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.
Anywhere Like Heaven
James Taylor Lyrics
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When I see that simple sadness that upon your features lies
If my spirit starts to sink, it comes as no surprise
It's been a long way from anywhere like heaven to your town, this town
There's a pasture in the countryside I used to call my own
There's a natural pillow for my head, the grass there's overgrown, yes and no
I think of that place from time to time when I want to be alone
Now, people live from day to day, but they do not count the time
They don't see the days slipping by and neither do I
Now, people, they live from day to day, but they do not count the time, no
They don't see their days slipping by and neither do I
When I walk along your city streets and look into your eyes
When I see that simple sadness that across your features lies, I see lines
If my spirit starts to sink, it comes as no surprise
I've come a long way from anywhere like heaven to your town, this town
In James Taylor's song "Anywhere Like Heaven", he talks about the stark contrast between the bustling city and the peaceful countryside. As he walks along the city streets and looks into people's eyes, he sees a "simple sadness" that has settled upon the city. Despite this, he finds it unsurprising that his spirit starts to sink. He realizes that he has come a long way from anywhere like heaven to this town. He then reflects on the pasture in the countryside that he used to call his own. He sees it as a place of solitude where he could be alone. The natural pillow for his head, the overgrown grass, and the peacefulness of the countryside all contrast with the city life he's now living.
The song's central theme is the idea of time. People live from day to day, but according to Taylor, they do not count the time. Time slips by without notice, and most people are unaware of where their days have gone. Additionally, the lyrics suggest that the city life is an unsatisfying existence for him compared to the quiet countryside he remembers. The chorus repeats the idea of the long distance between the two places. It seems as though despite his physical location, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, he is miles apart from where he wants to be.
Line by Line Meaning
When I walk along your city streets and look into your eyes
As I stroll through the bustling streets of your city and gaze into your eyes, I observe your demeanor closely and try to understand your feelings.
When I see that simple sadness that upon your features lies
When I observe that underlying grief that is evident in your face, it makes me feel concerned.
If my spirit starts to sink, it comes as no surprise
It's not unexpected for me to feel disheartened when I realize how far I am from finding happiness in this place.
It's been a long way from anywhere like heaven to your town, this town
The distance between a place of complete bliss and your town is immense and I have been on a long journey to get here.
There's a pasture in the countryside I used to call my own
Back when life was more serene, I used to own a verdant piece of land in the countryside where I spent my solitary moments.
There's a natural pillow for my head, the grass there's overgrown, yes and no
The long, overgrown grass in that meadow served as a natural cushion for me to rest on and escape the worries of life, but it also presented a prickly obstacle.
I think of that place from time to time when I want to be alone
Sometimes, when I long for solitude, my thoughts take me back to that place which was once my sanctuary.
Now, people live from day to day, but they do not count the time
Most people in this town take life as it comes and don't pay much attention to the passing of time.
They don't see the days slipping by and neither do I
Neither they nor I perceive how the days are fleeting by.
When I walk along your city streets and look into your eyes
As I wander amidst the chaos of the town and catch your gaze once again, I'm just reminded of how I'm not really at home here.
When I see that simple sadness that across your features lies, I see lines
I can identify those subtle sorrowful expressions that are etched into your face quite easily.
If my spirit starts to sink, it comes as no surprise
It's no wonder that my mood dampens given the stark contrast of the present reality to the tranquil paradise that I crave.
I've come a long way from anywhere like heaven to your town, this town
In my quest to find happiness, I've had to travel a great distance to this unfamiliar town where I still seek solace amidst the disarray.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind