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 Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me lies, but hold me tight
Save your good-byes for the morning light
But don't let me be lonely tonight
Say good-bye and say hello
Sure 'nough good to see you
But it's time to go
Don't say no
I don't want to be lonely tonight
Go away then, damn you
Go on and do as you please, yeah
You ain't gonna see me getting down on my knees
I'm undecided and your heart's been divided
You've been turning my world upside down
Do me wrong, do me right, right now baby
Go on and tell me lies, but hold me tight
Save your good-byes for the morning light, morning light
But don't let me be lonely tonight
I don't want to be lonely tonight
No, no, I don't want to be lonely tonight
I don't want to be lonely tonight
The song "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" by James Taylor is a reflection of the human desire to avoid feeling lonely. The song begins with the line "Do me wrong, do me right" which suggests that the singer is willing to put up with any behavior from their partner as long as they don't feel lonely. The line "Tell me lies, but hold me tight" implies that the singer is willing to accept a false sense of intimacy as long as they feel emotionally connected to their partner.
The chorus "But don't let me be lonely tonight" reinforces the idea that the singer is willing to accept negative emotions and behavior as long as they're not alone. The line "I'm undecided and your heart's been divided" suggests that the singer is uncertain about their relationship and their partner's feelings for them. The final lines of the song "I don't want to be lonely tonight, no, no, I don't want to be lonely tonight" emphasize the desperation of the singer's situation and their willingness to put up with anything to avoid feeling lonely.
Overall, the song explores the depths of human emotion and the lengths that people will go to avoid feeling lonely. It highlights the complexities of romantic relationships and the damage that can be done by the fear of being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Do me wrong, do me right
Even if you mistreat me, emotionally or otherwise, and then make amends, I'll take it.
Tell me lies, but hold me tight
Your lies about love are okay, as long as I can physically feel the warmth of your body next to mine.
Save your good-byes for the morning light
If you must depart from me, don't do it at night when loneliness haunts me the most.
But don't let me be lonely tonight
I can tolerate everything from you, but I cannot handle being lonely right now.
Say good-bye and say hello
Your leaving and coming back means a great deal to me.
Sure 'nough good to see you
I'm delighted every time I see you around me.
But it's time to go
As much as I cherish your presence, there's still some necessary elements of this relationship that needs to be wrapped up.
Don't say yes, but please
You are not ready to commit, but I beseech you- give us another chance.
Don't say no
I'm pleading with you. Don't sever our ties completely by saying no.
I don't want to be lonely tonight
Right now, I need you to keep me company no matter the cost to you.
Go away then, damn you
Even if you choose to leave me, I could still hold on to some anger toward you.
Go on and do as you please, yeah
Do whatever you think is necessary, but please don't make me feel like a social outcast.
You ain't gonna see me getting down on my knees
I'm not going to beg you. I have pride.
I'm undecided and your heart's been divided
I'm having a tough time making a decision because you are torn too.
You've been turning my world upside down
Your actions and words have caused me immense emotional turbulence.
Do me wrong, do me right, right now baby
I want you right here, right now, even if you aim to harm me.
But don't let me be lonely tonight
Being lonely is not an option. Give me some hope that things will get better.
No, no, I don't want to be lonely tonight
I stretched my hand towards you. For the love of God, I beg you, don't turn your back on me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind