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.
Winter Wonderland Feat. Chris Botti
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the lane, snow is glistenin'
Beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is a bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song as we roll along
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, “Are you married?”, we'll say, “No man, no”
But you can do the job, when you're in town
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid the plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, “Are you married?”, we'll say, “No man, no”
But you can do the job, when you're in town
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid the plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland, yeah
Walking in a winter wonderland
The lyrics to James Taylor's Winter Wonderland are a heartwarming ode to the joys of winter. The opening line "Sleigh bells ring are you listenin'" invites the listener to imagine a winter scene where the snow is glistening and everyone is happy. The second line "In the lane, snow is glistenin'" enhances this picture further. Together they establish a cheerful mood and make the listener feel warm and cozy in the cold winter weather.
The next stanza "Gone away is a bluebird, here to stay is a new bird" suggests a transition from the fall season into winter. This metaphorical reference to the migration of birds away from cold weather says it's time to embrace the winter season. The use of "new bird" creates a sense of renewal associated with the winter season. The reference to rolling along while listening to the new bird's love song further reinforces the joyful mood of the song.
The final stanza "In the meadow, we can build a snowman, and pretend that he is Parson Brown" shifts the focus to the tradition of building snowmen during winter. Parson Brown is a fictional character who marries people in a small town. The reference to "are you married" and "no man, no" suggests a playful romantic undertone. The song finishes with the repeated phrase "Walking in a winter wonderland" which serves as a reminder of the special memories made during the winter season.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleigh bells ring are you listenin'
Can you hear the sound of sleigh bells ringing?
In the lane, snow is glistenin'
There is snow on the ground that is shining and sparkling under the light.
Beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
The winter scenery is lovely and we feel joyous and content in this moment.
Walking in a winter wonderland
We are taking a stroll in a place of wondrous winter beauty.
Gone away is a bluebird
The bluebird that was once here has left or flown away.
Here to stay is a new bird
A new bird is now present and staying for the time being.
He sings a love song as we roll along
The new bird is singing a song of love as we keep moving forward.
In the meadow we can build a snowman
We have the opportunity to construct a snowman in the open field.
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
We can act as if the snowman is a person named Parson Brown.
He'll say, “Are you married?”, we'll say, “No man, no”
The pretend Parson Brown will ask us if we are married and we will respond negatively.
But you can do the job, when you're in town
Though we are not married, we can suggest that Parson Brown can officiate a wedding when he is in town.
Later on we'll conspire
In the future, we will plan or scheme something.
As we dream by the fire
While we are relaxing and imagining next to the fire.
To face unafraid the plans that we've made
We will confront our plans with bravery and without fear.
Walking in a winter wonderland
Once again, we are walking and enjoying the beautiful winter scenery around us.
Walking in a winter wonderland, yeah
We are still walking in this amazing winter wonderland.
Walking in a winter wonderland
The song ends with a repetition of the previous line about walking and reveling in the wondrous winter surroundings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEREMY STUART SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind