Fire and Rain - James Taylor
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- čas přidán 23. 11. 2010
- Performed by Taylor in HD with stunning sound quality.
A song - from his second album, "Sweet Baby James" -
about Taylor's experience in psychiatric institutions and
the suicide of his friend, Suzanne Schnerr.
Taylor explained to NPR host Scott Simon that the song was written in three parts:
* The first part was about Taylor's friend Suzanne, who died while Taylor was in London working on his first album after being signed to Apple Records.
* The second part details Taylor's struggle to overcome drug addiction and depression.
* The third part deals with coming to grips with fame and fortune, looking back at the road that got him there. It includes a reference to James Taylor and The Flying Machine, a band he briefly worked with before his big break with Paul McCartney, Peter Asher, and Apple Records.
"Fire and Rain" is in the 227th position on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Lyrics follow:
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to.
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.
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.
Oh, 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.
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.
Oh, 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, baby, one more time again, now.
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now. - Hudba
My brother's favorite song. Dead over 30 years now, I hold on to the lyrics "I always though I'd see you again" because I miss him dearly.
The song touches my heart
He sees you
My brother has been gone for 10 years now. I have such a deep attachment to this song and that line in particular ever since his passing. I mean, I always loved the beauty of this masterpiece, but it definitely hits emotionally harder when you lose someone close. Stay strong my friend, and may life spare us from anymore heartbreak.
Rest assured, your brother's spirit will always be in your heart. Just place your hand on your heart, that's where your brother lives on...
I lost my brother 20 years ago. I understand your pain. We'll meet them again, I'm sure of it. 💚
James Taylor is probably the only pop star whose voice got higher and clearer as he got older instead of getting deeper and rougher. I wonder how many lives this song saved.
His voice never changed!
@@thorman1176 Not screaming pays off
That's because he stopped drinking and smoking weed
@@hawaiiangunner But most male pop/rock stars' voices get deeper and rougher as they age, which is natural, regardless of any personal excesses.
@@MsLogjam sure. He's such an anomaly it's the only thing I could think of
My favorite song of all time. Puts me in a trance. My best friend of 50 years died in 2016 (on my wedding dinner day) I could put this on repeat and never turn it off. I feel closer to her when I listen. I love and miss you Christine.
One of BEST songs ever written & sung by any human ...
I always thought the same. Every time I hear it, it touches me.
Beautiful..soothing and honest 😌
One of the Best for sure. ❤😊
My dad passed away in 2021 this song reminds me of the time we had together😢😢😢
He's such a beautiful vocalist and guitar player brings so much peace to your soul❤
I love this man and his music .He is one those rare gems we are priviledged to have been in the company of .
I am probably your biggest fan 59 yrs young I sing Fire and Rain all the time. My favorite karaoke song ever.
🥀Beautiful Song amazing lyrics, vocals and music it's sad but brilliant 🥀✌🥀☝️
This song was written in response to his friend who commited suicide. Its poignant words reminds us that we are not guaranteed to see the ones we love tomorrow, and that we are our brother's keeper; being involved with those who may be lonely and alone so that we may see them one more time again
This song gets sang at the candlelight vigil very year here in fort wayne Indiana...it's to help us cope with our own losses....glad he could write a song to help with his loss...he has touched sooo many others who have gone thru the loss from suicide
I thought it was about his girlfriend that died in a plane crash “flying machines on the ground” I think it refers to that as well!
According to JT, the song is a three act play. One per verse. It’s about his friend who committed suicide. It’s about his battle against drugs and his own mental illness.
@@greeneyes7912 that line reefers to The Flying Machine, a band James Taylor was in that broke up without ever putting out an album. In an interview, he said "Suzanne" was a girl he knew named Suzie who committed suicide, and the "they" in the lyric "the plans *they* made put an end to you" refers to the proverbial "they," like in "fate," not a person.
Nice thread, guys, thanks!
A belated, Very Happy 73rd birthday, James Vernon Taylor March 12, 1948 Boston. Your music has helped so many people get through this thing we call life. We love you.
If you are underneath the storm, during your most difficult test of body and mind I hope deeply in my heart you find your way out, if you are reading this with scars or without...
@33shin33 thank u and the same goes for u as well 🙂
Been listening to him all night
Best version of his song ever. Made me cry how he plays the guitar so well.
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful songs ever created! Thank you so much for this masterpiece James!!
James Taylor 50 years on and you still got it...
It almost like the older he gets the better he sings.
Baritones and basses are usually not affected by aging as much as tenors.
Epirc totally agree. gets better on the guitar aswell...
Something is wrong with your head.
Do you speak English as well Mark K ?
It's he's always been good, but as he got older his voice matured. It's so soulful.
James Taylor is like fine wine. He gets better as he age.
Std882
Thanks
STD882 or good whiskey!👍
Good music
Good
Std882
He doesnt need astonishing yelling or high notes
The magical lyrics just float over years and as well the future
I never thought of it that way, but I agree
Me too, just a beautiful sound, guitar and vocals, just wonderful ✌️
A true troubadour and poet. His music touches the soul in a way most does not.
This song carries a special meaning for me thru many years. Thought I'd see a lot of people again and didn't. "Won't you look down on me Jesus, you gotta help me make a stand, just got to see me thru another day."
A brilliant songwriter that wrote a timeless love song as good today as it was in 1970. James Taylor is awesome. Godd singer, and a great acoustic guitarist like Jim Croce was.
+john meyer bro this aint a love song
This is a love song about his girlfriend Suzanne who committed suicide. What else could a love
song be?
Only the first verse is about Suzanne. The song is about loss and JT's depression.
also about drugs and addiction......I'm glad he found his way back to life....while others from the same music area are no longer among us..... God bless you James. I love you because you're a humble, easy going family man, with great skills.. also musical ones, I'm kidding. Love your videos where you bake or try to repair something and drilling holes into the floor.. ;-)
Kelly Cannon thatsj right only the first part is the suicide issue thanks for the reminder. Gid bless
well done james..the demons have lost..you have won
Fantastic comment steff
Amen.
steff serpent he beat the demons
Beautiful comment...
James hit 70 a few days ago. Truly an American treasure.
He looks like my baby brother.We're old now.I'm 61 now(me) & my brother 59 but we still ,love good music
I will never get tired of listening to James Taylor
Of course man :(
Another timeless masterpiece from the 70's....and there were many; what an awesome era for music.
I love James Taylor so much. He has in a way defined my life
This song makes my cry every time.
born in 76 only 41 brought up with this type of legendery music. simpler time i know we had war and troubles but domestic and new wars are so common we change the channel now a days for a break and away from reality. he's a voice that makes me forget and look forward. why can't life be a press of of a button to CZcams
This is still the most emotional song James Taylor ever made. Timeless.
I need one hug from James Taylor before I die, then my life will be complete.
He has that quality like Bing Crosby beautiful baritone voice,great guitarist ,what really gets me is the song writing its just gets you man !!!
This song became so much more important to me in 1980. And this song will and always hold a space in my heart for Libby.
Something about this version... his voice aged like a fine wine, the wise and knowing smile shaped by a lifetime of joys and struggles. I hope I can perform half that well at his age here. Truly special
Saw him in 1970 in Chicago, brings back so many memories.
My brother played this on the piano while singing it at my 14 yr old nephew's funeral. He sounds a lot like James Taylor and plays the piano really well too. That was 30 yrs ago in August, 1992. Tonight I went to see James Taylor in concert in my hometown in Canada along with my brother and two nephews, one born shortly before my first nephew passed, the other 3 years later. It was an amazing concert. Hearing this song sung by James Taylor and being with my nephews was an event I'll never forget. They will always be a gift. In fact - one of them is named Matthew, which we later learned means 'Gift from God'.
Amazingly powerful. Look at the audience... the entire hall is silent in awe as James sings of his friends and dreams that have passed. Dead silence in a theater of a couple thousand. That's enough to make me choke up, let alone the beautiful performance. Someday I will spend whatever amount it takes to see this man, and to be a part of his audience. Amazing.
Also appreciate audience maturity and patience to wait til he stopped music then they responded
I imagine today it would be one big sing-a-long. Crowds really ruin live music these days.
This is the song helped me get over the death of our dog this past year, for 40 years of my life this song has always taken on a variety of meanings in my life going back to my early childhood when I first remember hearing it on the radio in the late 70's. Life has it's ups and downs, it's how we weather the storms in life that matters the most. That's my takeaway from this song.
I'm in tears right now, stumbled upon this song just now.... thinking about my mom, she has Alzheimers and sometimes it's hard, really hard to see her like this :-(
Mumaus Arbogast-Fonck hey mate, everything will be alright. keep loving your mom!! hugs!
I cannot get over my Schnauzer Girl passing... 15 years that blessing of a dog was with us... she over saw our family raising children, my husbands 12 year cancer battle which he lost two years before the youngest graduated.. she saw us through battle after battle. She blessed us one Christmas with a liter of puppies! Lost her three years ago..
Rolling with the punches I understand ,
I gave my loving dog to a friend who lost his very lived service dog. Then he moved away to the East Coast from Colorado! I thought I'd see Gilhooly again, but I never did, I lived him so much!
James’ voice is like a bottle of aged red wine.
This song takes me back to my early 20's, it was 1974 and I met the love of my life, Sue, she was everything I ever wanted in a woman, I fell madly in love with her and I still feel the same way today, so many years later. Her dad broke us up in an ugly way in 1979, my heart never recovered, it never will.
Peace and blessings brothah. I hear your roar...
Criminally underated as a guitarist. What a masterful performance . This is how legends are made
My guitar teacher told me there are singers who play guitar and guitar players who sing. He puts JT at the head of the pack who play guitar and sing.
This song gives me the feels. We used to listen this together with my old man, and now he's gone, I can't help but to miss him. Thank you for the upload. Thank you James Taylor for the eternal music.
James Taylor Super star just gets better and better!
I’ve flown across the pond from uk about 7/8 times just to attend his concerts - Jones beach,red rocks , Maddison square gdns etc etc . I love my music soo much all sorts but JT stands head and shoulders above em all , for me that is. I’m sure his music will still be listened to in 100 years time .
And surely on another planet as things seem to be going my friend.
This song came on right as I pulled up to the intersection where my beloved grandmother had been in a fatal accident earlier that morning. It is forever burned in my mind as our last shared moment. Thank you Mr. Taylor for the perfectly written song that helped my soul say goodby to her soul - until we meet again Mama
😮
Magnificent voice, actually improved with age. He's a national treasure.
A national treasure indeed he is.
On this day in 1971 {February 17th} James Taylor performed "Fire and Rain" on the ABC-TV program 'The Johnny Cash Show' ...
Five months earlier on September 12th, 1970 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #3 and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #2 in Canada...
In 1970 two versions charted; R.B. Greaves took it to #82 and Johnny Rivers' version made it to #94...
On Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart in 1975 Willie Nelson's version topped out at #29...
I am an aircraft accident investigator. This song chokes me up every time. "... sweet dreams in flying machines in pieces on the ground..." Fatalities are a reality of investigations.
James Taylor was my mums favourite! She would listen to him endlessly and always tear up his songs, now that you have passed, here I am sobbing to this song as I think of you.
I hope that I see you again, one more time. xx
Absolutely beautiful! I just watched the version from 1970..how does a voice get better with age?! He sounds that good in concert to. James Taylor has one of the best voices of all time hands down.
Daniellechannel87 I heard he was 67 now, so I wasn't expecting this to be any good, but it was brilliant. I'm not sure better is the right word, he was awesome in his younger years too. It's different.... and maybe you just prefer this version. Anyway, it just goes to show how talented he was....and still is.
Yes he is brilliant in his younger years as well as now.. I love James Taylor! My daddy sounds alot like him. Check out souljourn on You Tube. Him and his girlfriend are a cover band and they're really good.
Daniellechannel87 I just went back and watched the 1970 version, and now I can't decide...lol
Thanks Daniellchannel87, I will check out your Dads channel tomorrow when I have a bit more time. I'm more into classic rock, but I'm also finding myself going back to the older greats like James Taylor, Cat Stevens etc. cheers
Lol its a hard decision 😉
Cheers
James Taylor is a national treasure-
You will in Heaven . For some reason God keeps me on this earth . I prey and thank God every day ...
i had a best friend who died this morning. the whole school and staff were all crying. i hope you have fun in heaven my dear friend
So sorry for your Loss.. Music is Always a Comfort!! Blessings ...
I feel sorry for your los
Rekt M8 hope it’s a little better now.
its very interesting if you contrast this to his younger self preforming. He looked so sad, now he sings it with a half smile.
Dude your name...haha
He did write it about a friends suicide so he must have been sad
What did he eventually form after the preforming stage?
He's closer to seeing his friend.
The bbc in concert version of James performing this song is the stand out version imo.
When I see James Taylor in concert, I remember how profoundly this man has suffered (addiction and depression) and how perhaps that was the price he paid for his amazing musical ability... we all benefit without paying the price he did.
A wonderful song - early on by JT , another lullaby - sorta. Voice , and guitar ! Wow
What a brilliant song.💔 it breaks my heart with how good this is. Great music like this is a dying art nowadays.
Can he just stay with us forever? Don't ever go, James. :(
Hes still here ( ;
Yeah dude:(
James Taylor always calms the nerves. No gimmicks, pure sound of voice and guitar makes a great combo. He needs nothing else.
Always loved this song. Nothing in life has ever worked out the way i wanted it to. After a 17 yr marriage coming to an end 10 yrs ago i had both mixed anger and depression. I am now 58 and alone but when i was 24 yrs old i asked Jesus in my life 12-26-83. I like the part where JT says 🎼"wont you look down upon me Jesus, you got to help me make a stand" it hits home because Jesus has been with me all along and i am still standing. Thank you JT for all the awesome and beautifull music you have made and still make. Let us all🎼shower the people we love with love!🎼
I love how calmly paced this version is, what a legendary man
It's funny to me that he has become better with age as a folk singer. His voice hasn't left him and he plays more sweetly on the guitar than he did as a young man. This was incredible.
I've said it before when the guitar the vocals and the soul become one. 🙏🎵
Idk why this brought me to tears I think even God would favor this song
One of my favorite songs, yet it haunts me since I learned the meaning.
It's amazing that second verse how in so little words he captures the experience of addiction this song always plucks at your heart strings that's what true art can do.
I think he wrote this after a friend killed himself.
It's times like that people turn to music or drugs or drink. Or worse. But listen to the secret a little closer friends. "you gotta look down upon me Jesus and help me make a stand."
He never lets us down.
His girlfriend died in a plane crash
A most beautiful and appealing Song.We two oldies, in our 70's & 80's enjoyed it immensely
This man has seen some real shit, and has been able to put it to music. I hope James Taylor lives a loooong time! I've got to see this man live!
The "I've seen lonely times and could not find a friend" line, oh man do I relate.
This song always gets me , and i love James Taylor, as my name is Suzanne.
Suzie McDonald my name is Suzanne too. It always gives me chills to hear it in this song.
Thankfully you’re alive Suzie
His childhood friend Suzanne committed suicide. His friends did not want him to know and told him after 2 months. Then he wrote this. One of my favourite songs of all time!
Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️
Please send me a mail via. Jt1280598@gmail.com
@@suzannesimon3969 Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️
Please send me a mail via. Jt1280598@gmail.com
Heaven is God's way of telling us to love each other while we can. After that is an understanding we cannot know.
Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️
Please send me a mail via. Jt1280598@gmail.com
This song reminds me of coming home from boarding school only to subsequently learn that my cousin 'Pocohie", Harold Arnold Doman was killed in the VN war and my cousin Raymond was incarcerated. My dream was to come home and to be together as a happy family as we once were. Hearing this song brings tears to my eyes.
Such a beautiful song...He voice is just as good as ever.
Hi Carey! After all these years I came across your story "behind the lyrics of Fire & Rain". Thanks so much. JT has always been an example of how a performer, a guitar and sensitive lyrics can endure time and make people rise to applause in deep emotion. Long live James Taylor.
James Taylor's music has been a big part of my life for 45 years. My husband sang this song at our senior high class night st 18 years old. The two of us later sang together across the U. S. Including covers of so many of James' songs. His songs compare to none.
Something powerful about a great song being sung and everyone just quiet listening and soaking up the great feelings
Still sounds great♫♫♪♪♫♫ Two Thumbs Waaay Up for James Taylor.... LM
This song and Mr. Taylor never gets old to me.
A true poet of our time
One of top ten songs ever wrote as I can think of.... it always gets to me.
i had the best weekend, thanks to this song.
It's inspiring to hear James bring the richness of time to this song--it just keeps getting better. One of the first and still best "sad" songs of my youth, and probably the most instantly beautiful song intros ever.
I’m a 29 year old black male Pentecostal Preacher and I’m crying
It is wonderful the way this song lends itself to be interpreted in so many ways by so many people and they all make perfect sense to each other
James Taylor where did the hair go I still have some left god bless you friend
wow!!!! that voice after years!!!!!
An artist in the truest sense of the word...thank you James
Love the concerts without the cell phones and with the love energy. The old times showed the beautiful and simple way we can share the love.
I am a arolina Girl Born and bread, but have lived in Switzerland 22 years now, I love you JT saw you in Montreux in 97 hope to see YOU 1 more time again
I want to see my son one more time
This song was originally inspired by Vietnam and those who never made it back. Since 9/11 and seeing my dad die in front of me, in April 2013, it has taken on a much deeper meaning and is very hard to listen to without crying.
+Randy R I always thought it was about a friend who died in a plane crash, hence the line "flying machines in pieces on the ground"
+cumomsandcureloms So sorry to hear that. I have learned this century to never take anyone for granted. Never know when you will never be able to see them again.
+cumomsandcureloms I believe his friend Suzanne actually had committed suicide while he was in England. The flying machines line is a reference to his previous band 'the flying machines' that didn't have much commercial success and split up.
BaseLine Bobbo you are correct. I could also send that song because i have lost friends to suicide an dealt with it myself. However now seeing counselor every week
Sorry for your losses my friend, I also struggle with it from time to time. Keep your head up! through every dark night there's a brighter day!
we're all aging. like a fine or cheese, but James Taylor takes it a step up!!
The most beautiful song ever.
Wow, Amazing....Peace and Good Karma to All from New Orleans, Louisiana!
His finger work technique is flawless..............wow. The rest is pretty good too.
As good today as it was in 1970. Touching words - classic melody. A great musician..
every man who has served time Love's this song
I've seen Fire and and I've seen rain, and I've seen James a lot in concert, and I love that
A magnificent song that has stood the test of time. LVG: your comments are spot on.
One of the best songs ever
My best friend died unexpectedly a month ago . I miss her so much . She was my ride or die .