I recently read a bio on Harry on a Chapin web page. It listed some of the early hits, and gave a brief description of each. About W*O*L*D it said "a look at the world of AM radio through the eyes of an aging disc jockey" I spent 15 years believing that that was the point of the song. The song is certainly not about the world of radio at all. In fact, that he is in radio is irrelevant, although the "aging D.J" doesn't doesn't realize it. This song is yet another example of Harry's brilliance. The ability to tell a story with subtlety, and without beating you over the head with the message. You really need to look for clues to finally get it. Let's look again at our main character in W*O*L*D: This is a pathetic, selfish, and lazy man. And worst of all, he fails to realize that he causes every bad thing to happen in his life, and will continue to do so. In the opening verse, we learn that he left his wife and 2 kids 8 years ago to "run around". Now, without ever asking how she or the kids are doing after his dispicable act, he bores her with tales of his triumphs, and blames all of his failures on the radio business. The next verse is the one we mistake as the indictment of the cruel world of radio. "they said that they liked the 'young sound' when they let me go". Tough business huh? But remember the preceeding line; "the drinkin' I did on my last big gig, made my voice go low". He's justifying his drinking to his ex wife as a good thing. Doing so has improved his radio voice. She should be happy for him. The very next line has him being fired, supposedly for not being young and hip enough. It's like saying "I beat my wife. One day she left me for not doing the laundry" He's not owning up. He then finds work in Tulsa, and Boise. Why did the Tulsa job not work out? She's told "that's how this business goes". Right! The bridge of the song shows how selfish and pathetic he really is. "I've been makin' extra money doin high school sock hops, I'm a big time guest emcee". Hey honey, I'm a success! It took me years to figure out the next line. Perhaps you got it right away. "you should hear me talkin' to the little children, and listen what they say to me". Wow! Here's a guy who hasn't spoken to his own children in 8 years. In fact, to this point, he hasn't even asked how they're doing. The only question he's asked about them is "what did THEY think when they heard ME?" Now he's hoping to impress her that kids love him. I was never saddened by that line till now. I love the next line. "you can travel on ten thousand miles, and still stay where you are". Only Harry could have laid so much meaning on a simple concept. This guy would have us believe that the radio business is cold and ruthless. However, whenever things get tough, he packs up and leaves town, and is surprised to learn that the same problems exist in the new town as well. Poor me. Then he lays it all out. The purpose of his call. He's fat and bald and unhappy. Since it is the job of others to comfort his ego, he wants her to take him back. No apology, no concern for her. He seems confidant that she'll act out of some sort of loyalty or obligation. She of course denies him. The song ends with him thinking that not only is his career cruel and heartless, but so too now is his ex wife. He deserves no blame. She must have been thouroughly disgusted that he resurfaced at all. It's therefore not an expose' about radio at all. And the fact that he's "aging" is of little consequence. That's why I love Harry so. His songs most often do not have happy endings. Try to think of one that does. We're so conditioned by Hollywood to have the conflict be resolved. Harry always broke that rule. Your thoughts welcome. Brian (Website owner's note: this is a different Brian than me. Interestingly, the author of this W*O*L*D commentary is actually a "morning DJ" at a rock radio station in the South. I have received numerous e-mails agreeing with his commentary. Some day, I will post my own slightly different interpretation of W*O*L*D. Again, the beauty of Harry's music: there isn't just one meaning.)