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.
Stand
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The hunger and the hurt got only one law.
Never mind your words, unseen, unheard, unsung, undone.
Ain't but one place left to run.
Stand up, stand and fight.
Undercover creature that don't see sunshine,
Make it in the dark,
Black eyes, black sights, black magical rites Tonight, there comes a time, babe.
Stand up, stand and fight.
Don't you worry about me, little darling, no,
I ain't breaking, I'm shaking and aching.
'Cause I can't stand waiting.
There comes a time to stand and fight.
Maximum destruction, blood red deadheads
Tearing it up, wearing it down.
Never mind my name, I'm unclaimed,
Unnamed and unashamed.
I'd like to say fan the flames,
Stand and fight.
You ain't doing nobody no kind of favors.
Lying around like a rug on the floor.
Sooner or later you've got to stand up
And say you won't take it any more.
Stand up, stand and fight.
The lyrics of James Taylor's "Stand and Fight" reflect themes of determination, strength, resilience, and a refusal to give up in the face of adversity. The song is about overcoming obstacles and fighting for what you believe in without fear. The first verse speaks to a "lonely hearted hunter" who has been hurt but refuses to give up, and the chorus encourages this person to stand up and fight. The second verse speaks to an "undercover creature" who must stay in the dark and not think twice about being nice, but must fight for what they want. The chorus is repeated with urgency, insisting that there comes a time when one must stand and fight. The third verse is more personal, with the singer stating that they are not "breaking" but they can't stand waiting and there comes a time to stand and fight. The final verse describes "maximum destruction" caused by those who tear things down, and urges them to stand up and fight for something instead.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely hearted hunter, don't say nothing.
You may be feeling isolated, but do not give up hope and keep silent.
The hunger and the hurt got only one law.
The pain and suffering have one rule – to keep fighting.
Never mind your words, unseen, unheard, unsung, undone.
It does not matter if your words are unnoticed, unknown, or never shared; keep going.
Ain't but one place left to run.
When there seems like nowhere else to go, stand and fight.
Stand up, stand and fight.
The chorus reiterates that you must stand your ground and fight for what you believe in.
Undercover creature that don't see sunshine, Make it in the dark.
If you are struggling in a difficult situation, find a way to persevere even in the darkest of circumstances.
Don't think twice, never mind making nice. Black eyes, black sights, black magical rites Tonight, there comes a time, babe.
Do not hold back in expressing yourself, even if your words or actions may cause discomfort or conflict. Embrace the darkness and rise to the occasion.
Don't you worry about me, little darling, no, I ain't breaking, I'm shaking and aching.
Do not fear my well-being, even though I may be struggling and in physical or emotional pain.
'Cause I can't stand waiting. There comes a time to stand and fight.
I am no longer content to wait for action, and now is the time to take a stand and fight.
Maximum destruction, blood red deadheads Tearing it up, wearing it down.
The world may seem harsh and unforgiving, but it is important to resist and stand firm.
Never mind my name, I'm unclaimed, Unnamed and unashamed.
Even if you are unknown and unrecognized, stand firm and do not be ashamed.
I'd like to say fan the flames, Stand and fight.
Ignite your passion and take a stand for what you believe in.
You ain't doing nobody no kind of favors. Lying around like a rug on the floor.
You are not helping anyone by being passive and giving up. You are just a hindrance.
Sooner or later you've got to stand up And say you won't take it any more.
The time has come for you to take a stand and declare that you will not tolerate the status quo anymore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
blue2oneonly
love it. my favorite in the foster home dayz. LOVE IT!!! stand and FIGHT!
Keith M
From the "Dad Loves His Work" album. Nice change of pace to the usual J.T. songs, and one of my favorites.
numbat 007
yep most of his stuff i've heard is VERY sleepy !
Robert Herman
Oh yeah, Stand and Fight. Either we all stand United, or we fall Divided.
Carolyn & Colin Hogarth
Bless us All....blessings from God...
Will 666
Awesome! Thanks for posting!
Carolyn & Colin Hogarth
We are all Gods children...time to hear...and listen...
Carolyn & Colin Hogarth
Thank you for your slaying the dragons.....inequality does exist. In Jesus name I stand in gratitude.
Carolyn & Colin Hogarth
We are....stand-up and fight for democracy....for those we love.....
Timbo6097
Rockin!!!