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.
Hey Mister
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
Southern California, that's as blue as the boy can be
Blue as the deep blue sea
Won't you listen to me now
Just like a hole in the head, I'm free
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
I do believe I'm headed home
Hey mister, can't you see that I'm as dry as a bone
I think I'll spend some time alone
Yes, unless you've found a way of squeezing water from a stone
Let the doctor and the lawyer do as much as they can
Let the springtime begin
Let the boy become a man
I done wasted too much time just to sing you this sad song
I done been this lonesome picker a little too long
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you're up and slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
Well, I've been spreading myself thin these days
Don't you know
Good-bye
In James Taylor's "Hey Mister That's Me Up on the Jukebox," the singer addresses the listener, revealing that he is the one singing the sad song playing on the jukebox. The lyrics suggest that the singer is a lonely, wandering musician who's traveled to Southern California where he's now performing. He talks about how blue he feels, and he seeks solace in being left alone. The listener can sense his weariness and longing for a peaceful life. The song seems to be an expression of sadness and loneliness but also a longing for freedom and a simpler life. He acknowledges that he's been spreading himself thin and needs some time alone.
Additionally, the singer's nonchalance about the golden-gated cities of Southern California demonstrates that he isn't swayed by the socially accepted notion of success, material wealth, and prestige. He prefers his freedom and longs for a more natural, less materialistic lifestyle. The constant repetition of the line "Let the boy sing the sad one, one more time" serves as a plea to the listener to allow him to express his emotions and continue singing his sad songs. It suggests that his passion lies in writing songs that reflect the melancholic and loneliness he's facing.
In summary, "Hey Mister That's Me Up on the Jukebox" is a powerful song about the sadness and loneliness of being a musician, especially one who's always on the road. The song is about the need for emotional expression and the importance of freedom. It laments the emotional weight of constant performances and longings for a simpler life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
Referring to himself, the singer expresses that the song playing on the jukebox is his own.
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
The singer is stating that he is the one responsible for singing this sad song.
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
The singer is expressing that he has poured his heart and soul into creating this music, and each time it is playing, someone adds a dime to hear it, which makes him emotional.
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
He hopes that every time the song plays, it can elicit an emotional response from the listener, giving the song further value and significance.
Southern California, that's as blue as the boy can be
The use of 'blue' here can indicate that the singer is feeling sad, and that the place, Southern California, is associated with this sadness for him.
Blue as the deep blue sea
Won't you listen to me now
He implores someone to listen to him as he shares how he feels.
I need your golden gated cities like a hole in the head
Using a colloquialism, the singer is communicating that he has no use or desire for the type of cities often associated with California or places of wealth.
Just like a hole in the head, I'm free
The singer asserts that he is free from being tied down to a specific place or material possessions as his larger goal is emotional freedom.
I do believe I'm headed home
The singer has a goal to return to some sort of place he considers home.
Hey mister, can't you see that I'm as dry as a bone
Using another colloquialism, he's telling someone that he's parched, burned out, or in this context, exhausted without explicitly saying it.
I think I'll spend some time alone
Acknowledging the emotional and physical drain he's been feeling, he's contemplating some solitude to recharge himself.
Yes, unless you've found a way of squeezing water from a stone
One can't get blood from a stone, and similarly, he can't be with anyone at this point unless what they're offering can invigorate and inspire him.
Let the doctor and the lawyer do as much as they can
The singer believes he shouldn't depend on people traditionally associated with success, like doctors and lawyers, to help him achieve what he wants.
Let the springtime begin
Let the boy become a man
The singer is looking forward to a change in seasons and a life transition indicated by the boy becoming a man, which suggest growth and new beginnings.
I done wasted too much time just to sing you this sad song
The singer is somewhat cynical, perhaps annoyed at having to agonize over this song when he believes he could've invested his time more productively.
I done been this lonesome picker a little too long
He's been a lonesome musician for a while now, and it's time for him to make a change in some way.
Well, I've been spreading myself thin these days
Using irony, the singer talks about having to give 100% of himself to his music but feeling stretched thin.
Don't you know
Good-bye
The singer's signoff - expressing that it's time for him to go now.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sertsj1
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox.
I'm the one that's singing this sad song.
Well, I'll cry every time
That you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one,
One more time.
Southern California, that's as blue
As the boy can be,
Blue as the deep blue sea,
Won't you listen to me now.
I need your golden gated cities
Like a hole in the head,
Just like a hole in the head, I'm free.
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox.
I'm the one that's singing this sad song.
Well, I'll cry every time
That you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one,
One more time.
I do believe I'm headed home.
Hey mister, can't you see that
I'm as dry as a bone.
I think I'll spend some time alone,
Yes, unless you've found a way
Of squeezing water from a stone.
Let the doctor and the lawyer do
As much as they can.
Let the springtime begin.
Let the boy become a man.
I done wasted too much time
Just to sing you this sad song.
I done been this lonesome picker
A little too long.
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox.
I'm the one that's singing this sad song.
Well, I'll cry every time
That you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one,
One more time.
I've been spreading myself thin these days,
Don't you know?
Goodbye.
Antonio Dias
one of the best James Taylor songs!!
Marina
Cuántos recuerdos me trae esta canción... Desde pequeña escucho todas sus canciones...
Cynthia Lyman
My best friend's uncle (approximately a decade older than us) donated this vinyl to her circa 1977 and after she spun it a few times, she passed it along to me. As I recall, there was nothing unusual about this procedure back in the day: swapping out music...anyway, I recall circa early 1978 coming down with a very nasty case of German Measles that pretty much grounded me from both school and work, not to mention once the medication kicked in left me in one of the weirdest fogs of my young life--didn't exactly leave me feeling dopey but rather like every sensation was strangely heightened...and I totally fell in love with this album.
Dave Xxx
I love this great song. I also love the Italian version of the great singer Mina.
She did it in 1972 with the title: “ E’ proprio così son io che canto”.
It can be translated in English like "It’s just really me that I’m singing".
Trucker Kev The Paid Tourist
fantastic song I love the original and I also love Linda ronstadt's cover from 75
pyewackett 5
Lovely. Great album
emmajane46
Great song love James Taylor
brian s
I don’t know what James was thinking about when writing this but it speaks to me dearly.
Jacqueline Ganem
Sensacional de ouvir pura sedução 🍹❤️🌷👍
Frank Moran
A beautiful song !