Campfire Records released Taylor's debut CD, Coastal & Western. The DVD will be released on Taylor's own Boatfolk Record label as have five of his previous albums. Taylor's latest release, Times, is a collection of four self-penned songs, three co-written with friends Mike McClure & Keith Sykes and three written by legendary songwriters Richard Leigh, Chris Hennessee, Steven Fromholz and Allen Shamblin. The record also features guest vocals by Jerry Jeff Walker and Mike McClure.
Not only does Taylor write most of the songs for his own albums, he's also proud of the many other artists who have cut his tunes, including Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band, Keith Sykes, Richard Leigh, Gary P. Nunn, Michael Hearne, Joe Pat Hennen, Mike Graham, Doc Wesson, Tommy Alverson and Brian Burns. So what does LJT do when not recording, performing or hosting this music festival? In January for the last 10 years Taylor hosts the largest annual songwriter cruise to the Caribbean in the state. July finds him organizing what's come to be known as "Island Time," a music trip that coincides with his birthday, to his favorite island, Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Since 1997, Red River, New Mexico is where you'll find him in mid-August coordinating the music line up & performing at the "Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights" festival and finally, in September hosting "Rhymes and Vines Music Festival and Home Brew & Wine Maker Competition" at his ranch, Melody Mountain, just outside of Stephenville, TX. "Larry Joe Taylor is one of the grandest success stories in modern Texas music," writes Brad Behler (Galleywinter). "Taylor has transitioned from a regular 9-to-5er to a full-time good timer. He writes, performs, produces, and promotes his own special brand of music. LJT, as he is also known, donates his time and talents to numerous causes and events. His support and guidance has been instrumental in helping to launch young careers." Without a doubt, the opinions that hold the most weight for Taylor, are those of his fans. Blogger Mike Parrish perhaps most accurately described what fans love about Taylor and his songs. "The music of Larry Joe Taylor is flavored with an engaging coastal blending of Texas country music and salty melodies reminiscent of the slow-paced, relaxed experience of island-hopping through a long carefree tropical vacation. The lyrics fall like summer-morning dew drops from the palms of Port Bolivar while Captain LJT sets a course that will take you far away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world and into the realm of a nonchalant and unrestrained existence when you make landfall on his 'Third Coast.' When you hear original homespun lyrics like, 'I said if I ain't sinkin' well I must be swimmin' - If I ain't dead, I must be livin' - Livin' is the thing, that scares me the most,' you automatically realize that you're listening to the words of an artist who isn't afraid to bear his soul as long as the music is honest and, with Larry Joe Taylor, that's exactly what you'll hear and that's exactly what you'll get." In his spare time, Larry Joe enjoys spending time at his ranch raising Black Angus cattle, following PRCA Rodeo and PBR Bull Riding and looking forward to the time when he can spend at least a year sailing the Caribbean.
Summer Days
Larry Joe Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw it commin' through the pourin' rain
Come on sun, let's make it hot
Line those dog days up
Make 'em all the same
(Chorus)
Here comes those Summer days
I hope that Summer stays
'Cause I love those Summer days
Makin' ice cream, that's a peice of cake
Ain't nothin' sweeter on a day at the lake
Everbody's hangin' out, were cookin' out
Layin' out, makin' out, school's out
We're stayin' out late
(Chorus x3)
Larry Joe Taylor's song Summer Days is a love letter to the carefree summer season. The lyrics are an invitation to celebrate the arrival of this exciting time of the year with all its charms and possibilities. The first verse recognizes the onset of summer and the changes it brings; the change in weather, the longer days, and the promise of a burst of sunshine. The lyrics express excitement for the season, and the desire for the sun to shine brighter and create more heat. The overall vibe of the song is upbeat and cheerful.
The chorus consistently provides a summary of the song's message, as it repeatedly sings about the joy of the summer season and the feeling it brings. The lyrics exclaim that when summer arrives, the blues go away, and the happiness and excitement it brings remain. The second verse describes some of the delightful activities that come with summer, such as making ice cream, going to the lake, and hanging out with friends, even school's out. The song continues to maintain its cheerful and positive energy through the end, with the third and final repetition of the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer's here, can you feel the change
The arrival of summer is marked by a change in weather and atmosphere, can you sense it?
I saw it commin' through the pourin' rain
Despite the rain, I could see the coming of summer clearly.
Come on sun, let's make it hot
Let's have a really hot summer, sun.
Line those dog days up
Arrange those lazy, hot days of summer one after the other.
Make 'em all the same
Let all the summer days be equally cheerful and enjoyable.
Here comes those Summer days
Summer is finally here!
There goes my blues away
My worries and troubles disappear during the summer days.
I hope that Summer stays
I wish summer would last forever.
'Cause I love those Summer days
I adore the joyful, warm and vibrant days of summer.
Makin' ice cream, that's a peice of cake
Making ice cream is as easy as a piece of cake.
Ain't nothin' sweeter on a day at the lake
There is nothing more pleasant than enjoying a day at the lake.
Everbody's hangin' out, were cookin' out
Everyone is chilling and enjoying outdoor cooking.
Layin' out, makin' out, school's out
We are all relaxing and doing fun things because school is out.
We're stayin' out late
The summer days are long and we enjoy staying outdoors till late.
Here comes those Summer days
Here comes the summer again!
There goes my blues away
Summer helps me forget my worries.
I hope that Summer stays
I hope summer will never end.
'Cause I love those Summer days
I love summer days more than anything else.
Here comes those Summer days
Summer has arrived, and here comes the fun!
There goes my blues away
My sadness disappears as summer begins.
I hope that Summer stays
I wish summer could be eternal.
'Cause I love those Summer days
I absolutely and unconditionally love the summer days.
Contributed by Declan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.