JT: A Song for All Occasions

Recently I read a post on Facebook, via Elite Daily a website with which I am not familiar. But on the homepage it is described as "the Voice of Generation Y." Hence the reason I never heard of it; I'm GenX. If you know me or have followed any of my blogs, you know I am a huge James Taylor fan. So it shouldn't surprise anyone I clicked on the article titled, "A James Taylor Song for Every Difficult Time You Go Through." Had I realized the source, I may not have clicked. I mean how lame is that title? It doesn't matter. I have to admit, I probably would have clicked on an article about JT no matter what the source was. I can't help myself. But I was gravely disappointed with this list. While I totally agree with the sentiment, the list was completely amateur. It was made up of all the well known James Taylor songs they overplay on the radio, with the exception of Blossom. I got to thinking about which songs would make my own list. But for me, there is a James Taylor song for just about any mood, not just when I'm going through difficult times. Here are just a few of my favorites. To be fair, compiling a short list of any James Taylor songs is really tough because there are just so many good ones.

Feeling down? James Taylor has so many songs that will lift you up when you're feeling blue. For me there  are two quintessential tunes. One has a serious hey pal, I'm here for you tone, the other a hey lighten up, we all have tough days tone.

Up on the Roof (Flag, 1979) is more contemplative. I actually can visualize James sitting up on the roof of a house or a building, and inviting me to sit beside him. He strums the guitar and I stare up at the stars, putting on "a show for free." This is a beautiful video clip of James performing the tune from a theater set of a city rooftop as he serenaded his good friend Carole King, writer of the song, when she received the Kennedy Center Honor.

Everybody Has the Blues (In the Pocket, 1976) is more upbeat and fun. How can you not feel better when JT is calling you "poor puppy" and telling you "everybody's got some days that they can't explain." This song is a lot of fun when he performs it live. It's a relatively short song that he stretches out with fun instrumental riffs and solos. This video clip isn't the best quality. I couldn't find an official video, but this one is live so you get the idea. Check out the Greatest Hits Live album for a great rendition of this song and many of JT's others.

Feeling frustrated during your morning or afternoon commute?  There is no better song for soothing road rage than James Taylor's Traffic Jam (JT, 1977). I love the lines: Damn this traffic jam, how I hate to be late/Hurts my motor to go so slow/Time I get home my supper'll be cold. Fortunately for me, whether or not I'm late, my supper will never be cold because I'm always the one cooking it! 

Feeling nostalgic and want a simple old-time sounding song of first love courtship? How about JT's cover of Buddy Holly's Everyday (That's Why I'm Here, 1985) or Walking My Baby Back Home (Hourglass, 1997).  Who doesn't want the warm melodious sound of a voice like James crooning while he's swooning? Oh that was bad, I'm sorry. 

The list continues in part 2 of this post tomorrow!