a Fan of this Man , Son, brother, husband, Father, ARTIST . Just perfect

  49. s.... m....

    strange, i grew up listening to harry chapin's music with my dad and i thought i knew most of it, but i had never heard this song. i hate to disagree with everyone, but i don't like it. i guess i don't really want to hear a sequel to WOLD, i wanna learn a love song or mr tanner either. they were fine the way they were

    s.... m....

    +spencer me I'm with you.  I never heard this song before.  Harry must have been trippin.  It sucked.  A fairy tale.  I'm disappointed it exists.

    s.... m....

    RETURNED ONCE MORE FOR THE SEQUEL. ONLY HARRY CHAPIN BRIDGED TIME & SPACE THROUGH HIS MUSICAL STORIES. " THERE'V BEEN TOO MANY MILES & TOO MANY SMILES, BUT "I STILL REMEMBER YOU". "THERE'S A WILD MAN WIZARD HIDING IN ME, DRIVING A PRINCESS BLIND"." BABY'S SO HIGH THAT SHE'S SKYING, SO HIGH, SHE'S AFRAID TO FALL, I'LL TELL U WHY BABY'S CRYIN', CAUSE SHE'S DYIN"., AREN'T WE ALL". LOVE & LOSS THRU HARRY CHAPIN'S WORDS & MUSIC. " TAKIN' TIPS & GETTIN" STONED. I GO FLYIN' SO HIGH WHEN I'M STONED".R.I.P.

    s.... m....

    A sequel to WOLD?! That would be fantastik ! (never gonna happen now tho) Loved Harry's music, still do.

    s.... m....

    take a pill and go to bed.

  50. P.... l....

    love this

  51. R.... C....

    The first part was about selling out and broken dreams-the second was about fulfilment and authenticity.

  52. P.... ....

    Probably a foolish question, but... Why wouldn't she take the money...?
    Ant the working at night thing...  : \  I don't get it...

    P.... ....

    I think she's a prostitute now

    P.... ....

    @Jason Hardon
    That makes sense.  Thanks...

    P.... ....

    She's not a prostitute. People have pride. And lots of people work nights.

    P.... ....

    In Taxi Harry takes the money.  I think this is a reference to that... that she's past "taking the money".

  53. K.... R....

    always a fan and always will be

    K.... R....

    Harry will always in my top favourite singer, songwriters memories

    K.... R....

    Mine too

  54. W.... D....

    Have always loved both of these songs Sequel just makes it complete

    W.... D....

    +Wayne D i read somewhere that he had planned a trilogy. he didn't get to finish it.

    W.... D....

    +jack flashMaybe it's just as well.

    W.... D....

    His music will always be a part of my life, 

    Some songs just stay with you, Harry had a few like that 
    .

  55. D.... ....

    Love this song, I always thought this and Taxi were much better songs than the overrated and overplayed "Cats In The Cradle" (Never liked that song)

  56. k.... ....

    been listening to this song my whole life, my dad introduced me to harry's music when i was 4, 27 now and still listen to him all the time. so underrated. keep the change

    k.... ....

    I'm 35 and my dad raised me on his music. So much so, his song Tangled Up Puppet was our father daughter dance at my wedding.

  57. D.... W....

    Harry hit #23 in Billboard, 12-13-80. God bless ya, SongsofHarry, for postin' it. Thanx! Have a blessed week! RIP, Harry.

  58. M.... ....

    @Moreththerogue May you never recover. Allergies look wonderful on a man. :)

  59. M.... ....

    Always get something manly in my eyes causing them get blurry, probably an allergy, when I hear both these songs.

  60. B.... E....

    A fine song to finish the story of an even more classic song. Thank you for the sharing.