According to Taylor, King told him that the song was a response to the line in Taylor's earlier song "Fire and Rain" that "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."
King and Taylor performed "You've Got a Friend" together in 2010 during their Troubadour Reunion Tour.
You've Got a Friend
James Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you've got to do is call
And I'll be there, ye, ye, ye
You've got a friend
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep you head together
And call my name out loud now
Soon you'll hear me knocking at you door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yes I will, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall, ye
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, ye, ye, yeah
Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold
They'll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them, oh yeah, don't you let 'em now
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again, oh baby, don't you know
Winter, spring, summer or fall
Hey now, all you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend, yeah
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend
Oh, ye yeah, you've got a friend
James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend” is a song about friendship that offers comfort to someone who is enduring personal challenges. The song encourages the listener to remember that they are never alone and that they have someone they can turn to during their darkest hours. It is a song of reassurance and hope, letting them know that they can always call on someone to be there for them. Taylor sings about being a reliable friend who will be there no matter what, through good times and bad times.
“You've Got a Friend” has a simple and straightforward message that transcends cultural and social barriers. It resonates with people across generations and continues to be a staple song of healing and support. The lyrics reassure the listener that they are not alone and that they have someone somewhere who cares for them. Taylor delivers the words with all his heart, giving the song an empathetic and sincere tone that resonates with everyone who hears it.
Overall, the message of the song is one of compassion and understanding, and it captures the essence of true friendship. It reminds us of the importance of being there for each other and offering support in times of need. It tells us that no matter the challenges we face in life, we always have a friend who will support us and help us keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're down and troubled
When you're feeling low, and things aren't going your way
And you need a helping hand
When you need someone to support and help you
And nothing, nothing is going right
When everything in your life seems to be going wrong
Close your eyes and think of me
Visualize me in your mind and imagine my presence
And soon I will be there
I will come to you very soon
To brighten up even your darkest night
I will bring light into your life, even during your worst times
You just call out my name
If you need me, simply say my name
And you know wherever I am
You can be sure that I will come to you, no matter where I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
I will hurry to you eagerly to see you once more
Winter, spring, summer or fall
In any season, at any time
All you've got to do is call
Just ask me for help
And I'll be there, ye, ye, ye
I will be by your side
If the sky above you
If everything around you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
Turns negative and cloudy
And that old north wind should begin to blow
If you get hit with cold, blowing wind
Keep you head together
Stay calm and focused
And call my name out loud now
Ask me for help right away
Soon you'll hear me knocking at you door
I will come to your rescue very soon
Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
It is comforting to have someone to rely on
When people can be so cold
In a world where many people can be unkind and cruel
They'll hurt you, and desert you
People may cause you pain and abandon you
And take your soul if you let them, oh yeah, don't you let 'em now
Don't let negative people consume your spirit and soul
Hey now, all you have to do is call
Remember, just reach out to me and I will come
And I'll be there, yes I will
I promise to be by your side and provide support
You've got a friend
You always have me as a loyal and trustworthy friend
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend
It is wonderful to know that you have someone you can count on
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend
It is reassuring to know that you have someone who cares
Oh, ye yeah, you've got a friend
You know that you always have me as a friend
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aekkawinwisitkiatchai7640
When you're down and troubled
And you need some lovin' care
And nothin', nothin' is goin' right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I'll come runnin'
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend
If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knockin' at your door
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I'll come runnin', runnin', yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will
Now, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don't you let them
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I'll come runnin', runnin', yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend
Ain't it good to know, ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
You've got a friend
Oh, yeah, now, you've got a friend
Yeah baby, you've got a friend
Oh, yeah, you've got a friend
@UltimateJoolsFan
When you're down and troubled
And you need some love and care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend
If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running, yeah, yeah, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will
Now, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them, oh, but don't you let them
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running, yeah, yeah, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend?
Ain't it good to know, ain't it good to know, ain't it good to know
You've got a friend?
Oh yeah now, you've got a friend
Yeah baby, you've got a friend
Oh yeah, you've got a friend
Source: LyricFind
@lightintheart
My dad was in the emergency room before he went to the ICU. I played this song on my phone and put one ear bud in his ear and the other in mine. He had a stroke and could no longer communicate and I held his hand and cried while the song played. My dad showed me this song and it will always be our song.
@shannanne13
Musetoit music is so powerful. you and your father and in my thoughts!
@lightintheart
Shannon Anne thank you so much. He's in a better place now
@amadeussmith693
Musetoit my father died in my arms to this song few days ago...i dont know you but i just felt saying you something...
@gloriamaryhaywood2217
Musetoit Your comment truly touched my heart!....What a loving dad he must be .. to have created and raised such a loving daughter as yourself!
@lightintheart
Gloria Mary Haywood you made my day. Thank you! the world needs more kind people such as yourself. Your words mean a lot to me. He was great father
@cyriah22
My 6 year old Grandson just asked me for this song.. he says his teacher plays his guitar in class and sings this.. this warmed my heart.💜
@hippymothasucka
Beautiful!! We need more teachers like that!! ❤
@piobmhor8529
I think of this song often. I’m a veteran and wasn’t dealing well with PTSD (didn’t know I had it at the time), I had a buddy who talked me out of suck-starting a shotgun, just simply by being there for me. He didn’t know what I was considering, but by simply telling me that people cared about me made all the difference. Thanks Steve for being my friend, I owe my life to you.
@Mr1967mejias
Praying for you. I also didn’t realize that I had PTSD. I chalked it up to just having a short fuse. The Army changed me. I’ve battled depression and anxiety. I learn to cope with it by being an ENCOURAGER to others, every day. Seeing them smile is my medicine, of choice. #PTSDisReal.