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.
Let Me Ride
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't deny the highway in my soul
Jump and sing that silver thing that I feel inside
Hallelujah let that big wheel roll
It's time to give me just a little bit of old time glory
I'm talking 'bout the coming of the sunshine story
Set this poor soul free
Break these bonds that hold my soul and I'm on my way
I can't help feeling there's no time to lose
I done made my mind up yesterday that I just can't stay
So hand me down my highway shoes
It's time to give me just a little bit of old time glory
I'm talking 'bout the coming of the sunshine story
Set this poor soul free
Let it be
The lyrics to James Taylor's song "Let Me Ride" express a sense of restlessness and a desire for freedom. The opening line, "Hand me down my golden crown and let me ride," suggests that the singer is ready to hit the road and leave their current situation behind. There's a sense of urgency in the lyrics as the singer implores listeners not to deny the highway in their soul. They want to jump and sing, to feel that silver thing inside, and let the big wheel roll.
The lyrics speak to a desire for liberation from the constraints that hold us back in life. The singer wants to be set free, to break the bonds that hold their soul. The sunshine story represents a new beginning, a chance at a brighter future, and the singer wants to be a part of it. They've made up their mind that they can't stay where they are and are ready for whatever lies ahead. The final line, "So hand me down my highway shoes," reiterates the sense of readiness and determination that the singer feels.
Overall, the lyrics to "Let Me Ride" are about breaking free from the past and embracing the future with open arms. It's a song about taking risks and being willing to go wherever the road may lead.
Line by Line Meaning
Hand me down my golden crown and let me ride
Give me the power and freedom to pursue my dreams and desires.
Don't deny the highway in my soul
Don't restrict or hinder my natural inclination to explore new possibilities and opportunities.
Jump and sing that silver thing that I feel inside
Embrace and celebrate the joy and enthusiasm that I feel for life.
Hallelujah let that big wheel roll
Express gratitude for the momentum and progress that I am making in my journey.
It's time to give me just a little bit of old time glory
Acknowledge and honor the skills, experiences and accomplishments that I have attained over time.
I'm talking 'bout the coming of the sunshine story
I am anticipating a positive and promising future filled with light and warmth.
Set this poor soul free
Release me from any limitations or obstacles that are obstructing my path to happiness and fulfillment.
Let it be
Allow things to progress naturally and without unnecessary interference or influence.
Break these bonds that hold my soul and I'm on my way
Remove any emotional or psychological restraints that are preventing me from pursuing my goals and ambitions.
I can't help feeling there's no time to lose
I am deeply convinced that time is of the essence and I must act quickly to achieve my objectives.
I done made my mind up yesterday that I just can't stay
I have definitively decided to leave behind any constraints, doubts or fears that have been holding me back.
So hand me down my highway shoes
Provide me with the tools, resources and opportunities I need to move forward with my life's journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind