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.
Fire & Rain
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They let me know you were gone
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Won't you look down upon me Jesus?
You got to help me make a stand
You just got to see me through another day
My body's achin' and my time is at hand
And I won't make it any other way
Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought they would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walkin' my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Whoa, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things comin' my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you
Fire and rain, now
The opening lines of James Taylor's song "Fire & Rain" paint a picture of sudden, devastating news. The singer has just found out that a friend, Suzanne, has died, and the plans they had made together have come to an abrupt end. In response to his grief, Taylor turns to his music, writing a song to commemorate his lost friend and the hope of seeing her again. But even as he seeks solace in his creativity, the singer acknowledges the dark times he has already experienced and the challenges that still lie ahead. He pleads for Jesus to intercede on his behalf, to help him stand strong in the face of pain and uncertainty, and to help him keep going when his mind and body are worn down.
The song's chorus, "I've seen fire and I've seen rain," captures the complexity of human experience: moments of joy and beauty, but also trials and setbacks. The lyrics acknowledge the reality of "lonely times" when friends are scarce and "sunny days" that don't last forever. But through it all, the singer holds onto a sense of optimism, a belief that he will see his friend again and that his own struggles will eventually give way to brighter days.
Overall, "Fire & Rain" is a poignant meditation on loss, grief, and hope. Taylor's words capture the depth of emotion that comes with tragedy, but also the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Just yesterday morning
This happened only yesterday and it is still very fresh in my mind.
They let me know you were gone
I received news that you had passed away.
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you
Your life was cut short due to something out of your control.
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
My emotions are still raw and I needed to express them through music.
I just can't remember who to send it to
I don't know who to share this song with, as it was written in the heat of the moment.
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I have experienced extreme highs and lows in my life.
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I have experienced moments of happiness that seemed like they would go on forever.
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
I have experienced times of extreme loneliness where I felt like I had no one to turn to.
But I always thought that I'd see you again
I never expected to lose you so soon and thought we would meet again one day.
Won't you look down upon me Jesus?
I am asking for divine strength and guidance to help me cope with this difficult situation.
You got to help me make a stand
I need to stand strong and face this adversity head-on.
You just got to see me through another day
I need the strength to face each day without giving up.
My body's achin' and my time is at hand
I am physically and emotionally drained, and my time on earth is limited.
And I won't make it any other way
I am determined to see this through without compromising my values.
Been walkin' my mind to an easy time
I have been reminiscing about happier times to find solace.
My back turned towards the sun
I am trying to avoid the harsh reality of the situation by turning away from the light.
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
When things get tough, it can be very disorienting and difficult to keep moving forward.
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
There is a lot to discuss and plan for in the future, and there is plenty of time to do so.
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Hopes and dreams can often be shattered in an instant.
Thought I'd see you one more time again
I thought we had more time together and I regret not cherishing our moments together more.
There's just a few things comin' my way this time around, now
I am facing some challenges that I did not expect to encounter at this stage in my life.
Fire and rain, now
Life is full of unpredictable and sometimes uncontrollable events.
Contributed by Nathaniel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@magic5596
Did you ever look up his inspiration? “The first verse is about my reactions to the death of a friend,” Taylor explained. Suzanne Schnerr was a young woman who had befriended Taylor during his Flying Machine days. Later, at a mental-health facility, she committed suicide after being assigned an isolation cell. "Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you"
He continues, “The second verse is about my arrival [back] in this country with a monkey on my back.” Here he implores Jesus to give him the strength he needs to survive his potentially lethal heroin addiction. "My body’s aching and my time is at hand"
In conclusion, Taylor candidly offers, “The third verse of that song refers to my recuperation in Austin Riggs [a psychiatric hospital in Stockbridge, Massachusetts], which lasted about five months.” Here he faced the reality of the demise of his youthful, idealistic goals. "Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground"
@RIDETHESUNSHINE
@@jbevan4411 Hello:
Dear Good Soul:
When you have a chance, Google:
"Being Sensitive Is a Superpower"
and,
"Being Sensitive Is a Superpower — Here Are 5 Ways to Use It"
You, and or yours, are not alone!
.
I had a N.D.E. during emergency surgery July of 1990. The Book "Proof" by Dr. Eban Alexander, written about his own N.D.E. describes near word for word my experience. The good Dr took a more secular route, but the message is clear; "it doesn't all end here"! Plus, never mistake mankind's religion of control, using fear and shame, for our Creator's original design, total harmony and growth for all of creation.
I am one of the most Blessed beings on this planet! I have Angels in both worlds!!!
I often reflect on; “we are tested every day, not by God for Heaven, but for our own hearts to examine.” When we find forgiveness for ourselves, we are remembering that place of goodness within us. If we work at doing better; I would have to believe, Heaven / Greater Powers will weigh our intentions against our sins...
My mother an Ex Minister told me as a child that; "Angels have no need of memory for rights and wrongs done to them, because they have total acceptance of what is, born of a perfect faith. "
Given the futility of this life, higher powers gave mankind 3 gifts for our spiritual sustenance.
1.) The folly to dream above the circumstance of our realities;
2.) the boldness to seek an enduring love, and
3.) the audacity of “hope”, that in spite that there is no evidence that mankind was ever intended to be happy, with colossal odds against us, we little flickers of light rage against the darkness of eternal night and continue to try and make these lives worth living.
One of my greatest self-revelations is, I understand why I really love the Stars.
It is because their message continues to be brighter than the darkness which surrounds them!
We all have the essence of those stars within us.
Love, and Forgiveness are the two Miracles Heaven gives us every opportunity to perform. The Miracles comes in that, acts of love and forgiveness reward all who are involved, and these positive energies will ripple through all eternity.
To selflessly love is our greatest life affirming act, and to unconditionally forgive, is our most divine...
And like that old song, in Heaven, love does come first....
Please Stay Strong in the positive Power of Faith, Hope, Love, and Forgiveness.... Will
PS. If you need me, you know how to find me....
@RIDETHESUNSHINE
@@jbevan4411 “Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
Ralph Hodgson
.
I am the last in the line of countless generations sailors, and fishermen. There are no atheists in a boat taking water. God loves his fishermen, and shepherds, for their patience in the madness of those vacuous hours in the dark, when it is only you with all your fears, tears, and bitter regrets, trying to bargain for our Creator's forgiveness, and mercy.
.
My Greatest gift in this life is my ability to see our "Higher Power's" Hand" working on my behalf, every day.
I may have started my journey to be a fisherman, but, I wasn't allowed to die those years ago, so I can be a shepherd.
.
You showing up, for me to cheer you on, was one of the reasons I still breath....
Did you see I posted that quote just a day ago?
Your Angels were listening to your heart call out....
They have plans for you! Never forget that...
That quote has hit you, and will stir others.
Be Happy, and know how loved you are!!! Will
PS. I only caught one kind of fish.... "Lucky ones!"
My fish all went back, hopefully with a lesson learned!!!
@ChannelJeffrey
I am at the end of my life now..Wow, what a ride. This song just reminds me of how much time has passed and how quickly it goes. If you are young, Im not preaching and your life is yours to live as you choose, but trust me--The days are long but the years are short.
@jakerian6931
May your days be easy. May you always have a smile on your face
@khug3719
Yes I wish that too. 🩵🦋🙏🩷
@AJ-id2qf
Well said!
@alanmoore3892
Big respect 💯
@mrsm222
These days are long but the years are short. Yup
@ethanmiles-keay6439
Whos listening to this absolute classic in 2024
@cindyduran4236
😊
@Creolequeenj
Feb 22😊
@phyllischristensen9145
Feb 23, 2024