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.
Rock
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That rock 'n roll is music now.
Baby's been cutting his teeth on Bo Diddley's,
I'm a man, man,
Listen to the Wolfman howl.
See the white man sailing his ship up on the sea,
Watch the white man shackle the black man to a tree.
To the invader go the fruits of war,
He has not got no roots no more,
He comes for your gold,
Watch out for your soul.
Cause tennis shoes, and rhythm and blues
Are second generation
All across the nation, now,
And mama knows,
Papa too rock 'n roll is music,
Rock 'n roll is music, now.
To the invader go the fruits of war,
He misses home and his boots are sore.
He has not got no roots no more,
He comes for your gold,
Watch out for your soul.
Mama knows and papa knows
That rock 'n roll is music,
Rock 'n roll is music, now.
The lyrics in James Taylor's song "Rock & Roll Is Music Now" address the cultural shift occurring in the mid-20th century, as rock and roll music emerged as a powerful force that crossed racial boundaries and challenged traditional societal norms. Taylor begins by acknowledging that even parents and elders understand that rock and roll has taken over as the dominant form of contemporary music, and that babies are growing up listening to the likes of Bo Diddley and the Wolfman. The music is no longer viewed as just the domain of rebellious teenagers, but instead has broadened its appeal to a wider audience due to its infectious rhythms and catchy melodies.
Taylor then turns to a darker theme, describing the history of colonialism and slavery that led to the creation of rock and roll. He underscores the fact that contemporary pop music is built on the backs of generations of African Americans who were exploited and subjugated, and he urges his audience to be aware of the insidious ways in which cultural appropriation and exploitation continue to occur. By the end of the song, Taylor circles back to the idea that the power of rock and roll ultimately lies in its ability to bring people together and create a shared sense of joy and celebration, even in the face of deep-seated social injustices.
Overall, "Rock & Roll Is Music Now" is a thoughtful and nuanced reflection on the transformative power of music and its ability to both reflect and shape the cultural landscape around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama knows and papa knows
Parents are aware
That rock 'n roll is music now.
Rock music is popular
Baby's been cutting his teeth on Bo Diddley's,
The baby is growing up listening to Bo Diddley's music
I'm a man, man,
Referring to Bo Diddley's song 'I'm a Man'
Listen to the Wolfman howl.
Wolfman is a radio host often associated with rock music
See the white man sailing his ship up on the sea,
Reference to colonialism, the white man exploring the world
Watch the white man shackle the black man to a tree.
Reference to slavery, and the mistreatment of black people
To the invader go the fruits of war,
The conqueror gets the spoils of war
He misses home and his boots are sore.
The conqueror may feel homesick & weary
He has not got no roots no more,
The conqueror may feel disconnected from their own culture
He comes for your gold,
The conqueror wants to take resources, such as gold
Watch out for your soul.
Be careful to not lose your values and beliefs
Cause tennis shoes, and rhythm and blues
Reference to the popularity of rock and roll music
Are second generation
The popularity has continued with another generation
All across the nation, now,
Rock is popular throughout the country
And mama knows,
The parents are still aware and know about rock music
Papa too rock 'n roll is music,
The father also acknowledges rock music
Rock 'n roll is music, now.
Re-emphasizing that rock is popular music
Mama knows and papa knows
Reiteration of parent's awareness
That rock 'n roll is music,
Rock music is still popular
Rock 'n roll is music, now.
Repeating the chorus to emphasize rock's popularity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Santana
YOU'RE WELCOME....
00:00 FIRE AND RAIN
03:23 CAROLINA IN MY MIND
07:23 SHOWER THE PEOPLE
11:51 YOUR SMILING FACE
14:24 SHOWER THE PEOPLE
19:01 DON'T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT
21:56 HOW SWEET IT IS
26:46 HONEY DON'T LEAVE
29:52 SWEET BABY JAMES
32:39 HANDY MAN
35:58 COUNTRY ROAD @ WHISKEY BEFORE BREAKFAST
40:22 YOU CAN CLOSE YOUR EYES
42:30 STEAMROLLER
48:20 RANDY NEWMAN - CARS - OUR TOWN
50:32 MEXICO
53:17 BARTENDER'S BLUE
57:30 LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY
1:00:02 I WAS A FOOL TO CARE
1:03:16 MILLWORKER
1:07:26 SUNNY SKIES
1:09:46 RAINY DAY MAN
1:12:27 [ SONG NOT RECOGNIZABLE]
1:17:15 [SONG NOT RECOGNIZABLE]
1:20:43 VUNG LA ME BAY ( NOT JAMES TAYLOR'S SONG)
Carla Uhernick
I can not adequately express the admiration and appreciation I hold for James. His music is the soundtrack of my life while his melodic storytelling pulled me away from the brink many times. I can’t imagine my life without James. You are my Fire and Rain, James.
J Mac
I can't imagine a world without the magical music of James Taylor!
Teresa
Wouldn't want to either♥️
Marya Love
(: I Agree Too ... !!!!! ... 🎶☺
Rita Couch Cooper
I cannot either. He is one of the best.
Francis Mccarty
All the years of my trucking J James Taylor could play that music and I could go miles and miles in miles East good always has been and I appreciate him very much
Cheryl Nation
Uouu uugu
Beth B
His voice has been soothing me since high school in the early 70's. What an awesome man and a wonderful and talented family!!🎵🎸❣
Tony Williams
Hi Beth how are you doing I love this song
essjay Em
Me too. Finally got to see him. Close 3rd row. Seats. It was amazing. Years ago, however I did get the t-shirt. And if he didnt sing fire and rain I would have gone up on stage. Lol