My favorite non-hits by James Taylor
Ranked #1,171 in Music, #34,230 overall
The best James Taylor songs that didn't chart
So I'm not going to talk about that soul-bearing song about his friend's suicide that defined James Taylor as an artist.
Or the saucy one about the "broken heart mender" that won him a Grammy.
Or the inspiring anthem of undying friendship that he covered and delivered a Grammy to Carole King.
Or any of the songs on the Greatest Hits album that sold 11 million (11 million!) copies.
Not right now, anyway.
This particular page is a collection of my favorite non-hits from my favorite pop singer. Reviews of wonderful James Taylor songs that didn't climb the charts but make my heart soar with feelings of delight, dismay, romance, empathy, hope, and fun.
(Photo of James Taylor at Tanglewood in 2008. Courtesy of Paul Keleher.)
Or the saucy one about the "broken heart mender" that won him a Grammy.
Or the inspiring anthem of undying friendship that he covered and delivered a Grammy to Carole King.
Or any of the songs on the Greatest Hits album that sold 11 million (11 million!) copies.
Not right now, anyway.
This particular page is a collection of my favorite non-hits from my favorite pop singer. Reviews of wonderful James Taylor songs that didn't climb the charts but make my heart soar with feelings of delight, dismay, romance, empathy, hope, and fun.
(Photo of James Taylor at Tanglewood in 2008. Courtesy of Paul Keleher.)
James Taylor Song Sampler
Snippets of the songs that I review on this page.
Another Day
From "Hourglass" (1997)
This song is everything we love about James Taylor. Sweet, sensitive, searching.
I have a favorite iTunes playlist made up of songs that all speak to me in the same way about a dark or sad time being over and the joy and hope of a new dawning. It includes songs from Barry Manilow, the Beatles, Andrae Crouch, and Mary Mary. And this one -- "Another Day".
. . . walk with me into this light . . .
I love the musical structure of "Another Day". It starts with a beautiful line that doesn't really sound like a complete verse or a chorus. The phrase ends on a six-chord that doesn't resolve; it sounds like it's leading into another part. Then other passages follow it, a different one each time, always coming back to the opening, which closes the song on the unresolved chord. It feels like a beginning instead of an ending. I can't think of any other song I know that is structured that way.
1999 - Beacon Theatre Show
I have a favorite iTunes playlist made up of songs that all speak to me in the same way about a dark or sad time being over and the joy and hope of a new dawning. It includes songs from Barry Manilow, the Beatles, Andrae Crouch, and Mary Mary. And this one -- "Another Day".
. . . walk with me into this light . . .
I love the musical structure of "Another Day". It starts with a beautiful line that doesn't really sound like a complete verse or a chorus. The phrase ends on a six-chord that doesn't resolve; it sounds like it's leading into another part. Then other passages follow it, a different one each time, always coming back to the opening, which closes the song on the unresolved chord. It feels like a beginning instead of an ending. I can't think of any other song I know that is structured that way.
1999 - Beacon Theatre Show
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- How to play "Another Day"
- Guitar chords from 911Tabs.Com
- Taylor talks about "Another Day"
- In a page on his booking agency's website, James talks about the writing process on "Another Day" and what the song means to him. The main idea is the same as what I get from the song -- going from darkness into light, coming out of the storm.
Another Grey Morning
From "JT" (1977)
I don't have any real experience with depression myself, but James Taylor does, and I get the feeling that "Another Grey Morning" paints a picture of what depression is like. You can feel heaviness in the song right along with its beauty.
The main guitar riff has a bluesy feel and the bass line partly resembles another great blues tune, Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers. The guitar groove is very appealing and could even sound a little bit funky or sexy if it were paired with a different melody and lyrics, but in the context of the song it adds to the feeling of droning repetition; it succeeds in sounding like a rut instead of a groove.
And James, of course, complements it perfectly with his singing. The intimacy of his vocals help you feel like you're getting inside someone else's head.
The main guitar riff has a bluesy feel and the bass line partly resembles another great blues tune, Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers. The guitar groove is very appealing and could even sound a little bit funky or sexy if it were paired with a different melody and lyrics, but in the context of the song it adds to the feeling of droning repetition; it succeeds in sounding like a rut instead of a groove.
And James, of course, complements it perfectly with his singing. The intimacy of his vocals help you feel like you're getting inside someone else's head.
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- Chords for "Another Grey Morning"
- From the "Spike's Music Collection" website.
- Digital sheet music for "Another Grey Morning"
- Download from musicnotes.com.
- A bit about James Taylor's history of depression
- A Boston Globe article about McLean Psychiatric Hospital, the mental hospital where Taylor and his siblings all spent some time.
Blossom
From "Sweet Baby James" (1970)
Sunny and pretty and romantic. The bright guitar playing and sweet singing bring an instant smile. And I love the "la la la" ending. If he's trying to woo her with a serenade, I think it will definitely work.
The message of "Blossom" seems to be that the nicest way for a guy to get in touch with his feminine side is to hook up with a good woman.
You get the feeling from this live performance that Taylor really likes this song. I love his comment at the beginning: "Sometimes I can't believe I wrote it."
The message of "Blossom" seems to be that the nicest way for a guy to get in touch with his feminine side is to hook up with a good woman.
You get the feeling from this live performance that Taylor really likes this song. I love his comment at the beginning: "Sometimes I can't believe I wrote it."
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- Guitar chords for "Blossom"
- From azchordscom. Tab format.
If I Keep My Heart Out of Sight
From "JT" (1977)
Lushly romantic but with a modern edge as well. This song enchanted me when I was a teenager. Every woman's fantasy is that there's some terrific guy out there who's strategizing about how he can marry her.
I love the sparkly electric keyboard accents on this song, and Taylor does an excellent job hitting his high notes without sounding affected or strained.
I love the sparkly electric keyboard accents on this song, and Taylor does an excellent job hitting his high notes without sounding affected or strained.
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- Chords for "If I Keep My Heart Out of Sight"
- From megachords.com.
- Digital sheet music for "If I Keep My Heart Out of Sight"
- Download from musicnotes.com.
Mean Old Man
From "October Road" (2002)
First of all, this song doesn't sound like "a James Taylor song". When I first heard it , I thought it was probably a cover and was surprised to find that it's an original. It feels like an old standard, complete with jazz piano accompaniment.
"Mean Old Man" is a fun song. It has a great marriage of music to lyrics, with a melodic sequence that climbs the scale as more and more cutely rhymed words are piled on to form a caricature of the grumpy protagonist.
And so danceable, too.
"Mean Old Man" is a fun song. It has a great marriage of music to lyrics, with a melodic sequence that climbs the scale as more and more cutely rhymed words are piled on to form a caricature of the grumpy protagonist.
And so danceable, too.
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- Digital sheet music for "Mean Old Man"
- Download from musicnotes.com.
- An interview where James discusses the song (it turns out that smarter musicians than me thought the same thing about "Mean Old Man")
- He's talking with "Blue Railroad" magazine and says this: "You know I got a great compliment from my mentor and the guy who gave me my break, Paul McCartney. He bought a bunch of those albums to give to his friends and he said the reason he did was because when he heard "Mean Old Man" he thought it was a Porter tune. And he thought it had to be a standard and looked to see who wrote it and was surprised that it was mine."
Oh, Susannah
From "Sweet Baby James" (1970)
Yes, this is a cover of the old folk song. Taylor does it with no other backing instruments or vocals, just himself and his acoustic guitar. He sings and plays it with expression and great musicality. In his hands, even the silly lyrics seem meaningful.
Video from 1971. James Taylor appears on Johnny Cash's TV show and performs "Oh, Susannah", with Cash joining in with a second verse (a different second verse than the one Taylor does on his album).
Video from 1971. James Taylor appears on Johnny Cash's TV show and performs "Oh, Susannah", with Cash joining in with a second verse (a different second verse than the one Taylor does on his album).
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- Guitar tab for "Oh, Susannah"
- From thetabworld.com
- Chords for "Sarah Maria"
- From the "Spike's Music" website.
- Sheet music for "Sarah Maria"
- Download from musicnotes.com.
- Sarah Taylor's website
- She is also a musician. She goes by the name "Sally".
Sleep Come Free Me
From "Flag" (1979)
This song is a stunner. It makes me feel sort of like I felt the first time I heard the slow movement of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony. Like I had been completely vacuumed out.
"Sleep Come Free Me" is a portrait of depression and hopelessness, with a protagonist who has a good reason to feel hopeless -- he's serving a life sentence in prison.
I remember reading an article once where a former child abuse victim said that in the home where they grew up, the children were at risk for being beaten during all their waking hours. The only time they felt safe was when they were asleep. The prisoner in this song is having a similar experience. When he sleeps, he's not aware of his situation, and that's the only time.
I think "Sleep Come Free Me" features some of James Taylor's very best singing. He immerses himself in the song, with an emotional performance that sounds totally authentic.
"Sleep Come Free Me" is a portrait of depression and hopelessness, with a protagonist who has a good reason to feel hopeless -- he's serving a life sentence in prison.
I remember reading an article once where a former child abuse victim said that in the home where they grew up, the children were at risk for being beaten during all their waking hours. The only time they felt safe was when they were asleep. The prisoner in this song is having a similar experience. When he sleeps, he's not aware of his situation, and that's the only time.
I think "Sleep Come Free Me" features some of James Taylor's very best singing. He immerses himself in the song, with an emotional performance that sounds totally authentic.
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- Chords for "Sleep Come Free Me"
- From the "Spike's Music" website.
- The events that inspired "Sleep Come Free Me"
- This 1981 article in Rolling Stone magazine talks about a lot of James Taylor's life history, including the year that he describes as the lowest point of his life and the frighteningly embarrassing behavior that led Taylor to write "Sleep Come Free Me".
Some Children See Him
From "James Taylor at Christmas" (2006)
I don't think James Taylor is a Christian, but he has shown many times that he can be very comfortable and convincing singing religious lyrics. He does it very well on the entire "James Taylor at Christmas" album (you should also check out his rendition of "Go Tell It On The Mountain").
I admit that I had never heard "Some Children See Him" before I came across his version of it, so my reaction could be more to the song itself than to James. But he does sound great on it. With a song about little children and Christmas, it could be easy to end up sounding syrupy, but he gets it pitch perfect.
I admit that I had never heard "Some Children See Him" before I came across his version of it, so my reaction could be more to the song itself than to James. But he does sound great on it. With a song about little children and Christmas, it could be easy to end up sounding syrupy, but he gets it pitch perfect.
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- Sheet music for "Some Children See Him"
- From musicnotes.com.
Some Children See Him
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 02/17/2012)
Written by Alfred Burt and Wihla Hutson.
Terra Nova
From "JT" (1977)
A co-creation with Carly Simon, to whom he was married at the time. Her backing vocals complement him beautifully in this song that expresses the pull between the excitement of setting out for adventures and the familiar comfort of home.
If I ever decided to study guitar, one of the first things I would want to learn is the opening riff from "Terra Nova". So pretty.
If I ever decided to study guitar, one of the first things I would want to learn is the opening riff from "Terra Nova". So pretty.
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- Chords for "Terra Nova"
- From the "Spike's Music" website.
- Sheet music for "Terra Nova"
- Download from musicnotes.com
Traffic Jam
From "JT" (1977)
I stay away from even the mildest four-letter words, so this song is a guilty pleasure for me. Everyone can relate to the humor and the emotions expressed. It sounds like Taylor and his background singers are having plenty of fun on this a cappella song, between the four-part harmonies on the chorus and the spoken word verses.
Actually, it's not really a cappella. It has drums.
"Traffic Jam" sounds like a song someone would write in Los Angeles, and indeed he did.
Actually, it's not really a cappella. It has drums.
"Traffic Jam" sounds like a song someone would write in Los Angeles, and indeed he did.
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I like to write about music
My life revolves around gospel choir music, but I occasionally write about other types of music as well. Here's the collection of my pop music lenses:
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Leave a comment!
Maybe there's another great non-hit that I haven't heard but I really should. Or maybe you just have different tastes from me.
What James Taylor song do you adore that didn't chart?
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jadehorseshoe
Dec 24, 2011 @ 2:33 am | delete
- A Very Nice Lens!
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hughgrissettsr
Oct 31, 2011 @ 2:13 pm | delete
- great lens! his version of handy man is one of my all-time favorites!
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Ramkitten
May 30, 2011 @ 7:56 pm | delete
- I'm familiar with a lot of these songs, as I used to own just about every James Taylor album there was. I've seen him twice live, and he was excellent in concert. I love most of his hit songs, but many of his lesser known songs are just as great.
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dezwards Feb 7, 2011 @ 6:10 am | delete
- What a great lens. Just bought JT tickets for July and can't wait. Really good idea to highlight some of the lesser known songs. Many thanks!
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Wednesday_Elf
Feb 4, 2011 @ 10:57 am | delete
- I love ALL James Taylor songs -- popular or not. I just love to hear him sing (and play). I'm not sure if James Taylor is considered part of the 'Folk Music' era of the 60s, but it has always felt that way to me. Therefore, am lensrolling this to my 'Kingston Trio' music lens.
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