Fire And Rain - James Taylor | Opera Singer Reacts

[@lamusiclover2264]

He's one of the most incredible songwriters, and his guitar style is one of a kind and instantly recognizable. His voice is always like butter. It's like a lullabye.

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

I've seen James twice. He's so friendly and personable, it's like watching your good neighbor play who happens to be amazingly talented

[@garycorrick]

I think his You've Got a Friend" is different than you think.

[@jackhaskell694]

Yes. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” is a different song than “You’ve Got a Friend.”

[@robertfindley921]

Yes, Carol King actually let him release it on his album before she did on hers.

[@jackhaskell694]

To clarify, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” was a song popularized in Toy Story. I think it was written by Randy Newman. Not James Taylor’s song and not recorded by Carole King.

[@Jwhite1979]

@@jackhaskell694 FWIW, King actually wrote You've Got A Friend as a response to the chorus of Fire and Rain.

[@michaelmappin4425]

Yeah, she's not even close. She's thinking of Randy Newman

[@iant4862]

his voice is so soothing, but this song always breaks my heart

[@PatR2243]

So nice to hear his beautiful voice again. Mike, thanks for the trip back in time.

[@roger3141]

We were blessed by so many fantastic artists in the 60's and early 70's. Your reaction just says it all. This is beautiful music and lyrics that touch your soul.

[@daveray44]

Maggie went right over a big one, as she was reading his bio. Who doesn't love Carly Simon?

[@sleepingwolf_8]

Always good to hear James Taylor. Someone who tells great stories and always brings back good memories. The man can write and sing so well!🤗

[@michaeltelson9798]

One of my favorite all time singers. His collaborations with Carol King are superb.

[@sleepingwolf_8]

@@michaeltelson9798 their "Live at the Troubadour" concert was amazing!!

[@Uriahjw]

Fire and Rain" is a personal and heartfelt song about the difficult times in his life, including the death of a friend, his struggles with addiction and depression, and his eventual success:

[@myownchannel247]

James has a very unique way of accompanying himself on guitar that’s just perfect, his song Shower The People is another great piece of music that should never be forgotten ✨

[@happymethehappyone8300]

100% Agreed..I had suggested it as well before I saw your suggestion..A beautiful song with a beautiful message.

[@GreggoMusicChannel]

James Taylor has the sweetest male voice I've ever heard. The accolades don't come close to honoring him. He is a timeless icon. Country Road and Walking Man are my two personal favorites. If you want a treat, settle down with his greatest hits album.

[@thomastimlin1724]

James Taylor lives in North Carolina, and along with others is putting on a charity concert October 26 for the victims of the recent floods and wind damage in North Carolina. He has an old song he wrote called "In My Mind I'm Going to Carolina." Some of the biggest names in entertainment are lending their talents to a push to collect even more help for Helene victims. Luke Combs, Eric Church, James Taylor and Billy Strings are headlining a concert in Charlotte on Oct. 26 all to support relief efforts in the Carolinas.

[@justwondering5651]

The actual name of the song is "Carolina In My Mind".

[@regis387]

james spent his childhood in north carolina, but currently lives in western massachusetts (berkshires) - i only mention it because i lived there for 4 years in the 70's :)

[@happymethehappyone8300]

One of MANY MUST HEAR Classics,, James Taylor "Shower The People"...A beautiful song with a beautiful message. ❤

[@dorkyvonmunchmunch9912]

One of my all-time favorite songs. Music does not have to be complex to be profound and beautiful. Simple. Real. A perfect example of what a great singer-songwriter can achieve.

[@lindafletcher1628]

Sweet Baby James is well worth a listen

[@genny5309]

The entire album

[@oldmanghost219]

James wrote "There were times when I could not find a friend" and Carol King wrote.. You Got A Friend...in response. James heard her recording it for her album and asked if he could and she said yes. His album came out 1st.

[@ChrisPaddlefoot]

Far as I know, he's still touring, and apparently puts on a good show

[@yambo59]

We grew up in the 70's with so much great music like James Taylor on the radio. Nothing like it out there today.

[@homey4523]

James Taylor is a legend. I like singers-songwriters who sing and play instruments at the same time. Taylor Swift's parents like him too much that they gave her the his name.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

"You've Got a Friend" is not the same song as "You've Got a Friend in Me." Carole King wrote the former in 1971 for her album "Tapestry" in response to the line "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend" in "Fire and Rain." Randy Newman wrote "You've Got a Friend in Me" in 1995 for the first "Toy Story" movie. The first verse of "Fire and Rain" is about his friend Suzanne Schnerr, who committed suicide while he was in London recording his first album. His friends didn't tell him about it when it happened because they didn't want to interrupt his work. He found out about it six months later, thus the line "Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you." The second verse is about Taylors struggles to overcome depression and drug addiction. The third verse is about the breakup of his first band, called "Flying Machine."

[@terri2494]

James was the first artist signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records, which was obviously a huge deal for the yet unknown singer. I can imagine it was a tough choice to withhold the news about Suzanne until he returned home. If they told him right away he might have returned home then or been too distracted to do his best in the studio. As hard as it is to imagine, we might never have heard of him if he had known sooner. The music business can be cutthroat and unforgiving.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

"Sweet Baby James" may be his greatest and most deep meaning song. It is much more than the lullaby many parents sang to their child at bedtime.

[@darkpitcher5242]

James Taylor is right up there with Jim Coce and Paul Simon

[@happymethehappyone8300]

I think you mean "Croce"..Not being a jerk..Just thought you might want to know.

[@helgar791]

His lullaby to his newborn nephew "Sweet Baby James" from the same album to this day really moves me. Give that a listen as well.

[@randytaylor1406]

A beautiful and tender song. James Taylor sings in a sweet, calm, and soulful way. I agree it's majical.

[@willfromyadkinville]

one of UNC colleges finest! so proud of him!

[@Ch1ll_0ld_Dud3]

Saw James in concert a couple times. Always a lovely way to spend an evening.

[@bobpat56]

I'm partial to Taylor's "Shower The People."

[@daveloboda1769]

One of the greatest singer/songwriters ever. So many great songs, try "Shower the People" and "Carolina in my mind".

[@genny5309]

I was looking for a comment recommending “Carolina in My Mind.” 🩵

[@michaellk9587]

James Taylor is one of my favorite artist. Love all of his works. I was in 1st grade when this came out and can still remember hearing it on the car in-dash mono AM radio and loving it even then.

[@tnsteelerfan86]

Lost my best bud in 2018. This song hits hard. RIP Dave 🤘😌

[@anthonymalovrh2912]

Lost mine in 2023.

[@tnsteelerfan86]

@anthonymalovrh2912 🤘😌

[@diogenesagogo]

You Can Close Your Eyes is simply beautiful & beautifully simple. A tiny masterpiece of a song.

[@daytonarama]

James is one of the frew artists who sounds best all by himself. No fancy production work. No backup singers or artists. Just James and his guitar, because his voice and his guitar playing are unmatched. Just amazingly good.

[@martinhafner2201]

He kind of makes fun of the lone musician idea in "Me and my Guitar". But yes, simpler is better with his music and performances.

[@danielmclaughlin9385]

Thanks!

[@maggiereneemusic]

Thank you so much for your support!! 💖 I APPRECIATE YOU!! 🙏🏻 Hope to see you on my livestream today: kzbin.infof7u-VFveQ58

[@michaeltaylor8835]

James is an icon

[@SCVIndy]

On college when the Sweet Baby James album released .. this song got huge AM radio play .. the whole album is fantastic

[@timmurphy479]

Boy him and Todd rundgren you put them each with one instrument in a room and they can keep you captivated for hours.

[@stevenmuir1834]

Carolina in my mind is another lovely James Taylor song. You'd enjoy it.

[@johnhalverson1133]

I was turned on to James Taylor while stationed in the US Army in Germany. That was in 1970 and I have been a big fan ever since.

[@pfcampos7041]

This has always been my favorite James Taylor Song! Discovered him in high school in the 80's.

[@bsstyle123]

one of the all time greats, so many good songs... Carolina in my mind, Sweet baby james, Walking man, You've got a friend, How sweet it is, Mexico, Shower the People, Country Road. So many more but would love to see you react to more!

[@dougca7086]

Carole King and James Taylor a r e good friends and Carole King wrote the song You Got a Friend in answer to this song

[@gritnix]

My parents were late hippies in the early 70s. Summer vacations took us to Colorado to visit relatives because that’s where my mom grew up. I have vivid memories of being in the back seat as we drove the Rockies listening to James Taylor and Carly Simon songs and hating it…memories that I now look back on really fondly of course. ❤️

[@rds3547]

Had the pleasure of attending a few JT concerts and they were always fantastic, even though there were no pyrotechnics, or walls of amps, or any of the theatrics of the time, just his music and personality kept you enjoying every minute, and he had one show where it was just him and a reel to reel tape player as his backup band it didn't matter as long as his voice and guitar were live. His entire family are wonderful musicians and make great music as well, it's good to see you beginning enjoying what some of us have for decades.

[@genny5309]

He’s amazing in concert. I’ve seen him several times, most recently last year in Nashville. He also toured with Carole King - also fabulous.

[@chrispavlich9656]

James Taylor, Carolina on my Mind, Sweet Baby James.

[@leenagel3605]

I grew up in the Ozarks hills of SW Missouri, so , "Copperline", holds a place in my heart. And I was a sailor so "Frozen Man", holds another. JT is truly a National Treasure!!

[@sassycatz4470]

I saw James Taylor in concert with Carole King in Washington, DC. I can't remember exactly when it was, but it was probably around the 2010 Troubadour tour. They were fabulous.

[@davidcandelaria4411]

JT is national treasure! I have been lucky to see him 3 times

[@HC-iu1vs]

Instantly think of the movie "Running on Empty" listening to this.

[@kaychristensen4394]

I've had this LP since back in the day. In fact, JT was the first concert I ever went to in 1971 at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas.

[@edgarsnake2857]

Loved your reaction to one of the greats. I saw him a couple of weeks before this performance. We were at a rock concert where the headliners couldn't make it because of a snowstorm. James was virtually unknown and came on stage with just his guitar to play for a disappointed rock and roll crowd. He turned the crowd into fans in about five minutes. He had a very short arc from being unknown to being a star.

[@steveandtammyb]

James Taylor has been basically my favorite singer/songwriter since the V early 1970s, of course. When I think about the 1970s, his name is one of the main singers I think of, along with Carole King, Dan Fogelberg, Harry Chapin and many others!! As someone has already mentioned, Carole King wrote “You’ve Got A Friend” for James Taylor in response to “Fire and Rain” and James had a huge hit with “You’ve Got A Friend”. They’ve done concerts together! Love them!❤

[@TheToscanaMan]

Maggie, any JT is gold. Yes you are right about his writing in that it is simple. No need to complicate things... He has found a direct path to our hearts with his heartfelt words and pure uncluttered voice. Thanks ❤☮

[@masudashizue777]

I caught James Taylor's concert in Honolulu back in the early 70s.

[@gibbopg]

Both this song and Don McLean’s Vincent were just beautiful and sad ballads of that time. Amazing how they could command the stage with just their voice and guitar.

[@kaila288]

This song and Terry Jacks Seasons in the Sun always just get to me… ( well a lot of songs do, but those two for sure).

[@anitawright7169]

This song is so beautifully sad. James has an awesome voice. Love your reaction!

[@davidvsr]

such beautiful poetry....amazing songwriting

[@doorofnight87]

Beautiful song, and I really like your reaction and engagement with it!

[@garywalker9753]

James Taylor is one of the awesome songwriters of my coming to age. You might check out John Denver and Jim Croce. They were a couple more to dive into. Beautiful songs and voices.

[@ca6535]

JT and Dan Fogelberg were really the best at their song writing and storytelling. They were true masters, and both have a LONG list of songs to explore.. Have fun its a great rabbit hole...

[@thomastimlin1724]

James Taylor was discovered by the Beatles when he came to the UK. They put him on their Apple Records for his first solo album in 1968.

[@steelers6titles]

Country Road Suite For 20G Steamroller Blues (covered by Elvis) Sweet Baby James and Anywhere Like Heaven

[@tkallen7068]

This song (and album) came out my junior year in high school. I have been a JT fan ever since. I have seen him in concert twice - most recently at the Hollywood Bowl last year. He still sounds great. A nice touch at last year's concert was hearing him perform with his son. Sweet Baby James may be my favorite song of his.

[@michaeltelson9798]

You should listen to the James Taylor and Carol King “Live at the Troubadour” album. Another suggestion would be : Randy Newman’s Faust - JT plays God, all star cast, great recording

[@genny5309]

I saw them in concert together in 2010. Perfection.

[@crowleybo]

Really loved your reaction.....he sings so effortlessly.

[@allendesalme197]

This song was huge when it came out - Taylor is a gifted songwriter - you cannot go wrong with any James Taylor and his catalog is very large

[@marksilverman4537]

I first became aware of James Taylor in high school(1970-1974) and have loved him ever since. To me his early work is most calming, magical. Worth exploring Maggie.

[@shilohauraable]

James Taylor was pure 70s gold! 💖

[@shortaybrown]

“Sweet dreams, and flying machines in pieces of the ground” It’s a sad song ….it’s a sad and beautiful life. I like this song because it’s an almost perfect piece of music, and accomplished with just an acoustic guitar and voice. It’s sort of the antithesis of everything today’s music is. Great reaction!. Thanks!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️

[@saamegan2985]

James says that he doesn't write the songs, he is just the first person to hear them. Life sent a masterpiece him a masterpiece with this one! Keep writing Maggie. The more you are willing to capture those ideas that float into your mind, the more you will be sent. What is the difference between writers and non-writers? Writers write stuff down

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Maggie's face said it all. No words needed.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

1969 in my 6th grade class, Mr Nicole always bought an album to class and play a song and we would analyze it. And James Taylor was definitely has been in class quite a few times ‼️

[@iamanovercomer3253]

You are correct, music in the 60 & 70s is the best..... nothing today can touch it

[@billdomitilli8125]

There's a reason he was the first artist signed to The Beatles' Apple Records.

[@paularietta6744]

Still one of my all time favorite songs and artists. I was 15 when this song came out. Such great music.

[@junegeraci5130]

Definitely get hold of “Long Ago and Far Away”. The lyrics are just sublime, the music is simple, and the performance brings me to tears. I am 71, and have been listening to James Taylor since I first heard him in 1970.

[@unclebob53703]

I was in high school when this song came out, and I remember when it came on the radio, it would just stop time, and I'd have to sit and listen to it. It was really a golden age of singer songwriters then, and I'm astonished and grateful when I think of what a gift and a blessing it was to grow up with it literally in the air all around you.

[@neilfleming2787]

I love his voice. This song is still so good when he songs it live...his voice has changed quite a bit over the years, but only for the better

[@SuperKevin57]

Live version of shower the people,with his wonderful backing singers is inspirational 😊

[@steveandtammyb]

You should take a deep dive into James Taylor’s catalog of songs, which is very extensive!

[@keith6485]

My favorite JT song. I think his personal connection to it, which comes out in his performance of it, is the reason for that. The emotion of it makes it a beautiful song.

[@tomtortolani8082]

Blood, Sweat & Tears did an awesome version of this tune.

[@ideasmatter4737]

Carolina in my Mind is my 2nd favorite JT song! It’s also gorgeous!

[@scott3744]

Another song that seems like it's just part of my DNA... grew up with it, been listening to this song as far back as I can remember 👍😎

[@brucewatts8447]

I saw James Taylor live in 1976. He came to Honolulu, Hawaii and I was a big fan. As you can tell in this video his singing and guitar playing are both very beautiful and he sounds exactly like his recordings. Try "Sweet Baby James" or "You Got A Friend" both are sincere and truly magical.

[@robertfindley921]

One of the best song writers, musicians, lyricists and vocalists. Six Grammys back then would be like fifty today. But today he would need to take off his shirt and get backup dancers.

[@terri2494]

The competition for radio airplay, top ten hits, and especially Grammys was insane in the late sixties and early seventies. So many great artists producing such great music! And James Taylor was up there with the best of them.

[@joelutes9541]

There is a video out there of him playing with Taylor Swift at one of her concerts. She was already a huge fan of his when her mother admitted that she was named after him

[@dontworrybehappy8080]

"Ohhhh Mexico, I never really been but I'd sure like to go"

[@lewismaddox4132]

You might give some of his more recent live shows a listen. I particularly enjoy "Carolina In My Mind". Once again simple, elegant and beautiful. He wrote it when he was in Europe signing a big record deal but missed home and felt beleaguered despite the money he was agreeing to. The song really reflects the sense of what is important and how everything dissolves in the face of home, comfort and what is more valuable than money and contracts and fame.

[@steveberkery6128]

The best song about dealing with mental illness ever… 50 years later, no one has ever got close…

[@DrStrangelove3891]

Carolina In My Mind is definitely worth a listen.

[@randallespinosa4264]

Whenever I have time to drag my old acoustic guitar out to an open mic, my two favorite songs to play are this one and If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot.🎶🎶

[@jimflores9098]

Yeah, you're gonna have a great time going through his catalogue...it's all amazing.

[@Galahad-hk4bb]

It is amazing how many singer-songwriters came out of the 70s !!!

[@88pjtink]

Considered one of the finest vocalist/writer/performers of his era for incredibly good reason. More hits than young people can count up to these days.

[@christopherharris6145]

Saw James at the Main Point in 1970.and he was brilliant.

[@DM-hf9nh]

My favorite song by James Taylor is “Your Smiling Face.” For a long time, I was in a bad relationship, and I remember my mom telling me, “Love is supposed to make you happy. And you’re not happy.” So I got out of that relationship. Then I met my husband who made me feel immense joy. “Your Smiling Face” makes me think of him. We have been together for almost 30 years.

[@timtubemusic]

beautiful poetry set to music. He lives over here in Stockbridge and i see him now and then. My favorite was Sweet Baby James.

[@steelers6titles]

Reportedly, friend Carole King heard the song and responded with ""You've Got A Friend", which Taylor himself promptly recorded.

[@firedoc5]

If I had an ounce of musical ability, I would want to be like James Taylor. This is a deeply personal song for him, but you can put yourself in the lyrics and adapt them to your own life.

[@josephscally6270]

I have been following you for quite a long time now and I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you.

[@EconAdviser]

You can't realize how much of an impact this had on our generation, especially with the girls I knew at the time! He still sings at important occasions, as he's an institution. His other hits were almost as affecting and evocative. Married every guy's favorite woman, singer-songwriter hit factory, Carly Simon, but Taylor's drug problem eventually ended that.