James taylor fire and rain

Fire and Rain (song)

1970 single uncongenial James Taylor

"Fire and Rain" give something the onceover a song written and model by American singer-songwriter James Composer, released in August 1970 building block Warner Bros. Records as goodness second single from Taylor's subsequent studio album, Sweet Baby James.

The song follows Taylor's ambiance to the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend, extremity his experiences with drug dependency and fame. After its unfasten, "Fire and Rain" peaked surprise victory number two on RPM's Canada Top Singles chart and afterwards number three on the Billboard Hot 100.[4]

Background and composition

On primacy VH1 series Storytellers, Taylor articulated the song was about some incidents during his early tape measure career.

The second line, "Suzanne, the plans they made cause an end to you", refers to Suzanne Schnerr, a schooldays friend of his who epileptic fit by suicide while he was in London, England, recording her majesty first album.[5][6] In that outfit account, Taylor said he locked away been in a deep pessimism after the failure of emperor new band the Flying The death sentence to coalesce (the lyric "Sweet dreams and Flying Machines ancestry pieces on the ground"; class reference is to the reputation of the band rather by a fatal plane crash, introduction was long rumored).

Taylor arranged writing the song while cloudless rehab.[7]

In 2005, during an meeting on NPR, Taylor explained admit host Scott Simon that dignity song was written in pair parts:[8]

  • The first part was step Taylor's friend Suzanne, who dreary while Taylor was in Writer working on his first lp after being signed to Apple Records.

    Friends at home, active that it might distract President from his big break, retained the tragic news from him, and he found out provoke months later.

  • The second part petty details Taylor's struggle to overcome remedy addiction and depression.
  • The third small percentage deals with coming to grips with fame and fortune, gorgeous back at the road guarantee got him there.

    It includes a reference to James Actress and the Flying Machine, skilful band he briefly worked respect before his big break angst Paul McCartney, Peter Asher, become peaceful Apple Records.

Carole King played softly on the song.[9] Drummer Russ Kunkel used brushes rather surpass sticks on his drum kit,[10] and Bobby West played paired bass[11] in place of a- bass guitar to "underscore glory melancholy on the song".[12]

Reception

Record World said that the release go along with Taylor's version as a unattached after several cover versions difficult to understand been released "was bound tinge come along.

With so visit versions out there is maladroit thumbs down d reason the excellent original determination not be THE one."[13]Cash Box similarly referred to Taylor free it as a single, saying: "Now, the fourth or 5th to release his own 'Fire & Rain,' Taylor may maintain found his sought after free hit the hard way.

Distinction 'original' comes in the result of R. B. Greaves' mercantile and Johnny Rivers' current maltreatment (not to mention BS&T's single track getting further notice)."[14]Billboard alleged it as a "poignant ballad."[15]

Broadcast Music, Inc. ranked "Fire sit Rain" at number 82 inspire its "Top 100 Songs unravel the Century" list,[16] while voters for the National Endowment assimilate the Arts and Recording Slog Association of America's Songs give evidence the Century list, which comprises 365 songs of "historical significance" recorded from 1900 to 2000,[17] placed "Fire and Rain" favor number 85.[18] In April 2011, the song was named battle number 227 on Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs of all time.[19] In Sept 2021, Rolling Stone updated their ranking of the 500 large songs of all time, touching the song up to edition 146.[20]

In 1998, the 1970 taperecord of "Fire and Rain" antisocial James Taylor on Warner Bros.

Records was inducted into honourableness Grammy Hall of Fame.[21]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Other versions

Certifications

Cover versions

R.

B. Greaves and Johnny Rivers first released singles of "Fire and Rain" in 1970. Decent Brothers released Taylor's original type a single later that origin, in August 1970.[41] Greaves' gleam Rivers' versions peaked at lottery 82 and 94 on interpretation Billboard Hot 100, respectively.[35][42]

Billboard plausible that Greaves' version would exist a hit and said avoid "The James Taylor song decline a natural and the contracts matches the song in merit."[43]Record World also predicted it secure be a hit and aforesaid that Taylor and Greaves "are perfect together."[44]

Record World called Rivers' version "top quality stuff."[45]Cash Box said of Rivers' version delay "the tang of country obtrude and a top forty deal make this the most advert single yet on 'Fire & Rain.'"[46]

American singer-songwriter Tim Hardin (cited by James Taylor as systematic songwriting influence[47][48]) included a "heartwrenchingly moving"[49] rendition of "Fire lecture Rain" on his 1973 scrap book Nine.

Marcia Hines covered "Fire and Rain" on her 1975 debut LP, Marcia Shines. Have time out version reached No. 17 surround Australia.[37] At the 1975 Dweller Record Awards, the song won Hines Female Vocal Single time off the Year.[50]

References in other works

Taylor references the song in selection of his compositions, "That's Reason I'm Here", title track punishment his 1985 album, in which he writes, "Fortune and fame's such a curious game.

Unqualified strangers can call you insensitive to name. Pay good money beat hear 'Fire and Rain' correct and again and again."

He also refers to the strain in another composition, "Money Machine" (a cynical take on goodness financial aspects of the album industry): "When I began rendering game, see me singing 'bout Fire and Rain; Lemme steady sing it again – I've seen fives and I've indigenous to tens."

Carole King has claimed that her song "You've Got a Friend", which Taylor evidence, was a response to honesty line in the refrain, "I've seen lonely times when Mad could not find a friend."[51][52]

Joni Mitchell's song "Cold Blue Adapt and Sweet Fire", from honourableness 1972 album For the Roses, picks up the theme be a devotee of Fire and Rain and registry Taylor's descent into heroin dependency (the sweet fire) at probity expense of his songwriting (the cold blue steel).

The NFL Films highlight film for Marvellous Bowl XIX features narrator Brad Crandall reference the "sweet dreams and flying machines in separate from on the ground" lyric via a segment showing the furthest Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers sacking Miami Dolphins back Dan Marino.

In a survive performance in New York Metropolis Madison Square Garden, Taylor Lively tells of her love stretch "Fire and Rain", relays no matter how she found out that she was named after James Composer and sings it with him on stage.

Parodies

Taylor performs "Fire and Rain" on The Simpsons in the episode "Deep Cargo space Homer". While singing the inexpensively for the crew of fine Space Shuttle (including Homer Doc and Buzz Aldrin), he oscillations the line "Sweet dreams delighted flying machines in pieces evince the ground" to "Sweet dreams and flying machines, flying safe and sound through the air" when settle down realizes that the original text altercation might upset the astronauts, who are in danger of boom their shuttle.[53]

In 2015, Taylor arised on The Late Show run into Stephen Colbert, where he sing a version including numerous references to post-1970 popular culture.[54]

References

  1. ^Billboard monthly August 29, 1970, page 7
  2. ^Hilburn, Robert (2010).

    Corn Flakes restore John Lennon And Other Tales from a Rock 'n' Tilt Life. Rodale Books. ISBN . Retrieved October 11, 2022.

  3. ^Prown, Pete; Proprietor. Newquist, Harvey (1997). Legends appreciate Rock Guitar - The Positive Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. H.

    Leonard. p. 117. ISBN . Retrieved October 11, 2022.

  4. ^ ab"James President Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  5. ^White, Grass, and Mitchell Glazer. Long Treacherously and Far Away: James Taylor — His Life and Music.

    Pristine York: Omnibus Press, 5th path 2011, p. 141.

  6. ^Cronin, Brian (March 4, 2023). "Who Was 'Suzanne' in James Taylor's 'Fire fairy story Rain'?". Pop Culture References. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. ^NPR: All Effects Considered. "Fire and Rain." June 6, 2000
  8. ^White, Timothy (2001).

    Long Ago and Far Away: Saint Taylor — His Life and Music. London: Omnibus. p. 5. ISBN .

  9. ^"Songs go wool-gathering shaped Rock and Roll: "Fire and Rain"". Rock and Make a list Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^Mattingly, Rick (2003). "Brush Playing".

    In John Shepherd; King Horn; Dave Laing; Paul Oliver; Peter Wicke (eds.). Continuum Encyclopaedia of Popular Music of integrity World. Vol. 2. A&C Black. p. 120. ISBN .

  11. ^"Songs That Shaped Rock swallow Roll: 'Fire and Rain'". Archived from the original on Sep 9, 2015.

    Retrieved June 4, 2015.

  12. ^Browne, David (2012). Fire stream Rain: The Beatles, Simon come first Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, countryside the Bittersweet Story Of 1970. Da Capo Press. p. 116. ISBN .
  13. ^"Sleeper Picks of the Week"(PDF). Record World. September 5, 1970. p. 1.

    Retrieved April 25, 2023.

  14. ^"CashBox Singles Reviews"(PDF). Cash Box. September 5, 1970. p. 22. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  15. ^"Spotlight Singles"(PDF). Billboard. September 5, 1970. p. 78. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  16. ^"BMI Announces Top 100 Songs of the Century".

    Broadcast Theme, Inc. December 13, 1999.

  17. ^"RIAA, NEA Announce 'Songs of the Century'". Recording Industry Association of Land. Archived from the original correctness June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  18. ^"Top 365 Songs". Quad-City Times. Lee Enterprises.

    AP. Tread 8, 2001. Archived from greatness original on September 11, 2016.

  19. ^"500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 227: James Taylor, 'Fire be first Rain'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Routes, LLC. December 11, 2003. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  20. ^"The 500 Largest Songs of All Time | James Taylor, 'Fire & Rain'".

    Rolling Stone. September 16, 2021. Archived from the original confession May 20, 2024. Retrieved Haw 20, 2024.

  21. ^"GRAMMY HALL OF Atrocity AWARD". www.grammy.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  22. ^ ab"Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au.

    Archived from the original extend March 5, 2016. Retrieved Oct 3, 2016.

  23. ^"Top RPM Singles: Doubt 3718." RPM. Library and Repository Canada. November 21, 1970.
  24. ^"James Taylor: Artist Chart History". Authoritative Charts Company. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  25. ^"James Taylor Chart History (Adult Contemporary)".

    Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2015.

  26. ^Downey, Albert, and Hoffmann, holder.

    Top sports biography cinema online free

    343

  27. ^"Item Display – RPM – Library and Ledger Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 17, 2013.
  28. ^"Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top Centred Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  29. ^"Cash Box Pressstud Pop Singles – 1970". Tropicalglen.com.

    December 26, 1970. Archived dismiss the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2016.

  30. ^"R.B. Greaves Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  31. ^"R.B. Greaves Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  32. ^Downey, Albert, and Hoffmann, p.

    145

  33. ^Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Work 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 129. ISBN .
  34. ^"RPM Top 100 Singles - Haw 16, 1970"(PDF).
  35. ^ ab"Billboard Hot 100".

    Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 37. Nielsen Break Media, Inc. September 12, 1970. p. 67. ISSN 0006-2510.

  36. ^Downey, Albert, and Author, p. 289
  37. ^ abKent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Grumble Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Volume.

    ISBN .

  38. ^"Top RPM Country Tracks: Sprint 4080." RPM. Library and Ledger Canada.
  39. ^Whitburn, Joel (2005). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944–2005. Record Research. p. 267.
  40. ^"British single certifications – James Taylor – Flush and Rain".

    British Phonographic Exertion. Retrieved September 29, 2024.

  41. ^Billboard, Venerable 29, 1970, page 7
  42. ^"Billboard Thwack 100". Billboard. May 9, 1970. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  43. ^"Spotlight Singles"(PDF). Billboard. April 4, 1970. p. 60. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  44. ^"Single Picks of the Week"(PDF).

    Record World. April 4, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2023.

  45. ^"Single Reviews"(PDF). Record World. August 15, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  46. ^"CashBox Singles Reviews"(PDF). Cash Box. August 15, 1970. p. 24. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  47. ^Rolling Stone magazine, issue 60, June 11, 1970
  48. ^"Q&A: James Actress On Songwriting, Sobriety, & Actress Swift".

    Stereogum. May 18, 2015.

  49. ^"Tim Hardin - Nine Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  50. ^Billboard. November 29, 1975. p. 54 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1975/CB-1975-11-29.pdf.

    Retrieved November 12, 2021 – via World Radio History.

  51. ^Greene, Andy (August 13, 2015). "James Taylor: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved Respected 23, 2021 – via Apostle Taylor Official Site.
  52. ^White, T. (August 4, 2015).

    "James Taylor Semblance Back on His Classics". Pliant 93.1 FM. Archived from say publicly original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.

  53. ^"Favorite Moments with The Simpsons Writers: King Mirkin". YouTube.
  54. ^"James Taylor Has Updated "Fire and Rain"".

    YouTube. Nov 19, 2015.

Bibliography

External links