It doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, at any given time during James Taylor's career. It's always like hearing it for the first time. And rarely are any two performances of it the same. There are always little nuances that are different: Whether it's a chord substitution, a different rhythmic phrase in the rhythm section, a vocal inflection or ad lib, the build to the out vamp. Or maybe it's played solo or with a full band. It is always something special. People rake Dylan over the coals for changing up his songs too much in concert, but maybe that's what artists do: Dive deeper into something, looking for all possibilities within, as if it still isn't finished. "Fire and Rain" and James Taylor are both treasures we are fortunate to have.
The Meaning Behind James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" Lyrics James Taylor wrote and sang this song, which was inspired by a friend who died. After being recorded, this song elevated him to a pop star at 22 when it became a hit. Taylor stated that he wrote this song three different times throughout 1968. His writing began while auditioning in London for The Beatles' Apple Records. Then Taylor wrote more of it while he stayed in a Manhattan Hospital. However, he finished it at the Austin Riggs Center, where he was staying for drug rehabilitation. In 1972 Taylor stated: "Fire and Rain" has three verses. The first verse is about my reactions to the death of a friend. The second verse is about my arrival in this country with a monkey on my back, and there Jesus is an expression of my desperation in trying to get through the time when my body was aching and the time was at hand when I had to do it... And the third verse of that song refers to my recuperation in Austin Riggs which lasted about five months. Although he wrote this at only 20 years old, it touches people of all ages and is still relevant forty-plus years later. First Verse Explained "Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone I just can't remember who to send it to Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song" When he refers to Suzanne, he is referring to Suzanne Schnerr. Taylor states he used to get high with her and knew her quite well. He met her in New York in 1967 and hung out with her quite often when he was part of a group called The Flying Machine. The Flying Machine was the group where he became successful as a musician and writer. Suzanne, or who Taylor affectionately refers to as Suzie, committed suicide. He was living in London with mutual friends. Since his career began lifting off and his fame grew, his friends waited until later to give him the news since they knew Taylor was so excited about his upcoming record deal. He didn't find out about her suicide until six months later. He also states in one interview that he always felt bad about the line, "The plans they made put an end to you," because people have made assumptions about whom "they" are. He intended 'they' to be the Fates. His greatest fear was that her parents thought he blamed them. He did not. Second Verse Explained "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" He wrote this verse in 1968 after he stayed in a mental hospital. He was battling a heroin addiction. He wrote this as a plea to Jesus, as in Jesus Christ, to help him 'make a stand' against his drug addiction, which portrays how much of a hold the habit had on him. He makes the hold the addiction had on him when he belts out, "I won't make it any other way." Although it would be nice to say that in 1968, he finally kicked the habit, he did not kick the habit until much later. Fortunately, unlike many like him, he was finally able to make a stand against his addiction in 1986, when he became sober. He has been sober ever since but still feels that he is a recovering addict. Third Verse Explained "Has been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground" Earlier, during his senior year in high school, he had been treated at a hospital for depression. He and a friend, Danny Kortchmar, began a band called the Flying Machine. It was a blessing in disguise when the group failed just a few months after starting, and he started his solo career. The last line refers to this band and his earlier attempts at finding success as a writer. spinditty.com/artists-bands/Ive-Seen-Fire-and-Ive-Seen-Rain P.S. Blessings JT. We love you. Thank you for your music. #musicsaveslives
💛Beautiful performance 🤗Sweet vocals 💫 Brilliant sound 🖤🤍🖤 But I always thought that I'd see you somehow a time again Thought I'd see you - Thought I'd see you one more time, Suzanne And there's just a few things that's a-coming my way this time around, yeah Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain I don't mind if the rain pourin' I don't mind if the wind blows I don't mind if the sun don't shine on me no more Thought I'd see you just one more time, Suzanne
I love your music James. You used to get weed and coke from my dad and his buddy Alec in chapel hill just a short time before this video was made. Cheers bro.
Very nice rock version of a classic song from his repertoire, which he usually does live only with acoustic guitar, but on this occasion he develops all the power and ingenuity to improve, if possible even more, those perfect songs
He 'Ushered in' a whole group of Troubadours in the 70's....then he ushered in a new group of singer/songwriter in the 80's....he went on to 'Usher in' a totally new hungry group of singer/songwriter artist in the 90's......Folks, he's still ushering in new singer/songwriter genius, as the genius to shoot for when doing this daring daylight escape.... Definitely looks like Art
This is a gorgeous version. Always wonderful, but this particular band on this particular tour - wow. Lee, Kunkel, Wachtel...et al...what a crew! And, then, there's JT. Well, what can you say? Doesn't get much better.
Suas músicas e melodias me remete um lugar que nunca existiu ...um lugar eterno, sublime...sei la ..acho que é o céu.Gostaria muito que fosse,que após desencarnar mos seremos flores azuis , anjos de neve ..almas claras sem manchas. Oh meu DEUS todo esse sonho criei em mim desde muito jovenzinha,foi amor eterno.Hoje com 62 anos ...numa cidade do interior de São Paulo,uma grande cidade rica,tecnologica ... continuo sendo aquela jovenzinha "idosa" rs ainda ludibriada pelo SONHO DA MELODIA DO CÉU de JAMES TAYLOR.😢😢😢
Como AMMMOOOO ESSA VOZ ,ESSE JEITO, ESSAS MÚSICAS...ESSE CARA...O JAMES . piorrr nunca o vi na vida 1984 ou 5 num me lembro era uma mocinha e morriiii de tanto chorar pq QUERIA IR NO ROCK IN RIO SÓ POR 4LE...😢😢😢😢
I don't get the feeling his friend Suzanne went the way they say at all, considering how dangerous New York City was at the time, and that crazies have been pushing people in front of subway trains for like 120 years now, I disagree with what the New York City Transit Police said about her "jumping or falling" at the time. I think it's a high probability she was pushed.
A Masterpiece ❤🎉 the legendary James Taylor 👏 BRAVO 👌 thanks man and God bless 🙌
Music truly is a spiritual force. It bypasses our intellect and takes us to wonderful places. And this song, and this artist...wow!
The best
James is the man and always love the different versions of fire and rain
It doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, at any given time during James Taylor's career. It's always like hearing it for the first time. And rarely are any two performances of it the same. There are always little nuances that are different: Whether it's a chord substitution, a different rhythmic phrase in the rhythm section, a vocal inflection or ad lib, the build to the out vamp. Or maybe it's played solo or with a full band. It is always something special. People rake Dylan over the coals for changing up his songs too much in concert, but maybe that's what artists do: Dive deeper into something, looking for all possibilities within, as if it still isn't finished. "Fire and Rain" and James Taylor are both treasures we are fortunate to have.
I agree definitely one of the best songs ever written period
I’m seeing him in concert this June, he’s my hero
My hometown❤. Blossom. I was seven months pregnant with my first & only daughter when James was in town and I didn’t go.😢
Masterpiece performed masterfully.
Love to you @James Taylor it’s been a dream of mine to just watch you play live & feel your energy. You are a remarkable human being 💜🙏🏼💕🥹
I’ve seen him twice and he was amazing
❤❤❤JT❤❤❤
You've kept it real and for our ears for so many years, glad I was part of the generation that was and is still hear to listen, Thank you James.
💯Doesn't get much better than this.
What a great music guy
The Meaning Behind James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" Lyrics
James Taylor wrote and sang this song, which was inspired by a friend who died. After being recorded, this song elevated him to a pop star at 22 when it became a hit.
Taylor stated that he wrote this song three different times throughout 1968. His writing began while auditioning in London for The Beatles' Apple Records. Then Taylor wrote more of it while he stayed in a Manhattan Hospital. However, he finished it at the Austin Riggs Center, where he was staying for drug rehabilitation. In 1972 Taylor stated:
"Fire and Rain" has three verses. The first verse is about my reactions to the death of a friend. The second verse is about my arrival in this country with a monkey on my back, and there Jesus is an expression of my desperation in trying to get through the time when my body was aching and the time was at hand when I had to do it... And the third verse of that song refers to my recuperation in Austin Riggs which lasted about five months. Although he wrote this at only 20 years old, it touches people of all ages and is still relevant forty-plus years later.
First Verse Explained
"Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
I just can't remember who to send it to
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song"
When he refers to Suzanne, he is referring to Suzanne Schnerr. Taylor states he used to get high with her and knew her quite well. He met her in New York in 1967 and hung out with her quite often when he was part of a group called The Flying Machine. The Flying Machine was the group where he became successful as a musician and writer.
Suzanne, or who Taylor affectionately refers to as Suzie, committed suicide. He was living in London with mutual friends. Since his career began lifting off and his fame grew, his friends waited until later to give him the news since they knew Taylor was so excited about his upcoming record deal. He didn't find out about her suicide until six months later.
He also states in one interview that he always felt bad about the line, "The plans they made put an end to you," because people have made assumptions about whom "they" are. He intended 'they' to be the Fates. His greatest fear was that her parents thought he blamed them. He did not.
Second Verse Explained
"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"
He wrote this verse in 1968 after he stayed in a mental hospital. He was battling a heroin addiction. He wrote this as a plea to Jesus, as in Jesus Christ, to help him 'make a stand' against his drug addiction, which portrays how much of a hold the habit had on him. He makes the hold the addiction had on him when he belts out, "I won't make it any other way."
Although it would be nice to say that in 1968, he finally kicked the habit, he did not kick the habit until much later. Fortunately, unlike many like him, he was finally able to make a stand against his addiction in 1986, when he became sober. He has been sober ever since but still feels that he is a recovering addict.
Third Verse Explained
"Has been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground"
Earlier, during his senior year in high school, he had been treated at a hospital for depression. He and a friend, Danny Kortchmar, began a band called the Flying Machine. It was a blessing in disguise when the group failed just a few months after starting, and he started his solo career. The last line refers to this band and his earlier attempts at finding success as a writer.
spinditty.com/artists-bands/Ive-Seen-Fire-and-Ive-Seen-Rain
P.S. Blessings JT. We love you. Thank you for your music. #musicsaveslives
💛Beautiful performance 🤗Sweet vocals 💫 Brilliant sound 🖤🤍🖤
But I always thought that I'd see you somehow a time again
Thought I'd see you - Thought I'd see you one more time, Suzanne
And there's just a few things that's a-coming my way this time around, yeah
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain
I don't mind if the rain pourin'
I don't mind if the wind blows
I don't mind if the sun don't shine on me no more
Thought I'd see you just one more time, Suzanne
A wonderous song I've listen to many times and it's still wonderful !!
❤ you're one of my favorite
♥️♥️. Doesn't get any better than that.
Takes me back every time!
Holy crap this was a beautiful live performance 👍❤️
A true musical north star. Thanks, James.
I love your music James. You used to get weed and coke from my dad and his buddy Alec in chapel hill just a short time before this video was made. Cheers bro.
A JT classic 👏👏👏👏💖💖💖💖
Very nice rock version of a classic song from his repertoire, which he usually does live only with acoustic guitar, but on this occasion he develops all the power and ingenuity to improve, if possible even more, those perfect songs
♡Fire And Rain, masterpiece. Brilliant performance with the band.
Blessings JT. We love you. Thank you for your music. #musicsaveslives
Thank you for this . Love it !!!! 😎👍
Fantastic James!!!!!
brilliant ❤
He 'Ushered in' a whole group of Troubadours in the 70's....then he ushered in a new group of singer/songwriter in the 80's....he went on to 'Usher in' a totally new hungry group of singer/songwriter artist in the 90's......Folks, he's still ushering in new singer/songwriter genius, as the genius to shoot for when doing this daring daylight escape.... Definitely looks like Art
I love your music " Fire and Rain", since I went live on Califórnia, 1969! 👏👏👏👍
This is a gorgeous version. Always wonderful, but this particular band on this particular tour - wow. Lee, Kunkel, Wachtel...et al...what a crew! And, then, there's JT. Well, what can you say? Doesn't get much better.
Suas músicas e melodias me remete um lugar que nunca existiu ...um lugar eterno, sublime...sei la ..acho que é o céu.Gostaria muito que fosse,que após desencarnar mos seremos flores azuis , anjos de neve ..almas claras sem manchas.
Oh meu DEUS todo esse sonho criei em mim desde muito jovenzinha,foi amor eterno.Hoje com 62 anos ...numa cidade do interior de São Paulo,uma grande cidade rica,tecnologica ... continuo sendo aquela jovenzinha "idosa" rs ainda ludibriada pelo SONHO DA MELODIA DO CÉU de JAMES TAYLOR.😢😢😢
Blue Beetle 🪲
I'd like to meet you James Taylor, I think that would be a kick. God Bless Man.
One of my favorites! ❤💯🎶
Io vorrei conoscere di persona James Taylor, per dirgli che è Bravissimoooooo❤❤❤❤
Wonderful ❤️🤜❤️
My first JT song I learned how to play 🎉 Hits my soul 🙏
Como AMMMOOOO ESSA VOZ ,ESSE JEITO, ESSAS MÚSICAS...ESSE CARA...O JAMES .
piorrr nunca o vi na vida 1984 ou 5 num me lembro era uma mocinha e morriiii de tanto chorar pq QUERIA IR NO ROCK IN RIO SÓ POR 4LE...😢😢😢😢
Love it
Interesting how JT’s live version of this song has evolved over the years. Love the 1992 version from his live album
Uma de minhas favoritas. Você tem muitos fãs aqui no Brasil, e eu sou um deles
Arte puro!
Una canzone molto bella!per una voce così emozionante...😊🤗😍😘🎶🎸🎶💘💓💋💯🌅
❤
❤🙏
❤️
💕🎶🥂
🥇
Danny and Lee wish they could've played on the original version of this song from "Sweet Baby James".
Alrighty Then!
JT is the s***!❤❤❤
A couple of times I thought they were going to really ramped up the intensity... But I guess not haha I still like the song regardless
❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Mucho tiempo solo❗❗❗❔❔
I don't get the feeling his friend Suzanne went the way they say at all, considering how dangerous New York City was at the time, and that crazies have been pushing people in front of subway trains for like 120 years now, I disagree with what the New York City Transit Police said about her "jumping or falling" at the time. I think it's a high probability she was pushed.