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.
Honey Don't Leave L.A
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If all you want to be is somebody that don't never walk.
That big chateau where you want to go in the south of France,
Gonna end our big romance. Don't you do it.
Honey, don't leave L. A., that Riviera is so far away.
Begging you s'il vous plait, they don't know nothing down in St. Tropez.
Baby don't leave L. A.
I heard it said that you had it made with you movie star, but, oh, how right you are.
If that's really 'bout the best you can do,
You moved my soul so I played the role of your back door man.
Yes and now I can't really complain cause I love you.
Honey, don't leave L. A., that Riviera is so far away.
Begging you sil vous plait, they don't know nothing down in St. Tropez.
Baby don't leave L. A.
The song "Honey Don't Leave L.A." by James Taylor is a plea from the singer to his lover not to leave Los Angeles for the south of France. The lyrics are filled with references to the superficial nature of Hollywood culture and the temptations of a luxurious lifestyle. The first verse is a commentary on the kind of people who thrive in the entertainment business – those who would rather look good than be authentic. The limousine that the lover is associated with represents the flashy, shallow lifestyle of the Hollywood elite. Likewise, the chateau in the south of France symbolizes the kind of place where people go to escape reality and indulge in their fantasies. The singer is warning his lover that leaving L.A. for such a place will ultimately lead to their relationship falling apart.
The chorus is a direct plea for the lover to stay in L.A. The singer acknowledges that the Riviera may seem glamorous and exciting, but it is ultimately empty and meaningless when compared to the joys of being with someone you love. The use of French in the chorus adds an air of sophistication to the otherwise simple message.
The second verse is a reflection on the role the singer has played in the lover's life. He acknowledges that he may not be the most important person to her, but he has been there for her nonetheless. He has been the "back door man" – the one who is always there when she needs him, even if she takes him for granted. The verse ends with the singer admitting that he can't complain about being in love with her, even if it means accepting a less-than-perfect role in her life.
Overall, "Honey Don't Leave L.A." is a bittersweet love song with a hint of resentment and a healthy dose of realism. The singer recognizes that his lover's desire for fame and fortune is ultimately antithetical to their relationship, but he is unable to resist his feelings for her. The song's catchy melody and simple, relatable lyrics make it a classic of the singer/songwriter genre.
Line by Line Meaning
That limousine in which you made the scene suits you to a 'T'
You look perfectly comfortable in that fancy limousine that you used to make your appearance.
If all you want to be is somebody that don't never walk.
If you only want to be someone who never has to walk and can ride around in luxury cars all day.
That big chateau where you want to go in the south of France,
Your desire to go to that large castle in the southern part of France.
Gonna end our big romance. Don't you do it.
Going there will end our significant relationship, please don't do it.
I heard it said that you had it made with you movie star, but, oh, how right you are.
I heard a rumor that you were living the dream with your movie star, and it turns out the rumors were true.
If that's really 'bout the best you can do,
If being with a famous movie star is the best you can aspire to have in life.
You moved my soul so I played the role of your back door man.
You had a profound impact on me, so I was willing to be your secret lover.
Yes and now I can't really complain cause I love you.
Now, I can't really complain about our situation because I still love you.
Honey, don't leave L. A., that Riviera is so far away.
Please don't leave Los Angeles, as the French Riviera is too far away.
Begging you sil vous plait, they don't know nothing down in St. Tropez.
I am pleading with you, as they don't know anything in St. Tropez that we don't have in LA.
Baby don't leave L. A.
Darling, please don't leave Los Angeles.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DANNY KORTCHMAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt Gambill
This is excellent! Always loved this song. Great to hear an excellent live version.
Michelle R Jackson
So great to see this. JT always soothes my soul
andyinoregon
Danny "Kooch" Kortchmar wrote one of the best lines in any James Taylor song, "Begging you, s'il vous plait."
playtolive Cromley
What great musicians- it must've been in the stars for them to all come together to make this great music!
Luther Stevens
JT...Met him at a concert in Manchester UK in 2014,a true gent...The man.
Charles Glazebrook
Great Song
Edward Zelaznik
David Sansboen has playedeighties on dozens of hit records in the seventies and eighties.
with/ Linda Ronstat Ooh Baby Bay, eagles Alison, carly simon you belong to me, david bowie, Amerocan girl, Stevie Wonder 2nd or 3rd track on Talking Book (Tuesday ...??) and so many more, before his amazing solo career starting in the late 70.s. one of the best session musicians ever. oh yea, had his own late night TV show.
Ken deBeer
“Kootch… Danny Kortchmar was a childhood friend of Taylor’s and was a founding member of The Original Flying Machine with JT that played at The Night Owl In NYC…. The sweet dreams and Flying Machine and pieces on the ground in Fire and Rain( band break up) He introduced Carole King to JT and the rest is history. He was a member of “The City”2.. a trio /group with Carole King and Charles Larkey Larkey would go on and marry Carole King. They made a album “Now That Everything’s Been Said “ although very good did not sell so the band broke up. Carole became a solo act and Kortchmar’s band Jo Mama backed her up on her album “Writer” then played on Carole’s hit album Tapestry at the same time he played on JT’s hit album Sweet Baby James. He also wrote/co wrote some of Jackson Brownes biggest hits (“Somebody’s Baby”, “Tender Is The Night” and “Shaky Town”)as well as touring with JB. The band for the above song is Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar Guitar, Leland Sklar Bass, Russ Kunkel Drums, David Sanborn Sax . Not sure if Waddy Wachtel was on Guitar this concert. The late Don Grolnick was on keyboards. Back up singers were the late great David Lasley and Arnold McCuller. Kortchmar also wrote and produced hit songs /albums for Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Billy Joel and Toto.
Don Householder
Musical Mac 'n Cheese - comfort food all the way.
Aceyork Claro
I am here because of the unfinished video in Facebook..