I heard this song on the radio this morning but didn't get the name of it, and now I can't even remember some of the lyrics. It's a song about a father abandoning his wife and son and the son ( all grown up) is explaining what he went through. Its not a country song or rap song, or even an R&B song. Its more of a rock song. Any ideas? Thanks

Something like "cat in the cradle"?

Cat's in the cradle?

But that's about a father who never had time for his son. Son is grown and Dad calls son who says he has no time for dad.

The cats in the cradle, da da, i'll be home soon etc etc CAT STEVENS:cool:

If it is "Cats in the Cradle", Ugly Kid Joe also recorded and performed it in the nineties, which was the first version I ever heard

•••••another possibility is the song "House of Pain" by Faster Pussycat

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay"
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said "I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you coming home, dad, I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile

"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you coming home, Son, I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time then.

I’ve long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day...
I said "I'd like to see you if you don’t mind"
He said "I'd love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It's been sure nice talking to you........"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me...


And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you coming home, Son, I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're going to have a good time then.


CAT STEVENS

"House of Pain" by Faster Pussycat

("Cats in the Cradle" is a great song, but mine better fits the description of abandonment and the son's point of view)
I reposted because I think my answer got lost in the sea of cats and cradles. The Faster Pussycat song is about total abandonment rather than "just too busy" issue. Also, the other song is from the father's perspective.

Lyrics:
It's a little past suppertime
I'm still out on the front porch steps sittin' on my behind
Waiting for you

Wondrin' if everything is all right
Momma said "Come in boy, don't waste your time" I said "I've got time"
"well he'll be here soon"

Five years old and talkin' to myself
Where were you? Where'd you go? Daddy can't you tell?

(Chorus)
I'm not tryin' to fake it, and I ain't the one to blame,
No there's no one home, in my house of pain
I didn't write these pages and my scripts' been re-arranged
No there's no one home, in my house of pain


Wasn't I worth the time?
A boy needs a daddy like a dance to a mime and all the time,
I looked up to you

I paced my room a million times and all I ever got was one big line, the same old lie
How could you?

Well I was eighteen years and still talkin' to myself
Where were you? Where'd you go? Daddy can't you tell?

(Chorus to end)
I'm not tryin' to fake it, and I ain't the one to blame,
No there's no one home, in my house of pain
I didn't write these pages and my scripts been re-arranged
No there's no one home, in my house of pain
No there's no one home, in my house of pain

If it isn't Cat's In The Cradle then try "NO SON OF MINE" by GENESIS.

Cheers.

Father of mine by everclear

How about 'Daddy's Gone" by Glasvegas?

The lyrics are:

How you are my hero
How your never here though
Remember times when you put me on your shoulders
How I wish it was forever you would hold us
Right now I'm too young to know
How in the future it will affect me when you go
You could have had it all
You, me, and mum y'know
Anything was possible

I won't be the lonely one
Sitting on my own and sad
A fifty year old
Reminiscing what I had

I won't be the lonely one
Sitting on my own and sad
Forget your dad, he's gone
All I wanted was a kick-a-bout in the park
For you to race me home when it was nearly getting dark
How I could've been yours, and you be mine
It could've been me and you until the end of time
Do what you want, when you want
Be as in' insincere as you can
What kind of way is that to treat your wife
To see your son on Saturdays
What way is that to live your life?

I won't be the lonely one
Sitting on my own and sad
A fifty year old
Reminiscing what I had

I won't be the lonely one
Sitting on my own and sad
Forget your dad, he's gone

Cat's in the cradle isn't from Cat Stevens, it's Harry Chapin