A Circle: From Mark Felt to Harry Chapin
June 8, 2005
Last week, W. Mark Felt exposed himself as the real "Deep Throat" of the Nixon/Watergate fame. I remember Watergate well, especially the Congressional impeachment hearings. But for some reason it also reminded me of a Harry Chapin song, Circle.
This is a very obscure connection but on Harry's live album, Greatest Stories Live, he expands the song by having members of his band and crew sing a chorus of the song. During the song he brings up two roadies, Mike Solomon and Jeff Gross, to sing a chorus. He introduced them as half Seals and Croft and half Sears and Roebuck. And although they sang "OK," Harry quipped, "they sing like Halderman and Erlichman."
Who is Harry Chapin? Oh dear. Well Harry was a beloved singer/songwriter in the 70's...a folk singer...a teller of stories set to music. While best remembered for the songs, Taxi and Cat's in the Cradle, he was also known for his tireless work in the fight against world hungry.
Tragically, at the age of 39, he died in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway on July 16, 1981.
Circle is a simple and wonderful song about the uncertain rhythm of life. It probably best expresses the bond between Chapin and his fans, as well as between all of us. Some people come into our life accidentally, but later we come to realize that these "accidents" are major pillars in our life. For example, Bob Woodward's 1970 chance encounter with Mark Felt in the White House. An accident. A pillar. A circle. (Read his story). The Washington Post. registration reqired).
