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.
Money Machine
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, so simple.
And the ways of the great world
Seemed strange and funny.
Then when I was a young man,
I learned of that machine
That turns out all those bails of precious money.
Oh, that money machine.
Now you can measure you manhood by it.
You can get your children to try it.
You can bring your enemies to their knees
With the possible exception of the North Vietnamese.
It takes a strong hit from the money machine, sitting on top, on top of the world.
Strong hit from the money machine,
Sitting on top, on top of the world.
Oh, General Motors and IBM.
AFL-CIO and all the king's men.
When I began the game,
See me singing about the fire and rain.
Let me just say it again,
I've seen fives and I've seen tens.
It was a strong hit from the money machine, Sitting on top, on top of the world.
Strong hit from the money machine,
Sitting on top, on top of the world.
Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, ha ha ha.
Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money.
Give me that dough, give me that dough, give me that dough, give me that dough.
Been living in the lap of luxury too long.
Please, Mr. DJ, won't you play my song.
Maybe my baby will listen on the radio.
Come back home to me, help me spend my dough.
I need a strong hit from the money machine. Sitting on top, on top of the goddamn world.
Strong hit, babe, from the money machine, woo, sitting on top, on top of the world.
Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money.
Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money.
From that money machine.
In James Taylor's song Money Machine, the lyrics depict a journey from a time of innocence to a realization of the importance of money in the world. When the artist was a child, the concept of money was foreign and unimportant. However, as he grew older, he learned about the machine that churned out money, and how it was able to have a powerful impact on the lives of people and society as a whole. The song repeatedly emphasizes that money is what makes the world go round, and that it is a symbol of success and power.
The artist uses sarcasm to point out the ridiculousness of measuring one's manhood by the amount of money he has, and how money can be used to manipulate those around you. The song also highlights the power of wealth and how it provides many benefits that ultimately lead to a luxurious lifestyle. The artist's desire for money is made explicit in the chorus, as he voices his longing to experience the power of the money machine and to be able to sit atop the world.
Overall, James Taylor's song Money Machine is a commentary on the significance of money in society and how powerful it can be. The lyrics express the artist's desire for wealth and the consequences of becoming too consumed by the pursuit of money.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a child, my life was,
Oh, so simple.
As a child, my life was uncomplicated and easy to understand.
And the ways of the great world
Seemed strange and funny.
I found the actions of the world to be peculiar and amusing.
Then when I was a young man,
I learned of that machine
That turns out all those bails of precious money.
As a young adult, I discovered the machine that produces vast amounts of valuable currency.
Now you can measure you manhood by it.
You can get your children to try it.
You can bring your enemies to their knees
With the possible exception of the North Vietnamese.
People use money as a way to prove their masculinity and influence others. However, those fighting the North Vietnamese may not be swayed by money.
It takes a strong hit from the money machine, sitting on top, on top of the world.
Strong hit from the money machine,
Sitting on top, on top of the world.
Having a large sum of money can make one feel powerful and superior to others.
Oh, General Motors and IBM.
AFL-CIO and all the king's men.
When I began the game,
See me singing about the fire and rain.
Let me just say it again,
I've seen fives and I've seen tens.
I've observed the success of major corporations and organizations and how they are intertwined with money. I reference my own song 'Fire and Rain' as a reminder of my musical career. I've experienced both moderate and significant financial gains.
It was a strong hit from the money machine, Sitting on top, on top of the world.
Strong hit from the money machine,
Sitting on top, on top of the world.
I continue to emphasize the power and importance of wealth.
Give me that dough, give me that dough, give me that dough, give me that dough.
I want and need money.
Been living in the lap of luxury too long.
Please, Mr. DJ, won't you play my song.
Maybe my baby will listen on the radio.
Come back home to me, help me spend my dough.
I've been enjoying the lavish lifestyle for too long and request that my music be played so my loved one may hear it. I want my partner to return home to me so I can spend my money on them.
I need a strong hit from the money machine. Sitting on top, on top of the goddamn world.
Strong hit, babe, from the money machine, woo, sitting on top, on top of the world.
I again state my desire for an abundance of money so I can feel powerful and command respect from others.
Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money.
Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money.
From that money machine.
I repeat the word 'money' multiple times to emphasize the significance of it. I attribute this wealth to the 'money machine.'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bunny DeBarge
I love this whole album!!
artboy789
Agreed. The whole album is great.
gateswf
the musicianship is incredible
gateswf
me2
Jack V224
The funky side of James Taylor
Scott Leung
This is really cool - I know JT is a very versatile musician, but I had no idea he had disco genes in him! In fact, I'll go so far as to say that I can picture the people on Soul Train grooving to this.
Phyllis Petras
I remember the very day in the 70s when I first heard this in Memphis!!!!We played it over and over! Rod brought the CD to folk dancing!!!
Steve West
One of Mr. Taylor's greatest
Squirrel Attackspidy
One of his best songs and I can't find a live version anywhere on YouTube.
Daniel Cronan
To me, this MIGHT just be the funkiest song he ever recorded!!!!