My mom and dad separated in '69. I was 8 years old. My mom packed up an old '52 Dodge and drove from Illinois to Florida while I stay with grandparents. Almost s month into 1970, a man knocked on our door and my mom said there's a package for you. I ripped it open to find a stereo 8-track tape deck that my dad had sent for Christmas. And in the box, one single stereo tape. It was Sweet Baby James. I've been in love with this album and JT himself ever since. Grateful.
Thanks JOHN , What a lovely story, cheers my friend, I like you have JAMES TAYLOR for the music of my SOUL, it's been there through the good times and the bad time,s and always got me through, from 68 to this present day JAMES TAYLOR has always been there, CHEERS MR TAYLOR for a hell of a long ride we,v been on and pray it last,s a while longer. PEACE BE WITH YOU MY FRIEND'S.✌️✌️✌️😎😎😎🏴🏴🏴🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Shit happens. Get used to it and hope that nothing worse than that happens to you. Believe me I know that it can get much worse. I was happy when my parents divorced because all they did was beat the shit out of each other, and I had to watch it for most of my childhood. My teenage years weren't much better and I really don't like being here anymore.
@@AbbyNormal777 please try and look for little things to be grateful for, (the sun is shining, a smile on someone's face, the bloom of a flower, it's scent). I will be praying that the sadness you feel may be healed a little each minute and every day xx 💖
I got introduced to it in the late 60's older brother bought an album , not sure which one, but I was hooked. Loved my rock and roll but loved it and the cat Steven's after that , still love the rock and roll but also the jt, cs. And so many great musicians of the day@now days I just shake my head at most new music? Or so they like to call it! Sad! Glad I lived thru the 60&70's I was born in the mid 50's youngest of a big family, a sister born in the early 40's , I was her live doll@ listen to all old music@ so glad , most now days , suck!
@@AbbyNormal777 You strike me as a child who yearned for attention- not one who desperately tried to be invisible. Whatever the case I hope other people’s pain won’t always look like a challenge for you to top with some story forever and you’ll grow up and be normal one day. Good luck with everything but I’ll definitely advise you stop trying to out-pain everyone else. That won’t win you any fans.
It seems that I have been listening to this song all of my life, and now it suddenly occurs to me that that is true. I am amazed at how many of your songs have formed a backdrop to my life. It's as if my life wouldn't have been the same without your music. It's been a great ride so far, and as you say "it ain't over ...yet!". Thanks James for being such a musical presence for my life.
What strikes me about James's voice is that it has the same quality live as it does recorded. He's a musical unicorn. Excellent songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. I'll never tire of listening to that smooth, soulful voice.
I’ve always said this about James…Live or recorded-same sound! Absolutely amazing! Seen him live a couple of times, and both concerts were absolutely amazing!
The second verse of this song captures why I made Massachusetts my home in 1974. I've been making that drive on the Turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston for nearly 50 years, and that phrase "the Berkshires seemed dreamlike on account of that frosting" still brings tears to my eyes. They do indeed seem dreamlike in the winter. "Ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go" -- as I approach 70, I realize just how profound that line truly is. Thank you, Mr. Taylor.
The area between Worcester and Springfield is the boonies, just a bunch of small towns like Shelburne Falls and Palmer, that seem like they've been there forever.
I worked at a summer camp at West Stockbridge, and that sign for the Turnpike is right next to the camp. Just the feeling I get when I hear that line feels so special, goosebumps, tears, the works!
I grew up in Cambridge, MA, & of all the song lyrics that mention my home state, this is my favorite. I'll never forget my summer wknd trip to the Stockbridge area, in a '62 Corvette, having lunch at The Red Lion Inn, & watching the antique car parade go by, out front, w/someone I once loved. 🥹
Heard this song a million times. I’ve known the story for years. And yet here i sit at my kitchen table with tears in my eyes. So many things wrong with the world today; so easy to become jaded or bitter or angry. Thank goodness for music like this to ease the soul and give a brief moment of simple joy.
This one always brings tears. Only partly because I remember driving from Stockbridge to Boston in the snow around the time he wrote this song... we are about the same age. So long ago.
Listened to this on my long, late night drive home from work tonight and can’t believe you captured my thoughts and feelings so precisely-perfectly worded!
Why do people have to brag about who is American or what. I'm sure that James would have been just as talented if he was from England. I'm so sick of the US arrogance and need to police the whole world. It's no wonder the rest of the world hates us. I would feel the same way. Sorry if I am coming on too strong. Just in a crappy mood.
Heard a ton of music in my short life of 71 years. James Taylor ..... you're the best ✌ When I hear you play that acoustic guitar. It soothes me. And your voice is has always been liquid molasses. Smooth , sweet and so honest. You had me with " FIRE AND RAIN " Carry on , Sweet baby James !!
Thank you for being the dad you are and recognizing this man’s songwriting. I have listened to his material all my life. He and two other writers/ singers have been the best since ww2 composers.
Have been listening to this song for my entire life. I used to sing it to my kids when they were going to sleep. Now they sing it to theirs. Is and always will be one of the finest. Just like James.
Always dreamt that I would compose a lullaby that could come close to this one.. sleeping babies, a cowboy who loves to sing to the cattle. The guitar just ringing out like magic ! The Berkshires seemed dreamlike And so does this performance.
Mr Taylor was just 59 at the time of this recording and in my experience and observation unabused singing voices tend to peak in the mid to late 60s or even early 70s before the grim reaper gets too tight a hold on you, lol. James certainly sounds good in this video.
Crying,...everytime.... listening to the One man band songs. You and Your guitar. What else is there to wish for? This song is in balance, completely... Don't change it when it's done it's done...Keep singing it though. Thank You so much.
James Taylor whereas other musicians may change and evolve to different styles, ups and downs during their respective careers for better or worse, I've always said that it's you that has remained at a constant of brilliance from your earliest beginnings to the present. You are the same bright shining light that I could immediately see when I first heard you as you are now. Never wavering and staying true to your craft, your gift to us. I can't speak for anyone else but I take a lot of comfort in that. Just knowing that I can always expect you to be as wonderful now as I've ever known you to be gives me such a peaceful feeling. Thanks James. Thanks for sharing your beautiful gift of music with us all. Thanks for never compromising your talent by trying to change your style of music to something that was never meant to be like so many others who took that chance and ending up falling by the wayside.
My best friend died 3 years ago unexpectedly. He’d told me his dad used to sing him this song as a lullaby, so I’ve been singing it to my baby daughter as I rock her to sleep. I still get a little choked up when I sing it to her. Miss you Gabe.
I love you James Taylor , I was 12/13 when my older brother turned me on to the coolest music and Then I found you "James Taylor ". Thankyou for sharing your music with all of us. God Bless you big. I was 12/13, when my brother Rick turned me on to all the good music, and I put you way at the top! Thankyou for sharing your music with all of us . YOU ARE LOVED!
The first time I heard this song I was on the road with my wife and baby daughter. We were heading to Tucson, Arizona from Nebraska. Needless to say... it brings back very good memories. Always been a James Taylor fan. One of America's best singer/songwriters.
Growing up my Dad would sing this song and when I was in my senior year of high school I finally had the opportunity to sit down and appreciate this song. Fast forward to my last months of college, this song is so nostalgic, it reminds me of the years before my Mom began her battle with Lyme Disease. Life looks a little different now when the family gets together because there are still things that my Mom can no longer do. This song makes me miss the days my Mom didn't have pain with everything she did.
Credit to McCartney and Harrison for recognizing that the sound of this American stringbean was unique. If anyone was going to open a door for JT, no one better to do it than Paul and George....
I graduated college the year of this show, which I didn't get to see. "Sweet Baby James" and "Walking Man" were two of my favorite songs to listen to while walking across UVM campus and trying to formulate what I needed to write. They're perfect songs for being in motion unwinding and then being able to think with less stress. I still have them on playlists I listen to while I'm walking my dogs and preparing to write.
This is the song that is always in my head when I see my granchildren...James a wonderful musician with a equally endering wonderful way. I could listen to him forever
Oh to be in that small theatre in such an intimate setting blissfully taking in this marvelous man, this magnificent artist, this exquisite and very human being! I sit hererapt with joy as the tears stream down my face and the long years fall away. Many many many thanks, my good man.
I have a brother named James he looked just like your nephew as a child. That beautiful blonde hair kid, running freely through the grass in the meadow. So every time I hear the song I always think of my loving brother whose name is also James or should I say Sweet baby James!! This song is one of my favorites 😘😘😘😘
I live in England yet feel so in tune with this song about bygone days in the states. Music should have no boundaries and JT spreads the word beautifully.
My mom used to sing this to me before bed. It’s a very very special song to me. Gets me emotional every time. Thank you JT for your music and the comfort it has brought me my whole life.
I feel so good listening to James. So many memories, all good. The majority of his music puts me at peace. The rest just makes me foot-tap and smile. Thank you James for a lifetime of great music.
I was born in 1968. 😊 I sang this song to my kids at bedtime in the 90’s and am still singing it to my grandkids in the ‘20’s. Amazing the life one song can have and the memories it can give and bring. Thanks JT. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. I, for one, am really glad you did.
I just found this live prefomance. My father sang this to me as a lullaby when I was growing up and I've come to love James Taylor. This preformance was the month after I was born.
HI James, I have been listening to your music since you started. I also listen to your brother. Your both amazing I had every album you both put out. Now I have every c.d GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏
🥀Beautiful Song! To be honest with you I've been listening to him since the 70s and I believe he'd have made it on his own with his unique voice, lyrics and music I love all of his song's he's amazing on so many levels in the music industry and in my life. Stay Gold 🥀☝️🥀
To me there are only two types of music. Timely( Meaning for the moment a hit song that will fade away after it drops off the charts) and TIMELESS- a song that lives on. Most of JT's catologue qualifies for the latter- timeless and lives in our hearts and minds forever. Certainly this is just one of the many songs TJ has written- another timeless classic!
I crooned my girlfriend in the early 90s who became my wife singing James Taylor songs by the fireplace because I could sing along with the CD playing. I could stay in sync because the lyrics were stored in my head. I'm thinking it was the lyrics and not my voice that made the difference. 😁 Thank you James Taylor.
James Taylor, you helped ignite a passion for music and guitar that has stayed with me since. Inspiring me to play and sing, which I di for both my boys, the younger one who now plays guitar and is still in love with the "good old classic folk music". He also won't cut his hair. Thanks for your contribution to what I believe God put in all of us, music to lift the soul.
It just doesn't get any better...and James has about the best mic'd acoustic guitar tone that I've ever heard. Olson acoustic guitars and some phenomenal FOH guys. Absolutely tremendous stuff.
I don't know why... but this song always brings tears to my eyes. Sometimes when I can't sleep I listen to this song in hopes it'll make me sleepy. Instead, my husband finds me in the living room an hour later crying and dancing in the dark. I can listen to this on repeat for hours. We don't have kids yet, but I told I'm if we have one... boy or girl... that child will be named James so I can play this for them. It is my all time favorite song. And when I go in the ground... I want this song playing
James Taylor's voice sounds as good today as it did when he first came on the scene and is unconventional cord structures are amazing a true musical genius the beatles knew talent when they heard it
Hello james ! When I was 17year old, I could find out "Album of tapestry" by Carol King. Then, I could find out of your single song that was "you've god friend". I believe that the song of "you've god friend' is special song of higherself . So, I believe that this song must be so special spiritual beautiful song to me. James ! I'm so thanksful to you. Love from kosei
Awesome post. As I age, my voice drops in pitch, the good news is it helps me to imitate JT, which btw imitation is the highest form of flattery. Thank you, James.
I love this video times one million 💛 On my playlist and always makes me stop in my tracks to watch again and again and again.. Love you James... and watched you on Steven's show, but it was alllll you James. 👍🤠💛👍
Apple got this so right.. James Taylor on the 8 track cruising state ave. On a Friday night.. January 2022 on a you tube channel nothing has changed except age and now I cruise my dreams and still enjoy the music
This song is absolute magic...Perfection! 'The Berkshires seem dreamlike on account of that frostin', my favorite line. I've never been there, although, he painted the picture for me in my head.
I have to say this is my favorite song by him that brought tears and it’s why I went back to buy his first album too and what a beautiful ride ever since! He played a big part in my own guitar playing journey . . Thanks James you’re the best of the best and in my heart forever! 💕
I am always surprised when I listen to JT how much his music means to me. I have been listening for so long but it's always so real, so wondrous. Thanks for this!!
I like to think I was one of the first ones to hear this song I was a freshman in college in 1969/70 and James Taylor performed at the club on the college. He did songs from his first album and some from his soon to be released 2nd album " Sweet Baby James "!
James' music always sounds it's purest and most impactful to me with a more intimate setting like this. One voice, one guitar - maybe a piano/another accompanying instrument.
His sense of humor is something that I have always loved. The original JT's music is the soundtrack of my life. I have been so fortunate to see him live several times, and I always cry - his music moves me that much.
Only two writers have touched my soul. Joni Mitchell and James. Many musicians have energized my rock heart, but my soul is only soothed by James and Joni.
Reminds me of my little brother James. He was born at a time in my life where I was all about myself, and he is the last child so he wasn't given as much attention as me blah blah blah that whole thing. Great song!
