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.
Fool for You
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She don't abide by some
Of the company that I keep.
She takes occasion to criticize, and carry on.
I love her so, I just can't stand it no more,
I'm a fool for you babe, don't you know,
Mess around momma, I'm a fool for you momma, oo.
That I'm crazy bout her loving.
That's all right,
She takes unfair advantage now and then.
She jumps at the chance to tease me with her body.
Lord, I love that thing so,
Just can't stand it no more,
I'm a fool for you babe,
Look around, momma,
I'm a fool for you.
Have a sweet thing today.
In James Taylor's song "Fool for You," the lyrics speak of a love that is tumultuous and complicated. The singer's lady does not approve of the life he leads, and she disapproves of the people he associates with. She is critical and judgmental, and the singer is tired of it. Despite this, he says that he loves her so much that he can't stand it anymore. He is a fool for her and will do anything for her.
The second paragraph reveals that the singer's lady knows that he loves her. However, she takes advantage of his love for her and enjoys teasing him with her body. The singer loves her so much that he can't stand it anymore, but he is still a fool for her. The final line, "have a sweet thing today," may be the singer's way of saying that despite everything, he wants his lady to be happy.
Overall, the song speaks of a love that is both passionate and difficult. The singer is willing to put up with his lady's criticisms and teasing because he loves her so much. However, he is also aware that his love for her makes him a fool, and he cannot resist her despite her flaws.
Line by Line Meaning
My lady don't allow the life I lead
My girlfriend dislikes the lifestyle I choose to live
She don't abide by some Of the company that I keep.
My girlfriend disapproves of some of my friends
She takes occasion to criticize, and carry on.
My girlfriend often finds fault with me and starts arguments
I love her so, I just can't stand it no more, I'm a fool for you babe, don't you know, Mess around momma, I'm a fool for you momma, oo.
Despite her behavior, I am deeply in love with my girlfriend
I should say, my baby knows That I'm crazy bout her loving.
My girlfriend is aware that I am passionate about our relationship
That's all right, She takes unfair advantage now and then.
Although it bothers me, I tolerate my girlfriend taking advantage of me sometimes
She jumps at the chance to tease me with her body.
My girlfriend enjoys flirting with me and using her body to do so
Lord, I love that thing so, Just can't stand it no more, I'm a fool for you babe, Look around, momma, I'm a fool for you. Have a sweet thing today.
Despite feeling frustrated, I am hopelessly in love with my girlfriend and cannot resist her charms
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind