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.
Stretch of the Highway
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grew up some kind of travelin' man
Sunday morning, pack my things
Say so long sweet potato
I'm on the road again
Oh it's a lovely stretch of the highway
Leading me on
When I'm gone, soon as I'm gone
Chi-Town baby, that's my town too
People pick it right on up, do the looma lamaloo
Just for example, look at ye yonder
Chicago's got the finest high-test first-class
Poontang anywhere
Oh it's a lovely stretch of the highway
Leading me on
And my favorite thing is to miss my home
When I'm gone, soon as I'm gone
I want to thank the man that planed the land
I want to thank the man that towed the load
In the burning sun and the freezing cold
I want to thank the man that made this road
Eisenhower
Mr. Dwight D
General Motors
Big Ol' GMC
They saw the future
Yes, indeed
Eternal combustion
That's what the country's gonna need
Oh it's a lovely stretch of the highway
Leading me on
And my favorite thing is to miss my home
When I'm gone, soon as I'm gone
Tomorrow
Same as today
One more time
Mama that's ok
Shake your head "yes"
Shake your head "no"
Keep it straight and level
And steady as she goes
In James Taylor's song "Stretch of the Highway," the lyrics detail the life of a traveling musician who is always on the move. He has been a wanderer since birth and doesn't seem to have any actual roots or ties to any particular place. He "pack[s] [his] things" every Sunday morning and heads out onto the highway, fully aware of the endless adventure that awaits him. Although he loves the "lovely stretch of the highway," his favorite thing is to miss home when he's gone. This juxtaposition suggests that while the idea of adventure and travel is alluring, the pull of home and community is always present.
The next verse is an ode to Chicago, where Taylor spends time hanging out with the locals and observing the unique culture of the city. The wordplay of “looma lamaloo” is a nod to Chicago’s love of music and dance. The verse even includes a nod to the adult entertainment scene, further emphasizing the fun Taylor is having while on the road.
The final lyrics of the song are a tribute to the engineers and builders who created the highway network that makes Taylor's lifestyle possible. The last verse specifically mentions Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, and General Motors, suggesting that the US highway system is an extension of the country’s devotion to industry and consumption. "Eternal combustion" refers to America's reliance on cars and the interconnectedness of the road system as an integral part of the nation's economy and culture. The final lines of the song are a mantra for Taylor as he continues his traveling lifestyle, reminding himself to stay focused, positive, and always moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born singing yes I am
I have always been inclined towards singing since my birth
Grew up some kind of travelin' man
I have grown up as someone who likes to travel a lot
Sunday morning, pack my things
I usually pack my things on Sunday Mornings for my travels
Say so long sweet potato
I bid a temporary farewell to my comfort zone
I'm on the road again
I have commenced my journey
Oh it's a lovely stretch of the highway
The highway ahead of me is picturesque
Leading me on
Guiding me towards my destination
And my favorite thing is to miss my home
I like to miss my home when I'm away
When I'm gone, soon as I'm gone
Right after I leave my home
Chi-Town baby, that's my town too
Chicago is also a town I'm closely associated with
People pick it right on up, do the looma lamaloo
People there are really cheerful and friendly
Just for example, look at ye yonder
Just look at how good they are
Chicago's got the finest high-test first-class
Chicago has the best and highest quality things available
Poontang anywhere
Even the best of values are found in Chicago
I want to thank the man that planed the land
I am grateful to the person who designed the land
I want to thank the man that towed the load
I am grateful to the person who transported the load
In the burning sun and the freezing cold
In both extreme weather conditions
I want to thank the man that made this road
I am grateful to the person who built the road
Eisenhower
Namedropping for the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act
Mr. Dwight D
Highway was named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower
General Motors
A point of conflict - GMC were involved in the development of the highway, but so were international car manufacturers
Big Ol' GMC
GMC was one of the companies heavily involved in the making of the highway
They saw the future
These companies were able to predict the future growth that the highway would bring
Yes, indeed
An agreement with the previous statement
Eternal combustion
The combustion engine and its associated fuels will be needed for a long time
That's what the country's gonna need
This technology and its associated industries will be crucial for the country's growth
Tomorrow
The future day
Same as today
Will be like today
One more time
Just like every regular day
Mama that's ok
It's alright, Mom
Shake your head “yes”
To nod in positive affirmation
Shake your head “no”
To nod in negative affirmation
Keep it straight and level
To stay focused and head in the right direction
And steady as she goes
To maintain steady, forward momentum
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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