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.
Chili Dog
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spread some mustard upon my head.
I don't want no onions or sauerkraut, mamma,
Hold on to the bun baby, work it on out.
I'm a chilidog.
I guess you guessed by now, babe.
Sure enough, I'm a chilidog,
Look at me, delicious.
Don't get jealous, better not up
And get over zealous, watch out now y'all.
Come on now fella, pass me down the relish.
Don't read no Ann Landers,
Just don't feed me no Colonel Sanders,
I ain't trying to fool you's,
Don't bring home no Orange Julius.
Gotta have one more time,
Get on down again, woh, woh, chilidog, baby.
Yes indeed, I want a chilidog, yeah,
Talking about stone delicious, good for you too!
James Taylor's song "Chili Dog" is an offbeat, tongue-in-cheek ode to the joys of food, specifically the eponymous fast food staple of the traditional hot dog slathered in chili. The lyrics describe a person who identifies as a chili dog, even going so far as to request that their bed be made out of Wonder Bread and mustard upon their head. The song tells the audience that the person singing the song does not want any onions or sauerkraut, but they want to hold on to the bun as they work it on out. The lyrics describe the singer as a "stone delicious" and "good for you too" chili dog, indicating that they take pride in their unique identity as a food item.
However, the song is not just about the love of food. It is also a commentary on American culture and consumerism. James Taylor satirizes the obsession with fast food and the marketing tactics employed by fast-food companies. He dismisses traditional values such as reading Ann Landers for advice and warns against the culture of commercialism, warning people not to bring home an Orange Julius or unsolicited Colonel Sanders. Thus, the song is a humorous critique of both food and culture.
Overall, "Chili Dog" is a fun, quirky song about the pleasures of food and identity. It is a humorous take on American consumerism and satirizes the fast-food industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Make my bed out of Wonder Bread
I want to live life in luxury, with all things soft and comfortable as Wonder bread.
Spread some mustard upon my head
I like to have mustard all over my head, and feel its sharpness all day.
I don't want no onions or sauerkraut, mamma,
I don't like onions or sauerkraut, mom, please don't put them in my food.
Hold on to the bun baby, work it on out.
Hold the bun tight and enjoy the meal, baby!
I'm a chilidog.
I like myself just how I am, a chili dog.
I guess you guessed by now, babe.
I believe you already figured out that I am a chili dog.
Sure enough, I'm a chilidog,
Without a doubt, I can vouch for myself that I am a chili dog.
Look at me, delicious.
Look at me, and you will see how delicious I am.
Don't get jealous, better not up
Don't get envious; there's no need to increase the action.
And get overzealous, watch out now y'all.
Don't be too excited, and exercise caution now, everyone.
Come on now fella, pass me down the relish.
Please pass me the relish so I can put it on my chili dog.
Don't read no Ann Landers,
I don't like reading Ann Landers' advice column.
Just don't feed me no Colonel Sanders,
Please don't give me anything from KFC, I don't like it.
I ain't trying to fool you's,
I am not trying to lie or trick anyone in any way.
Don't bring home no Orange Julius.
I don't want any Orange Julius; it's not my choice of drink.
Gotta have one more time,
I need to have another experience of eating a chili dog.
Get on down again, woh, woh, chilidog, baby.
Get excited for another chili dog, let's go, baby.
Yes indeed, I want a chilidog, yeah,
Absolutely, I want a chili dog now.
Talking about stone delicious, good for you too!
Chili dogs are utterly delicious and good for your body!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivynewsmedia
For James Taylor and family.
Cora Coralina (Brazilian poetry)
CHRISTMAS - CORA CORALINE
Christmas is us when we decide to be born again, each day, transforming ourselves. We are the Christmas pine tree when we vigorously resist the stumbling blocks of the walk. We are Christmas ornaments when our virtues, our actions, are colors that adorn. We are the Christmas bells when we call, congregate and seek to unite. We are Christmas lights when we simplify and provide solutions. We are Christmas cribs when we become poor to enrich everyone. We are the Christmas angels when we sing love and joy to the world. We are Christmas shepherds when we fill our empty hearts with the One who has everything. We are Christmas stars when we lead someone to the Lord. We are the Three Kings when we give our best, no matter to whom. We are the Christmas candles when we distribute harmony wherever we go. We are Santa Claus when we create beautiful dreams in children's minds. We are the Christmas gifts when we are true friends for everyone. We are Christmas cards when goodness is written on our hands. We are the Christmas masses when we become praise, offering and communion. We are Christmas suppers when we fill with bread, with hope, any poor person on our side. We are the Christmas parties when we undress from mourning and dress the gala. We are indeed, the Merry Christmas Night, when humbly and consciously, even without symbols and apparatus, we smile with confidence and tenderness in the interior contemplation of a perennial Christmas that establishes its Kingdom in us. Thanks, Jesus! For your light, forgiveness and understanding."
Cora Coralina
@deliciousrestaurantquality2804
Love this since 1977
Was my jam. Still is
@elleohai
no one else could get away w this. 🙃💗
@yanetevenstar
I hope i can watch his live performance. Mr James Taylor is among few musicians country whom I adore. Love from Indonesia❤❤
@sueaustin1796
Have a wonderful Holiday Season to you and the family!!!!
Thanks for sharing! Always something new to learn about you! Lots of Love and Stay Safe in the beautiful Berkshires!!!! 😊🛶
@romantichouse
Your voice just brings you to a warm safe place, needed in the crazy world we live in. Your body, your soul just blooms musical wisdom. Long time fan
@elleohai
love your comment, I couldnt agree more
@yogibearfan424
Love you James
@carolynledford6484
Remember this song from way back when on the og album. Still love it. Bigfoot?? Man, wonders never cease, am I right?? Just keep on singing man; and I’ll keep on listening!!
@mathmusic1490
This man is a gift to us for decades. AMEN. I play his songs on my piano almost daily!!! Going all the way back to "Something in the Way She Moves".
@andytheguitarist472
Hey Mr Taylor. I have enjoyed your music for as long as I can remember. I'm a younger gentleman in my early 30s and going through tough times, especially in my youth, your music was like home to me, if that makes sense. It gave a comfort and a feeling of peace. So thank you, is what I'm saying. All the way from Denmark.