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 It
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away
Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been
Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry
Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well Maybe just a half a drink more
Put some music on while I pour
The neighbors might think
Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink
No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how
Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
Mind if I move a little closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
What's the sense in hurting my pride
I really can't stay
Baby don't hold out
Ah, but it's cold outside
C'mon baby
I simply must go
Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no
Ooh baby, it's cold outside
This welcome has been
I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm
Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious
Man, your lips look so delicious
My brother will be there at the door
Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
Gosh your lips look delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more
Never such a blizzard before
I've got to go home
Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your comb
It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
Your eyes are like starlight now
But don't you see
How can you do this thing to me
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
Making my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay
Get over that old out
Ah, but it's cold outside
Baby it's cold outside
Brr its cold
It's cold out there
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Well, I really shouldn't, alright
Make it worth your while baby
Ah, do that again
The lyrics of James Taylor's song "Baby It's Cold Outside" are a conversation between a man and a woman who are spending time together on a cold winter night. The woman seems to have made up her mind to leave, but the man tries to persuade her to spend the night with him as it's too cold outside. She hesitates because she's concerned about what her family might think, saying, "My mother will start to worry, beautiful, what's your hurry?...My sister will be suspicious...My brother will be there at the door." The man tries to convince her to stay, saying things such as, "I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell" and "I'll put some music on while I pour." The woman is aware of the expectations and judgments of society, but ultimately decides to stay, saying "Well maybe just a half drink more."
The song has caused controversy in recent years, with many people claiming that it promotes or normalizes sexual coercion. Some interpretations of the lyrics suggest that the man is pressuring the woman to stay against her wishes, and that the lyrics contain hints of date rape. However, others argue that the song is simply a reflection of the times it was written in (1944), and that the scene it portrays is a consensual, playful interaction between two adults. Regardless of interpretation, the song has remained a popular Christmas song, and has been recorded by numerous artists since its first release.
Line by Line Meaning
I really can't stay
I don't feel comfortable staying any longer
Baby it's cold outside
The weather is very cold and unpleasant outside
I've got to go away
I need to leave this place
This evening has been
I have enjoyed spending time with you
Been hoping that you'd drop in
I was looking forward to your visit
So very nice
It was wonderful spending time with you
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Your hands are very cold to the touch
My mother will start to worry
My mother will become concerned about my safety
Beautiful, what's your hurry
Why are you in such a rush to leave?
My father will be pacing the floor
My father will be anxiously waiting for me
Listen to the fireplace roar
Listen to how the fireplace is making noise
So really I'd better scurry
I should hurry up and leave
Beautiful, please don't hurry
Please don't leave so quickly
Well Maybe just a half a drink more
Maybe I will have just a little more to drink
Put some music on while I pour
I'll play some music while I pour drinks for us
The neighbors might think
People who are outside might have negative thoughts
Baby, it's bad out there
It is very dangerous outside
Say, what's in this drink
What did you add to this drink?
No cabs to be had out there
It is impossible to get a cab in this weather
I wish I knew how
I wish I knew what to do
Your eyes are like starlight now
Your eyes are shining like stars in the sky
To break this spell
To get out of this situation
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I'll take your hat because your hair looks great
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
I really should say no to your request
Mind if I move a little closer
Is it okay if I move closer to you?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
I will try to say no, but it may not work
What's the sense in hurting my pride
It's not worth making me feel less confident
Baby don't hold out
Please don't leave yet
Ah, but it's cold outside
It's still very cold outside
I simply must go
I really need to leave now
The answer is no
I won't stay any longer
Ooh baby, it's cold outside
It's still very cold outside
This welcome has been
Thank you for having me over
I'm lucky that you dropped in
I feel fortunate that you visited me
So nice and warm
It is so comfortable and cozy here
Look out the window at that storm
Check out the terrible weather outside
My sister will be suspicious
My sister will start to become doubtful of my whereabouts
Man, your lips look so delicious
I can't stop staring at your lips
My brother will be there at the door
My brother will come to the door
Waves upon a tropical shore
Imagine yourself on a tropical beach with waves
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
My aunt has unkind thoughts in her head
Gosh your lips look delicious
I can't stop thinking about your lips
Never such a blizzard before
I have never seen such a big snowstorm in my life
I've got to go home
I need to return to my house
Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
You will be very cold and uncomfortable in this weather
Say, lend me your comb
Can I borrow your comb?
It's up to your knees out there
The snow is very high up to your knees outside
You've really been grand
Thank you for being so kind and gracious
But don't you see
Can't you understand
How can you do this thing to me
Why are you making me feel so conflicted?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will be gossiping about us tomorrow
Making my life long sorrow
It will make my life very difficult and sad
If you caught pneumonia and died
If you become ill and pass away
Get over that old out
Please forget what I just said
Baby it's cold outside
The weather is very cold and unpleasant outside
Brr its cold
It's so cold that it's uncomfortable
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Is it possible for you to stay for a little longer?
Well, I really shouldn't, alright
I probably should leave, but okay
Make it worth your while baby
I will make your stay worthwhile
Ah, do that again
Please repeat that action
Lyrics © DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Bartolo
There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range
His horse and his cattle are his only companions
He works in the saddle and sleeps in the canyons
Waiting for summer, his pastures to change
And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear
As if maybe someone could hear
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James
Now the first of December was covered with snow
So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
The Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go
There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me
So goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James
Songwriters: James Taylor / James V Taylor
Ceeby
I'm 67 and I've loved this song since I was a teenager. I sang this song to my two babies as a lullaby when I put them to bed. They are in their 40's now!!
God bless you James Taylor. đ¶đ¶
Ginger Man512
I'm in my 40's and my Dad sang this to us when we were kids. He passed a few years ago. I was thinking of him so I came here to listen to it. Your kids will always remember you singing to them. Thanks for doing it.
Spiritof Seventysix
I first heard this song when I was in junior high a few years after my mom passed away, perhaps I, sang the words to Fire and Rain, all to often pondering how sweet if I had mom in my world again.
Lee G-Godskid
@Ceeby I'm 50 , my mom also sang this to me as a baby/toddler. She said she thought it painted a good picture in my mind. đđđ
I'm certain you are a WONDERFULL mom. As mine was. Your baby's will NEVER forget that song. God bless youâ€â
Linda Pearce
Yes!
Ceeby
@Ginger Man512
Thank you! đ¶đ¶
Oliver Joel
This song really brought the goosebumps...put a thumbs up all legends fans!!
Karatemaster 2017
Think nates dad sang it better
catheerine flannigan
yes, still gives me the goosebumps
Evo Lution
James always makes me think about my dad. Took his life when I was in my teens. Never forgave him, probably never will, but I miss ya dad. You gotta granddaughter now. I hope Iâve made you proud.