Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the No. 3 single "Fire and Rain" and had his first No. 1 hit the following year with "You've Got a Friend", a recording of Carole King's classic song. His 1976 Greatest Hits album was certified Diamond and has sold 12 million US copies. Following his 1977 album, JT, he has retained a large audience over the decades. Every album that he released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies. He enjoyed a resurgence in chart performance during the late 1990s and 2000s, when he recorded some of his most-awarded work (including Hourglass, October Road, and Covers). He achieved his first number-one album in the US in 2015 with his recording Before This World.
He is known for his popular covers of other people's songs, such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and the aforementioned "You've Got A Friend", as well as originals such as "Fire and Rain".
Taylor's four siblings (Alex, Livingston, Hugh, and Kate) have also been musicians with recorded albums. Livingston is still an active musician; Kate was active in the 1970s but did not record another album until 2003; Hugh operates a bed-and-breakfast with his wife, The Outermost Inn in Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard; and Alex died in 1993 on James's birthday.
After his divorce from Carly Simon in 1983, Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker on December 14, 1985 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. She had helped him get off heroin, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
On February 18, 2001, at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Boston, Taylor wed for the third time, marrying Caroline ("Kim") Smedvig, the director of public relations and marketing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[81] They had begun dating in 1995, when they met as he appeared with John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Part of their relationship was worked into the album October Road, on the song "On the 4th of July". The couple reside in the town of Washington, Massachusetts, with their twin boys, Rufus and Henry, born in April 2001. Henry shares James' intrest and talents.
Sally and Ben, his children with Carly Simon, have also embarked on musical careers. After they were born, Taylor moved with his family to Lenox, Massachusetts.
Angry Blues
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
If I had my way, I'd be sitting on the top of the world.
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
When the anger comes in
And there's no place for a man to hide,
When the anger comes in
Would he do anything in the world
To make him feel better inside?
When the anger comes in
And there's no place for a man to hide.
Gonna sit back here,
And watch this cloud roll by.
Gonna sit back here,
And watch this cloud roll by.
The next time that you see me
I should be shining like the Fourth of July.
Gonna sit back here,
Gonna watch this cloud roll by.
I ain't looking for details,
Won't you just give me a clue?
Oh, Lord, what am I gonna do?
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
If I had my way, I'd be sitting on the top of the world.
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
Don't feel so good,
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
The lyrics to James Taylor's "Angry Blues" reflect the inner turmoil of a man who is struggling with himself during a difficult time. Throughout the song, the singer repeats the phrase "I can't help it if I don't feel so good," signaling his frustration with not being able to control his emotions. He longs to feel better and to be on top of the world, but he can't seem to shake off his negative feelings.
The song also explores the theme of anger and its impact on a person. The singer talks about how there's no place to hide when anger takes over, and asks if someone would do anything to make themselves feel better when they are consumed by anger. The feeling of being overwhelmed by anger is something many people can relate to, and the song serves as a reminder to take a step back and find a way to cope with these intense emotions.
Overall, "Angry Blues" is a powerful song that explores universal themes of inner struggle and emotional limitations. Through its raw lyrics, it reminds us that it's okay to feel helpless at times, and that we should always strive to find healthy ways to cope with negative emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
I am unable to control my emotional state and do not feel good.
If I had my way, I'd be sitting on the top of the world.
Given the opportunity, I would want to be immensely successful.
When the anger comes in, And there's no place for a man to hide.
When I experience feelings of anger and don't know how to handle it.
Would he do anything in the world, To make him feel better inside?
Is there anything that can be done to help alleviate the negative emotions being felt inside?
Gonna sit back here, And watch this cloud roll by.
I will take a passive, observant role and let time pass before taking any action.
The next time that you see me I should be shining like the Fourth of July.
The next time I am seen, I will present a positive, vibrant attitude and outlook.
I ain't looking for details, Won't you just give me a clue? Oh, Lord, what am I gonna do?
I am not seeking specific information, just a hint or direction in what actions to take to improve the situation.
Don't feel so good, I can't help it if I don't feel so good.
I continue to feel negative emotions that are beyond my control.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind