FIRST TIME REACTING TO | JAMES TAYLOR "FIRE AND RAIN"

[@andrewhope3525]

You're right - listening to James Taylor is instantly relaxing. This song is (partly) about a woman he knew who committed suicide.

[@reddevil3387]

My wife had been hospitalized for several months. I went to visit her every day. Then one morning I got a phone call informing me that she didn't wake up. This song tells exactly what I felt that day. That was two years ago, and I still cry about once a day remembering. I can't think of anything worse than losing someone you loved for 39 years.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

So sorry for your loss 🙏

[@MrMoon1953]

This is the song that inspired Carol King to write "You've Got A Friend".

[@justwondering5651]

I looked up James Taylor Carole King duets and discovered that Carole wrote the Everly Brothers' hit "Crying In the Rain", and that James Taylor recorded it as a duet with Art Garfunkel. I never knew any of this before. I found the duet on KZbin and OMG how well their voices blend together!

[@justwondering5651]

You've Got A Friend - Yes, Carole wrote it especially for James. They've recorded versions with each singing solo and the other doing instrumental backup, and with the two of them singing duets. The song has got to be a favorite of anyone who knows it. It plucks the same heartstrings as Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water which has got to be their best song.

[@johnlocke6506]

No matter what instrument if you really take to it it becomes an extension of you.

[@Paladin70]

James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, etc., we were so blessed in the 70s to have so many artists who simply exuded this laid back vibe and, to make it even better, there were so many very good local imitators performing in bars and coffee shops that you could enjoy this feeling live just about any time you wanted depending upon where you lived. What a great time to be young!!! In the 70s I was in my 20s, and now in the 20s I’m in my 70s. Funny how that worked out. 😁

[@reneeeiier4818]

You missed Paul Simon on this list. We really were lucky to grow up with some of the best music ever written.

[@Paladin70]

@@reneeeiier4818 I didn’t miss him, I just spelled it as “etc.”!!!😁👍🏼

[@gildahattabaugh4342]

I'm the same, 20s in the 70s and 70s in the 20s. I never thought about it like that. We grew up with the greatest music!

[@Paladin70]

@@gildahattabaugh4342 We certainly had the greatest music, but my wife will tell you that I still haven’t grown up. 👍🏼😁

[@davidhead6705]

@@Paladin70 Joni Mitchell will never be an etc. Taylor was involved with her for a minute. He played on her Blue album. David Crosby said all the singer songwriters of that era where in awe of her. Joni bitch slapped most of the other folkies at that time.

[@Robert-op7oc]

This song is a classic and is perfect just the way it is! Simple...

[@Cheryworld]

james taylor & carly simon mockingbird. they were married, she is a great singer on her own and had many hits. They do some duets. Mockingbird is as upbeat as can be. I hope you hear it someday. Guaranted to make you happy

[@sylviafarese8837]

The live version!!!

[@colibri1]

There's also great footage of Carly and Taylor singing Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes" together on a 1977 TV show recorded in their home. It's really worth viewing.

[@alanfulcher460]

Yeah that’s a really fun song!

[@jimmollison]

Agreed. They were a great pair and that's a great duet!

[@77gnelson]

I sent my comment and then noticed you'd already said it. Serendipity. Mockingbird is such a great and fun performance!

[@clydeb7713]

James had a really bad heroin addiction at one point in his life. He suffered loss and overcame much to still bring us his great music

[@1lthrnk]

He’s one of the few artists that other musicians and singers love to learn from

[@RhondaHill-mi7cw]

Love James Taylor. Always have. Always will. Thanks for sharing and commenting.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

As an electric guitar player, there is something so organic with finger picking an acoustic guitar ❗

[@codyclaeys2008]

James taylor childhood friend suzanne committed suicide while he was just starting his carrer and his family and friends hid it from him he didnt hear about it for 6 months later

[@shaynewest8757]

He was in rehab dealing with his herion addiction when it happened.

[@michaelyoung8501]

When the Beatles started Apple records James was the 1st artist they singed. Fire and rain was written about a woman James knew that died from an overdose. They had spoken on the the knight before and it she had promised him that she was going to get help for her addiction. James promised the same thing to her. ( talking on the telephone line. Talking about things to come.)

[@DavidSingerSongwtr]

Sweet Baby James, Carolina In My Mind, Up On The Roof, (remake written by Carole King), Handy Man, Mexico, etc all great songs.

[@paulagardner3218]

James Taylor, the greatest singer/songwriter in the history of the universe.

[@BobEvans-d8l]

Flying Machines in pieces on the ground. A reference to a band he was in by that name that didn’t work out.

[@davidclarke6304]

Susan Una “Susie/Suzanne” Schnurr (1948-1968)-is the subject a friend not a lover. She jumped in front of a subway train at age 19. "Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground".They were both in a band called Flying Machine with Danny Kortchmar and Joel O'Brien. James Taylor after being discovered by Paul McCartney was recording his debut solo album in London for Apple Records. No one told him for 6 months to keep him straight. He battled heroin addiction which later destroyed his marriage to singer Carly Simon." "Won't you look down upon me, Jesus You've got to help me make a stand You've just got to see me through another day My body's aching and my time is at hand And I won't make it any other way"

[@myownchannel247]

It’s true! Nobody accompanies themself quite the way J T can. His song Shower the People is a song that’s needed in today’s world 👍

[@brianburwick5175]

Britt, check out "Two James Taylors On A Seesaw"

[@pres96ton]

Listed to Sweet Baby James and carolina on my mind. Listen to Darieus Rucker of Hootie and the blowfishsing those to songs at the Kenndy Center honors for james taylor

[@thomastimlin1724]

Although he recorded his first album on the Apple Label for the Beatles in 1968, this 1970's Warner Brothers label album was his breakthrough album and this is his first hit single in 1970. The second line "Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you" refers to Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend of his who died by suicide while he was in London, England, recording his first album. In that same account, Taylor said he had been in a deep depression after the failure of his new band the Flying Machine to coalesce (the lyric "Sweet dreams and Flying Machines in pieces on the ground"; the reference is to the name of the band rather than a fatal plane crash, as was long rumored). Taylor completed writing the song while in rehab.

[@surferles589]

Great back story. I thought Suzanne dies by overdose. I could be wrong. Please confirm if I'm off the mark

[@alanoakley3242]

@@surferles589 I always thought she was someone he met and befriended while they were in rehab together but I guess she could have committed suicide by overdose, so maybe you're both right and I'm the mistaken one.

[@rosmeeker1964]

James and Carly Simon doing 'You can close your eyes.' Beautiful harmonies.

[@WolvenHeart1]

The 70s and 80s were so full of songs for cruising. These made the trip fly by.

[@parrodii3140]

James Taylor is Awesome. If you haven't yet, you should check out Jim Croces "I got a name" too. I think you'll like it a lot too.

[@wolfe6220]

Jim Croce was a national treasure!

[@julicarter7348]

Francis Cabrel is a French singer/songwriter of similar style He covered a James Taylor song Millwork in French, and there's a great video of the two of them performing it together. It's a great story song too.

[@michaelcoffey1991]

@Britt one of the 10 to 20 greatest singer songwriter's of all time. (This is my favorite song of his) and a soulful silky voice too so glad you finally got to experience this classic song and artist

[@jimmybooles9447]

I agree with her completely. He’s a very accomplished guitar man.. his voice is soothing and his songs tell a story that had meaning with the times .

[@gwydion56]

Love your reactions every time I watch a new one. James Taylor is one of the great singer-songwriters who didn't need anything but his own voice and a guitar to make magic.

[@shilohauraable]

James Taylor & Carole King - two artists who will forever be pure gold! ❤️

[@Pauba1946]

The first park of this song is about a friend who committed suicide, the section was about heroin, the 3rd part was about a mental institution. Carole King wrote “i’lll be therein response to James’s song.🎉

[@patrickwells8349]

I got to see James Taylor and Carol King together in concert here in Australia in 2010, and they both sounded as amazing as they did back in the day. Are you feeling a little envious for me? 🔥🌧🦘

[@johnurbanik1677]

I cant believe you havent heard this somewhere😳carolina in my mind is a good tune also😉

[@robertfindley921]

Poetic lyrics and amazing guitar. James is the real deal. In the 70s my sister kissed his album cover a zillion times.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Fire and Rain is the signature song by what may be my favorite artist. He has a deep, rich catalog, full of hits and gems. As a dedicated fan, I suggest Carolina In My Mind, Rainy Day Man, Walking Man, and Lighthouse as masterpieces of Taylor's intelligence, honesty, melody, harmony, and performance. He has a varied career, so you won't know him from just a few songs.

[@stevefoulston]

This song is about the high and low points of Taylor's life. He was only 20 when he wrote it in 1968, but was battling depression and drug addiction. Her name was Susie Schnerr, and Taylor also explained that it was months before he found out about her death, as his friends withheld the news so it wouldn't distract Taylor from his burgeoning music career. In a 1971 interview with Petticoat, Taylor explained: "It concerned a girl called Susanne I knew who they put into an isolation cell and she couldn't take it and committed suicide." Peace out

[@jimshorts6751]

If you want this song to utterly destroy you, watch a movie called "Running on Empty"... before you read about JT's life. Because reality is worse than the film. This song was therapy for him. There's no telling what would have come of him if George Harrison and Ringo Starr didn't fight to get him on the Beatles label. An outstanding artist.

[@charlesdavis7461]

Sweet Baby James. There used to be called coffee houses where people would sing and play the great acoustic guitar, pleasant times.

[@DaveIdiens]

You are definitely a 70’s woman. I was in my early 20’s during this era of music. Your explanations are full of warmth and so accurate! Thank you 🙏

[@brianorzel1873]

You're right. He can sing absolutely anything. A few years back, my wife and I saw him at West Point and he sang show tunes with an orchestra! None of his hits, just show tunes. It was so much fun!

[@asyouknowmesoiam]

It's great to see, someone so young, appreciate the music, my parents listened to, when I was a teenager.

[@funkyledouxrebelle969]

Beautiful song, beautiful reaction and you are beautiful ❤🌹

[@JasonGilbert-yl8hf]

Such a Great Song:)

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

Taylor wrote "Fire and Rain" in 1968. The song has three verses. One is about a friend who committed suicide, another is about Taylor's addiction to heroin, the third refers to a mental hospital and a band Taylor started called The Flying Machine. JAMES TAYLOR: “Fire and Rain” came very fast. You’d almost say it all happened all at the same time. I started it in London, in the middle of recording my debut album for Apple Records. My friend Suzanne had committed suicide a couple of months before my friends let me know. They didn’t know how the news would hit me and kept it from me until we were well into mixing that album. Then they told me about it, so that’s why the song starts with that first verse. I started it in London. I had known Suzanne the year before I started writing the song. I wrote the first verse and chorus and played it for my drummer Joel O’Brien in London. I had a small basement room. I lived in a succession of basement rooms. This one was fairly spacious. Silver foil on the wall. He said, “Oh, man, that’s going to be an important song for you.” When I finished making the Apple album, I was institutionalized at Austen Riggs in Massachusetts. I wrote the second two verses there. They put me in a little room, and I wrote a lot of songs there. It was very productive. I was getting my strength back, I was getting my nervous system back. Writing a lot of stuff. [The song] is very personal, confrontational and candid. It’s really a kind of blues in that it’s getting out something hard. It details three different episodes of hard times. The first one learning of Suzanne’s death, the second one coming back to the United States sick and strung out, physically exhausted, undernourished and addicted. And then the third one is, I think, hopeful. It’s much more general, about remembering one’s life, thinking back to my band The Flying Machine. Like a postcard from the loony bin before going back out into the world and reengaging.

[@erinhafer228]

He is such a fantastic artist, I love him so much! I’ve seen him live 4 times, he’s breathtaking live 😊 I’d recommend checking out these songs; Steamroller Blues( he has a nasty streak), Shed A Little Light (a beautiful song of equality)

[@happymethehappyone8300]

James Taylor "Shower The People"...Nuff Said. 🔥❤️🔥

[@hgoodin1013]

Omg. I can't listen to it without getting all welled up.

[@davel7526]

My college roommate and I decided many years ago that this song is so good it sucks. I mean that in the best way possible. And it definitely does not suck.

[@lesal.1373]

Spot on incite Britt! James Taylor truly has a soothing voice. He tells a story in a way that is casual but still uplifting. He makes it seem so easy!

[@musik102]

I saw James in the UK in 1971 (!). As to his guitar work, I once remember Sting, in an interview, really praising James's guitar accompaniment style.

[@johnbeumer9341]

If you want to hear him harmonize there is a clip of him singing with his then wife, Carly Simon at home here kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5vOpKFuoqqnbq8 . It is gorgeous. But don't be fooled by Carly Simon's restraint in this clip. She can belt it out.

[@ProdigyBowlersTour]

The studio single of this, released in 1970, was also quite minimalistic, but did have a little more to fill out the acoustic space. Not quite as bare as this. Just one of the most touching ballads ever recorded. He wrote it for a friend who died.

[@storyvilledistrict]

One of the greatest songwriters of all time.

[@jamessugg7061]

Imagine a duet with him and Karen Carpender. Wow!

[@jamescole8355]

Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground That is a great line BR party... 😀

[@brittreacts]

Indeed it is!

[@joannameyers8184]

Some just don’t realize how awesome he is

[@PatrickORourke-yz3xn]

in 1983, my first year at college, I had two roommates in a single dorm room. One roommate always wanted to listen to music while he went to sleep and we finally settled on James Taylor as the only artist we could all agree on. It's exactly like you say, you just relax.

[@scottp.2995]

I SO love seeing you enjoy the songs, that I LOVED when I was younger than you, lol.

[@hildamarmolejo1568]

My favorite song! I saw him in concert. Bucket list item.

[@StevenTyree-sl2nx]

Watching James Taylor play and sing has the same effect on me that watching Bob Ross paint does. I can't play guitar, sing, or paint but I find both of them mesmerising.

[@scottNNJ]

Shortly after 9/11, radio station New Jersey 101.5 took this song and inserted clips from the radio station’s live broadcast of that morning. It is a heartbreaking and captivating memorial to those who were lost on that day. I always think of that compilation (you can find it on KZbin) when I hear this song. May the memories of all of the souls lost on the day be a blessing to all of us.

[@reneebarnes3887]

You would love hearing him sing with the Dixie Chicks. Their harmonies are heavenly.

[@Lawrence_writer]

Wooooooooooooooooo. Looking good, girl. Okay, about to watch the video. Love James Taylor and I used to play this song. Love that studio. Seriously. Love your studio. It's you.

[@Afc91artistNC]

James Taylor's music is so mellow and hopeful. At 19, I did an ink drawing of him. This helped me get a job for 23 years.

[@markmurphy558]

In 1970 JT was on the cover of TIME magazine, back when we had news magazines. His career blew up, and he was probably the biggest star in folk rock.

[@tjrivers]

Had the album when released…learned guitar, sang harmony to it, love James.

[@audiemccall5332]

Listen to How sweet it is to be loved by you! It will warm you up

[@helgar791]

From this album my favorite song is his lullaby, "Sweet Baby James" which is a sweet song for his then new born nephew.

[@johnmurray6501]

James Taylor, is playing at the local Winery here in Brisbane Australia this Sunday, Chris Isaac tomorrow, at there age they still sound so good, enjoy your show,😂.

[@swampydouglasobannon8804]

Britt here's one you need to hear. Dave Finley sings Stuck on you. I think you will love his voice.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Before rehab centers were a thing people checked themselves in mental hospitals. JT in institution/rehab (heroin): Fire: electroshock therapy Rain: ice water/spray with a hose “therapy” “Won't you look down upon me Jesus? You got to help me make a stand You just got to see me thru another day My bodys aching & my time is at hand I won't make it any other way” (He’s “dope sick”, going through heroin withdrawals. He’s so desperate, he’s asking Jesus to stop the pain)

[@georgeprime2249]

Gorgeous guitar playing.

[@ThelmaBaker-v2b]

He does a beautiful duet with Art Garfunkel (of Simon and Garfunkel ) called Crying in the Rain. Incidentally it was shot in New York with the Twin Towers in the background. It makes the song even more poignant to see those towers still standing. One of my favorite songs Jamea does is a song called Jellyman Kelly on Sesame Street with children singing along. It is a lot of fun!

[@teej-h7w]

His parents thought he would become a doctor. But, like you say, his voice is healing.

[@EconAdviser]

The age of the singer-songwriter 2 1/2 generations ago. Now all of us are in our later seventies, but it's just like yesterday. We were all alive then.

[@mmfruitveg]

He's a National Treasure......top 5 of all time

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

I've seen James a couple times. It's always like watching your good neigbor who happens to be immensly talented. Very personable. Chats between songs. Fun & friendly

[@willfromyadkinville]

so iconic! and i am not afraid to say i cryied many times listening to this song!

[@stephenadams2008]

Welcome back!! It's nice reliving these songs through a fresh pair of eyes. Almost like seeing them for the first time. There is so much from the 70's, it'll take you years to go through it all. It's nice being along for the ride though. Thank you, and it's good to have you back.

[@brittreacts]

More to come!

[@joefravel7974]

I had the wonderful opportunity to see him perform this song live last year at wolf trap amphitheatre in Virginia it was the best live concert ever

[@SJean-b8m]

Hey Britt. One of my all-time favorite performers. I saw him live on his first US tour, back in the dark ages. In retrospect, he was so young, but spell-binding. It was an incredible line-up, opening act was a small band called Jo Mama, which included Danny Kortchmar, who has played/written songs with James, Carole, Carly, Don Henley, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and I'm sure dozens more. They were wonderful. Next act was Carole King, whose music I knew, but didn't yet know that it was her music. She was stunning. Then James played a full concert, and I swear, I still get goosebumps remembering his performance. Then, the members of Jo Mama, Carole and James did a lengthy encore that was so incredible. Definitely in my top 5 concerts of all time. I've seen him a few times since then, and he never fails to deliver. I do want to point out that this is really not one of his soothing and upbeat or relaxing songs, as it's about all kinds of dark subject matter. As others have mentioned, he was struggling through creating his first album with the band The Flying Machine. He had been struggling with depression and drug addiction for several years even though he was just barely into his 20s. Only months after the fact did he learn that his friend Suzanne had died by suicide, but because he was on a deadline with the album, everyone decided to withhold that from him. He ended up being dropped by Apple, the Flying Machine broke up. He poured his heart into Sweet Baby James, and wrote this song about all of those devastating occurrences. I've seen interviews where he touches on the darkness of this song.

[@fredsaunchegrow5214]

Try "Baby Boom Baby" done in the late 80s

[@dannycasson1551]

I'm glad you mentioned his guitar playing first. He's an amazing player. Sometimes it gets lost in the mix because of his beautiful voice and his songwriting. This song is supposedly a true incident in his life. I absolutely love this guy! He's so young here!

[@juliapernicka2698]

Love James Taylor. For something fun, watch the live video of him and Carly Simon singing Mockingbird. A total different side to him.

[@oldmanghost219]

JAMES TAYLOR "FIRE AND RAIN" ... All true life experience. He was overseas recording when his childhood friend committed suicide and it was a long time before anyone told him. Also he was addicted to heroin and spent time in an institution were he wrote at least part of this song. His friend Carol heard the part "There Were Lonely Times When I Could Not Find A Friend " so she wrote the song... You've got A Friend... Carol is a prolific song writer and wrote many hits for others before she herself started preforming. It was James that encouraged her to do her own recording. Carol was honored at the Kennedy Center and Aretha Franklin show up to do the song Carol wrote for her .. Aretha Franklin You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman Kennedy Center Honors 2015... It begins with an actress telling how it came to be ...Link--->kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXy3equGaplga5Y&pp=ygUiIEtlbm5lZHkgQ2VudGVyIGFuZCBBcmV0aGEgRmFua2xpbg%3D%3D

[@lloyderc]

I’d love to just sit around a campfire and have some drinks with him . He made some great songs

[@Jeber01]

He probably looks and sounds so relaxed because he was high as a kite. He had a bad heroin habit among other things and he struggled for a long time before finally getting clean thirty something years ago.

[@jonstreng7850]

Welcome back girl ☺️. Nice to hear current reactions from you. James Taylor is an artist who I didn't know much about. I'm sure he had other solo hits but he was more revered as a songwriter. He is in the same genre as Carole King. Continue with your great work 😊

[@betsylocario6453]

You should react to some songs of Carly Simon. She and James Taylor were married for over 10 years. They had a place on Martha's Vineyard, and maintained separate homes there after their divorce. Carly had a nightclub on the Vineyard, the Hot Tin Roof, which she eventually sold. But she had so many great songs herself, including to name just a few, You're So Vain (a song about Warren Beatty and a couple other ex-es), Nobody Does It Better (the theme song to The Spy Who Loved Me), Anticipation, That’s The Way I Always Heard It Would Be, Jesse, etc., etc., etc. She had the same mellow vibe as James Taylor. A wonderful voice.

[@redpine8665]

I work for a package delivery company. I knew the courier that used to have the route that included the street that Carly lived on. He said she was always very friendly and completely down to earth.

[@jefferyfoster2774]

I listened to him on vinyl a lot when I was a kid ❤

[@generalmalaise458]

James Taylor, the original JT for guys my age, decades before Justin T. A legend.

[@kurtludwig6962]

I heard this song when the Navy aircraft landed in San Diego my 13 month tour of Vietnam was over and the Marine Corps was giving early outs because it was way over maned . It was a peaceful song that felt so good

[@pamagnolia]

One of the greats. Such a beautiful singer, songwriter and musician!! 😅

[@jeraldjosey]

The song has three verses. One is about a friend who committed suicide, another is about Taylor's addiction to heroin, the third refers to a mental hospital and a band Taylor started called The Flying Machine.

[@marieneu264]

Love me some James. I listened to this CD to help me relax and fall into a great sleep when I was younger.

[@brittreacts]

Thanks for listening

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

He is a long-time resident of Martha's Vineyard Island. Still is. Martha's Vineyard Island was the shooting location chosen by Steven Spielberg for the background of the movie " Jaws ".

[@erinh8298]

I feel you, Britt. I don’t think anyone can listen to James Taylor and not be at peace and just wrapped up in the voice and lyrics.

[@kanomorrow7622]

“You’ve got a friend” is the one you need to hear! It’s just as good as fire and rain! Great reaction on this song. He does have one of those voices that is really unique.

[@battmale]

Another song by James Taylor with exceptional lyrics is - Secret O'Life.

[@davidkilianek9168]

Fire and rain is his signature song. He has many many others, but whenever you hear Fire and Rain, James Taylor comes to mind, almost immediately . One of his last songs that I remember, came out sometime around 1976. And if I am not mistaken, the song was titled; " It Used To Be Her Town To."

[@MarcVanLaere-zr5im]

Just a beautiful song ❤

[@gmanpopo1]

It’s like a proclamation to his sadness and confirmation to his friend Suzanne