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.
Mexico
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel a fool running your stateside games
Lose your load, leave your mind behind Baby James
Oh, Mexico
It sounds so simple, I just got to go
The sun's so hot I forgot to go home
Guess I'll have to go now
Americano got the sleepy eye
But his body's still shaking like a live wire
Sleepy señorita with the eyes on fire
Oh, Mexico
It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
The moon's so bright like to light up the night
Make everything all right
Baby's hungry and the money's all gone
The folks back home don't want to talk on the phone
She gets a long letter, sends back a postcard
Times are hard
Oh, down in Mexico
I've never really been so I don't really know
Oh, Mexico
I guess I'll have to go
Oh, Mexico
I've never really been but I'd sure like to go
Oh, Mexico
I guess I'll have to go now
Talking 'bout in Mexico (Mexico)
In a honky tonk down in Mexico
Oh, Mexico
Mexico, Mexico
Oh, Mexico
Mexico, Mexico
Oh, Mexico
Mexico, Mexico
The song "Mexico" by James Taylor is about a person who is tired of their current life and needs a break from it all. The lyrics suggest that the person needs a reason to move and feels foolish for playing games in their home state. They want to leave their problems behind and escape to Mexico where life is simple and carefree. The sun is so hot that the person forgets to go home, so they have to leave now. The song describes the Americano, who looks tired but his body is still full of energy, and the señorita, who looks sleepy but has fiery eyes. The sun sinking low and the bright moonlight make everything feel right.
The last verse of the song describes a woman who is hungry and broke, and her family back home doesn't want to talk to her anymore. She receives a long letter, but all she can afford to send back is a postcard. The times are hard, and she needs to escape to Mexico to start a new life. The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the desire to go to Mexico and escape from the problems of life.
Overall, the song is about the desire to escape and find simplicity in life. James Taylor's use of imagery and descriptive language paints a vivid picture of Mexico and its carefree lifestyle, which attracts many people in search of a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down here you need a reason to move
In this part of the world, you can't just pack your bags and leave without good reason
Feel a fool running your stateside games
Playing your same old games back home makes you feel foolish
Lose your load, leave your mind behind Baby Jane
Relax and forget your problems, Baby Jane
Oh, Mexico
The beauty and simplicity of Mexico!
It sounds so simple, I just got to go
Mexico's charm is so irresistible, I can't help but want to visit
The sun's so hot I forgot to go home
The hot weather makes me forget my worries back home
Guess I'll have to go now
I can't resist the pull of Mexico anymore
Americano got the sleepy eye
The American tourist is exhausted
But his body's still shaking like a live wire
His excitement and energy are too much to be contained
Sleepy señorita with the eyes on fire
The tired lady has a burning passion in her eyes
It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
Mexico sounds delightful at sunset
The moon's so bright like to light up the night
The bright moon illuminates the night in Mexico
Make everything all right
Everything will be fine in Mexico
Baby's hungry and the money's all gone
The child is hungry and all the money is spent
The folks back home don't want to talk on the phone
The people back home are too busy or too preoccupied to chat
She gets a long letter, sends back a postcard
She receives a lengthy letter, and replies with a brief postcard
Times are hard
It's tough times for everyone
I've never really been so I don't really know
I have no first-hand experience of Mexico
I've never really been but I'd sure like to go
Although I've never visited, I'd love to see Mexico for myself
Talking 'bout in Mexico (Mexico)
Let's talk about Mexico!
In a honky tonk down in Mexico
In a lively and fun-filled venue in Mexico
Mexico, Mexico
The alluring charm of Mexico!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnsonalzona1133
"Mexico"
Way down here, you need a reason to move. Feel a fool running your stateside games
Lose your load, leave your mind behind, Baby James
Woh, Mexico, it sounds so simple, I just got to go
The sun's so hot I forgot to go home, guess I'll have to go now
"Americano" got the sleepy eye but his body's still shaking like a live wire
Sleepy senorita with the eyes on fire
Woh, Mexico. It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
Moon's so bright, like to light up the night, make everything all right
Baby's hungry and the money's all gone
The folks back home don't want to talk on the phone
She gets a long letter, sends back a postcard, times are hard
Woh, down in Mexico, I never really been so I don't really know
Woh, Mexico, I guess I'll have to go
Woh, Mexico, I never really been but I'd sure like to go
And oh, Mexico, I guess I'll have to go now
Talking bout Mexico. Big ol' honkey-tonk down in Mexico
@shelleythompson1478
In 70’s was in college. My friends and I would sneak down to Mexico on weekends. We did this several times. Drank tequila, absinthe and smoked a lot of weed, don’t remember a lot but know we laughed and danced, always was late getting back to school on a Tuesday or Wednesday. I treasure those days. I am 68 and still a hippie.
@benicioenzo7663
I guess im randomly asking but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid forgot my login password. I appreciate any help you can offer me!
@caretakerfoch6103
@Benicio Enzo Hey, why don't you get a life. I've seen your question verbatim on a number of posts. People have replied with the answer. Dude you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Spamking.
@JA-oo9qp
Ok, Boomer
@ericschaffer3400
I'm going to open the world's largest water park on the edge of the Sonoran desert. Chances are a casino.
@shamrock32
University of Arizona?
@gordongunn8937
This is extremely clever song writing. With its use of syncopation and key change into the chorus. Everything fits perfectly.
@debh6304
Great comment
@music4man2
Has a great beat!
@finzfan47
It’s so damn good