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.
Line 'Em Up
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the final scene at the White House door
And the staff lined up to say good-bye
Tiny tear in his shifty little eye
He said nobody knows me
Nobody understands
These little people were good to me
Oh I'm gonna shake some hands
CHORUS:
Somebody line 'em up
Line 'em all up
Line 'em up
Line 'em all up
Line 'em up
Line 'em all up
Line 'em up
Line 'em all up
At that time my heart was all broke
I looked like ashes and smelled like smoke
And I turned away from my loving kind
Try to leave my body and live in my mind
But it's much too much emotion
To hold it in your hand
They've got waves out on the ocean
They're gonna wear away the land
- Chorus -
Oh I've seen corn in Kansas
And I've seen picket fences
And certain cowboy dances
I've gone lining up for shows
I've been safely placed in rows
Sure I know how it goes
Another day goes by
Little time machine
I'm breaking my brain
Over what it might mean
Just to claim the time
And to turn away
To make today today
Who waits for you
Lonely tired old toad
It's your life laid out before you
Like the broken white line down the center of the doggone road
- Chorus -
Yeah, big moon landing
People all standing up
Smiles for the loved ones
They go walking on down the aisles
Each re-engages stepping into the sun
I watch them turn like pages
One by one by one
- Chorus -
The song "Line 'Em Up" by James Taylor explores the themes of nostalgia, reflection, and the passage of time. Taylor describes his memories of Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, and his own personal struggles with heartbreak and emotional turmoil. He contrasts these serious moments with more mundane ones, like seeing corn in Kansas or lining up for shows. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that life is a series of moments, both big and small, that we can either line up and face head-on, or turn away from and live solely in our minds.
The chorus repeats the phrase "line 'em up" over and over, driving home the idea of the importance of facing things directly and in order. The line "Who waits for you, lonely tired old toad" is particularly poignant, hinting at the idea that if we don't take control of our lives and face our problems head-on, we may end up alone and unsatisfied.
Overall, "Line 'Em Up" is a reflective song that encourages the listener to live in the moment and confront their problems, rather than hide from them.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember Richard Nixon back in '74
I reminisce Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
And the final scene at the White House door
The memorable incident when Nixon left the White House for the last time.
And the staff lined up to say good-bye
The administration members bidding farewell to Nixon.
Tiny tear in his shifty little eye
A small drop of tears welled up in Nixon’s sneaky-looking eyes.
He said nobody knows me
Nixon claims that no one understood him.
Nobody understands
According to Nixon, no one knew the real story behind his resignation.
These little people were good to me
The public showed kindness towards Nixon.
Oh I'm gonna shake some hands
Nixon plans to shake hands with his well-wishers.
Somebody line 'em up
James Taylor’s urge to people to line up.
Line 'em all up
Taylor commands the people to get organized.
At that time my heart was all broke
Taylor’s heart was shattered at that time.
I looked like ashes and smelled like smoke
Taylor appeared lifeless and had a bad smell.
And I turned away from my loving kind
Taylor neglected his beloved ones during his emotional breakdown.
Try to leave my body and live in my mind
Taylor tried leaving his physical body to control his emotions.
But it's much too much emotion
Taylor couldn't handle his intense feelings.
To hold it in your hand
The emotions were too strong to contain and control.
They've got waves out on the ocean
The waves on the ocean symbolize unpredictable situations beyond human control.
They're gonna wear away the land
Events like waves can slowly erode the stability and certainty of life.
Oh I've seen corn in Kansas
Taylor saw a cornfield in Kansas.
And I've seen picket fences
Also encountered picket fences.
And certain cowboy dances
Witnessed some cowboy-style dances.
I've gone lining up for shows
Taylor attended the shows waiting in line.
I've been safely placed in rows
He sat comfortably in his assigned seat.
Sure I know how it goes
Taylor knows how these organized events work.
Another day goes by
Passing of another day.
Little time machine
Life's small moments that, when recalled, become a method to time travel to those moments.
I'm breaking my brain
Struggling to remember every detail of those moments.
Over what it might mean
Ruminating over the significance of those moments.
Just to claim the time
To hold on to those past moments.
And to turn away
To detach oneself from the present and still hold onto the past moments.
To make today today
To live in the present and make the most out of it.
Who waits for you
Referring to the people or events that await you in the future.
Lonely tired old toad
The person waiting could be a tired, old figure who has no one left to rely on.
It's your life laid out before you
The future events in your life are already predetermined.
Like the broken white line down the center of the doggone road
The white broken line on the road symbolizes the journey of life that you cannot step out of or change the ultimate destination.
Yeah, big moon landing
Referring to the Moon landing.
People all standing up
The public stands up to witness history being made.
Smiles for the loved ones
The happiness and excitement of the onlookers and their dear ones.
They go walking on down the aisles
The people start walking back to their homes celebrating the event.
Each re-engages stepping into the sun
People start living their lives renewed.
I watch them turn like pages
Referring to life's fleeting moments that pass by quickly.
One by one by one
Indicates life's moments that become memories as they one-by-one pass us by.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sdgs5466
3:02 『Big moon!』
@kansaspeach7727
Voices clear as a bells. no screaming ! Effortless. Love it! Thank GOD for every moment to enjoy!🎤🎙🎸♩🎸🎼
@garylight1338
Another wonderful song by James Taylor. RIP Valerie Carter, guess Heaven needed her to come sing.
@mike42441
Valerie sure had a beautiful voice. I saw her several times at JT concerts. It’s so sad she's gone. At least we have the memories along with these videos and albums to keep her in our hearts.
@isaacpage6719
I've always admired Valerie Carter and Kate Markowitz. Heartbroken to know that Ms. Carter has passed. Rest in paradise...
@samsticka
Now David Lasley is gone.
@heywoodfloyd9
She's in Hell.
@garylight1338
Awesome percussionist. Best sounding snare drum ever. Full band and vocalist top shelf.
@jracerichards
No way . It's too live.
@MrDoot_
@@jracerichards Ok I think the best snare sound is on a song that was intentionally made to sound live but in a good way. Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band.