American popular culture made a turn in 1970. James Taylor's 'Sweet Baby Ja… Read Full Bio ↴American popular culture made a turn in 1970. James Taylor's 'Sweet Baby James' and Carole King's 'Tapestry' were signal albums of that moment. Those records summarized the desire to find a peaceful corner in a tumultuous time.

Taylor and King first met - briefly - in the 60s at the Night Owl Café in Greenwich Village. James was a shy teenager. Carole, although only in her mid-twenties, was already a legendary songwriter, but not yet a performer. She began finding her way toward being comfortable as an entertainer as part of James Taylor's band. Taylor's version of King's "You've Got a Friend" became a number one hit in the summer of 1971 and won a Grammy. In that same year, King's album 'Tapestry' reached number one and stayed there for a remarkable 15 weeks. It would eventually sell 22 million copies. Despite this success, King carried on touring with Taylor. They played L.A.'s Troubadour in the spring for a two-week co-starring run.'

At Thanksgiving in 2007, James and Carole returned to the Troubadour for a sentimental journey through their old set list, including performances of the pair's most beloved hits such as "You've Got a Friend", King's "So Far Away," "It's Too Late," and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?", as well as Taylor's "Carolina in My Mind," "Sweet Baby James," and "Fire and Rain," to name just a few.

I Love My Babe
James Taylor & Carole King Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The snow is snowing and the wind is blowing
But I can weather the storm!
What do I care how much it may storm?
For I've got my love to keep me warm

I can't remember a worse December
Just watch those icicles form!
Oh, what do I care if icicles form?

Oh, I've got my love to keep me warm

Off with my overcoat, off with my glove
I need no overcoat, I'm burning with love!
My heart's on fire, the flame grows higher
So I will weather the storm!
What do I care how much it may storm?
Oh, I've got my love to keep me warm

The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing
But I can weather the storm!
What do I care how much it may storm?
Oh, I've got my love to keep me warm

I can't remember a worse December
Just watch those icicles form!
What do I care if icicles form?
Oh-ho-ho, I've got my love to keep me warm

Off with my overcoat, off with my glove
I need no overcoat, I'm burning with love!
My heart's on fire, the flame grows higher
So I will weather the storm!

What do I care how much it may storm?
Oh, I've got my love to keep me warm

Overall Meaning

The song "I Love My Babe" by James Taylor and Carole King speaks to the feeling of being in love and how it can keep people warm even in the coldest of times. The opening lines of the song set the scene with snow falling and wind blowing, but the singer declares that they can weather the storm because they have love. The repeated question of "What do I care how much it may storm?" emphasizes the strength of the love that the singer feels, no matter what the outside world is throwing at them.

The song goes on to describe the physical sensations of love, with the singer taking off their overcoat and gloves because they are "burning with love." The imagery of the heart on fire and the flame growing higher is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of the emotion. The repeated refrain of "Oh, I've got my love to keep me warm" reinforces the idea that no matter what is happening outside, the warmth of love can sustain and protect.

Overall, "I Love My Babe" is a simple and straightforward expression of the power of love. It speaks to the idea that love can be a source of strength and comfort, even in the most difficult of times.

Line by Line Meaning

The snow is snowing and the wind is blowing
Even though the weather outside is harsh and cold, it is of no significance.

But I can weather the storm!
The person singing is confident that they can handle any obstacle thrown at them.

What do I care how much it may storm?
The singer is expressing that they don't care about the weather conditions as long as they have their love to keep them company.

For I've got my love to keep me warm
The presence of the person's love is enough to make them feel warm and content despite the cold outside.

I can't remember a worse December
The person has had a difficult time in the past and this December is no exception.

Just watch those icicles form!
The cold weather outside is causing icicles to form which is a sign of how harsh it is outside.

Oh, what do I care if icicles form?
The singer is stating that again, their love is enough to keep them warm and safe regardless of the weather outside.

Off with my overcoat, off with my glove
The person becomes so warm and content with their love that they don't need to wear a coat or gloves anymore.

I need no overcoat, I'm burning with love!
The person's love has ignited a flame inside them that warms them up to the point where they don't need outerwear.

My heart's on fire, the flame grows higher
The love the person feels is getting stronger and more intense.

So I will weather the storm!
The person is once again stating that they are confident in their ability to handle any obstacle thrown their way.

Oh-ho-ho, I've got my love to keep me warm
The person is expressing their joy and happiness that their love is enough to keep them warm and content.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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