What year did James Taylor write fire and rain?
James Taylor 's "Fire and Rain" was one of the singer's first mainstream hits, ranking third on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. He first wrote the song two years prior, according to CNN, when he was just 20 years old and had just learned about the death of his childhood friend Suzanne Schnerr.
What is Taylor Swift's song Fire and rain about?
After its release, "Fire and Rain" peaked at number two on RPM 's Canada Top Singles chart and at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. On the VH1 series Storytellers, Taylor said the song was about several incidents during his early recording career.
What is the meaning of'fire and rain'by John Taylor?
"Fire and Rain" actually has multiple meanings, with each verse speaking to different struggles Taylor has faced in his life. The first verse of the song was written for a close friend, Suzanne Schnerr, who committed suicide while Taylor was working with the Beatles in London in 1968.
How many verses does Taylor Swift’s “Fire and rain” have?
However, despite the success of the track, the song is extremely emotional and very personal to Taylor. In an interview in 2007 with Snopes.com, Taylor spoke to David Mikkelson about “Fire and Rain” and the true meaning and story behind the track: “Fire and Rain” has three verses.
What is the story behind Fire and Rain by James Taylor?
"Fire and Rain" is a song written and performed by James Taylor and released in August 1970 on Warner Bros. Records as a single from his second album, Sweet Baby James. The song follows Taylor's reaction to the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend, and his experiences with drug addiction and fame.
Who was Suzanne schnerr?
Suzanne Schnerr was a young woman who had befriended Taylor during his Flying Machine days. Later, at a mental-health facility, she committed suicide after being assigned an isolation cell.
Does James Taylor write his songs?
James Taylor, the iconic singer-songwriter from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has penned and sung melodies and hits that audiences have loved for years. In a wide-ranging interview with Parade, Taylor shares the seven songs that he says best tell his life story.
When did Fire and Rain come out?
1970Fire And Rain / Released
Is Fire and Rain about a plane crash?
It is based on the Delta Air Lines Flight 191 plane crash at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on August 2, 1985, as depicted in Fire and Rain: A Tragedy in American Aviation (1986) by Jerome Greer Chandler.
Who played drums on Fire and Rain?
In the early '70s, a new generation of acoustic-oriented artists changed the face of popular music. But Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor shared more than superb songwriting skills: They all relied on drummer Russ Kunkel.
What songs did James Taylor compose?
Fire And RainYou've Got a FriendHandy ManCarolina in My MindNew TuneShower the PeopleJames Taylor/Songs
Who wrote for James Taylor?
The success of the album propelled the release of two further singles; the up-tempo pop "Your Smiling Face", an enduring live favorite, reached the American Top 20; however, "Honey Don't Leave L.A.", which Danny Kortchmar wrote and composed for Taylor, did not enjoy much success, reaching only No. 61.
Who wrote Shower the People James Taylor?
James TaylorShower the People / Lyricist
Is Fire and Rain a sad song?
James Taylor, an iconic American folk-rock artist and five-time Grammy award winner, released emotional track “Fire and Rain” in 1970 from his second album “Sweet Baby James”. However, despite the success of the track, the song is extremely emotional and very personal to Taylor.
What is James Taylor's most famous song?
'Fire and Rain' There's a reason this is Taylor's best-known song and the obvious track to check in at the top spot on our list of the Top 10 James Taylor Songs: After all these years and albums, it remains his very best.
Who wrote the song Fire?
Bruce SpringsteenFire / ComposerThe story around “Fire” is a sad one since Bruce Springsteen originally wrote the song for Elvis Presley, who passed away before he could even listen to the song. Springsteen wrote the song after seeing Presley perform at the Spectrum in Philadelphia on May 28, 1977.
Who wrote How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You?
Marvin GayeBrian HollandLamont DozierEddie HollandHow Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)/Composers
Who wrote you've got friends?
Carole KingYou've Got a Friend / ComposerCarole King Klein is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has been active since 1958, initially as one of the staff songwriters at the Brill Building and later as a solo artist. Wikipedia
Who wrote the song Fire?
Bruce SpringsteenFire / ComposerThe story around “Fire” is a sad one since Bruce Springsteen originally wrote the song for Elvis Presley, who passed away before he could even listen to the song. Springsteen wrote the song after seeing Presley perform at the Spectrum in Philadelphia on May 28, 1977.
Who Wrote going to Carolina?
James TaylorCarolina in My Mind / Lyricist
Where did James Taylor write the song "The Beatles"?
Taylor wrote this in 1968 at three different times. He started it in London, where he auditioned for The Beatles' Apple Records. He later worked on it in a Manhattan Hospital, and finished it while in drug rehab at The Austin Riggs Center in Massachusetts. In a 1972 Rolling Stone interview, Taylor explained: "The first verse is about my reactions ...
What is the song Sweet Baby James about?
The stark lyrics about Taylor's depression stand out on Sweet Baby James, which contains mostly lighter, uplifting songs. Taylor was surprised that such a deeply personal song would appeal to listeners, as he didn't think people were interested in his life.
What record label did the Flying Machine sign to?
They liked what they heard, and signed Taylor to their label, Apple Records. By 1971, Taylor was on a new label and "Fire and Rain" was a hit. The enterprising (some would say exploitative) folks at the label that controlled The Flying Machine's recordings suddenly became interested in the band, and cobbled together an album from those recordings ...
What was Simon and Garfunkel's first hit?
The first release of "The Sound Of Silence" was acoustic, and went nowhere. It became Simon & Garfunkel's first hit when a producer at their label overdubbed it with electric instruments.
How many verses are there in Fire and Rain?
In an interview in 2007 with Snopes.com, Taylor spoke to David Mikkelson about “Fire and Rain” and the true meaning and story behind the track: “Fire and Rain” has three verses. The first verse is about my reactions to the death of a friend.
Who is James Taylor?
James Taylor, an iconic American folk-rock artist and five-time Grammy award winner, released emotional track “Fire and Rain” in 1970 from his second album “ Sweet Baby James ”.
What does the song Fire and Rain mean?
"Fire and Rain" actually has multiple meanings, with each verse speaking to different struggles Taylor has faced in his life.
Who gave James Taylor heroin?
In 1966, his Flying Machine bandmate, drummer Joel O'Brien, gave Taylor his first taste of heroin, which marked the beginning of the opiate addiction that he would struggle with for 18 years, according to Oprah's Master Class. In early 1968, Taylor spent time in the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, ...
How many records has James Taylor sold?
He has sold over 100 million records, but there is one song of his that fans keep coming back to over and over.
How old was James Taylor when he made Fire and Rain?
The singer's mental health struggles and battle with addiction led him down a path to create “Fire and Rain.”. James Taylor was only 22 years old when he achieved breakout success as a singer-songwriter, but he’d already experienced the sort of pain, frustration and sublime thrills of someone twice his age. Fittingly, the song that launched him ...
What was the name of the band that Taylor fell in with?
Taylor plunged headfirst into both of them, forming a band called v The Flying Machine and falling in with heroin addicts.
What did James Taylor struggle with?
Taylor struggled with his mental health as a teenager. Though a bright student, Taylor was plagued by depression, which was exacerbated by family turmoil and instability. By 15 years old, he’d already begun performing music in coffee shops and other small venues in his native Massachusetts and adopted home of North Carolina, ...
When was Sweet Baby James first released?
The song was laid down in the studio in late 1969 and released as the first single on Sweet Baby James when it came out in 1970 . It became his calling card, a deeply personal track that seemed to connect with everyone.
When did James Taylor perform Fire and Rain?
The Heartwrenching Story of James Taylor’s “Fire And Rain”. American singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor, 8th July 1971. He is in London to perform at the Royal Festival Hall with Carole King.
What is the song Fire and Rain about?
The song starts with a verse dedicated to the loss of his beloved girlfriend at the time, Susanne. At the time of her death, Taylor was recording with The Beatles in England. Being such an important time in his musical career, her death was kept a secret for a month after it happened. This is where the line, “they let me know you were gone” comes from. Susanne was in a dark place, and it was decided by her parents that she be taken to a ward. She was secluded in an isolation cell and her conditions became worse than before her parents placed her there. Sadly, Susanne ending up taking her own life. Thus came the second line, “Susanne the plans they made put an end to you.”
What song did James Taylor sing in 1970?
James Taylor Performs Fire And Rain Live (1970) Taylor has been asked by film companies to recreate the story of his life, but James politely refused their ideas saying he’s only trying to sing about the inexplicable death of a beloved friend of his.
What happened to Taylor Swift?
Taylor had his first emotional breakdown at the age of 17 and wasted every last penny of his money when it happened. He recovered but later relapsed into a state of mental instability and brought himself back to a mental institution. The folk singer had taken himself twice to a mental institution.
When did James Taylor sing "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend"?
But I always thought that I’d see you again. American singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor, 8th July 1971. He is in London to perform at the Royal Festival Hall with Carole King.
Who wrote the Giving Tree?
Author of The Giving Tree Wrote One of Johnny Cash ’s Most Famous Songs. Silverstein Was An Incredible Songwriter What few people know is, the famous author of The Giving Tree that millions have read and passed down through generations is behind some of the creation of The Man In Black’s greatest hits.
Who is the sweet baby James Taylor?
Sweet Baby James…. Beloved folk singer from New England, James Taylor is considered one of America’s greatest songwriters. Popularly known for his song “Fire and Rain” as well as “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” there lies a heart-wrenching story behind Fire and Rain. Taylor is now an older man with a brilliant smile, ...
Overview
"Fire and Rain" is a song written and performed by James Taylor and released in August 1970 on Warner Bros. Records as a single from his second album, Sweet Baby James. The song follows Taylor's reaction to the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend, and his experiences with drug addiction and fame. After its release, "Fire and Rain" peaked at number two on RPM's Canada Top Si…
Background and composition
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. 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 Ma…
Reception
Broadcast Music, Inc. ranked "Fire and Rain" at number 82 on its "Top 100 Songs of the Century" list, while voters for the National Endowment for the Arts and Recording Industry Association of America's Songs of the Century list, which comprises 365 songs of "historical significance" recorded from 1900 to 2000, placed "Fire and Rain" at number 85. In April 2011, the song was named at number 227 on Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs of all time.
Cover versions
Marcia Hines covered "Fire and Rain" on her 1975 debut LP, Marcia Shines. Her version reached No. 17 in Australia. At the 1975 Australian Record Awards, the song won Hines Female Vocal Single of the Year.
Parodies
Taylor performs the song on The Simpsons in the episode "Deep Space Homer". While singing the song for a group of astronauts (including Homer Simpson and Buzz Aldrin), he changes the lyric "Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground" to "Sweet dreams and flying machines, flying safely through the air" when he realizes the Space Shuttle may crash.
In 2015, Taylor appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he sang a version includ…
External links
• "James Taylor reflects on his career". The 7.30 Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. March 3, 2010. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Transcript of Kerry O'Brien interview with Taylor about "Fire and Rain"