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.
Only for Me
James Taylor Lyrics
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Out of sight of the light in the window.
His mind in his whiskey
And his body in a folding chair,
Far beyond repair.
I enter his vision,
He watches me look for my seat.
He makes his decision
Lord, it's a long way down.
It happened to me, wonderful sight.
Only for me, only for you.
It happened to be a light shining through
From one who was lost and found
Just like me and you.
Old man says, "Young man,
My you're looking pretty green,
Like a stranger to this kind of place.
Come sit at my table,
Come and look into my face,
I've got a story to tell.
There was a father and son,
But that was a long time ago.
And when the time came to run,
I just couldn't say no
So I left them behind."
It happened to me, wonderful sight.
Only for me, only for you.
It happened to be a light shining through
From one who was lost and found
Just like me and you.
We have seen it before
In times of great sorrow
That human compassion
Will flow from a well
That has long run dry.
It happened to me, wonderful sight.
Only for me, only for you.
It happened to be a light shining through
From one who was lost and found
Just like me and you.
The song "Only for Me" by James Taylor is a beautiful composition that describes a scene in a barroom where an old man is sitting alone with his mind lost in whiskey and his body in a folding chair. The old man's life is beyond repair and he is far gone. As the singer enters the bar searching for his seat, the old man watches him until he finally stands up and approaches him. The old man invites the young singer to sit at his table and tells him a story about a father and son who he left behind a long time ago. The old man has a message of hope, that even in times of great sorrow or in the depths of despair, human compassion can flow from a well that has long run dry.
The song is a beautiful ode to human resilience and the power of empathy to heal wounds. It's a reminder that we all have a story to tell and that we all need someone to listen to us, to empathize with us, to share our burdens. The lyrics show how we're all connected and that we're all searching for meaning and purpose in our lives. The old man, in his wisdom and vulnerability, reminds us that no matter how far gone we may feel, there is always hope for redemption.
Overall, "Only for Me" is a beautifully written and performed song that touches the heart and soul of listeners. The lyrics are full of depth and meaning, and they inspire us to be more compassionate, more understanding, and more patient with each other. The song is a testament to James Taylor's artistry and his ability to connect with his audience in a meaningful way.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the end of this barroom,
At the far end of this barroom
Out of sight of the light in the window.
Can't be seen from outside through the window.
His mind in his whiskey
He's lost in thoughts, fueled by alcohol.
And his body in a folding chair,
He's physically present in a chair that can be folded.
Far beyond repair.
Completely damaged and broken.
I enter his vision,
I come into his view.
He watches me look for my seat.
He observes me searching for my place to sit.
He makes his decision
He decides to take action.
And he stands to his feet,
He rises from his chair.
Lord, it's a long way down.
It's a difficult journey to uplift oneself mentally and emotionally.
It happened to me, wonderful sight.
I personally witnessed a beautiful event.
Only for me, only for you.
This event was unique to me and to you.
It happened to be a light shining through
This event was like a ray of hope.
From one who was lost and found
This event was from someone who was once lost but now has been found.
Just like me and you.
It's an experience that anyone can go through.
Old man says, 'Young man,
An elderly gentleman tells a younger man,
My you're looking pretty green,
Wow, you look unexperienced and naive!
Like a stranger to this kind of place.
You don't seem to belong here.
Come sit at my table,
Join me at my table.
Come and look into my face,
Look at me and hear my story.
I've got a story to tell.
I have a tale to share.
There was a father and son,
Once upon a time there was a relationship between a father and son.
But that was a long time ago.
That relationship is gone now and is in the past.
And when the time came to run,
When they needed to escape,
I just couldn't say no
He wasn't able to say 'no' to leaving them behind.
So I left them behind.'
And thus he abandoned them and left them behind.
We have seen it before
This is not a unique event.
In times of great sorrow
During times that bring great sadness.
That human compassion
Each human's ability to empathize and care for others.
Will flow from a well
This ability will come from deep within.
That has long run dry.
Even if it has been dormant, it can still be triggered and reawakened.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind