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.
Montana
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little bit slow for the pace of the dream
It's not I'm ungrateful for all I've been given
But nevertheless, just the same
I wish to my soul, I was back in Montana
High on my mountain and deep in the snow
Up in my cabin, over the valley
Over the ocean from here
Over the mountains from there
Who can imagine the scale of the forces
That pushed this old mountain range up in the sky
Tectonic creation, erosion, mutation
Somethin' to pleasure God's eye
The world is a wonder of lightnin' and thunder
And green of the ground as we fall from the sky
The old and new faces, the tribes and the races
Thousands of places to try
Over the ocean from here
Over the mountains from there
One sits and waits while the other one wanders
And squanders his time with a life on the road
Down from the mountain, across the wide ocean
The world is in motion and cannot be slowed
Enough for today the demands of the moment
The thing on my mind is the work in my hand
Wood for the woodstove and water for coffee
Somethin' I can still understand
We got a few friends but not many neighbors
The trip into town takes us most of the day
And after, hello, and it's sure good to see you
It seems like there's nothin' to say
Over the ocean from here
In the song "Montana" by James Taylor, he sings about feeling overwhelmed and out of place in his current life. He admits to not being smart enough or quick enough for the pace of the dream. He isn't ungrateful for what he has been given, but he longs for a simpler life in Montana. The mountains and snow bring him peace, and being able to spend time with someone he cares about under the blankets in his cabin is what he desires.
Taylor then muses about the incredible forces that created the mountain range he loves so much. He refers to tectonic creation, erosion, and mutation, and notes how these natural wonders must please God's eye. He also acknowledges the beauty of the world, from the lightning and thunder to the assortment of faces, tribes, and races.
Despite the allure of Montana, Taylor admits that he can't spend all his time there. He notes how one person in life may wander while the other waits for stability. He also mentions the tedious but necessary tasks, such as chopping wood and making coffee. He ends the song by saying that he doesn't have many neighbors, and there is rarely much to say after returning from a long trip into town.
Overall, James Taylor's "Montana" reflects on the desire to slow down and simplify one's life. He acknowledges the beauty of natural wonders and the diversity of people in the world but yearns for a life without the hustle and bustle of modern society.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not smart enough for this life I've been livin'
I don't feel quite equipped to handle the complexities of the life I lead
A little bit slow for the pace of the dream
I often feel behind the rapid speed of my aspirations
It's not I'm ungrateful for all I've been given
I understand that I am blessed, and I appreciate that fact
But nevertheless, just the same
Regardless, I still find myself longing for something different
I wish to my soul, I was back in Montana
There is a part of me that yearns to return to a simpler time and place in my past
High on my mountain and deep in the snow
In particular, I long for the snowy peaks of Montana's mountains
Up in my cabin, over the valley
I miss the solitude and serenity of my cabin, which overlooked a beautiful valley
Under the blankets with you
Most of all, I miss being with my loved one in that cozy cabin
Over the ocean from here
Where I currently am, I am far removed from Montana and all that it represents to me
Over the mountains from there
Even if I were able to travel there, the journey would be long and difficult
Who can imagine the scale of the forces
It's awe-inspiring to think about the powerful natural processes that created Montana's mountain range
That pushed this old mountain range up in the sky
These forces have literally lifted the mountains up to great heights
Tectonic creation, erosion, mutation
It's a complex combination of various forces that have created the mountain range and shaped it over time
Somethin' to pleasure God's eye
It's so magnificent and awe-inspiring that it may even please the divine being who created it all
The world is a wonder of lightnin' and thunder
Montana is just one example of the world's incredible natural phenomena, such as thunderstorms
And green of the ground as we fall from the sky
There is so much beauty and diversity on this planet that we can only truly appreciate it when we look down upon it from above
The old and new faces, the tribes and the races
People from all walks of life and backgrounds reside on this planet, each with a unique history and culture
Thousands of places to try
There are countless fascinating and beautiful locations to explore and experience around the world
One sits and waits while the other one wanders
Some people are content to stay in one place and wait for life to happen to them, while others are more adventurous and choose to seek out new experiences
And squanders his time with a life on the road
However, those who wander can sometimes be seen as wasting their time or missing out on what they could have if they settled down
Down from the mountain, across the wide ocean
I myself have chosen to leave Montana and explore other parts of the world
The world is in motion and cannot be slowed
But no matter how much I might long for the past or a simpler way of life, the world moves forward and nothing can stop it
Enough for today the demands of the moment
Despite everything, I recognize that I have responsibilities and obligations that prevent me from dwelling too much on what I've lost
The thing on my mind is the work in my hand
I have work to do, and that's what's most important right now
Wood for the woodstove and water for coffee
These everyday tasks are simple and straightforward, yet still require my time and attention
Somethin' I can still understand
Even if I can't quite grasp everything that's going on in my life, at least these tasks are familiar and within my comfort zone
We got a few friends but not many neighbors
In my current situation, I don't have a lot of people nearby whom I can rely on
The trip into town takes us most of the day
It requires significant time and effort for me to connect with others or run necessary errands
And after, hello, and it's sure good to see you
Despite the distance and time between us, it still feels good to catch up with loved ones
It seems like there's nothin' to say
However, given how long it's been since we last spoke, there's not always a lot to talk about
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean-Marie CROS
@Val Identity
"1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.*n1
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.*n2
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.*n3*n4
11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.*n5
12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.*n6
13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.*n7
16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.*n8
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.*n9
27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.*n10
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord."
Like you said, psalm 104 is one of the most beautiful!
roland deglain
Thank you James for all the precious goodies you keep on sharing. They have been brightening and continue to brighten our lives.
Tatanka
I have been a fan of James Taylor ever since I was a young college student in the very early 70s when I heard him sing Fire and Rain. I never grow tired of hearing his voice.
Theodore Fletcher
Same here great song and when he sang with others of our time in the 70s it was more then memorable
Howard Pettigrew
Same here too! I worked at a friendʻs fatherʻs music shop while at High School and while he gave me a wee discount, he was probably quite pleased when I bought Sweet Baby James (and Bridge Over Troubled Waters) with my wages! - still got them both... then the next year I bought Mud Slide Slim... Fantastic to meet the great man and have my photo taken with him after the 2010 Troubadour Concert in our home town of Christchurch, New Zealand in 2010. Happy New Year James and your crew from a devoted New Zealand fan!
Cindy
Wonderful winter music! Thank you, James! ❤
mysteriousnotsoseriousdeb
Love this song. Thanks, James.
Adam Szew
My favorite James Taylor song. What a beautiful mood and set of lyrics accompanied by his classic guitar style.
Jim Pond Music
I never tire hearing that guitar and voice. Thanks JT.
m g
All I can say is that your music and your lyrics speaks directly to my heart
Patricia Dougherty
Love this song -first time I have heard. Been to Hershey a lot.