JAMES TAYLOR - FIRE AND RAIN REACTION

[@EC-dz3fb]

A good friend ... one he met while they were both in a hospital (Suzanne) lost her struggle with mental health & committed suicide. "I always thought that I'd see you, again." ♡

[@wnsafford1854]

"Suzanne" is Susan Schnerr, who James met in NYC, but not in a hospital. She hung out with him & the Flying Machine. He said in an interview, her parents had her committed to a state hospital, to control her, not because she needed it & he felt the "treatment" there actually caused the issues that led to her suicide. 1967, the Flying Machine broke up, James went back to NC & entered rehab. After rehab, he moved to London & was working with the Beatles by May 14, 1968, when Susan committed suicide (at age 19, by stepping in front of a subway train). His friends kept it from him for months, till he finished recording with the Beatles (Oct. 1968).

[@EC-dz3fb]

@@wnsafford1854 Wow. You'd never think that he's 𝘮𝘺 uncle.

[@thomastimlin1724]

@@EC-dz3fb Wow! That' s way better than being a monkey's uncle lol. You tell James I said that, I'm a big fan.😁

[@adamsher2538]

Carole King wrote "You've Got a Friend" in response to this. Great song, and James asked if he could record it.

[@mikecaetano]

Thank goodness you were in a good mood to start your reaction, Jayy. "Fire and Rain" is definitely a very sad song. Hearing it always takes me back to the seventies, sometimes drawing tears. And yes, you were right, it's about drugs and suicide. Taylor was addicted to heroin for a time, so his body ache describes his withdrawal pains. And his friend committed suicide while he was away in England. So ...

[@robertlittlebury1316]

You have the sensitivity and intelligence to realise right from the start that there is more to this song than just a “nice little tune” as some other people have. It is a song about a tragedy. A friend played this to me in the 60s in West London. I can even recall the sunlight coming through the windows and that it was morning. The line about “Look down on me Jesus” always brings a tear to my eye because, my goodness, how many times have I said that

[@Rob-eo5ql]

“Won't you look down upon me, Jesus?” “my body aching” (He’s “dope sick”) A desperate plea for help. The pain is too much.

[@sunsungoaway]

"You've Got a Friend" is probably one of his biggest hits

[@TangoEliott]

Written by Carole King..Great song

[@happymethehappyone8300]

A MUST HEAR Classic,, James Taylor "Shower The People"...TRUST ME!!

[@angelagoodwin5758]

"Shower the People" and "Your Smiling Face" were also big hits for JT.

[@BOOMNERD51]

And upbeat if this was too heavy. Brilliant songwriter!

[@debbiechang5781]

“Shower the People” for sure!! It’s my favorite song of JT’s

[@evanhuddon]

I actually got to see James Taylor live in concert what an amazing show

[@quinny6920]

An incredible singer songwriter ….period!! Much love jayy

[@goittoog7563]

Sweet Baby James always tugs at the heart strings---"Shower the people you love" is another

[@marthaz]

He's got a uniquely smooth voice and pretty huge catalog of classic hits. I think you'd love, "Shower the People" and "Secret of Life". Beautiful, timeless messages . 👍😊 One of my favorite songwriter/performers of all time. Expert guitarist... love your always honest and right on target reactions 💕

[@lancevaughn432]

James Taylor, “Carolina in My Mine”, “Sweet Baby James“, “Walking Man”, “Mexico”, “How Sweet It Is” and more.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

"Copperline" (1991) and the 1986 duet single "New Star Shining" with Ricky Skaggs.

[@tjerwin1]

James Taylor is just an amazing talent that can touch a heart string with the songs he writes which are from his own personal experiences.

[@dagmar.6954]

Love James Taylor. What a great singer songwriter. His style is more folk rock. I grew up with his music & had some of his records. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Some other hits were "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", "Handy Man", "Sweet Baby James", "Carolina in My Mind", "Shower the People" & "Your Smiling Face". He was married at one time to Carly Simon. They had a few duets together including "Mockingbird" & "Devoted to You".

[@koen8185]

Look up the duet 'You can close your eyes' , Carly is still blushing with love , whilst James is pale and already in big trouble with himself , very impressive and touching...

[@catenystrom6506]

GREAT James Taylor song about a friend he lost to drugs and mental health issues while he himself was dealing with drug abuse. Amazing writing.

[@daveloboda1769]

I've been a huge fan of James Taylor for a long time. He is like a fine wine and gets better with age. Great reaction.

[@christinegelabert1651]

Hey there my girl! You're going to absolutely love this one. Just so you know he writes every song that he sings. He's one of the best musicians that have spanned so many decades you're over hear. #NYGenXBIKERLady

[@EC-dz3fb]

@@tammybennett6897 Absolutely not mistaken! ♡

[@oldmanghost219]

@@tammybennett6897 You are correct. When he heard it, he asked Carrol if he could record it. She said yes and they both recorded it. I forget which one came out 1st.

[@billfraser7616]

Many of his songs are written by others. He did a lot of old soul covers Up on the Roof. How Sweet It is, Mockingbird, etc As mentioned Carole King wrote youve got a friend

[@beverlybrown2673]

Sweet Baby James has made a lot of great music for decades, along with his friend Carole King, and his ex wife Carly Simon. He sat in with the band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last week.

[@terencenelson1950]

I seen sunny days I thought would never end I was at the park one day The sun was going down and I thought about James Taylor song

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

You have to listen to "You've Got a Friend" in response to this. It was written by Carole King, who handed it to James Taylor to record.

[@christinegelabert1651]

This is a song of his that I have come back many times over the years when I was struggling, both with addiction and also the loss of family and friends. The backstory of this song is while he was in recovery in a rehab there was someone who was close to him who died. His friends decided not to tell him because they didn't want to go off of his path with his recovery. So they waited until he came out of the rehab and was on more stable ground and then they let them know. So this is the song that he wrote about her. I come back to the song a lot because but one time I had 10 years clean but then I lost it. But now, next year will make my 20th year that I'm clean from narcotics. I always tell ppl but I got more dead friends than I have live ones. Honestly that is the truth because many of them didn't make it because of our lifestyle. Not just because of the drugs but also because some of my friends were murdered. So whenever I get too deep into my head, I always turn this song on it's kinda level me out some. You really need to check out a lot of his music because it's really wonderful. Rest in Peace to all those lost in the fight to addiction and lost to elements surrounding the lifestyle, you're not forgotten. XO ❣️ #NYGenXBIKERLady

[@wnsafford1854]

Suzanne" is Susan Schnerr, who James met in NYC, but not in a hospital. She became a close friend & hung out with him & the Flying Machine. He said in an interview, her parents had her committed to a state hospital, to control her, not because she needed it & he felt the "treatment" there actually caused the issues that led to her suicide. 1967, the Flying Machine broke up, James went back to NC & entered rehab. After rehab, he moved to London & was working with the Beatles by May 14, 1968, when Susan, at age 19, stepped in front of a subway train. Worried how James would react, his friends kept it from him for months, till he finished recording with the Beatles (Oct. 1968). Very best wishes on your continued sobriety. It's a hard road, but well worth it.

[@chevychase]

I never would have survived the 70s without James Taylor.

[@ammaleslie509]

Me neither

[@justafreethinker]

The songwriters of the 70s, nothing better ever. I know you love John Denver as much as I do Jayy, but loving JD also means that inevitably you will love James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Dan Fogelburg, Elton John and many more. Love it.

[@Noelle0026]

I got to see him in concert with Jackson Browne recently and it was such a great concert. His music just really touches me. He has so many good songs.

[@Fuphyter]

One of my favorite singer/songwriters. I've seen him live 5 times. I sang "Sweet Baby James" to all 3 kids while pregnant and after. I sang to them every night until they got older and asked me not to.

[@susanelkins3068]

"but I always though that I'd see you, baby, one more time again." Heartbreaking lyrics, because we have all felt that way about someone (or many) P.S. This is your channel/site! Say what you want, what you feel! If people get upset, they can leave or get over it! You are a kind hearted person!

[@mandysmith1756]

Love James Taylor, a true poet and a man who has seen his share of heartbreak. Sweet Baby James, the title track from this album, is very sweet and gentle. Written for his baby nephew.

[@ozmaile7938]

We weren't shy back then people wrote and shared songs of deep personal meaning,,,,, "She" his dear friend committed suicide Flying Machine was his band that broke up, Yes he struggled with drug,,, Those of us that feel deep are susceptible ,,

[@susanelkins3068]

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. Each verse is followed by the same chorus, `I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I'd see you again.'

[@allybandy3047]

James has one of the greatest easy listening vibes.

[@RainnKenyon]

You seem like a lovely person. Your response was touching, and you really felt the song. Thank you for this.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Jayy, you’ve discovered on of the 70’s most influential Songwriter. Very deep rabbit hole!! Shower the People!

[@johnthegreek5836]

James Taylor is a awesome singer, songwriter and musician, you’re listening to some great classic songs from the 70’s

[@antonedecosta9822]

Jay you seem so kind and loving I could listen to commentate anything. I pray that you are qell.

[@patswanson2870]

A fun and upbeat song is Mockingbird with James Taylor and his wife Carly Simon. (They did get divorced) If you do react to it I would recommend the video of them singing it live.

[@SK-lk3iu]

100%!

[@SPANKY221]

Wow this took me back so many years. Purchased the album when it was first released. He is so very good!Still hear it on occasion. Thanks for the good memories. 👍✌️

[@chitownlee]

He was married to Carly Simon. This is about mental health and drug addiction which he had with heroin.

[@metalmellie4371]

She caught that first verse immediately!

[@raybarry4307]

A man goes through so much shit in his life. This song reminds me so much of my favorite quote which is by John Lennon. It goes- Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. In other words you can (and should make plans) but what God wants is what's going to happen. For good or bad. I've seen the most horrible high speed plane and car crashes where someone gets nothing more than a minor fracture. Yet Christopher Reeves (You know Superman) slips off his horse that is standing still and breaks his neck and is in wheelchair for life. Shit is just mad random.

[@thomastimlin1724]

His first big hit and album, Fall 1970.

[@Soundhypno]

Incredible interpretation as usual Jayy!

[@calvintownley9089]

James Tayler was one of the best a lot like Jackson brown running on empty

[@debbiechang5781]

The very first concert I ever attended was James Taylor Carole King was the opening act. How cool is that? This song was soaring in the charts at the time. It was a wonderful time to be young. I love your videos honey. James Taylor is a wonderful addition. 🌺✌️

[@paulashanks3129]

Love this song 🎵 I used to play this album for my Special Ed Behavior students, it calmed them.

[@deanmaynard8256]

My dad's all time favourite singer.

[@BOOMNERD51]

He's got happy uplifting stuff.

[@Celery3]

This one was used memorably in the great 1988 film Running on Empty - which I really recommend.

[@hibhibb5429]

I LOVE that movie!!

[@karenmandeville7116]

Flying Machines in the third verse is a reference to a band he had.

[@michaeldinsen7641]

A brilliant piece of art

[@cynthiabustamante2884]

I saw him in concert in 2009. At his 20 minute intermission. His bandmates walked back stage. J. T. walked to the edge of the stage and spent all his 20 min with his fans.

[@ebenclukey7293]

James was in the throws of heroin addiction when he wrote this. Suzanne was as well; a close friend. Thankfully, he called his dad, who was a prominent surgeon. His dad came and got him and got James the mental health help he needed.

[@SportsFront]

It’s a great story. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXSwmIufZ79qkNk

[@oldmanghost219]

"Fire and Rain" written by James Taylor. I see others have told you the story behind it. i have both James' version and the cover by Blood Sweat and Tears in my library. They are both GREAT! It was the BS&T version that I 1st heard. Both James and BS&T have a deep rabbit hole of greats. By BS&T - "God Bless The Child" & "Lucretia MacEvil"

[@fgoogle5576]

Sometimes, your heart can hurt so much that it makes your body aches.

[@rhondaserges5136]

I had a friend, I had a fallout with in October. In November, I heard his name on the radio. He had been stabbed to death. 1992 .. still miss him.

[@BuffaloC305]

It was years later before this song's story was publicized. We thought this was a wrong-side-of-the-tracks issue... but it was a choice by his family and friends to 'protect him'...protect the 'process' he was doing as he completed his first record. Another album artist, especially these first couple.

[@elisaabolafia9542]

I always thought this song was dedicated to a woman named Suzanne ...that died in an AIRPLANE crash. Its a about heartache.💔Every 9/11 I do my own memorial dedicatec to all who perished at the WORLD TRADE CENTER. I cry 😭 everytime I hear this song. Soft yet powerful.

[@shaynewest8757]

She committed suicide while he was in rehab.

[@Rick-or2kq]

I had a very good friend that over time we drifted apart, ( everyone knows that is life) but I too always thought I would see her again, until the terrible news came, she died suddenly from a brain aneurysm, they found her on the kitchen floor with the coffee she had made still sitting on the counter. I think about her often.

[@yrankin1]

So beautiful.. great reaction.

[@michaelbailey1403]

You should check out John Denver's "Annie's Song." A very beautiful love song to his first wife after they had an argument.

[@DaveRave81]

Heartbreak causes physical pain

[@carmenwise2256]

CAROLINA On My Mind should absolutely be next.

[@angieday5183]

He and Linda Ronstadt have a duet "I think it's gonna work out fine"

[@jameswagoner3309]

This song was about kicking his heroin addiction, Fire and Rain represent some of the physical aspects of kicking.

[@albertjflores8950]

When i was 11yrs old , 63yrs old now

[@brianbanta6398]

yes you were right. the song is also about his struggle with drug abuse.

[@bobdelp2023]

HI JAYY! :) SO YEAH THIS ALBUM ( SWEET BABY JAMES ) WAS A CRUSHER FOR SURE. HE WAS HEAVY INTO HEROIN AND DRUGS AND SO YEAH. 1ST TIME WITH JAMES HUH? HMMMM :) OTHER GREATS: YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND, CAROLINA IN MY MIND, SWEET BABY JAMES, COUNTRY ROADS, WEL THERE'S SOME JAYY. :) TAKE GREAT CARE GIRL AND ENJOY.

[@paulraymond959]

Good song good reaction

[@winchy162]

You should react to Mark Knopfler and James Taylor Sailing to Philadelphia

[@joeschmoe665]

Memories of love and loved ones lost. My body's aching and my time is at hand (getting older). To my knowledge he never did spill who Suzanne is. Sweet dream and flying machines in pieces on the ground supposedly are all of the musicians that died in plane crashes. Help me out y'all, I know there's more out there.

[@EC-dz3fb]

Suzanne was a friend. They met in rehab/hospital, but when he was in his second go-around & she'd been released, she committed suicide. He wasn't notified until after his own release. ♡

[@KarenLWhiting]

On the VH1 series Storytellers, Taylor said the song was about several incidents during his early recording career. 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.[3] 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.[4]

[@joeschmoe665]

@@KarenLWhiting See, I knew there were people smarter the me out there. Thanks for the help.

[@KarenLWhiting]

@@joeschmoe665 You're very welcome. I have the James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine album. Yeah, I'm that old. Lol

[@joeschmoe665]

@@KarenLWhiting me too......Meaning I'm that old.

[@tobywallace578]

You got a friend Going to Carolina Two great ones

[@wolfmanscott8669]

You should react to the Traveling Wilbury's a song called not alone anymore, Roy Orbison does the vocals.

[@vickimingus9281]

His voice is sweet. He was a heavy drug user

[@rogercaruso9337]

He was married to Carly Simon he sang great together

[@oldmanghost219]

James upon hearing about Susan death months after the fact, James spiraled into a deep depression and drug use. He went into rehab with addiction to heroin and that's when he wrote Fire and Rain.

[@skinmeister1]

Jayy, your next James Taylor reaction should be "You've Got a Friend" - a much happier song! ;-)

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Curiously enough, the singer from Kool and the Gang is also called James Taylor.

[@user-DJDreamworld]

Davy did a cover of this song on his last cd it's a sweet song

[@stevewalsh4850]

It’s about a girl he knew that committed suicide, then a verse about his heroine addiction etc.

[@angelado3]

❤❤❤

[@iambecomepaul]

Yeah, that first line huh?

[@tec52]

Check out his "Going to Carolina"

[@trishriley9681]

♥️

[@TexMexJack]

This song makes my oldest daughter cry every time. Why y’all doing Jayy like this?

[@salmuscles]

the first verse is about a girl he knew who passed away... the 2nd verse is about his heroin addiction...the 3rd verse is about his stay in a mental hospital...

[@hongfang2508]

You picked up on this song well. James is singing about death of a friend and his own struggle with heroin. This was a big hit.

[@Steve-cm2ys]

Taylor's cover of "Handy Man" is amazing. Destroys the original.

[@andyh4224]

React next to Tori Amos "Crucify"

[@catman2629]

Sad to see you upset by this great track , I’ve been through bad times so know how it feels . If you want something to lift you up from this era try Argent Hold your head up

[@naturemom57]

You are correct… he had a bad drug problem and at the time of his good friend Susans suicide i am truly sure the combo of his drug addiction with the loss was very tough

[@bobmarley3478]

Hey jayy! Your videos are very entertaining to watch and i wanted to request if you could react to “good old fashioned lover boy“ by queen, top of the pops. Thanks!!

[@robinakym2356]

He met Suzanne in rehab.

[@mikewilson5338]

I suggest checking out “Dancing in the Street” by Martha & The Vandellas, kzbin.info/www/bejne/faamc4uKm9SJp5o and “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ-6gHWDhs2BeLM

[@christinegelabert1651]

Idk if you never seen the movie splash with Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks. But she was only involved with Hollywood for a short time. That is now his longtime girlfriend and they live off the grid pretty much. They've been together I believe almost 20 years. She is one of those people who is very laid back, kinda hippie type person. So a lot of people think that's why she left her Hollywood career behind. The two of them pretty much keep themselves a lot now. She always came off as a very sweet gentle hearted type of person. He's been through a lot of hard things in his life. When I found out that they were together decades ago. I thought to myself you know what, this is a good match. I think that they can heal each other over time. They seem like opposites because he was so out there with the drugs that he pulled himself back in. But she seems so introverted and I think that she can mellow him out even more. Whenever you do see them rarely together they look like they're teenagers in love. I just think it's so awesome to see me that way. 💕

[@sunsungoaway]

Daryl Hannah married Neil Young

[@KarenLWhiting]

He's been married to Caroline "Kim" Smedvig since 2001. Daryl Hannah is married to Neil Young.

[@EC-dz3fb]

I'm sorry, but who are you talking about? Are you maybe confusing 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦 with James Taylor? Because Jackson Browne & Daryl Hannah were a couple a long time ago.

[@jessegreen6138]

James Taylor had been using heroin and was admitted to Hospital. This is what the second verse is about. See E C below about the first verse of the song. The verse is about a Mental Hospital and his band at the time; The Flying Machine. So you did fairly well on your Reaction to this song. James wrote this song 1968. Thank you Jayy for this reaction video.

[@martinotoole9959]

And don't your headphones look out of place now? Kind regards Martin.

[@cottonmouthmather6238]

James' friends were going to surprise him by flying out his girlfriend, but the plane had crashed...

[@no834]

James did have a heroin addiction.