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.
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
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