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.
Baby Buffalo
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you hear me?
Somewhere near me?
In the morning,
Long ago,
Had to hold you so close,
Had to never let go.
Time on the river
Hard to believe,
Wink of an eye.
Where'd you go,
Baby Buffalo?
What's become
Of old Cotton Eyed Joe?
Hold up, lying low,
Long gone come
A summertime snow.
Talk to your doctor,
Making her rounds.
Ninety-six tears,
One thousand clowns.
There they are,
Shining bright.
True creation,
Pure delight.
They go on,
So do you.
On and on,
Maybe me too.
Long ago Baby Buffalo,
What's become
Of old Cotton Eyed Joe?
Hold up, lying low,
Long gone come
A summertime snow.
Hold on to now
Till you have to let go.
Easy through your fingers, ever so.
I'm just guessing,
I don't know.
Maybe it's a blessing,
I sure hope so.
The song "Baby Buffalo" by James Taylor is a mysterious and introspective ballad that seems to be about the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and mortality. The first verse addresses an unseen presence, perhaps a person or a spiritual force, asking if it is still there and if it can hear the singer's voice. The second verse references a past relationship in which the singer had to hold someone close and never let go, a sentiment that could be applied to many different types of connections. The river and the wink of an eye both suggest that time is fleeting and that life moves quickly.
The chorus contains the repeated phrase "Where'd you go, Baby Buffalo?" which could be interpreted in a number of ways. The image of a buffalo suggests strength, stability, and endurance, but the word "baby" implies that this creature is vulnerable and still developing. Perhaps this chorus is a lament for a time when the singer felt more secure and confident, or for a part of themselves that they feel has been lost or damaged. The second half of the chorus references the folk song "Cotton Eyed Joe" and suggests that something else from the past has been lost or forgotten.
The following verses are more abstract and enigmatic, with references to doctors, tears, and clowns that could have a multitude of meanings. The final verse brings the song back to the idea of time passing and the need to hold on to what we have while we can. The line "Maybe it's a blessing, I sure hope so" seems to imply that the singer is uncertain about the future, but hopeful that things will work out in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you there?
Asking if someone is present.
Can you hear me?
Asking if someone can listen or pay attention to what is being said.
Somewhere near me?
Asking where someone can be found, looking for their presence.
In the morning,
During the early hours of the day.
Long ago,
Referring to the distant past.
Had to hold you so close,
Needed to embrace or hold someone tightly.
Had to never let go.
Refusing to release someone.
Time on the river
The passage of time represented by the flow of a river.
Sliding on by.
Passing away without pause or attention.
Hard to believe,
Difficult to accept or imagine.
Wink of an eye.
A short amount of time that passes quickly.
Where'd you go,
Asking where someone has gone.
Baby Buffalo?
Referring to an affectionate name of someone who is loved.
What's become
Asking for an update on what has happened to something or someone.
Of old Cotton Eyed Joe?
Wondering what has happened to a figure from the past.
Hold up, lying low,
Staying out of sight or hidden for safety or privacy.
Long gone come
Referring to the end of something or someone's presence.
A summertime snow.
An unusual or unexpected event, like snow in the summertime.
Talk to your doctor,
Advising to have a conversation with a physician.
Making her rounds.
Going about one's business or duties.
Ninety-six tears,
Expressing that someone has cried a lot or hardships that have been endured.
One thousand clowns.
Referring to something chaotic, possibly mixed emotions or multiple situations happening at once.
There they are,
Pointing out something that has been detected or noticed.
Shining bright.
Exhibiting a strong or attractive quality.
True creation,
Something that is genuine or original.
Pure delight.
Something that brings great pleasure or satisfaction.
They go on,
Indicating that something will continue without pause or interruption.
So do you.
Asserting that someone will continue despite obstacles, just like other things that continue.
On and on,
Continuing for an indeterminate amount of time.
Maybe me too.
Speculating that something or someone will also continue for some time.
Hold on to now
Holding onto the present moment, and not allow time to slip by unnoticed or unappreciated.
Till you have to let go.
Enjoying what you have until you are no longer able to.
Easy through your fingers, ever so.
Something that is quickly fleeting or easily lost.
I'm just guessing,
Admitting that what is about to be said or thought is speculation, not definite knowledge.
I don't know.
Admitting a lack of knowledge or certainty about something.
Maybe it's a blessing,
Suggesting that something might be a fortunate or positive outcome.
I sure hope so.
Expressing an optimistic point of view or desire.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Andrews
The entire album is almost meditative, really. Truly great album.
chmick50
Exactly. It’s a work of art.
Kris Keena
God so beautiful...The mood...if you've helped someone die...Powerful stuff. He's truly a poet. Never fails to move me.
Tim Lynch
I lost a lot of my friends and family to cancer so be star dust
Cynthia Dickie Schulze
Kris Keena I read an interview on his son’s music site where Ben said that Baby Buffalo was about him. Ben also said he’d been very ill, in & out of the hospital his 1st three years of life, eventually having a kidney removed. He recovered, so think James is recalling in this song the intensity of this time & marveling how precious life is as it goes on. I love hearing James’ daughter Sally singing backup.
GREGORY RUSSO
I feel so blessed to hear music like this. Baby Buffalo just makes me want to close my eyes and drift away. I think about you Cheryll, when I hear it.
Gamerboy999
incredible .. songs like this is why i'm still alive
SkyFox5
I always thought is one of the best song ever made by Mr. James Taylor...
Gamerboy999
Such a beautiful soothing song - played this to my son when he was a baby and always calmed him down
skinnymike1
What a beautiful memory and comment