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.
So Far Away
James Taylor & Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're just time away
Long ago, I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
How I wish I could, but you're so far away
Can't say much of anything that's new
If I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it bein' close to you
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah, you're so far away
Travelin' around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothin' else to do but close my mind
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
There's so many dreams I've yet to find
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
And it doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah, you're so far away
Yeah, you're so far away
"So Far Away" by James Taylor and Carole King is a song about the complexity of distance and how difficult it is to be away from someone you love. The lyrics describe the feelings of longing and loneliness that come with being separated from a loved one. It begins with an observation on how people are always on the move, and it's becoming increasingly rare to find someone who stays in one place for a long time. This sets the theme of transience and separation that runs through the song.
The song then moves on to express the singerâs desire to see their loved one's face and how it would bring joy to them. They reminisce about a time when they could hold their loved one, knowing that it would do them good to be close to them. However, they are now so far away, and it seems that they are just and only time away. They lament that they cannot work out their lives the way they want to and reiterate their desire to be close to their loved one.
The last verse deals with the heaviness that comes with traveling alone, saying that it gets lonely and that there's nothing to do but close their mind. The hope that the road doesn't own them is balanced with the reality that there are still so many dreams yet to find. The song ends with a bittersweet chorus that echoes the longing for companionship and the pain of being separated by distance.
Overall, "So Far Away" is a heartfelt ballad about missing someone you love and the constant struggle of being separated by time and space. It speaks to the universal human emotion of longing and one's desire to be close to the ones they love.
Line by Line Meaning
So far away
Being separated from a loved one or significant other
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
Wondering why people are always on the move and never stay in one spot for long
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Expressing the desire to have a particular person close by, maybe even living with them permanently
It doesn't help to know you're just time away
Being troubled by the fact that time is what is keeping distance between them and the person that they are thinking of
Long ago, I reached for you and there you stood
Reflecting back on a time when they were with the person that they miss now
Holding you again could only do me good
Feeling that being reunited with that special someone would be beneficial to them
How I wish I could, but you're so far away
Expressing the pain of not being able to be close to the person they are thinking of
One more song about movin' along the highway
Expressing the repetitiveness of songs about travel and moving around
Can't say much of anything that's new
Not having anything new to say, and instead resorting to talking about the same old thing
If I could only work this life out my way
Wishing that they could figure out a way to live and travel while also having the love and companionship of the person they miss
I'd rather spend it bein' close to you
Understanding that being close to that special someone is what they really want in life
Travelin' around sure gets me down and lonely
Feeling down and alone because of all the traveling and being away from the person they care about
Nothin' else to do but close my mind
Feeling like they have no choice but to try and forget about their loneliness and focus on other things
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
Hoping that their travels and distance from the person they love don't completely consume and ruin them
There's so many dreams I've yet to find
Knowing that there are still other things they want to experience and accomplish, but also feeling the pull of their longing for that special someone
Yeah, you're so far away
Continuing to express the sadness and pain of being separated from a loved one
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockjen20
James Taylor was only 22 years old here. Crazy how time flies. Carole's voice, just amazing.
Sandra Paul
He reminds me of a young Dan Fogelberg, similar age & same era but Dan was only just starting in the music business in 1971.
King of the Juice
Her voice is lovely, but--in my humble opinion--that's not really what makes her so excellent (many others surpass her in sheer vocal ability). It's the songwriting and the emotion.
Nellie Gonzales
This was my youth
Donnie Moder
Mr. Larkey's bass was a large contribution to the performance also.
Bart Aerts
And already such a great influence. If you're recognized by Carole you have to be good.
James Geis
I don't think we'll ever have music like this again. The 70s were amazing.
francis garganera
Yup. It is.
Ottee2
You ain't just a kiddin'.
some talk about being human
I'm 19 and Carole's songs speak to me in ways that I'm sure will only grow as I get older. What a legend.