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.
One Man Parade
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think I might tap my feet.
Put together a one-man band,
Take a walk on down the street.
Have a one-man parade, nobody needs to know.
Cause I'm right good of holding on to secrets
And don't believe they show.
To be walking at my right hand.
Taking a breeze just as free as you please,
Maybe checking out occasional garbage cans.
Talking bout a one dog, y'all,
Nobody's friend but mine.
Hey now, you can say he's looking kind of funky, But I do believe he suits me just fine.
We were on the road again,
I was wondering what to do,
But Honalei, it was pouring down rain,
Baby she had the low down blues.
Hey now, I was looking for my walking cane
Trying on my highway shoes.
Thinking 'bout a one man parade, y'all,
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, hey.
I'm right good at holding on,
Holding on, holding on.
Honalei, it's raining.
Honalei, sure nough, it's raining, listen here.
Honalei, it's raining,
Honalei, it's raining muddy waters.
Thinking 'bout a one man parade, y'all,
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, hey.
I'm right good at holding on,
Holding on, holding on.
La la la la la...
The lyrics to James Taylor's "One Man Parade" express his desire to be independent and free-spirited. He proclaims that he doesn't need anyone else to accompany him on his journey and that he can create his own music and rhythm as a one-man band. He wants to show off his uniqueness and creativity in his own parade without anyone knowing about it. He also wishes to have a dog by his side, who he thinks would be a great companion, no matter how his appearance might look like.
The line "We were on the road again, I was wondering what to do" depicts his confusion and the uncertainty he feels in life. The restlessness he feels also shows through the line "Honalei, it was pouring down rain, Baby she had the low down blues," indicating a downcast mood. Despite this, he remains focused on his goal of living life on his own terms, as he proudly proclaims that he is right good at holding on to his secrets, and believes that they don't reveal themselves easily.
Overall, James Taylor's "One Man Parade" is a song that expresses an individual's desire to be themselves, lead their own lives, and prioritize their own happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Do believe I'm gonna clap my hands,
I'm feeling happy and may show it by clapping my hands.
Think I might tap my feet.
I'm feeling happy and may show it by tapping my feet.
Put together a one-man band,
I may create music alone with various instruments.
Take a walk on down the street.
I may go for a walk outside.
Have a one-man parade, nobody needs to know.
I may march alone without anyone else and keep it a secret.
Cause I'm right good of holding on to secrets
I'm good at keeping secrets to myself.
And don't believe they show.
I don't think others can tell I'm keeping secrets.
All I want is a little dog
I want a small pet dog.
To be walking at my right hand.
I want the dog to walk next to me on my right.
Taking a breeze just as free as you please,
I want to enjoy the fresh air without any restrictions.
Maybe checking out occasional garbage cans.
The dog may be interested in sniffing around trash cans.
Talking bout a one dog, y'all,
I'm referring to having only one dog.
Nobody's friend but mine.
No one else may like the dog, but I do.
Hey now, you can say he's looking kind of funky, But I do believe he suits me just fine.
Others may think the dog looks strange, but I think the dog is perfect for me.
We were on the road again,
I was traveling once more.
I was wondering what to do,
I was trying to figure out what action to take next.
But Honalei, it was pouring down rain,
It was raining heavily in Honalei.
Baby she had the low down blues.
My companion was feeling sad.
Hey now, I was looking for my walking cane
I needed my walking stick.
Trying on my highway shoes.
Putting on my comfortable shoes for walking.
Thinking 'bout a one man parade, y'all,
I was considering marching alone in a parade.
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, hey.
I would be doing it without anyone else's company.
I'm right good at holding on,
I am good at enduring difficult situations.
Holding on, holding on.
Enduring and persevering.
Honalei, it's raining.
It's still raining heavily in Honalei.
Honalei, sure nough, it's raining, listen here.
It's definitely raining hard in Honalei, and I want you to hear it.
Honalei, it's raining,
It's still raining heavily in Honalei.
Honalei, it's raining muddy waters.
It's raining so hard that the water is becoming muddy.
La la la la la...
A nonsensical vocalization.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Roberto-pd8vn
Probably I will repeat myself, but yours is the most beautiful male voice ever that has been the soundtrack to the last fifty years of our lives. Thanks James with all my heart. ❤
@cassiebluriverlover4547
I love that you said it was the soundtrack of the last fifty years. I must admit it is for me also. James Taylor, Stevie Wonder and Sting have been there for me through good times and bad times. Aren't we lucky to have these great singers apart of our lives??? Yes we are!!! 🌹 Be blessed always, Cassondra 🌹
@Roberto-pd8vn
@@cassiebluriverlover4547 Yes I agree. We have been very lucky to have experienced what has been the best musical period in the last hundred years. Other great artists can also be defined as "soundtrack" of recent years, but I believe that James's voice is really something unique and inimitable. Hi Cassie!
@elisabettabubola4927
I agree❤️ he s the one who comfort me every time I need it . His voice is unique . ❤️❤️❤️
@Roberto-pd8vn
@@elisabettabubola4927 Oh yes, I agree perfectly !! His voice can be defined as therapeutic.
@jimnielsen1265
I've seen James 6 times in concert starting in 1977 when I was 20 years old and into the 2000's. No matter the venue size its as if he is playing just for me in my living room. He has that amazing ability like no other artist to make you feel he was playing just for me, so warm and unprententious
@elisabettabubola4927
Jim , you said it just right !👍😊. He makes you feel as if he was there for you ❤️
@missourimule2977
@@elisabettabubola4927 agree hole heartedly. He somehow has the ability to make everyone in the crowd to feel not only that he is singing the song for them, but is directly looking into your face at the same time. It's the oddest thing to experience. Best concert of my life, was James playing at a lousy state fair, under the worst conditions, with a bunch of hillbillies, and he gave us a performance that was fit for Kings and Queens!! The whole crowd was lifted to some palatable state that was pure joy! Everyone had fallen in love with him, and he was giving it right back at us in spades. One of the best nights of my long life. Nobody does it better....makes you feel sad for the rest! 😉
@cassiebluriverlover4547
I love you James Taylor! Your voice is so pure and clear as fresh beautiful tasting water. I have seen you many times. My first concert of you was was here in Michigan and yes sir (RIP Laura Branigan was in your show. ) It was so wondrous !!! Your the best in my book. I have written before about how I was an abused kid. I remember I could no longer take the horrible beatings and then a song came on... It was YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND!!! 🌹 IT SAVED MY LIFE!!! 🌹 I had already planned how I would end things. Going fast forward.. now I have lived a long life and been a Loving Mental health tech.. to many Psych Patients. Guess what? After I would give a group.. I would sing that song to them. I would turn down all the lights and have them close there eyes. My we would all be crying. I love that song so much. Thank you for your beautiful music and voice. Love to you and yours.. Sincerely, Cassondra 🌹
@elisabettabubola4927
Very nice story . Thank you Cassie ❤️