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.
The Nearness Of You
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That thrills and delights me, oh no
Its just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation, oh no
Its just the nearness of you
All my wildest dreams come true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me the right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
In these poignant lyrics of James Taylor's "The Nearness of You," the singer expresses a profound sentiment about the true source of his joy and fulfillment in love. The opening lines convey a sense of sincere adoration as he proclaims that it is not the grandeur of the moonlit sky that stirs his emotions, but rather the simple proximity of his beloved. This declaration sets the tone for the song and conveys a theme of intimacy and connection that goes beyond material or external beauty. The emphasis on the "nearness" of the loved one suggests a deep emotional bond that transcends physical distance.
As the verse continues, Taylor delves deeper into his feelings, emphasizing that it is not the words spoken or the conversations shared that ignite his passion. Instead, it is the nearness of the person that elicits a profound sensation within him. This notion speaks to the power of closeness and physical presence in fostering a sense of fulfillment and contentment in a relationship. By highlighting the importance of physical proximity over verbal communication, Taylor conveys a message of visceral connection and emotional resonance that goes beyond mere words.
The chorus further underscores the singer's deep emotional attachment and sense of fulfillment when he is close to his beloved. The imagery of being in each other's arms and feeling the closeness so intensely that it makes all his dreams come true evokes a sense of euphoria and completeness. This romantic ideal of finding solace and joy in the presence of the person you love encapsulates the essence of a profound and intimate connection that goes beyond mere physical attraction.
The final verse poignantly captures the singer's longing and desire for the nearness of his beloved, emphasizing that he requires no external embellishments or romantic gestures to feel enchanted. The plea to be granted the privilege of holding the loved one tightly and feeling their presence in the night speaks to a profound yearning for intimacy and closeness. The repetition of the phrase "the nearness of you" throughout the song reinforces the central theme of the profound impact that physical closeness and emotional connection can have on one's heart and soul. Overall, James Taylor's "The Nearness of You" is a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of love and the profound joy that comes from being close to the one who holds your heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Its not the pale moon that excites me
The beauty of the moon does not bring me excitement
That thrills and delights me, oh no
It does not give me thrills and delight, no
Its just the nearness of you
It is simply being close to you
It isn't your sweet conversation
Your words alone do not have this effect
That brings this sensation, oh no
They do not create this feeling, no
Its just the nearness of you
It's just being near to your presence
When you're in my arms and I feel you so close to me
When you are in my embrace and near me
All my wildest dreams come true
My deepest desires are fulfilled
I need no soft lights to enchant me
I do not require fancy lights to captivate me
If you'll only grant me the right
If you allow me to
To hold you ever so tight
To embrace you closely
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
And to sense your presence in the darkness of the night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Blackburn
Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio (now 'Channel 70') is playing James Taylor's Grammy-winning recording of THE NEARNESS OF YOU – the loveliest song collaboration from Hoagy ('Stardust') Carmichael and Ned ('When You Wish Upon a Star') Washington. My personal favorite lyric from so many great ones composed by Mr. Washington who twice picked up the “Best Song” Academy Award (Wikipedia note below).
It features a short but perfect bridge (like so many composed by James Taylor) that conveys so much in so few words – slightly modified by James, to make the song 'his own.'
“When you're in my arms, and I feel you so close to me, all my wildest dreams -- I see them all come true. I need no soft lights to enchant me, if you would only grant me the right, to hold you ever so tight, and to feel in the night, the nearness of you.
And with a signature James Taylor arrangement (“for two guitars” with fellow Grammy-winner John Pizzarelli) you'd really think that James had composed this gem (now more than 80 years old).
Wikipedia note:
Ned Washington (born Edward Michael Washington, August 15, 1901 – December 20, 1976) was an American lyricist born in Scranton, Pennsylvania.[1]
Washington was nominated for eleven Academy Awards from 1940 to 1962. He won the Best Original Song award twice: in 1940 for "When You Wish Upon a Star" in Pinocchio and in 1952 for "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin')" in High Noon.
Some of Washington's songwriting credits include:
"Rawhide" (music by Dimitri Tiomkin, 1958), sung in the TV show by Frankie Laine[5]
"The 3:10 to Yuma" (music by George Duning, 1957), sung in the movie by Frankie Laine[6]
"Wild Is the Wind" (music by Dimitri Tiomkin, 1956) sung in the movie by Johnny Mathis[7]
"Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" (music by Dimitri Tiomkin, 1956), sung in the movie by Frankie Laine[8]
"The High and the Mighty" (music by Dimitri Tiomkin, 1954)[2] (Deleted from the final "cut" of the movie, but nominated anyway for the Best Song at the 27th Academy Awards
"High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin')" in the film High Noon, sung by Tex Ritter. 1952[9]
"My Foolish Heart" (music by Victor Young, 1950)[2]
"On Green Dolphin Street" (music by Bronislau Kaper, 1947)
"Stella by Starlight" (music by Victor Young), 1944), recorded by Ella Fitzgerald on her Verve album Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!, also covered by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Chet Baker [3]
"Baby Mine", "Pink Elephants on Parade", and "When I See an Elephant Fly" for Dumbo (music by Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace, 1941),[10] the first sung in the movie by Betty Noyes (uncredited); nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song at the 14th Academy Awards and the second by the character Dandy (Jim) Crow, voiced by Cliff Edwards (uncredited), also known as "Ukulele Ike".
"When You Wish Upon a Star" for Pinocchio (music by Leigh Harline, 1940),[11] sung in the movie by the character Jiminy Cricket, voiced by Cliff Edwards, also known as "Ukulele Ike", won the Academy Award for Best Song at the 13th Academy Awards.[3]
"The Nearness of You" (with Hoagy Carmichael, 1938) written for Gladys Swarthout for the film Romance in the Dark [3]
"I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" (music by George Bassman, 1932), used by Tommy Dorsey as his theme song [3]
"I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You" (music by Victor Young, 1932), recorded by Ella Fitzgerald on her Pablo release Digital III at Montreux.
Thanks for sharing James Taylor. Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
Brian Allan Bodē Ghost Productions
This arrangement, thee unparalleled engineering & mix on this delicate masterpiece holds me gently like a crisp linen-fresh, warm blanket. Every layer clear as a bell & sits so well together further complimenting the genius of, Mr. James Taylor. It's like I've opened up a brand new album after returning home from the record store only to discover blends of sound I've never heard together in song before. I'm reminded of the first time I [vicariously] shook the hand of, Sergio Mendes & was marveled by the many innovations I was listening to & then just like that, over the solo in this tune, I said hello to, Mr. Mangione once again... 😉 Anyway, Mr Taylor, your incomparable talents, velvet vocal & well, everything about your sir, never cease to amaze me. Beautiful, simply beautiful ! Love & Light to you all out in "YouTube-Land"... sigh. I feel renewed once more. What a treasure indeed. 💜 🎶 🍀 😉 👻
Mark Blackburn
@Kirsten Holm I second that emotion, Kirsten Holm: "Fantastic detail" and "Thank you!" to Brian for this straight-to-the-heart sharing. These words especially: "I'm reminded of the first time I [vicariously] shook the hand of, Sergio Mendes & was marveled by the many innovations I was listening to & then just like that, over the solo in this tune, I said hello to, Mr. Mangione once again... 😉
Kirsten Holm
As are your comments & I agree with the fantastic detail you wrote out for us. Thank you!
stareeagle
James just gets better! Amazingly refreshing arrangements and instrumentation! Makes me feel so good inside! Thank you!
Kirsten Holm
I love these notes you've shared, thanks!
wj noer
On par with his version from Michael Brecker's album
Trevor d
James, you have contemporized a Standard and tenderly breathed new life into it ... for (hopefully) many future generations of music lovers. Well done!
Lucille Petillo
Love James Taylor's interpretation of songs especially romantic "The Nearness of You" composed by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics by Ned Washinton long ago. James brings a new dimension to this song with his own original style.
GAil Michael Whitesides
I wasn't around when Agustin Lara wrote the song and titled it "Te Vi Pasar", but I doubt that H. Carmichael purposely ever intended to appropriate claim of authorship. I salute J. Taylor for his beautiful performance and the dozens of other artists who have interpreted the piece over the decades.
Kirsten Holm
Beautiful comments & sharing where the song came from, so valuable.