Fire and Rain (1970) 2/9/20

The first time I listened closely to this "Great Song of the '70s," I knew there had to be a story behind it.

Turns out, there were THREE stories.

James Taylor's "Fire & Rain" was released in early 1970, and quickly went to #2 in Canada, #3 in the U.S. and #6 in Australia.

Broadcast Music, Inc. ranks it at number 82 on its "Top 100 Songs of the 20th Century." The National Endowment for the Arts and Recording Industry Association of America's Songs of the 20th Century list, which names 365 songs of "historical significance" recorded from 1900 to 2000, placed "Fire and Rain" at number 85. Rolling Stone magazine has it at #227 on their list of the "Top 500 of All Time!"

The numbers are phenomenal, but the stories are heartbreaking.

#1: "Just Yesterday Morning they let me know you were gone. Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you." Taylor's childhood friend Suzanne Schnerr committed suicide while he was in London working on his first album. Friends at home, concerned that it might distract him, kept the news from him for six months.

#2: "Won't you look down upon me, Jesus. You've got to help me make a stand." This section is about Taylor's fight against depression and drug addiction.

#3: "Sweet dreams and Flying Machines in pieces on the ground." This part is about his rocky road to fame and fortune, and references the failure of his original band, The Flying Machine. (not to be confused with the band of the same name that had a hit in '69 with "Smile a Little Smile For Me.")

It's also pertinent to note that he wrote the song while he was in rehab.

TRIVIA: Carole King played piano on the song.and has said that HER song "You've Got a Friend," which Taylor also recorded, was a response to the line: "I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."

"Fire and Rain" is deep, personal, and a "Great Song of the '70s."