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.
How's The World Treating You
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since you said we were through
There's no hope for tomorrow
How's the world treating you?
Every sweet thing that matters
Has been broken in two
All my dreams have been shattered
Got no plans for next Sunday
Got no plans for today
Every day is blue Monday
Every day you're away
Though our pathways have parted
To your memory, I'm true
Guess I'll stay broken-hearted
How's the world treating you?
Do you wonder about me
Like I'm hoping you do?
Are you lonesome without me?
Have you found someone new?
Are you burning and yearning?
Do you ever get blue?
Do you think of returning?
How's the world treating you?
Do you think of returning?
How's the world treating you?
The lyrics of the song "How's the World Treating You?" express the feelings of a broken-hearted individual who is reminiscing about the past and wondering how their former lover is doing. The song is a plea for information and a call for affection. The singer has been struggling since the breakup and can’t seem to find a way to move on from the relationship. They are experiencing a lack of motivation (“got no plans for next Sunday”), and they are unable to enjoy life without their ex (“everyday is blue Monday”).
The lyrics speak volumes about the shattered state of the singer's life. Every sweet thing that was once there is now gone, and their dreams are shattered. They are left with nothing but painful memories of their time together, and the world feels like a cruel and unforgiving place. Despite all of this, the singer still holds true to their love for their ex, even though they have gone their separate ways. Their heart remains broken as they wonder if their ex feels the same way and if they wonder about the singer as much as the singer thinks about them.
In summary, "How's the World Treating You?" is a poignant song that expresses the raw emotions of heartbreak, loss, and longing for love. It is a beautiful testament to the power of love and how it can still be felt even when the people who share it are no longer together.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had nothing but sorrow
I've been feeling nothing but sadness ever since you left me.
Since you said we were through
Since you told me that our relationship was over and we couldn't be together anymore.
There's no hope for tomorrow
I feel like there's no chance for a better future, I'm stuck in this sadness and I can't see a way out.
How's the world treating you?
I'm curious to know how you're doing since we parted ways.
Every sweet thing that matters
Everything good and valuable in my life has been destroyed by our separation.
Has been broken in two
It's like my heart has been split in two, and it's impossible to mend it back together.
All my dreams have been shattered
All of the happy visions I had for our future and for myself have been destroyed.
Got no plans for next Sunday
I have no idea what to do with my time now that you're gone, even on weekends.
Got no plans for today
I'm feeling aimless and unproductive without you in my life.
Every day is blue Monday
I feel as unhappy and unfulfilled as I did on a dreary Monday, every single day since you left me.
Every day you're away
It feels like an eternity since you've been gone, and every day without you is like an eternity.
Though our pathways have parted
Even though we've gone our separate ways and are no longer together.
To your memory, I'm true
I still have true and sincere feelings for you, even though we aren't a couple anymore.
Guess I'll stay broken-hearted
It seems like my heart is going to stay broken for a long time because of our breakup.
Do you wonder about me
I'm curious if you think about me as much as I think about you.
Like I'm hoping you do?
I hope you're also struggling with the void that our separation has left in your life.
Are you lonesome without me?
Do you feel lonely without me by your side?
Have you found someone new?
I'm curious if you've moved on and found someone else to be with.
Are you burning and yearning?
Do you feel intense desire and longing for me and what we had?
Do you ever get blue?
Are you feeling sad and down because you miss me too?
Do you think of returning?
Have you ever thought about coming back to me and trying again?
How's the world treating you?
Again, I'm curious about how your life is going without me in it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant, Chester Atkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidarredondo7776
Is it ok to cry every time I listen to this song? I'm 67 years old and alone.
@edwardpeterson1634
It's ok I'm 76 and crying.
@craftycrafter1960
Stumbled upon this, and ahh my gosh its so beautiful!
@danacook6907
Never moved on hurting over you 💯 💔
@fredjensen5477
Hello Donna..
@mooskamoo
How can such a sad song make you feel so happy, that’s the magic of Alison Krauss.
@lisaok4729
Absolutely what an amazing voice
@lilliancaverley8451
Just beautiful! If there is anyone who doesn't love this song, they don't have a pulse!
@amyberger1477
Two singers but ONE VOICE. Beguiling. Perfect sound.
@fredjensen5477
Hello Amy..