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.
Up From Your Life
James Taylor Lyrics
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God's not at home there is no there, there.
Lost in the stars, that's what you are,
Left here on your own.
You can only hope to live on this earth,
This here is it, for all it's worth.
Nothing else awaits you, no second birth,
For an unbeliever like you,
There's not much they can do
That would turn you away.
Though I hate to see you surrender,
You need to surrender,
We must find you a way to
Look up from your life, up from your life,
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
There's a river running under your feet,
Under this house, under this street.
Straight from the heart, ancient and sweet,
On its way back home.
Even in the middle of your sadness,
The everyday madness, the ongoing game.
Even when you can't find a reason,
Still there is a reason,
You don't need to name it.
Look on up, look up from your life,
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
Oh, even for a minute to find yourself in it,
To wait by the stream to drop out of your dream,
Look on up, look up from your life,
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
Look up from your life, up from your life,
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
The song "Up From Your Life" by James Taylor is a solemn and introspective ballad that seeks to provide solace and support to those who are lost and struggling with the turmoil of their lives. The lyrics begin by dismissing the notion of divine intervention or spiritual salvation, stating that there is no higher power within reach to offer aid or relief. The singer then goes on to acknowledge the feeling of abandonment and isolation that often accompanies the human experience, but also offers a glimmer of hope: the idea that even in the bleakest of moments, there is a river of love and spirituality that runs deep beneath the surface of the everyday world, waiting to be tapped into.
The second half of the song continues to explore this idea, urging the listener to keep searching for meaning and purpose even in the face of overwhelming despair: "Even when you can't find a reason, still there is a reason, you don't need to name it." The song ultimately concludes with a call to action, exhorting the listener to "look up from your life" and embrace the beauty and possibility that surrounds them. This is a powerful and emotionally resonant message, one that speaks to the universal human experience of struggle and triumph, pain and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
So much for your moment of prayer,
Your efforts to connect with God have been in vain.
God's not at home there is no there, there.
There is no specific place you can find God, and your current attempts will fall on deaf ears.
Lost in the stars, that's what you are,
You feel disconnected and isolated from the universe, searching for meaning and purpose.
Left here on your own.
You are alone in your search and must rely on yourself to find a way forward.
You can only hope to live on this earth,
Your existence is limited to this life on Earth.
This here is it, for all it's worth.
This life is all there is, and it is up to you to make the most of it.
Nothing else awaits you, no second birth,
There is no afterlife, no reincarnation or rebirth to look forward to.
No starry crown.
There are no rewards or accolades to be expected after death.
For an unbeliever like you,
As someone who is skeptical or does not believe, you face unique challenges.
There's not much they can do
Others may not be able to understand your perspective or beliefs and may not be able to help you in your search.
That would turn you away.
Despite this, they will not try to push you away or turn you against your beliefs.
Though I hate to see you surrender,
While it may be difficult, it is important for you to be open to new perspectives and ideas.
You need to surrender,
In order to move forward, you must let go of preconceived notions and embrace the unknown.
We must find you a way to
Together, we can help you find a path forward.
Look up from your life, up from your life,
Look beyond your current struggles and seek out new possibilities and opportunities.
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
Find a new perspective and take steps towards change.
There's a river running under your feet,
Even when you feel stuck or stagnant, there is a current of progress beneath you.
Under this house, under this street.
This sense of forward momentum is everywhere, even in the most mundane places.
Straight from the heart, ancient and sweet,
This journey is personal and meaningful, tapping into an ageless sense of connection and exploration.
On its way back home.
This journey will guide you back to yourself and help you find a greater sense of belonging.
Even in the middle of your sadness,
Even when you are at your lowest, there is still hope to be found.
The everyday madness, the ongoing game.
This world is tumultuous and unpredictable, but that does not mean your journey cannot be meaningful.
Even when you can't find a reason,
Even when it seems like there is no purpose or meaning behind your struggles, there is still potential for growth and change.
Still there is a reason,
You may not know the reason now, but it will become clear with time.
You don't need to name it.
The reason behind your struggles may not be immediately identifiable or explainable, and that is okay.
Look on up, look up from your life,
Instead of being mired in your current struggles, look up and seek out new opportunities for growth and change.
Oh, even for a minute to find yourself in it,
Even a brief moment of clarity can help you find new direction.
To wait by the stream to drop out of your dream,
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a break and let your thoughts and emotions flow freely.
Look on up, look up from your life,
Keep seeking out new perspectives and opportunities for growth.
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
Always keep looking up, and don't get bogged down in your current struggles.
Look up from your life, up from your life,
Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Look on up from your life, look up from your life.
Keep your focus on growth and change, and don't let your struggles define you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind