FIRST TIME REACTING TO | James Taylor & Carole King "You've Got A Friend"

[@megswedeb7234]

You like sweetness? Listen to his "Shower the People". Amazing! And your kids can listen! James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.[5]

[@Scott-v2l]

She actually wrote this in response to one of James Taylors songs "Fire and rain" when he says verse "Seems that somedays I could not find a friend..." (or something like that) This was Carole Kings response to that.

[@codyclaeys2008]

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

[@robertfindley921]

Fire and Rain is a masterpiece.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Wow. I did not know that

[@user-kg7co9vi5r]

Carol King's "Tapestry " album was a chart monster for what seemed like forever.

[@elizabethfranco1284]

My mom had Tapestry. Her playing it on the turn table was a favorite childhood memory.

[@robertfindley921]

Everyone's sister wore out an LP of Tapestry in the 70s.

[@smgdroid]

I grew up with my mom listening to Tapestry

[@Tessiefaye]

Yep I bougth that album when I was in college.

[@fiddiehacked]

I used to drive a taxi - told a few hundred college gals to get the Tapestry Album: a mantra for the joys & pains of womanhood.

[@ericdurak4918]

Who is James Taylor???? Perhaps one of the greatest singer song-writers of the past 50 years. You should listen to ALL of his tunes. Beautiful tunes.

[@acmorse8922]

Who's JT??? Do you realis the number of people who were named after him??? TAYLOR SWIFT TAYLOR BROOKS Garth's daughter) just to start

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello, pish posh poppycock.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

@ericdurak4918 You understand. Hale fellow, well met!

[@GD-he2xj]

Not everyone’s as old as you or I Eric, and James Taylor’s songs are not frequently played on air anymore. I’m sure you don’t know all the popular artists listened to today, and neither do I.

[@ericdurak4918]

You are correct - my son knows all of the latest tunes. I do not. Love your station - love your reactions. Keep up the good work. For my opinion, the 70s may have been the greatest decade for music in history - so far.

[@johnurbanik1677]

You would be AMAZED at the number of hits she wrote

[@robertfindley921]

You can get 40 reactions out of Carole's and James's deep and amazing catalogs of hits. Lyrical superstars.

[@unusual686]

You need to react to James Taylor's "Fire and Rain". Epic.

[@robertfindley921]

Agreed. Especially since you are religious.

[@alankinkle5207]

Agreed. I can still remember where I was abducted what I was doing when I heard Fire and Rain for the first time. I was 15 at the time and knew instantly that he would be a superstar. It’s a truly amazing song about the death of a girl he had met while in rehab due to his heroine addiction.

[@darthv1001]

You have to react to fire and rain. This song is a reaction to that. Also Carols "Tapestry" album is in my top ten of all time. Ask Google for a list of her songs. You will be amazed

[@RamseyHaddadWZ]

specifically from Fire And Rain "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend"

[@SBel65]

Carol wrote this song TO James Taylor in reaction to his song Fire &Rain (which he wrote about a girlfriend who died from an OD in the US while he was in England recording his first album at Apple studios).

[@lollygaggins6316]

I’m 44 and these were “oldies” when I was growing up, but it’s still the music I listen to. Today’s music lacks heart and soul to me.

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

Carole King won the songwriting Grammy in 1971 for this song.

[@cog4life]

James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” is a great soothing song 🎶

[@duanerowland2453]

"Sweet Baby James" is one of my go-to lullaby's. It's so easy to sing and so sweet-sounding.

[@shilohauraable]

Ohhhh, Yessss! Sigh.... 😊

[@genny5309]

And he wrote it for his baby nephew, who was named for him. ❤️

[@jeanwinders9556]

When I drive the mass turnpike, sweet baby james is on blast!

[@cog4life]

Gentle warmth and kindness IS James Taylor. 😊❤

[@martinstubbs7974]

Carol King in my humble opinion is the greatest female songwriter of all time and she and James Taylor I believe are still friends. Absolute legends in their own right. Carol’s album “tapestry” is one of the greatest albums of all time! Loved your reaction! Take care and warmest wishes from the UK.

[@jamesdaniel3326]

When Tapestry came out it was the largest selling album of all time.

[@LoriTalbot-du2qt]

Carol King is one of a kind. She started off a songwriter in the 60's, and had to be persuaded to sing her own music , which she started to do in the 70's. Her album ' Tapestry ' was a true work of art!

[@meganwoida3475]

Many consider it a masterpiece.

[@SBel65]

Best!

[@Mister_Samsonite]

Every human being in the world should own Tapestry!

[@stevefoulston]

Carole King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years. Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter. She is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to be so honoured. One of the most successful female songwriters of the latter half of the 20th century in the US, she wrote or co-wrote 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Peace out.

[@jamesanthony5257]

That’s Leland Sklar on Bass Guitar. Everybody loves him.

[@rayj1011]

I just noticed him and was going to say that as well.

[@keithcarper8809]

And he's playing 'Frankenstein' !

[@Noelle0026]

Leland is such a treasure!

[@kens32052]

I didn't recognize him without a white beard lol.

[@beansworth]

And Lee and James' good friend Russ Kunkel on drums.

[@robertfindley921]

James and Carole were and are the real deal. Carole wrote the song, but let James release his guitar version before her piano version released. James was the first artist signed by the label created by the Beatles, Apple Records.

[@pattiatlas4653]

And, those were dark days for James. He was using back then. Thank goodness, he sobered up, and,( hopefully), has a good,healthy, happy life

[@Ctkare4k9]

Immediate tears here! Brings me back to high school,1971,and my best friend,Deb. We used to sing this song!At a time when I felt quite unlovable,along came this girl who loved me anyway and reflected the light,I didn’t know I had,back to me. Life and marriage took her far away from me physically,but she was always one of those wonderful,precious old friends who ,as you said,Britt,I could not talk to in too long a time,yet when we DID speak,it was as if no time had passed! I always felt Deb’s friendship was further proof that God loved me! Deb died a few years ago and guess what? When we finally DO get to meet again,I know it will once again be as if no time has passed! I truly look forward to that day!❤️💔❤️

[@wendyryder2708]

Hi! Your comment made me tear up! So glad you had such a beautiful friend! I’m sure she is watching over you! Peace and Blessings to you and yours from Australia.

[@martinstubbs7974]

So touched by your story. Deb was obviously a beautiful person. The greater the gift the greater the loss! Take care!

[@Ctkare4k9]

@@wendyryder2708 thank you so much! Peace and Blessings to you,too!❤️

[@Ctkare4k9]

@@martinstubbs7974 thank you so much! I’m so very thankful for the memories we made!❤️

[@jamesrobertson2361]

This makes you feel warm and fuzzy. "Fire and Rain" will tear your heart out.

[@stevevellez7409]

Im from hawaii and we grew up listening to music like this. Heavy acoustics. There was a dou group called Cecelio and Kapono. They had alot of hits for a hometown band. One of there songs was called We Are Friends. I ask humbly that you plz give it a listen. Thanks and go hav the day you deserve.

[@kevinhooper3003]

According to Taylor, Carole King told him that this song was a response to his 1970 hit Fire and Rain

[@dalemurray1318]

Fire and Rain was about a a friend who had some kind of mental disorder (probably bi-polar) her patents had her committed to a mental institution because they couldn't control her, she committed suicide.

[@wolfe6220]

​@@dalemurray1318 And James was in London, recording an album. He wasn't told of her death until after he was done, after she had already been buried. How heart wrenching. 💔

[@JackMoore-z3x]

Britt, your reactions are addicting...you are a true sweetheart...and i love to see you react to these beautiful songs..

[@Magician1939]

Carol King's "Tapestry" album was on the charts for 5 years. A record in that time. For me every song on the album was a gem. The only album I could say that about. A while ago there was a musical on Broadway called "Beautiful" about Carol. It was phenomenal.

[@DanielBarberMusic]

Yep, every single song on tapestry was masterful.

[@davidmossman9676]

Tapestry is one the greatest albums ever. A number a great songs.

[@joyvincent7877]

Any James Taylor song added to your reactions would be awesome!

[@shooster5884]

I was so fortunate to live my younger decades at the time of phenomenally great artists and songwriters in so many genres like James Taylor being one of them. Love when you young reactors discover them ... and get to add them to your playlists..😊

[@jonathansmith3742]

James Taylor took his guitar to Lewiston, Me. and sang the Star Spangled Banner at the local football game after the tragic shooting last year. Who does that? James Taylor does that. That is the kind of guy he is.

[@JDogg1971]

You have to watch Aretha Franklin singing “Natural Woman” to honor Carole King at her Kennedy Center Honors awards ceremony. I’m a 53 year old male and that one got to me! 👊🏼

[@ronblois37]

Carol started as a songwriter in NY. Her best friend was Neil Sedaka. She was very insecure about singing her own music until Sedaka convinced her to try. The rest ,as they say, is history.

[@richardruncie4955]

Carole and Gerry Goffin (her writing partner) also wrote, Up On The Roof, a tune she wrote for The Drifters, circa 1962ish. It was a big hit then and worth a listen now.

[@chrisoakley5830]

James Taylor also had a hit with his version of that song.

[@manbearpig2164]

One of my all time favorite songs, 2 of my favorite musicians

[@thomashorton5715]

You need to react James Taylor and Carly Simon mockingbird

[@icmman7]

why?

[@redpine8665]

Please no. I'm a big fan of both of them, but that is just about the most annoying song I ever heard.

[@theamazingfreak]

It's a fun song. I believe they were married at the time and just wanted to do a fun duet at a concert. It's not sensational or life-changing, but it is cute.

[@redpine8665]

@@theamazingfreak Probably something The Captain and Tennielle passed on.

[@lindakinninger5500]

James & Carole were friends from touring. He wrote the huge hit Fire and Rain after he heard of a childhood friend’s suicide. One line is,there were times when I could not find a friend,but I always thought I would she you again. She wrote this for him. She had already recorded it for her album Tapestry,but told him to go ahead and record it & release it before her album came out. It ended up being one of his biggest hits.. they remain great friends to this day

[@elizabethfranco1284]

Carol King wrote this for him as a comforting response to his Fire and Rain. In the 1960’s she and then husband Gerry Goffin wrote many pop standards. She also wrote Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow among others. Another inspiration song to check out is Simon and Garfunkel:Bridge over Troubled Waters. A great song for your children I Hope you Dance by Lee Ann Womack

[@samuellord8576]

Hey Britt, GREAT reaction, wonderful!! I met Carole King once. Very sweet, modest, a very dear woman. To think that she didn’t like her soul-stirring voice for so long!!! Now you must her masterpiece: Tapestry. Thank you!!!🌈

[@FloridaHiker619]

His song Fire And Rain is amazing. I love your reactions.

[@jeffreybabor2585]

She also wrote songs that the Beatles did!!!!! That is how long she has been writing masterpieces for

[@michaeldezego340]

The guy with the beard playing bass here is Leland Sklar. He is one of the most prolific studio musicians ever. He’s played on something like 2000 albums. He played with and toured with James Taylor, Phil Collins, Toto, and others. He’s 76 years old and still plays and has a KZbin page, and has a long white beard which I’m trying to match.

[@jimj.3086]

Britt, you just ooze wonderful. You are undoubtedly a great wife, mother and friend. 💯

[@carrieflood4265]

I was just thinking the same thing, Jim. Well said.

[@davidholden4543]

Completely agree

[@jimj.3086]

@@carrieflood4265 Great minds huh?

[@jimj.3086]

@@davidholden4543 watching her just makes you feel good, doesn't it?

[@sheayankee]

This young lady is a gem!@@jimj.3086

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

2 legends

[@zafotbeeb]

It also was blessed to have in my opinion one of the greatest bass players, Leland Sklar sitting and playing beside him. You young lady are an absolute stitch. Really enjoy your reactions to the music I grew up with.

[@sandrajewitt6050]

I went to a James Taylor concert a few years ago. The man can still sing. Fantastic night.

[@gregcobb4066]

Me too!...Allentown Pennsylvania with Bonnie Raiit, couldn't believe l was breathing the same air as JT!

[@eddie623]

YOU JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO FAIL WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME PERFECTION RARELY DOES KEEP UP THE OUTSTANDING WORK DARLIN ❤️

[@rutssy]

Beautiful song

[@claranielsen3382]

I used to sing this song to my girls when they were babies. ❤❤❤

[@bofusnco]

I seen them both in 2010 on their Troubadour Tour. LOVE them both I met him in 2007. Gentle man.

[@marcuspi999]

My mom's best friend moved away, across the state and I caught her in the living room, holding my James Taylor record, listening to this song, tears dripping off of her chin.

[@dillodefense]

You will love his " Sweet Baby James". Honestly, most of James Taylor's songs are easy listening.

[@Ruvolo26]

I went to a concert with James Taylor, Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot and John Denver. A great acoustic show. Keep On Reactin’ A suggestion for Holy Week … An Easter Hallelujah (KZbin search)

[@DanielBarberMusic]

Wow! What a concert that must have been!!

[@robinmahan8814]

Nobody better than Taylor. And in concert he is perfect.

[@genny5309]

I saw Carole King and James Taylor together in concert in 2010. So wonderful!! I’ve seen him 4-5 times and I’m going to see him again this summer… such a great night of amazing music. There’s a PBS special featuring the two of them and their long friendship, reminiscing on their days playing the Troubador club in the early days.

[@RobertEskew]

Carole King wrote "You've Got a Friend" in response to James Taylor's earlier song, "Fire and Rain", where he stated, in part, "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."

[@randallleblanc4592]

I like that you are reaching back to the 60's and 70's for "new" music. I feel this was truly a golden era for singer songwriters.

[@sarajones5436]

I grew up with these guys love them

[@MCP920]

I was in love with James Taylor in the 70’s!!

[@jimstark1810]

You will enjoy most everything James Taylor does. On the roof, Fire and Rain, Copper line, Carolina on my mind, Sweet baby James, How sweet it is, Something in the way she moves. Just some of his greats.

[@jlittleboy]

Growing up Sunday was about going to church and in the afternoon my parents would play Carole King on the record player as we did our chores. Brings back good memories. ❤

[@moi01887]

FYI there are videos out there of much more recent performances of this song, where both James and Carole sing... they're amazing.

[@TerryYelmene]

...very good reaction to one of my all-time favorites

[@steelmill]

Its so sweet to see you react to the songs I grew up listening to as a young teen.Men and Woman had a different level of respect to one another as you can tell from the lyrics.

[@aaronscottyoung8584]

The James Taylor rabbit hole is amazing. Start with Fire and Rain but don’t stop there. So much amazing music.

[@brookemiley4927]

I was raised on both Carole King’s and James Taylor’s music thanks to my mom! Both of them are great singers and songwriters! I think you would really love James Taylor’s music! Shower the People You Love With Love is a favorite one for me!

[@ChuckHackney]

This song, along with Fire and Rain and Carolina on My Mind, were mega hits for James in the early 70s.

[@acehays]

How I wish all could have grown up and experienced the music when I did. Born in '51 the late 60's were so amazing, we simultaneously heard on the radio and bought the records of and played on juke boxes in restaurants and bars music so diverse, that we loved soft rock like James Taylor & Carol King and others right up there with heavy rockers like Led Zep, The Who the Doors & Animals, Steppenwolf, Deep Purple and more as well as revering & grooving to Motown with Aretha, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & Jame Brown, Otis Redding, Martha and the Vandells, the Temptations & more and later Patti Labelle, Donna Summer, So for instance in one music listening session I might have James Taylor's Sweet Baby James, Led Zeppelin II or CCR's Born on the Bayou, the Supremes and Carole Kings Tapestry all queued up on the turntable so it played one side of the album and dropped the next. It was so magical and I am so thankful that I can remember it and wish everyone could.

[@jackheath7188]

This was my class song in 1972. It holds true this many years later. I love the song!

[@TimRod-65]

I watched one of your videos for the first time last night and now I am hooked. In a few words, you blow me away. Seriously. You are funny, charismatic, animated, and just drop-dead Gorgeous. I could look at your beautiful face and Angelic smile forever. Wow. 😍

[@WhistleStix]

You might know James Taylor from his starring role in the film "Two-Lane Blacktop". From 1971. His co-star was Dennis Wilson from the Beach Boys.

[@kerrypapworth1526]

An incredibly talented songwriter and singer - what a beautiful, unique voice.

[@alannorris8465]

Carol King: her carreer span is from early 60s do wop until now. Neil Sedaka wrote "Hey Carol" to her. James Taylor has been her friend for 50+ years. Her album, Tapestry, is one of the greatest albums of all time. It was perfectly fit for the time it was written. I remember that EVERYONE had a copy because, well. . . It was just THAT GOOD. She is one of those nice people who just love what they do and do it as well as it can be done.

[@annbennettyoung6002]

It is so cool to watch you as you discover the magic that we older ones take for granted! Enjoy! If you can find it, check out Carole King listening to Aretha Franklin sing her song Natural Woman when Carole recieved Kennedy Center Honors.

[@laminage]

Carole King was next to Ellie Greenwich (RIP) two of the first successful Female Songwriters of our time. She wrote an endless list of songs for other folks. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow that went to Number One for The Shirelles who were the first Girlgroup to go to Number One. She wrote One Fine Day for The Chiffons, I'm Into Something Good by Herman's Hermits, and her Album Tapestry in he 1970's was one of the biggest selling Albums by a Woman. She also wrote Locomotion which was a One Hit Wonder For her former Babysitter Eva Boyd aka "Little Eva" and it was a hit for Austrlian Pop Singer Kylie Minogue. Alot of her early compositions were co written with her former Husband Gerry Coffin. She also wrote Up On The Roof for The Drifters. Between 1960-1964 The Brill Building was the epicenter for Girl Groups. Her Buddy Neil Sedaka wrote "Oh Carol" for her, and on Broadway a Musical called Carole is successful. She worked with Don Kirshner who would later create The Monkees and tried to create a UK Version that Olivia Nwton-John was in called Toomorrow. If you can, check out a Movie called Grace Of My Heart loosely based on Carole King's Life.

[@melanieheathbeasley133]

Long time fan of this song and James Taylor and happy to know that she wrote this song. One of his top songs for sure.

[@amandalinard9835]

In your reaction to Garth Brooks “storytelling” video, Garth spoke A LOT about James ❤

[@kevinhechinger7843]

My middle daughter's senior home coming was canceled because of covid. Dad and daughter dashed to this. Great memory for dad!

[@2350cmart]

Will always have a special place for Tapestry...in 1971, our parents sent me and my 3 siblings back to El Salvador for a year (they were concerned about money and the turbulent times) ...waiting at the gate at SFO, Tapestry was playing somewhere, I don't know where...but my 7-year-old ears funneled the sounds into my young memory. When we landed in San Salvador, walking through the terminal, I heard it again. The same album was playing. It felt like a message to me that everything was going to be alright. Thanks Carol.

[@jgibson1970]

When I was a kid (I'm 54 now), my mom listened to James Taylor and Carole King records A LOT. Their music instantly takes me back there/then ('70's). Also John Denver, Elton John, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt. Great memories.

[@patriciatolliver4057]

Patty-I love JT. Any song of his will calm you on a stressful day. My friend and I listen to him all the time when we are in her car after work. He just calms us down right away. Carol and Jerry Goffin were great songwriters in the 60's. They were known as Goffin and King. They wrote for an amazing number of Artists inthe 60's. FYI the theme song to Gilmore Girls is one of her songs.

[@gescheharm5881]

Thank you, don´t we all need a friend? Very emotional right now....

[@RebeccaRaven]

When this song came out we were stilling dialing with the rotary dials, so it cracked me up when you mimed pressing buttons. ;)

[@cantstandnomore]

Yes, this song was directed at James Taylor by Carol King. He was a heroin addict and she was trying to get through to him.

[@ChuckHackney]

Carole King is one of my generation's finest singer songwriters, and her album, Tapestry, is one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@jeanine6328]

Oh baby, James Taylor is just amazing. Such sweet uplifting music. You’ve probably heard some of his music and just don’t know it. Some you may have heard are How Sweet it Is Steamroller Fire and Rain

[@riskyseeds423]

Another great duet that James did with Carly Simon was Mockingbird. at the time they were a thing and the live song shows the love. He also had many solo hits the big one being Fire And Rain

[@bethluther3950]

I started listening to’pop’ music in the 1950’s. (Yes, that makes me officially old 😂,). So glad I found your channel. Love, love listening as you discover music over the years! Even more, I enjoy watching you fall in love with it ….. thank you for building a playlist of a wide range of of gems for your children!

[@StevesTubes]

This song was one of the songs on James Taylor's White album. Back in the early 80's my friends and I listened to that album so much we wore out the groves on two of those vinyl records.

[@DanielBarberMusic]

Sooooo cool to watch someone listening to this for the first time. And absolute classic, and yes, a great song for children, adults, all of us. 😊❤️👍🙏

[@Nick-H-77]

Carol King is an epic songwriter indeed. She wrote dozens of hits for other artists. Take Good Care Of My Baby The Locomotion Up On The Roof I'm Into Something Good Tapestry is a great place to start for her own stuff. It's Too Late is my favourite from that as well as Will You Love Me Tomorrow. My all time fave Carol King song has got to be Nightingale though. Amazing upbeat and beautiful song.

[@davidmossman9676]

Watch the Kennedy Center Honors for Carol King

[@tom7471]

On a night it snowed nearly three feet, I saw James Taylor and Carole King in concert in Bangor, Maine, many decades ago! It was an amazing concert and the place was full, even with the blizzard outside. James Taylor is one of the best singer/songwriters of all time.

[@richardhooser5096]

I’ve been listening to James Taylor since first discovering him in 1970. That’s 54 years of pure happiness anytime I hear a James! Pick any song from his extensive catalog. You simply can not go wrong. He wrote many many songs but also cover great ones by other like Carol. Try Up on The Roof. You will love it ….guaranteed.

[@kenhales770]

You really need to check out more James Taylor. He has some great songs.

[@hypno59]

It's amazing how a simple song and its eloquent delivery can transport us to some special place in our heart that we know is true.

[@angiemclain4411]

You seriously need to hear two song by Carol King, Way over Yonder and Beautiful. Both are on Tapestry. They are so so wonderful!❤

[@elizabethrichards9152]

Love to see you going down the folk music hole. There are so many rich and beautiful songs that are so comforting. Listen to Time in a bottle by Jim Croce. He is another great folk musician that we lost too soon. Also anything by John Denver. Annie 's song is a particular favorite and leaving on a jet plane with Mama Cass and John Denver.

[@juliapernicka2698]

James Taylor is also a fantastic singer/so songwriter. He wrote fire and rain about three events in his life. Fantastic song. Carole King wrote you’ve got a friend after listening to fire and rain.

[@sudburyhouse]

These are all from my youth! James Taylor has so many greats songs! I still have his songs on my playlist lists…

[@tonyhunt9980]

Great reaction. And what a lovely lady you are. Greetings from the UK.

[@elizabethfranco1284]

James Taylor wrote Fire and Rain after hearing of the suicide of a friend of his. Carol King wrote You Got a Friend.

[@gerardbyrnes5780]

This song has deep meaning for me. I was in a dark place.. and my friend reached out to me, using this song (sounds corny, I know)... she meant so much to me. Saved me. This song makes my old eyes a bit weepy. She passed a few years ago. Her husband told me she was trying desperately to find me, so she could see me one more time. I was in parts unknown and didn't make it to her in time.

[@virginiacroce5849]

Tapestry...her stellar album...is a must for you.

[@clipsrus606]

Luv going back and watching them “live at the troubadour,” all those yrs later doing their biggest songs together!

[@bryanspindle4455]

I worked as an usher at a local arena in the early eighties and of all the concerts l saw over a three year span James Taylor's was the best by far.