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.
So Far Away
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But things are not the same it seems as in such tender dreams
Slowly passing sailing ships and Sunday afternoon
Like people on the moon I see are things not meant to be
Where do those golden rainbows end?
Why is this song so sad?
Dreaming the dreams I've dreamed my friend
To love is just a word I've heard when things are being said
Stories my poor head has told me cannot stand the cold
And in between what might have been and what has come to pass
A misbegotten guess alas and bits of broken glass
Where do your golden rainbows end?
Why is this song I sing so sad?
Dreaming the dreams I dream my friend
Loving the love I love to love to love to love
Oh no, no, no, no
The lyrics to James Taylor's "Long Ago and Far Away" have a wistful and nostalgic tone, as he reflects on dreams and memories from the past. In the first verse, he describes a young man playing a waiting game, but realizing that the world is not as he had dreamed it would be. He watches sailing ships pass by like they are on the moon, highlighting the distance between his dreams and reality.
In the chorus, Taylor questions the nature of golden rainbows and why the song he is singing is so sad. He acknowledges that love is often just a word thrown around without much meaning, and that the stories he has told himself may not hold up under scrutiny. He then laments the difference between what could have been and what actually happened, comparing it to a misbegotten guess and bits of broken glass.
Line by Line Meaning
Long ago a young man sits and plays his waiting game
In the past, a man sat and waited for something to happen, but it seemed that his dreams didn't match reality.
But things are not the same it seems as in such tender dreams
The man realizes that reality is different from his dreams.
Slowly passing sailing ships and Sunday afternoon
The man notices the passing of time and everyday events.
Like people on the moon I see are things not meant to be
The man realizes that some things may never be possible or achievable.
Where do those golden rainbows end?
The man questions the limits or endpoint of hope or optimism.
Why is this song so sad?
The man wonders why this song has a sad tone or mood.
Dreaming the dreams I've dreamed my friend
The man longs for the dreams he's had in the past.
Loving the love I love
The man cherishes the love he has.
To love is just a word I've heard when things are being said
The man realizes that the idea of love is often used in speech but may not always hold true in practice.
Stories my poor head has told me cannot stand the cold
The man acknowledges that the stories he's created in his mind may not be able to withstand the challenges of reality.
And in between what might have been and what has come to pass
The man reflects on what could have been versus what has actually happened.
A misbegotten guess alas and bits of broken glass
The man feels regret and sorrow over past choices and the resulting consequences.
Oh no, no, no, no
An expression of disappointment or frustration.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockjen20
James Taylor was only 22 years old here. Crazy how time flies. Carole's voice, just amazing.
Sandra Paul
He reminds me of a young Dan Fogelberg, similar age & same era but Dan was only just starting in the music business in 1971.
King of the Juice
Her voice is lovely, but--in my humble opinion--that's not really what makes her so excellent (many others surpass her in sheer vocal ability). It's the songwriting and the emotion.
Nellie Gonzales
This was my youth
Donnie Moder
Mr. Larkey's bass was a large contribution to the performance also.
Bart Aerts
And already such a great influence. If you're recognized by Carole you have to be good.
James Geis
I don't think we'll ever have music like this again. The 70s were amazing.
francis garganera
Yup. It is.
Ottee2
You ain't just a kiddin'.
some talk about being human
I'm 19 and Carole's songs speak to me in ways that I'm sure will only grow as I get older. What a legend.