And when JT heard Carole King sing her song, he asked and received her permission to allow him to sing it on an album he was then recording. It became one of his biggest hits.
@@marygordon172 They have performed it together. I don't know if they've ever recorded it together....Or were you asking if they wrote it together? If so, the answer is, "No." Carole King wrote it.
James Taylor is the gold standard of singer songwriters. What's even more remarkable is that James wrote this song at the age of 20, and by the age of 22, he was a beloved, platinum recording artist.
My absolute favorite singer songwriter of all time. My first introduction to James was meeting my freshman dorm roommate in college in 1970. I was in my dorm room for the first time with my parents when a long haired dude came through the doorway with a stack full of albums in his hands. The album on top was Jame’s. I’ve been listening to everything he does from that time to this day. He inspired me to get serious about playing an acoustic guitar.
I was 16 when this came out. Now 51 years later I remember every word of it and how many great singer/ songwriters there were at that time. He's still performing tho he must be in his 70s. Still the same voice.
Love this song! James Taylor wrote this while spending 9 months in a psychiatric hospital while battling depression. It is broken up into 3 verses. This 1st verse is about a friend that committed suicide. The 2nd is about his own personal heroin addition. 3rd is about the mental hospital and the band that he started called "the flying machine."
Saw James Taylor in concert at Crystal Palace bowl in the 80s it was the final act of the day it started raining and thunder and lightning and his voice soaring above it. Never forgotten the feeling. Special singer.
Ahhh sweet baby James, JT the acoustic guitar master picker and bard and balladeer wrapped into one creative yet confused soul during the 70s. The word fire though one might think rather innocent, is often associated w the drug heroin. "Fire" was James' mistress for most over 10 years. During this period he was also dating fellow musician and poet Joni Mitchell. She found she couldn't compete w his addiction so she left him. Her album For The Roses in large part is about her relationship w James. "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" is a masterpiece lyrically and Joni plays a mean yet mellow acoustic guitar. "See You Sometime" was her response to James' line "but I always thought that I'd see you again". Another Fire and Rain fun fact; when James' friend and fellow musician/ songwriter Carole King heard James sing "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend", she in turn penned a song in response, "You've Got a Friend". Carole had recorded the song for her own album, yet Taylor turned around and recorded it for himself... With his ex Joni Mitchell providing backup vocals/ harmonies. Definitely recommend reacting to that piece of rock n roll history.
Wow, I was 17 years old when this came out. Best time for music back then. I still have the original vinyl from 1970; I think I have 95% of my albums from the 60's through the 80's. Another great one from him is Sweet Baby James. Think you will really enjoy it.
James was recording at Abbey Road studio (The Beatles' studio) when his friend passed. He wasn't told until later so his recording wouldn't be interrupted. He had a history of heroin abuse. And his former band was called the Flying Machine.
There are songs in the history of popular music that are immortal somehow. Almost sacred. Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is one. "Fire and Rain" is another. This song holds a very special place in musical history. Somehow that is separate from the musicality, the quality of Taylor's singing, or any other single factor. It is simply an artifact, a snapshot of a time, and the purest possible expression of a young man's pain. When nine out of 10 Beatles songs have been forgotten, when people don't recognize the names Sting or Freddy Mercury, this song will live on.
Watching you feeling the music reminds me of being 17, a senior in high school. My cousin lived with us. Every day we would get home from school and listen to music. We sat next to each other at the dining room table, learning the lyrics from the album covers and singing our hearts out. Pure joy! (That was 50 years ago. Sure doesn't feel like it.)
I heard this song a few times on the radio and liked it , but then I saw the 1988 movie, Running on Empty. That brought a whole new meaning for me. The movie starred Judd Hirsch and River Phoenix. A great movie.
He was recently live on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. He sang every night for a week and his voice is just as beautiful today as it was fifty years ago. Just mellow, deep, resonant. Fortunately he overcame the demons that plagued him in youth, remains on good terms with ex wife Carly Simon (HER music is incredible! "Anticipation", "Coming Around Again", others. I can only imagine what their duets at home sounded like.), and he is still blowing minds with his voice.
He was married to Carly Simon for 9 years. She had a singing career equal to his. Her most famous song is "You're so Vain" ( You probably think this song is about you). I think you'd like it.
Carly Simon's "That's the way I've always heard it should be" is lovely and heartbreaking. I hope though that it is less relatable than it used to be; while things had already changed a lot for women when it came out, I went to high school with far too many young women who believed that early marriage was expected of them, and that they were somehow wrong if that didn't make them happy.
I love James Taylor and have since his first album came out. I was in 7th grade. I've seen him live 5 times. I sang his song Sweet Baby James to my kids when they were babies. I sang to all 3 until they got older and didn't want me to anymore.
I instantly feel 16 when I hear this. I played his greatest hits cassette till the tape broke and I had to buy another one. A beautiful voice. “Carolina” was the best. Btw, check out the Sweet Baby James album cover. You’ve got a bit of a JT look going.
Some of the most talented and coolest jazz guys, rockers, classical music people and the rest of them that I have met in my life have turned out to be fans of James, as am I. :) He is so respected and loved as an artist and composer and it is so deserved!
Carolina on my Mind. A favorite of mine. I enjoy your reactions. You are a little different being you like to research meanings; lyrics & history. It's fun to learn new things about musicians. So THANKS 4 your hard work & time. I appreciate it. HEYYY Y'ALL FROM NORTH CAROLINA🇺🇸👍😊🎧🌞
In the back seat of every kids car in the 70s was an 8 track tape carry case like a small suitcase. Open em all up and 95% had a James Taylor Greatest Hits inside.
The best version off this is the live video in performance as a young man. He is very affecting like Neil Young. James has written hundreds of great songs and he’s a stellar guitarist. “ Sweet Baby James” is another great one. JT suffered from depression and almost two decades of heroin addiction. He’s a very happy man with loving family now and who endlessly tours.
One of the great shows i've seen in my life: couple a days after 9/11, in Seattle, a full arena of mourning people consoled by the sweet and melancholy songs of James. Everybody in tears for Shower The People and FIre & Rain, which took on a completely different meaning.
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 Seattle Centre, close to the Space Needle. The area had been filled with spontaneaous little altars with flowers and candles. I walked around before the show, in silence, and then went in, already deeply moved.
Wow, you have only scratched the surface with James Taylor. He has an incredible catalog of work. I think I owned about eight or ten of his albums. All of them up through “Flag” are fantastic.
James Taylor is my all-time favorite musician. I grew up on his music and STILL attend every concert when he comes to town. He is a musical gem. Hope you explore more (he's still going strong and is in his late 70's!!). Here is a more "recent" JT www.lowcountryvoices.com/upcoming-events-1/2015/8/1/singing-with-james-taylor
He also acted in a film with Dennis Wilson of the 'Beach Boys', Warren Oates and Laurie Bird, called 'Two-Lane Blacktop' from 1971, if you want to see what the 70's really looked like, go watch it! A song you might also want to look up is 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' by Sandy Denny!
There are many more great songs by JamesTaylor: “You’ve Got A Friend “ “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight “Something In The Way She Moves” “How Swee It Is” I could go on.
Actually, ""You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song written by Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included in her album Tapestry. Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971 reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The two versions were recorded simultaneously in 1971 with shared musicians. "You've Got a Friend" won Grammy Awards both for Taylor and King. Dozens of other artists have recorded the song over the years, including Dusty Springfield, Michael Jackson, Anne Murray, and Donny Hathaway". "Wikipedia"
I always thought that I'd see you again..... This is a reminder to tell the ones you love that you love them and give them a hug. Don't count on some future time when you will see them again. They (or you) could be gone in a flash and there will never be that chance.
James Taylor was one of those artists that EVERYBODY had at least one of his albums. Fun fact: His father was a doctor who put a cast on me when I sprained my ankle at University of North Carolina in 1981.
I'll chime in to second, or third, or whatever they're up to now, Sweet Baby James and You've Got a Friend, and then also add How Sweet It Is, or Shower the People. He's one of my all time favorite artists, and a deeply talented singer/songwriter. I love to put on his greatest hits and sit outside in the sun. His voice is just as relaxing as a warm summer breeze.
incredible song, incredible talent. unfortunately when i was you age i didn't fully appreciate JT ....wasn't hard enough. but we grow, we learn, it means a whole lot more now. beautiful song...and JT is a RIDICULOUSLY good guitarist....among other things...
A legendary tune that just about lol of my contemporaries have sang along to thousands of times. He is the most prolific folk rock with a hint of soul and some funk in some of his hundreds of great songs.He had a major drug problem in his youth after being signed by APPLE Records, the Beatles, though he recovered and was signed by Warner records and his songs have kept coming Go ever since! Here are some of his epic songs,Something in The Way She Moves, How Sweet it Is,Mexico, Shower the People, Your Smiling Face, Country RoadSecret ‘O Life,Walking Man, And Suite for 20G which is one of my early JT favorites! Try reacting and you will love them.👍🏻❤️☮️
This song has always touched my soul. 3 major points in the 3 verses. James signed with Apple Records and moved to London with 2 friends who kept the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr a secret from James. He had recently kicked his bad Heroin habit and they felt he would relapse. According to James it nearly 6 months after it happened that they told him. "Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you". Suzanne's parents always wondered if that line was directed to them and James said he felt awful when he found out they thought he was maybe blaming them for their daughters suicide. The second verse refers to his emotional/physical struggle with herion addiction and rehab. "My body's aching and my time is at hand. I won't make it any other way". Last verses are hopeful; "Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun...." and a reference to his former band Flying Machine. James thought Flying Machine was going to hit big, instead they disbanded; "Sweet dreams and Flying Machines in pieces on the ground". Last thing I read in another comment section. Carole King had befriended James and was moved by this song that she wrote a song that became another hit for James. In answer to the line "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend", Carol wrote "You Got A Friend " ( backing vocals provided by Joni Mitchelland I think Carol herself).
James Taylor was discovered by the Beatles, and later managed by their friend Peter Asher, who was formerly of the Beatles related duo "Peter and Gordon."
It's how we handle life's challenges that shows one's mettle and growth~ Sweet baby James has a huge Library of songs; and still plays extensively. Most famously on Fourth of July in Tanglewood, Stockbridge, MA
James Taylor has so many great songs...You've Got a Friend, Secret o' Life, Copperline...etc. You might not have loved his guitar playing, but he has the smoothest voice in the business.
Great that you reacted to this, Daniel. FYI, for all of us that got our first guitars, acoustic mainly, in the early 70s, this was one of the first songs that all of us learned to play. Sweet Baby James is still producing music in 2020. He is an icon.
and Carole King is one of the best lyricist in the entire world...hundreds of artist have used he lyrics and have done very well. Her Tapestry album was my favorite of all time...I went through three of her albums playing them over and over til they wore out.
And now Daniel, James' son is your age and they sing together to his favorites. The man is timeless, still sounds the very same. He is a real genuine guy.
I was 13 when this came out. My older brother heard this on an underground FM station and told me to buy the album Sweet Baby James if I saw it at the store. Nobody we knew had heard of James Taylor yet. We got the album and loved it. That Christmas, I bought his first album for my brother. I really loved that one a lot. If you get into him, I would recommend doing the whole thing (1st album) at once, or at least 1 "side" at a time, as many songs have instrumental links between them. It was produced by Peter Asher, of the British duo Peter and Gordon, and brother of the one time girlfriend of Paul McCartney, Jane Asher.
Shower the People and Mexico are great too. Something in the Way She Moves is excellent. Bartender Blues is good with Linda Ronstadt in the background, another outstanding singer herself!
I really appreciate this genre of young folks listening to the music I grew up with. I'm so heartened that mostly they seem to like it. The song is about James Taylor's friend who was in for heroin rehab when he was. She died of an overdose.
When this was recorded James had just moved from New York where he was a pretty hard junkie. Some have said if he didn't get out he would be dead. He wound up in Laurel Canyon along with Carly Simon. Check out Laurel Canyon and who was there in the '60s and early '70s. This is where the singer, songwriter, performer came of age. Where performers came together to collaborate and create. There was Cass Elliott, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Jackson Browne, Carl Wilson, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and many others. If you want to explore this is the place to be!
He had a group called The Flying machine when he was younger. He also checked himself into a psychiatric facility when trying to kick heroin. He finished the song there.
He was the first signing for an upstart company called “Apple.” The green one that was formed by John, Paul, George and Ringo. It actually was written about his friend, Suzanne, who committed suicide while he was recording his first album in London for Apple Records. He wrote it while institutionalized in Mass.
This song has always struck me as terribly sad but somehow hopeful. Recovery is often harder than addiction. James' catalog is worth a very long visit. Thanks for the reaction. This might take you into other artists' territories: Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, to name but a few.
The reference to "sweet dreams and flying machines..." has to do with an early band of his, called James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine, that crashed and burned before living up to its potential.
I had a boyfriend for seven years all through college and we eventually broke up. He wanted to get married and I didn’t. Our love and respect for one another remained throughout the years. We would occasionally talk on the phone, reminisce about our old hippie days and tell each other what we were doing now. When he passed away, his wife invited me to the funeral and gave me a package of photographs of us that he had saved. When I hear this song I think of him. Even though I was OK with the way things worked out, I regretted that I never got to see him again.
James Taylor is an incredible singer songwriter. Such a huge catalogue of great music! Saw him live back in the mid seventies and again in the mid eighties. Both great concerts. This is a very personal song for James about a friend of his that took her own life. Excellent song and huge hit record for James. The Flying Machine was a band he was part of that ended during his years of drug use. 😎🎼🎶🎵🍔🇨🇦
Fire and rain, ups and downs, chasms you have to cross. Favorite type of song whether the music be James Taylor, Fire and Rain or Rush, Limelight. Even instrumentals tell stories.
Just stumbled across your channel and love your thoughts on the music and lyrics. Since you seem to really connect with the acoustic guitar singer/songwriter genre, let me recommend Colin Hay. He was the lead singer for 80s band Men at Work, but his solo records are amazing. Overkill, Waiting for My Real Life to Begin, and I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You are a few examples of very personal songs that you will certainly connect with.
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 On James Taylors first album,"James Taylor" Louis Cennamo was the bass player on most of the songs except for "Carolina in My Mind" Which Paul McCartney played the bass on and George Harrison did some backing vocals. Then for the next album which "fire and Rain" is on "Sweet Baby James" The bass player was John London a guy who sometimes played bass for "The Monkeys"and he appeared on their tv show too, John London was also working in movies as a Key Grip on the films 48 hours," "The Karate Kid ," and "Hudson Hawk." Lee Sklar didnt record with Jame Taylor until the third album "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon." Lee Sklar is one of the most amazing musicians that ever lived and has played on so many great songs for hundreds of great people.
Flying machine refers to his original band. Signed with 🍏...the Beatles label... with mixed results. JT was big in England as a solo act before coming back to the US. Huge album with the country rock hippie crowd. Every song is good on Sweet Baby James.
I live in North Carolina. James Taylor spent a large part of his early life here in Chapel Hill, i think his brother still lives there, and his father, unless he has passed which is very likely at his presumed age. There's a section of Hwy 15/501 dedicated to James there. He recorded an ode to the state, "Carolina In My Mind", and once en route to a visit to see his brother and father, he penned a lullaby to his new nephew that he was about to meet for the first time, and that was, "Sweet Baby James", one of his biggest hits. Garth Brooks said he was a big influence on him, as he named his daughter Taylor(not James, as he joked). Most of the times his concerts are very stripped down, he and his guitar and a piano player.
I'm 69 and know all the songs you play. I enjoy listening to your interpretations. You are very wise for a young man. Thank you!
So many good songs. Carole King heard this, 'I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.' and she promptly wrote, 'You've got a friend.'
And when JT heard Carole King sing her song, he asked and received her permission to allow him to sing it on an album he was then recording. It became one of his biggest hits.
Didn't they do that song together?
@@marygordon172 They have performed it together. I don't know if they've ever recorded it together....Or were you asking if they wrote it together? If so, the answer is, "No." Carole King wrote it.
which he also covered about a year after this song.
James Taylor is the gold standard of singer songwriters. What's even more remarkable is that James wrote this song at the age of 20, and by the age of 22, he was a beloved, platinum recording artist.
My absolute favorite singer songwriter of all time. My first introduction to James was meeting my freshman dorm roommate in college in 1970. I was in my dorm room for the first time with my parents when a long haired dude came through the doorway with a stack full of albums in his hands. The album on top was Jame’s. I’ve been listening to everything he does from that time to this day. He inspired me to get serious about playing an acoustic guitar.
Daniel this guy is an icon among icons,one of the best and unique artists ever
And I always find it strange when a young man says he doesn't know James Taylor!
@@kmach1000 lol!
I was 16 when this came out. Now 51 years later I remember every word of it and how many great singer/ songwriters there were at that time. He's still performing tho he must be in his 70s. Still the same voice.
50 yrs later . . . his voice sounds exactly the same.
Love this song! James Taylor wrote this while spending 9 months in a psychiatric hospital while battling depression. It is broken up into 3 verses. This 1st verse is about a friend that committed suicide. The 2nd is about his own personal heroin addition. 3rd is about the mental hospital and the band that he started called "the flying machine."
Brilliant artist😃👍Mr James Taylor 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Saw James Taylor in concert at Crystal Palace bowl in the 80s it was the final act of the day it started raining and thunder and lightning and his voice soaring above it. Never forgotten the feeling. Special singer.
Ahhh sweet baby James, JT the acoustic guitar master picker and bard and balladeer wrapped into one creative yet confused soul during the 70s. The word fire though one might think rather innocent, is often associated w the drug heroin. "Fire" was James' mistress for most over 10 years. During this period he was also dating fellow musician and poet Joni Mitchell. She found she couldn't compete w his addiction so she left him. Her album For The Roses in large part is about her relationship w James. "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" is a masterpiece lyrically and Joni plays a mean yet mellow acoustic guitar. "See You Sometime" was her response to James' line "but I always thought that I'd see you again". Another Fire and Rain fun fact; when James' friend and fellow musician/ songwriter Carole King heard James sing "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend", she in turn penned a song in response, "You've Got a Friend". Carole had recorded the song for her own album, yet Taylor turned around and recorded it for himself... With his ex Joni Mitchell providing backup vocals/ harmonies. Definitely recommend reacting to that piece of rock n roll history.
Randall A but he recorded it with Carole’s blessing...and they both won awards for it...her for writing it and his for the hit....
Randall A I did not know his history just that he was friends with Carole. Great information!
Wow, I was 17 years old when this came out. Best time for music back then. I still have the original vinyl from 1970; I think I have 95% of my albums from the 60's through the 80's. Another great one from him is Sweet Baby James. Think you will really enjoy it.
Sweet Baby James!
James Taylor is a talented artist! It’s a sad song but love the lyrics and remind me of love ones
that past away.
James was recording at Abbey Road studio (The Beatles' studio) when his friend passed. He wasn't told until later so his recording wouldn't be interrupted. He had a history of heroin abuse. And his former band was called the Flying Machine.
There are songs in the history of popular music that are immortal somehow. Almost sacred. Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is one. "Fire and Rain" is another. This song holds a very special place in musical history. Somehow that is separate from the musicality, the quality of Taylor's singing, or any other single factor. It is simply an artifact, a snapshot of a time, and the purest possible expression of a young man's pain. When nine out of 10 Beatles songs have been forgotten, when people don't recognize the names Sting or Freddy Mercury, this song will live on.
Carolina In My Mind is my favorite JT song. It almost makes me cry its so pretty.
The Flying Machine was the name of his band which broke up- "in pieces on the ground"
See the simpsons episode he rewote the song,
Watching you feeling the music reminds me of being 17, a senior in high school. My cousin lived with us. Every day we would get home from school and listen to music. We sat next to each other at the dining room table, learning the lyrics from the album covers and singing our hearts out. Pure joy! (That was 50 years ago. Sure doesn't feel like it.)
I heard this song a few times on the radio and liked it , but then I saw the 1988 movie, Running on Empty. That brought a whole new meaning for me. The movie starred Judd Hirsch and River Phoenix. A great movie.
I thought of that film through this whole reaction.
He was recently live on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. He sang every night for a week and his voice is just as beautiful today as it was fifty years ago. Just mellow, deep, resonant. Fortunately he overcame the demons that plagued him in youth, remains on good terms with ex wife Carly Simon (HER music is incredible! "Anticipation", "Coming Around Again", others. I can only imagine what their duets at home sounded like.), and he is still blowing minds with his voice.
He was married to Carly Simon for 9 years. She had a singing career equal to his. Her most famous song is "You're so Vain" ( You probably think this song is about you). I think you'd like it.
Carly Simon is another one of my favorites :) My daughter is named after her. ♡
snakelite61 no it’s not! Really? His biggest song, don’t speak of what you don’t know!
snakelite61 No where near his level of greatness though I do love many of Carly’s songs!
Carly Simon's "That's the way I've always heard it should be" is lovely and heartbreaking. I hope though that it is less relatable than it used to be; while things had already changed a lot for women when it came out, I went to high school with far too many young women who believed that early marriage was expected of them, and that they were somehow wrong if that didn't make them happy.
It was rumoured at the time that the song was about Mick Jagger. Don’t know how true that is but I’m sure she had someone in mind
I love James Taylor and have since his first album came out. I was in 7th grade. I've seen him live 5 times. I sang his song Sweet Baby James to my kids when they were babies. I sang to all 3 until they got older and didn't want me to anymore.
I instantly feel 16 when I hear this. I played his greatest hits cassette till the tape broke and I had to buy another one. A beautiful voice. “Carolina” was the best. Btw, check out the Sweet Baby James album cover. You’ve got a bit of a JT look going.
Daniel McCabe,
He definitely has a young James Taylor vibe. :) I noticed it while watching his interview on Red Hen Radio.
"Carolina in my mind" is my favorite too. But James Taylor rocked my entire adolescence. I love him so much!
Some of the most talented and coolest jazz guys, rockers, classical music people and the rest of them that I have met in my life have turned out to be fans of James, as am I. :) He is so respected and loved as an artist and composer and it is so deserved!
was so lucky to see him many times live and once with carole king,,,fantastic
Carolina on my Mind. A favorite of mine. I enjoy your reactions. You are a little different being you like to research meanings; lyrics & history. It's fun to learn new things about musicians. So THANKS 4 your hard work & time. I appreciate it. HEYYY Y'ALL FROM NORTH CAROLINA🇺🇸👍😊🎧🌞
One of my favorites of his. I saw him in concert in Toronto with 2 great friends.Memorable show!
In the back seat of every kids car in the 70s was an 8 track tape carry case like a small suitcase. Open em all up and 95% had a James Taylor Greatest Hits inside.
The best version off this is the live video in performance as a young man. He is very affecting like Neil Young. James has written hundreds of great songs and he’s a stellar guitarist. “ Sweet Baby James” is another great one.
JT suffered from depression and almost two decades of heroin addiction. He’s a very happy man with loving family now and who endlessly tours.
One of the great shows i've seen in my life: couple a days after 9/11, in Seattle, a full arena of mourning people consoled by the sweet and melancholy songs of James. Everybody in tears for Shower The People and FIre & Rain, which took on a completely different meaning.
Benoit Desmarais Wow....great story. I’m from Seattle, so it means even more to me.....Which arena was it held in, so I can picture it?
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 Seattle Centre, close to the Space Needle. The area had been filled with spontaneaous little altars with flowers and candles. I walked around before the show, in silence, and then went in, already deeply moved.
Wow, you have only scratched the surface with James Taylor. He has an incredible catalog of work. I think I owned about eight or ten of his albums. All of them up through “Flag” are fantastic.
James Taylor is my all-time favorite musician. I grew up on his music and STILL attend every concert when he comes to town. He is a musical gem. Hope you explore more (he's still going strong and is in his late 70's!!). Here is a more "recent" JT www.lowcountryvoices.com/upcoming-events-1/2015/8/1/singing-with-james-taylor
I was about your age when this broke. It was on my lips like a hippie "Geronimo!" as I jumped out of the door to life after high school.
Sweet Baby James and Fire and Rain are my favorite James Taylor tunes, but there's so many good ones.
He also acted in a film with Dennis Wilson of the 'Beach Boys', Warren Oates and Laurie Bird, called 'Two-Lane Blacktop' from 1971, if you want to see what the 70's really looked like, go watch it!
A song you might also want to look up is 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' by Sandy Denny!
Anne Reidy beautiful song indeed.
Total classic, grew up on it.... special song and special voice
James Taylor is an Icon.
So many great songs to check out.
🎧 Copperline
🎧 Upon A Roof
🎧 Carolina On My Mind
🎧 Sweet Baby James
There are many more great songs by JamesTaylor:
“You’ve Got A Friend “
“Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
“Something In The Way She Moves”
“How Swee It Is”
I could go on.
Sweet Baby James, Your Smiling Face, Carolina in my Mind, Mockingbird with Carly.
Terry Kelley So many great songs and I love almost all of them!
Walkin' Man
Actually, ""You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song written by Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included in her album Tapestry. Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971 reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The two versions were recorded simultaneously in 1971 with shared musicians. "You've Got a Friend" won Grammy Awards both for Taylor and King. Dozens of other artists have recorded the song over the years, including Dusty Springfield, Michael Jackson, Anne Murray, and Donny Hathaway". "Wikipedia"
Terry Kelley isn’t something in the way she moves a Beatles cover?
Stevie Nicks said this is her all time favorite song.
I always thought that I'd see you again..... This is a reminder to tell the ones you love that you love them and give them a hug. Don't count on some future time when you will see them again. They (or you) could be gone in a flash and there will never be that chance.
Such a great classic from an icon. Thanks for the reaction!
It can’t have the same on people today then it does growing up in the 70’s and hearing on the radio all the time
Such a soothing Voice!!
Since you like storytellers, you will really dig James Taylor !
A great story teller, is Leonard Cohen! Try "Suzanne", beautiful, love this James Taylor song.
James Taylor was one of those artists that EVERYBODY had at least one of his albums. Fun fact: His father was a doctor who put a cast on me when I sprained my ankle at University of North Carolina in 1981.
One of the greatest acoustic guitar players ever.
I'll chime in to second, or third, or whatever they're up to now, Sweet Baby James and You've Got a Friend, and then also add How Sweet It Is, or Shower the People.
He's one of my all time favorite artists, and a deeply talented singer/songwriter. I love to put on his greatest hits and sit outside in the sun. His voice is just as relaxing as a warm summer breeze.
"Suzanne" was a friend who too her life. This is a song to her memory.
It's very nice to.hear music thru new ears, a song I've heard so many times .
I like the way you dig for the essence of a song.
His guitar playing. He would oft be tuning it and say, “thats good enough fo country”.
How one deals with death is just as important as how one deals with life.
I was never a big fan of James Taylor until I saw a video of him playing live. Amazing musician and singer
I like the way
you try and break down the song
I will watch more of your channel
James Taylor does a fabulous cover of the Leonard Cohen song called, "Suzanne." Leonard Cohen is another great singer-songwriter to explore.
Try "Mockingbird", a duet Taylor sang with his wife, Carly Simon.
incredible song, incredible talent. unfortunately when i was you age i didn't fully appreciate JT ....wasn't hard enough. but we grow, we learn, it means a whole lot more now. beautiful song...and JT is a RIDICULOUSLY good guitarist....among other things...
I've been waiting to hear you say it . . . like so many others on these reaction videos - "You guys had the best music in the sixties and seventies!"
One of the best fingerstyle guitarists ever
My fav JT tune. Incredible performer.
A legendary tune that just about lol of my contemporaries have sang along to thousands of times. He is the most prolific folk rock with a hint of soul and some funk in some of his hundreds of great songs.He had a major drug problem in his youth after being signed by APPLE Records, the Beatles, though he recovered and was signed by Warner records and his songs have kept coming Go ever since! Here are some of his epic songs,Something in The Way She Moves, How Sweet it Is,Mexico, Shower the People, Your Smiling Face, Country RoadSecret ‘O Life,Walking Man, And Suite for 20G which is one of my early JT favorites! Try reacting and you will love them.👍🏻❤️☮️
This song has always touched my soul. 3 major points in the 3 verses.
James signed with Apple Records and moved to London with 2 friends who kept the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr a secret from James. He had recently kicked his bad Heroin habit and they felt he would relapse. According to James it nearly 6 months after it happened that they told him.
"Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you".
Suzanne's parents always wondered if that line was directed to them and James said he felt awful when he found out they thought he was maybe blaming them for their daughters suicide.
The second verse refers to his emotional/physical struggle with herion addiction and rehab.
"My body's aching and my time is at hand. I won't make it any other way".
Last verses are hopeful;
"Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun...." and a reference to his former band Flying Machine. James thought Flying Machine was going to hit big, instead they disbanded;
"Sweet dreams and Flying Machines in pieces on the ground".
Last thing I read in another comment section. Carole King had befriended James and was moved by this song that she wrote a song that became another hit for James. In answer to the line "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend", Carol wrote "You Got A Friend " ( backing vocals provided by Joni Mitchelland I think Carol herself).
James Taylor was discovered by the Beatles, and later managed by their friend Peter Asher, who was formerly of the Beatles related duo "Peter and Gordon."
It's how we handle life's challenges that shows one's mettle and growth~
Sweet baby James has a huge Library of songs; and still plays extensively.
Most famously on Fourth of July in Tanglewood, Stockbridge, MA
Try. “ Her town too “ Video. James Taylor singing with the guy who helped write most of the Eagles songs that most have never heard
James Taylor has so many great songs...You've Got a Friend, Secret o' Life, Copperline...etc. You might not have loved his guitar playing, but he has the smoothest voice in the business.
Carol king wrote you’ve got a friend in response to this song where he wrote when he could not find a friend
Great that you reacted to this, Daniel. FYI, for all of us that got our first guitars, acoustic mainly, in the early 70s, this was one of the first songs that all of us learned to play. Sweet Baby James is still producing music in 2020. He is an icon.
James Taylor - what a voice. This is one of my favourites of his. Very sad (death of an ex?). But his voice is sensational
Daniel, while listening to James Taylor, don't forget the album Sweet Baby James. He and Carol King sang together.
and Carole King is one of the best lyricist in the entire world...hundreds of artist have used he lyrics and have done very well. Her Tapestry album was my favorite of all time...I went through three of her albums playing them over and over til they wore out.
And now Daniel, James' son is your age and they sing together to his favorites. The man is timeless, still sounds the very same. He is a real genuine guy.
James also likes to bake! He just came out with a new channel. His music library he plans to put out must be splendid! Thanks
I really like his song “Mexico”
I do too Hartley Taylor.
That’s my favorite by JT 👍🏻
I was 13 when this came out. My older brother heard this on an underground FM station and told me to buy the album Sweet Baby James if I saw it at the store. Nobody we knew had heard of James Taylor yet. We got the album and loved it. That Christmas, I bought his first album for my brother. I really loved that one a lot. If you get into him, I would recommend doing the whole thing (1st album) at once, or at least 1 "side" at a time, as many songs have instrumental links between them. It was produced by Peter Asher, of the British duo Peter and Gordon, and brother of the one time girlfriend of Paul McCartney, Jane Asher.
James taylor I'd a talented songwriter be with a soft soulful vibe great reaction u rock
Great song! I just learned it about a week ago.
Shower the People and Mexico are great too. Something in the Way She Moves is excellent. Bartender Blues is good with Linda Ronstadt in the background, another outstanding singer herself!
Sea Breeze and songwriter too!!!!
James Taylor is amazing and he had problems but got thru them
"Flying Machine" was an early band that James Taylor was in.
There are several live performances of this song that have excellent endings to the performance.
I really appreciate this genre of young folks listening to the music I grew up with. I'm so heartened that mostly they seem to like it. The song is about James Taylor's friend who was in for heroin rehab when he was. She died of an overdose.
When this was recorded James had just moved from New York where he was a pretty hard junkie. Some have said if he didn't get out he would be dead. He wound up in Laurel Canyon along with Carly Simon. Check out Laurel Canyon and who was there in the '60s and early '70s. This is where the singer, songwriter, performer came of age. Where performers came together to collaborate and create. There was Cass Elliott, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Jackson Browne, Carl Wilson, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and many others. If you want to explore this is the place to be!
He had a group called The Flying machine when he was younger. He also checked himself into a psychiatric facility when trying to kick heroin. He finished the song there.
This man is like a fine wine, he got better as he aged. Try "You've Got a Friend" and "You Can Close Your Eyes".
He was the first signing for an upstart company called “Apple.” The green one that was formed by John, Paul, George and Ringo. It actually was written about his friend, Suzanne, who committed suicide while he was recording his first album in London for Apple Records. He wrote it while institutionalized in Mass.
This song has always struck me as terribly sad but somehow hopeful. Recovery is often harder than addiction. James' catalog is worth a very long visit. Thanks for the reaction. This might take you into other artists' territories: Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, to name but a few.
🤠Probably James's best known song, but ALL his stuff is fantastic. "Something in the Way She Moves" is my all time favorite. 👍
I used to sing that song to my ex-wife back when times were good.... such a beautiful love song.
that’s a cove of a Beatles’ song is it not?
Two different songs.
James had the song first. Then George of the Beatles was inspired by that song to write his song.
His cover of Carly Simon:" You've got a Friend.
Inspired by this One!
The reference to "sweet dreams and flying machines..." has to do with an early band of his, called James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine, that crashed and burned before living up to its potential.
I had a boyfriend for seven years all through college and we eventually broke up. He wanted to get married and I didn’t. Our love and respect for one another remained throughout the years. We would occasionally talk on the phone, reminisce about our old hippie days and tell each other what we were doing now. When he passed away, his wife invited me to the funeral and gave me a package of photographs of us that he had saved. When I hear this song I think of him. Even though I was OK with the way things worked out, I regretted that I never got to see him again.
My heart goes out to Catherine. I am in.a similar situation. Xx
James Taylor is an incredible singer songwriter. Such a huge catalogue of great music! Saw him live back in the mid seventies and again in the mid eighties. Both great concerts. This is a very personal song for James about a friend of his that took her own life. Excellent song and huge hit record for James. The Flying Machine was a band he was part of that ended during his years of drug use. 😎🎼🎶🎵🍔🇨🇦
James Taylor was perhaps the optimally audio-mixed of university arena concerts I've ever attended.
In 50 years I don't think I ever noticed the cello in this
Everyone is correct in saying he was a great story teller. Such a great talent.
Fire and rain, ups and downs, chasms you have to cross. Favorite type of song whether the music be James Taylor, Fire and Rain or Rush, Limelight. Even instrumentals tell stories.
Just stumbled across your channel and love your thoughts on the music and lyrics. Since you seem to really connect with the acoustic guitar singer/songwriter genre, let me recommend Colin Hay. He was the lead singer for 80s band Men at Work, but his solo records are amazing. Overkill, Waiting for My Real Life to Begin, and I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You are a few examples of very personal songs that you will certainly connect with.
One of my all time favorite songs. James Taylor and Danny Kortchmar's guitar work on other songs on this album are subtly masterful.
james pagdon and Lee Sklar’s bass, perhaps? If Danny was on the album, then Lee probably was also
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 On James Taylors first album,"James Taylor" Louis Cennamo was the bass player on most of the songs except for "Carolina in My Mind" Which Paul McCartney played the bass on and George Harrison did some backing vocals. Then for the next album which "fire and Rain" is on "Sweet Baby James" The bass player was John London a guy who sometimes played bass for "The Monkeys"and he appeared on their tv show too, John London was also working in movies as a Key Grip on the films 48 hours," "The Karate Kid ," and "Hudson Hawk." Lee Sklar didnt record with Jame Taylor until the third album "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon." Lee Sklar is one of the most amazing musicians that ever lived and has played on so many great songs for hundreds of great people.
Flying machine refers to his original band. Signed with 🍏...the Beatles label... with mixed results. JT was big in England as a solo act before coming back to the US. Huge album with the country rock hippie crowd. Every song is good on Sweet Baby James.
Judt catching up with your reactions- this is a great song
You have the best reaction channel and I have watched a lot of channels.And you are only sixteen.
Thank you Tim, that means a lot:)
You are truly beyond your time. Very insightful reaction!
I live in North Carolina. James Taylor spent a large part of his early life here in Chapel Hill, i think his brother still lives there, and his father, unless he has passed which is very likely at his presumed age. There's a section of Hwy 15/501 dedicated to James there. He recorded an ode to the state, "Carolina In My Mind", and once en route to a visit to see his brother and father, he penned a lullaby to his new nephew that he was about to meet for the first time, and that was, "Sweet Baby James", one of his biggest hits. Garth Brooks said he was a big influence on him, as he named his daughter Taylor(not James, as he joked). Most of the times his concerts are very stripped down, he and his guitar and a piano player.