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.
Shiver Me Timbers
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leavin' all my friends
My body's at home
But my heart's in the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines
On a new front page sky
My tears are salt water
And the moon's full and high
And I know Martin Eden's
Gonna be proud of me
And many before me
Who've been called by the sea
To be up in the crow's nest
Singin' my say
Shiver me Timbers
'Cause I'm a-sailin' away
And the fog's liftin'
And the sand's shiftin'
I'm driftin' on out
Ol' Captain Ahab
He ain't got nothin' on me, now.
So swallow me, don't follow me
I'm trav'lin' alone
Blue water's my daughter
'n I'm gonna skip like a stone
So please call my missus
Gotta tell her not to cry
'Cause my goodbye is written
By the moon in the sky
Hey and nobody knows me
I can't fathom my stayin'
Shiver me timbers
'Cause I'm a-sailin' away
And the fog's liftin'
And the sand's shiftin'
I'm driftin' on out
Ol' Captain Ahab
He ain't got nothin' on me
So come and swallow me, follow me
I'm trav'lin' alone
Blue water's my daughter
'n I'm gonna skip like a stone
And I'm leavin' my family
Leavin' all my friends
My body's at home
But my heart's in the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines
Upon a new front page sky
And shiver me timbers
'Cause I'm a-sailin' away
The lyrics to James Taylor's song "Shiver Me Timbers" convey the feeling of leaving loved ones behind and heading out into the unknown, setting sail into the vast open waters. The singer suggests that he is leaving his family and friends behind, and although his physical body may remain at home, his heart is out there with the wind. The clouds serve as a metaphor for the unpredictability of the future, while also creating a sense of adventure and excitement. The tears the singer sheds are made of saltwater, which is symbolic, as it represents the sea and could be interpreted as the singer being subconsciously drawn toward the ocean.
Through the song, the singer acknowledges the many sailors that have gone before him, feeling a sense of pride in joining their ranks. He is choosing a life that is full of uncertainty and danger, but at the same time, filled with wonder and beauty. The singer is not afraid of the challenges he may face on this journey, as he feels he is braver than even Captain Ahab. The singer acknowledges that he must leave behind his loved ones but hopes they understand the depth of his yearning to be at sea. He is confident in his decision as he sings the chorus, "Shiver me timbers 'cause I'm a-sailin' away."
Overall, the lyrics of "Shiver Me Timbers" highlight the idea of following one's dreams, even if it means leaving loved ones behind, and embracing the journey that comes along with it. It's about the anticipation and excitement of the future, the unknown, and the open waters that lie ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm leavin' my fam'ly
I am departing from my family
Leavin' all my friends
I am leaving behind all of my friends as well
My body's at home
My physical body remains at home
But my heart's in the wind
My heart is wandering free like wind
Where the clouds are like headlines
Where the clouds are captivating and prominent
On a new front page sky
The sky seems like a new beginning
My tears are salt water
The tears I shed are just like salt water
And the moon's full and high
The moon is shining bright in the sky
And I know Martin Eden's
I am confident that Martin Eden will be proud of me
Gonna be proud of me
He will appreciate me for my choices
And many before me
Many like me have made the same choice before
Who've been called by the sea
Those who have been summoned by the sea
To be up in the crow's nest
To be high up in the ship's nest
Singin' my say
Singing my story
Shiver me Timbers
Exclamatory phrase used to express surprise or excitement
'Cause I'm a-sailin' away
Because I am embarking on a journey
And the fog's liftin'
The fog is clearing up
And the sand's shiftin'
The sand is moving due to the wind
I'm driftin' on out
I am being carried away by the wind and sea
Ol' Captain Ahab
Reference to the novel 'Moby-Dick'
He ain't got nothin' on me, now.
I am as brave as Captain Ahab
So swallow me, don't follow me
Don't come after me, let me go
I'm trav'lin' alone
I am traveling all by myself
Blue water's my daughter
The sea is like my daughter to me
'n I'm gonna skip like a stone
I will skip and jump like a stone on the water
So please call my missus
Please call my wife
Gotta tell her not to cry
Tell her to not shed tears when I am gone
'Cause my goodbye is written
My farewell is traceable
By the moon in the sky
The moon's position indicates my departure
Hey and nobody knows me
Nobody really understands me
I can't fathom my stayin'
I can't imagine staying in one place
Shiver me timbers
Exclamatory phrase used to express surprise or excitement
'Cause I'm a-sailin' away
Because I am setting sail
And the fog's liftin'
The fog is starting to disappear
And the sand's shiftin'
The sand is moving and creating new landscape
I'm driftin' on out
I am moving away from shore
Ol' Captain Ahab
A reference to the book 'Moby-Dick'
He ain't got nothin' on me
I am as brave as Captain Ahab was
So come and swallow me, follow me
Come if you want or leave if you don't but don't hold me back
I'm trav'lin' alone
I am solo in my journey
Blue water's my daughter
The sea is like my child to me
And I'm gonna skip like a stone
And I will move joyfully like a stone skimming on water
And I'm leavin' my family
I am saying goodbye to my loved ones
Leavin' all my friends
Leaving all my friends behind
My body's at home
My physical form stays back at home
But my heart's in the wind
My soul is free and unbound like the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines
The sky above seems like an open book full of mysteries
Upon a new front page sky
A new chapter in life begins as I look up at the sky
And shiver me timbers
Expression of excitement or surprise
'Cause I'm a-sailin' away
Because I am departing on a ship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: TOM WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind