James Taylor — Fire And Rain
Album: Sweet Baby JamesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1709
Length: 3:17
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Just yesterday morning
They let me know you were gone
Suzanne, 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 got to help me make a stand
You just got to see me through another day
My body's achin' 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 they 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 walkin' 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
Whoa, 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 comin' my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you
Fire and rain, now
They let me know you were gone
Suzanne, 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 got to help me make a stand
You just got to see me through another day
My body's achin' 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 they 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 walkin' 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
Whoa, 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 comin' my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you
Fire and rain, now
Comments (105)add comment
The first time I heard this I was young but a huge love for music with depth. When I saw him live 2 years later he was not well. High more than high. Did not get the job he had. Though this was brilliant before he drifted off.
I tell you, if I were in a coma all they would have to do is play his wonderful voice singing to me and I just know it would bring me out of it.
Grayson wrote:
It was a secret until now, but of course! :)
DYK, James Taylor made this song so we could give it 10s when Radio Paradise got invented.
It was a secret until now, but of course! :)
An iconic voice! Very grateful to see him perform in Telluride in the 80s.
Incredible comparing the music of 1970 to just ten years previously. We went from rockabilly and doo-wop to James Taylor and Elton John.
todbothom wrote:
Once again, RP has enlightened me via the song comments. I heard this was about a friend who died in a plane crash but it isn't about that at all. Thanks tb.
I don't know if you have heard the story of why he wrote this song. James was in rehab and met a fellow heroin addict named Susanne whose parents were ashamed of her and bundled her off to Europe as soon as she got out where she promptly got ahold of some high-powered Smack and OD'ed. That is why he says, Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you. Just a bit of J.T. trivia.
Once again, RP has enlightened me via the song comments. I heard this was about a friend who died in a plane crash but it isn't about that at all. Thanks tb.
steuss wrote:
"...pay good money to hear 'Fire And Rain', again and again and again."
Have heard this song hundreds of times and it still gives me chills. Timeless.
"...pay good money to hear 'Fire And Rain', again and again and again."
My mom was murdered when I was 7 in 1977. This song was ubiquitous on the radio at that time. The lyrics "I always thought that I'd see you again" would bring me to tears for the next decade or more. I nearly always changed the station when this song came on. This is a beautiful song but from the opening notes I'm transported back to that time and those feelings of pain, dread and confusion. Fortunately, my reaction has subsided to just a lump in my throat and I can now listen all the way through without bawling.
DYK, James Taylor made this song so we could give it 10s when Radio Paradise got invented.
I don't know if you have heard the story of why he wrote this song. James was in rehab and met a fellow heroin addict named Susanne whose parents were ashamed of her and bundled her off to Europe as soon as she got out where she promptly got ahold of some high-powered Smack and OD'ed. That is why he says, Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you. Just a bit of J.T. trivia.
Have heard this song hundreds of times and it still gives me chills. Timeless.
mread wrote:
I never noticed that before...good catch
Love the sustained bass that comes in about the third verse.
I never noticed that before...good catch
Jota wrote:
Posted by someone who clearly has no idea what a man is. Grow up child.
The lyrics are complete and utter drivel. Like the naive, sentimental loser outlook of a crappy teenager. Man up ya goon.
Posted by someone who clearly has no idea what a man is. Grow up child.
SchoepTone wrote:
great movie, highly recommended. This song is perfect.
Used to great effect in the film Running on Empty.
great movie, highly recommended. This song is perfect.
Love the sustained bass that comes in about the third verse.
Never to be coupled this with Patty Griffin's Goodbye!
Such a beautiful touching song
It speaks through the generations
10
Timeless
I've heard this song many times over the years, and I just now realized it's a goodbye to someone who recently died.
Owing to her being a bit older than me, my wife (born in 1962) was able to score tickets to a lot of artists, probably close to 200 over the years. Of all the stories she's shared, the one at a James Taylor show stands out to me. Mr. Taylor and a guitar and a chair and hundreds of folks sitting on their hands; the James Taylor show rates as the most boring of all the shows she's attended.
This track still rates at 9 to both of us....Long Live RP!!
This track still rates at 9 to both of us....Long Live RP!!
As song that captured a generation...
As fine an example of a piece that is simple in its musicality, simple in its structure and simple in lyric.
Yet it all comes together to provide a memorable and easily identifiable moment of most folk's lives.
Really beautiful, honest piece of music
Yet it all comes together to provide a memorable and easily identifiable moment of most folk's lives.
Really beautiful, honest piece of music
drjimmy wrote:
Well said and ditto. RP: 10!
I got the chills, hearing this following Townes doing his great Pancho & Lefty. Seems like "just yesterday morning..." I was a young man listening to this song for the first time. Thanks for giving this old guy some happy memories, RP (and JT).
Well said and ditto. RP: 10!
I got the chills, hearing this following Townes doing his great Pancho & Lefty. Seems like "just yesterday morning..." I was a young man listening to this song for the first time. Thanks for giving this old guy some happy memories, RP (and JT).
easmann wrote:
For me it remains as stirring and evocative as it ever was. I find it melancholy rather than maudlin, which is an emotion that I can respond as positively to as to the irrepressible celebration in say, Johnny Nash's I Can See Clearly Now.
Some artists are alchemists, converting the lead of loss, failure, and despair into a golden beacon of underlying strength and hope.
This is an example of that for me.
Peace.
This.
For me it remains as stirring and evocative as it ever was. I find it melancholy rather than maudlin, which is an emotion that I can respond as positively to as to the irrepressible celebration in say, Johnny Nash's I Can See Clearly Now.
Some artists are alchemists, converting the lead of loss, failure, and despair into a golden beacon of underlying strength and hope.
This is an example of that for me.
Peace.
This.
Loved this tune when I was a teenager. Now it seems maudlin and somewhat embarrassing to listen to.
copymonkey wrote:
Who knew that such a no-nonsense manly man would use a phrase such as '...complete and utter drivel'?
Jota wrote:
The lyrics are complete and utter drivel. Like the naive, sentimental loser outlook of a crappy teenager. Man up ya goon.
Except they're about a friend dying from a heroin overdose. But you are a true man, dude.Who knew that such a no-nonsense manly man would use a phrase such as '...complete and utter drivel'?
Jota wrote:
Except they're about a friend dying from a heroin overdose. But you are a true man, dude.
The lyrics are complete and utter drivel. Like the naive, sentimental loser outlook of a crappy teenager. Man up ya goon.
Except they're about a friend dying from a heroin overdose. But you are a true man, dude.
I just really hate this guy
sfyi2001 wrote:
Not to worry; there's plenty of Creed and Nickelback (and David Cassidy) for you and Jota!
AGREED, Jota.
I'd rather hear David Cassidy do 'I think I love you' than listen to this guy. Junky pop-folk goon.
- Carly Simon
I'd rather hear David Cassidy do 'I think I love you' than listen to this guy. Junky pop-folk goon.
- Carly Simon
Not to worry; there's plenty of Creed and Nickelback (and David Cassidy) for you and Jota!
On_The_Beach wrote:
AGREED, Jota.
I'd rather hear David Cassidy do 'I think I love you' than listen to this guy. Junky pop-folk goon.
- Carly Simon
Jota wrote:
Jota wants you all to know he's not a girly-man.
The lyrics are complete and utter drivel. Like the naive, sentimental loser outlook of a crappy teenager. Man up ya goon.
Jota wants you all to know he's not a girly-man.
AGREED, Jota.
I'd rather hear David Cassidy do 'I think I love you' than listen to this guy. Junky pop-folk goon.
- Carly Simon
Jota wrote:
Jota wants you all to know he's not a girly-man.
The lyrics are complete and utter drivel. Like the naive, sentimental loser outlook of a crappy teenager. Man up ya goon.
Jota wants you all to know he's not a girly-man.
The lyrics are complete and utter drivel. Like the naive, sentimental loser outlook of a crappy teenager. Man up ya goon.
This is not from 2009; it's more like 1970.
SanFranGayMan wrote:
A close second for me-But going to Carolina in My Mind gets my fav of his!
I agree.
A close second for me-But going to Carolina in My Mind gets my fav of his!
I agree.
scarletdancer wrote:
A close second for me-But going to Carolina in My Mind gets my fav of his!
Still my favorite James Taylor song to date. Thanks, Bill!
A close second for me-But going to Carolina in My Mind gets my fav of his!
Yes. This is one of those perfect songs.
I was just ready to shut down this morning Bill, James just kept me on...
ScottishWillie wrote:
Love to have some Jim Croce on Radio Paradise. He never made it in the UK but I'm told he was big in America. Is he to mainstream to American audiences to be played on this station?
Croce's number of hit US singles over his short career probably casts him as mainstream. He's not in the pantheon of folk-rock heavies like Taylor and Jackson Browne, who get more cross-generational respect.
There are other factors as well, which I won't detail here. Croce wasn't the kind of entertainer whose album covers college girls would swoon over.
The fact that Croce had a sense of humor leads many not to take him seriously, and that works against him in this format. But he has been played on RP before, and probably will be again (my guess).
Love to have some Jim Croce on Radio Paradise. He never made it in the UK but I'm told he was big in America. Is he to mainstream to American audiences to be played on this station?
Croce's number of hit US singles over his short career probably casts him as mainstream. He's not in the pantheon of folk-rock heavies like Taylor and Jackson Browne, who get more cross-generational respect.
There are other factors as well, which I won't detail here. Croce wasn't the kind of entertainer whose album covers college girls would swoon over.
The fact that Croce had a sense of humor leads many not to take him seriously, and that works against him in this format. But he has been played on RP before, and probably will be again (my guess).
Used to great effect in the film Running on Empty.
Still my favorite James Taylor song to date. Thanks, Bill!
New music soon. First in 13 years.
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Love to have some Jim Croce on Radio Paradise. He never made it in the UK but I'm told he was big in America. Is he to mainstream to American audiences to be played on this station?
Sounds like Jim Croce to me.
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Love to have some Jim Croce on Radio Paradise. He never made it in the UK but I'm told he was big in America. Is he to mainstream to American audiences to be played on this station?
bhallmark wrote:
This is exactly what this song does to me too - it amounts to a total system reset. It so happens that today I am having a bad day ... and then this song came on as if by fate. It changes my attitude on what is happening to me today, and puts it all into a better, calmer, wiser perspective. Thank God for good Music.
This song always stops me cold in my tracks. Perfect 10. Sometimes you have to thank an artist for creating something that moves you so.
This is exactly what this song does to me too - it amounts to a total system reset. It so happens that today I am having a bad day ... and then this song came on as if by fate. It changes my attitude on what is happening to me today, and puts it all into a better, calmer, wiser perspective. Thank God for good Music.
Time for a sing along.
The audio in this file sounds distorted.
Ohh... I've seen fire and I've heard distortion...
Ohh... I've seen fire and I've heard distortion...
Back in 1970-71 played the album many times. This song became relevant when I returned to the US and my old girlfriend was gone. Truly appreciated the era when the music spoke to you ... it helped get you through the night.
scrubbrush wrote:
Perfectly stated.
Makes me sentimental about stuff that never even happened to me.
Perfectly stated.
This song always stops me cold in my tracks. Perfect 10. Sometimes you have to thank an artist for creating something that moves you so.
dingusbother wrote:
The BBC "In Concert" series has great performances from lots of excellent musicians circa 1970.
Here's the JT link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOHLfQPD8iU
(Fire & Rain @ 3:40)
More info please! I must see this ...
The BBC "In Concert" series has great performances from lots of excellent musicians circa 1970.
Here's the JT link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOHLfQPD8iU
(Fire & Rain @ 3:40)
tkosh wrote:
More info please! I must see this ...
What documentary did I just see that had JT sitting on a stage with his guitar picking his way through this song's first public performance?
More info please! I must see this ...
Miss you John - I really always thought I'd see you again. Hope the other side is better for you - wherever you may be.
ahh the 70's 
Man, he did hit this. Captures all kinds of feelings here. Saying it is thought-provoking is an understatement.
He relates a very personal experience to which I am unconnected, yet, somehow, it affects me deeply.
easmann wrote:
With flying colors.
Test of time: Passed.
With flying colors.
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
The release date is way wrong, it's pulled from the Amazon.com database and must refer to the CD version of this album or something. Anyway, the song came out in 1970.
Sounds like Jim Croce to me.
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
The release date is way wrong, it's pulled from the Amazon.com database and must refer to the CD version of this album or something. Anyway, the song came out in 1970.Love this song, but you're making my wife cry. Time to lighten things up ;)
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Released in 1970
Sounds like Jim Croce to me.
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Released in 1970
Sweet Baby James!! 
Sounds like Jim Croce to me.
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Not a bad song at all, but I expected it to be released in the '70s...
Middleton wrote:
............ has to be 10
Had to up my rating on this from a 9 to a 10. 
............ has to be 10
Released in 1970. Last century.
What a great way to describe this feeling!
Thanks for that.
scrubbrush wrote:
Thanks for that.
scrubbrush wrote:
Makes me sentimental about stuff that never even happened to me.
Had to up my rating on this from a 9 to a 10.
My first 8 track purchase.
Makes me sentimental about stuff that never even happened to me.
J.T. Classic.......10....'one more time again'.....
Pittsburgh Civic Arena 1969: Waiting to see Chicago, who at the time had two great albums out and were a rocking great live band. Opening act: this guy on a stool. He plays "Steamroller Blues" and has 14,000 people in his back pocket. Ah, Sweet Baby James.
I always loved this; a true masterpiece... I found out several years ago, though, that the mood tends to get too melancholy if I play more than a couple of his songs in a row. But whoah, once in a while, still pretty darned nice and fine!
Thanks Bill.
What documentary did I just see that had JT sitting on a stage with his guitar picking his way through this song's first public performance?
joelbb wrote:
he did it again today joelbb, and it was GREAT:)
Jeez, Bill, THIS after TVZ doing "Pancho & Lefty"? That's going from the sublime to the banal.
he did it again today joelbb, and it was GREAT:)
Former President James Taylor!
I love this song, hearing it takes me back to being a very young man getting ready to hitch hike out to California and that optimism that everything's going to work out just fine.
My brother John played 6- & 12-string guitar when we were still in high school. We sang James Taylor songs all night many weekends. We never came close to the original by James, but we felt the lyrics in our bones.
"Fire and Rain" was one of our favorites ...
great too hear it here on RP.
"Fire and Rain" was one of our favorites ...
great too hear it here on RP.
d-don wrote:
Miss you, Romeo.
I miss me, too... hope you be having a marvelous evening... this is a marvelous song...
Miss you, Romeo.
I miss me, too... hope you be having a marvelous evening... this is a marvelous song...
This song always reminds me of a woman I used to know many years ago.
>sigh<
What could'a been....
>sigh<
What could'a been....
joelbb wrote:
Jeez, someone, SAVE us from the hipsters.
Jeez, Bill, THIS after TVZ doing "Pancho & Lefty"? That's going from the sublime to the banal.
Jeez, someone, SAVE us from the hipsters.
capzfan wrote: Hate is a four lettered word... try the alternative... Love
There must be a song I hate more. Let me think. It’s coming…
I’ve got it...
Sweet Caroline.
What a voice.
Saw him 5 years ago Lennox love estate East Lothian Scotland, awesome
(former member) wrote:
It is really interesting how elemental images— fire and rain, the sun, cold wind, etc.— are juxtaposed with religious imagery...
this classic song is groovy... love it...
Miss you, Romeo.
It is really interesting how elemental images— fire and rain, the sun, cold wind, etc.— are juxtaposed with religious imagery...
this classic song is groovy... love it...
Miss you, Romeo.
Ha! Used to have this 8-track... so this can't be right - Original Release Date: 2009
Jeez, Bill, THIS after TVZ doing "Pancho & Lefty"? That's going from the sublime to the banal.
Slartibartfast wrote:
It's not easy being green.
Kermit? That you?
It's not easy being green.
Feb 1970 not 2009
Slartibartfast wrote:
too funny!
Kermit? That you?
too funny!
There must be a song I hate more. Let me think. It’s coming…
I’ve got it...
Sweet Caroline.
Not a huge JT fan...but I do kinda like this tune.
Kermit? That you?
dingusbother wrote:
Just noticed. Maybe that was one of his contractual obligation albums.
"Ballin' Outrageous"? 
Just noticed. Maybe that was one of his contractual obligation albums.
"Ballin' Outrageous"?
One of the best songs ever!!!!!!!
Classic. This song and album were his best.
James Taylor is pretty hit or miss for me. This one is a hit. Also quite nice are his raunchy blues songs like "Handyman" and "Steamroller Blues".
Probably on your tube