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.
Don't Be Sad 'cause Your Sun Is Down
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't be sad 'cause you're on your own, you have to learn to love it.
Don't be sad 'cause your sun is down, you're gonna find your way.
Don't be sad 'cause your day is done, there's another day, everyday,
Everyday I wake up just the same, waiting for something new.
Every night I have myself to blame for the dreams that haven't come true.
But especially today I'm feeling blue.
Don't be sad 'cause your boy is blue, it wouldn't do to conceal it from you.
Don't be sad 'cause your sun is down, the night doesn't need your sorrow.
Don't be sad 'cause the light is gone, just keep your mind on tomorrow and carry on.
Everyday I wake up just the same, waiting for something new.
Every night I have myself to blame for the dreams that haven't come true.
But especially today I'm feeling blue.
The song’s lyrics encourage listeners to be positive despite life’s challenges. The phrase “Don’t be sad ‘cause your sun is down” means that even when things seem tough or uncertain, it is possible to rise above it. The repetition of “everyday” emphasizes the idea that every day is a chance to start anew, to learn to love being on your own if necessary, and find a way forward.
The singer of the song expresses disappointment with their life, particularly with the dreams and goals that they have yet to reach. However, the song’s overriding message is that there is always hope for change, for something new to come, and for the future. The line “every night I have myself to blame for the dreams that haven't come true” reinforces how it is easy to put blame on oneself for things that have not gone as planned, but we can’t give up hope.
The line “Don’t be sad ‘cause your son is down, little mama he’s bound to feel it” adds another layer to the song. It suggests that family, friends, and loved ones share in one's struggles or sorrow. The phrase “the night doesn't need your sorrow” suggests that sometimes it's better to let go of negative feelings.
Overall, the song encourages the listener to focus on the positive, to keep their mind on tomorrow, and carry on. Which is a message that everyone can relate and resonate with at any point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be sad 'cause your sun is down, you can rise above it.
Don't be saddened by a difficult situation, use it as an opportunity to grow and overcome.
Don't be sad 'cause you're on your own, you have to learn to love it.
Don't be upset about being alone, learn to appreciate it and find happiness within yourself.
Don't be sad 'cause your sun is down, you're gonna find your way.
Don't lose hope in a dark time, trust that you will eventually find a way forward.
Don't be sad 'cause your day is done, there's another day, everyday,
Don't dwell on the past, remember that each day presents new opportunities and a chance to start over.
Everyday I wake up just the same, waiting for something new.
Everyday feels repetitive and mundane, and I am yearning for change and excitement.
Every night I have myself to blame for the dreams that haven't come true.
Every night, I feel responsible for my unfulfilled aspirations, and I question why they haven't come to fruition.
But especially today I'm feeling blue.
But today in particular, I am feeling deeply sad and down.
Don't be sad 'cause your son is down, little mama he's bound to feel it.
Don't be sad because your child is struggling, dear mother - it's only natural for him to experience pain.
Don't be sad 'cause your boy is blue, it wouldn't do to conceal it from you.
Don't hide your sadness from me, dear son - it's important that we acknowledge and process our emotions together.
Don't be sad 'cause your sun is down, the night doesn't need your sorrow.
Don't let nighttime weigh you down with sadness, because it serves no purpose and only prolongs your pain.
Don't be sad 'cause the light is gone, just keep your mind on tomorrow and carry on.
Don't feel discouraged by the absence of light, instead focus on the future and keep moving forward.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind