Fire And Rain (song) - Wikipedia

1970 single by James Taylor

"Fire and Rain"
Side A of the US single
Single by James Taylor
from the album Sweet Baby James
B-side	"Anywhere Like Heaven" (US) "Sunny Skies" (UK)
Released	August 1970[1]
Recorded	December 1969
Studio	Sunset Sound
Genre	Folk rock[2] soft rock[3]
Length	3:20
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter	James Taylor
Producer	Peter Asher
James Taylor singles chronology
"Sweet Baby James" (1970) "Fire and Rain" (1970) "Country Road" (1970)

"Fire and Rain" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in August 1970 by Warner Bros. Records as the second single from Taylor's second studio album, Sweet Baby James. The song follows Taylor's reaction to the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend, and his experiences with drug addiction and fame. After its release, "Fire and Rain" peaked at number two on RPM's Canada Top Singles chart and at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Taylor's first top ten hit.[4]

Background and composition

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On the VH1 series Storytellers, Taylor said the song was about several incidents during his early recording career. The second line, "Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you", refers to Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend of his who died by suicide while he was in London, England, recording his first album.[5][6] In that same account, Taylor said he had been in a deep depression after his new band, the Flying Machine, failed to coalesce (the lyric "Sweet dreams and Flying Machines in pieces on the ground"; the reference is to the name of the band rather than a fatal plane crash, as was long rumored). Taylor completed writing the song while in rehab.[7]

In 2005, during an interview on NPR, Taylor explained to host Scott Simon that the song was written in three parts:[8]

• The first part was about Schnerr, who died while Taylor was in London working on his first album after being signed to Apple Records. Friends at home, concerned that it might distract Taylor from his big break, kept the news from him, and he found out six months later.
• The second part details Taylor's struggle to overcome drug addiction and depression.
• The third part deals with coming to grips with fame and fortune, looking back at the road that got him there. It includes a reference to James Taylor and the Flying Machine, a band he briefly worked with before his big break with Paul McCartney, Peter Asher, and Apple Records.

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

Reception

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Record World said that the release of Taylor's version as a single after several cover versions had been released "was bound to come along. With so many versions out there is no reason the excellent original will not be THE one."[13] Cash Box similarly referred to Taylor releasing it as a single, saying: "Now, the fourth or fifth to release his own 'Fire & Rain,' Taylor may have found his sought after single hit the hard way. The 'original' comes in the wake of R. B. Greaves' sales and Johnny Rivers' current treatment (not to mention BS&T's album track getting further notice)."[14] Billboard described it as a "poignant ballad."[15]

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

In 1998, the 1970 recording of "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor on Warner Bros. Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[21]

Chart performance

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Weekly charts

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James Taylor Chart (1970) Peakposition Australia KMR[22] 6 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[24] 42 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[25] 7 US Billboard Hot 100[4] 3 US Cashbox Top 100[26] 4

Year-end charts [edit] James Taylor Chart (1970) Rank Australia[22] 87 Canada[27] 26 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[28] 67 U.S. Cash Box[29] 85

Other versions

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R. B. Greaves Chart (1970) Peakposition US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[30] 37 US Billboard Hot 100[31] 82 US Cashbox Top 100[32] 65 Australia (Kent Music Report)[33] 82 Canada (RPM)[34] 74 Johnny Rivers Chart (1970) Peakposition US Billboard Hot 100[35] 94 US Cashbox Top 100[36] 71

Marcia Hines Chart (1975) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report)[37] 17 Willie Nelson Chart (1976) Peakposition Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[38] 44 US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[39] 29

Certifications

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Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[40]	Gold	400,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

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R. B. Greaves and Johnny Rivers first released singles of "Fire and Rain" in 1970. Warner Brothers released Taylor's original as a single later that year, in August 1970.[41] Greaves' and Rivers' versions peaked at numbers 82 and 94 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.[35][42]

Billboard predicted that Greaves' version would be a hit and said that "The James Taylor song is a natural and the production matches the song in merit."[43] Record World also predicted it to be a hit and said that Taylor and Greaves "are perfect together."[44]

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

Marcia Hines covered "Fire and Rain" on her 1975 debut LP, Marcia Shines. Her version reached No. 17 in Australia.[37] At the 1975 Australian Record Awards, the song won Hines Female Vocal Single of the Year.[47]

The song was covered on Glee in the episode "The Quarterback" in tribute to the character Finn Hudson, following the passing of actor Cory Monteith.

References in other works

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Carole King has stated that her song "You've Got a Friend", which Taylor recorded, was a response to the line in the refrain, "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."[48][49]

In a live performance in New York City Madison Square Garden, Taylor Swift tells of her love for "Fire and Rain", relays how she found out that she was named after James Taylor and sings it with him on stage.

Parodies

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Taylor performs "Fire and Rain" on The Simpsons in the episode "Deep Space Homer". While singing the song for the crew of a Space Shuttle (including Homer Simpson and Buzz Aldrin), he changes the line "Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground" to "Sweet dreams and flying machines, flying safely through the air" when he realizes that the original lyrics might upset the astronauts, who are in danger of crashing their shuttle.[50]

In 2015, Taylor appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he sang a version including numerous references to post-1970 popular culture.[51]

References

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1. ^ Billboard magazine August 29, 1970, page 7
2. ^ Hilburn, Robert (2010). Corn Flakes with John Lennon And Other Tales from a Rock 'n' Roll Life. Rodale Books. ISBN 9781605291659. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
3. ^ Prown, Pete; P. Newquist, Harvey (1997). Legends of Rock Guitar - The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. H. Leonard. p. 117. ISBN 9780793540426. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
4. ^ a b "James Taylor Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
5. ^ White, Timothy, and Mitchell Glazer. Long Ago and Far Away: James Taylor — His Life and Music. New York: Omnibus Press, 5th edition 2011, p. 141.
6. ^ Cronin, Brian (March 4, 2023). "Who Was 'Suzanne' in James Taylor's 'Fire and Rain'?". Pop Culture References. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
7. ^ NPR: All Things Considered. "Fire and Rain." June 6, 2000
8. ^ White, Timothy (2001). Long Ago and Far Away: James Taylor — His Life and Music. London: Omnibus. p. 5. ISBN 0-7119-8803-X.
9. ^ "Songs that shaped Rock and Roll: "Fire and Rain"". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
10. ^ Mattingly, Rick (2003). "Brush Playing". In John Shepherd; David Horn; Dave Laing; Paul Oliver; Peter Wicke (eds.). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World. Vol. 2. A&C Black. p. 120. ISBN 9781847144720.
11. ^ "Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll: 'Fire and Rain'". Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. ^ Browne, David (2012). Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Bittersweet Story Of 1970. Da Capo Press. p. 116. ISBN 9780306822131.
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 Music, Inc. December 13, 1999.
17. ^ "RIAA, NEA Announce 'Songs of the Century'". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
18. ^ "Top 365 Songs". Quad-City Times. Lee Enterprises. AP. March 8, 2001. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016.
19. ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 227: James Taylor, 'Fire and Rain'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media, LLC. December 11, 2003. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
20. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time | James Taylor, 'Fire & Rain'". Rolling Stone. September 16, 2021. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
21. ^ "GRAMMY HALL OF FAME AWARD". www.grammy.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
22. ^ a b "Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
23. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 3718". RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
24. ^ "Search results for "James Taylor" | Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
25. ^ "James Taylor Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
26. ^ Downey, Albert, and Hoffmann, p. 343
27. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 17, 2013.
28. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
29. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1970". Tropicalglen.com. December 26, 1970. Archived from 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 Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 129. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
34. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - May 16, 1970" (PDF).
35. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 37. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 12, 1970. p. 67. ISSN 0006-2510.
36. ^ Downey, Albert, and Hoffmann, p. 289
37. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
38. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Image 4080". RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
39. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2005). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944–2005. Record Research. p. 267.
40. ^ "British single certifications – James Taylor – Fire and Rain". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
41. ^ Billboard, August 29, 1970, page 7
42. ^ "Billboard Hot 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. ^ 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. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
48. ^ Greene, Andy (August 13, 2015). "James Taylor: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 23, 2021 – via James Taylor Official Site.
49. ^ White, T. (August 4, 2015). "James Taylor Looks Back on His Classics". Easy 93.1 FM. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
50. ^ "Favorite Moments with The Simpsons Writers: David Mirkin". YouTube.
51. ^ "James Taylor Has Updated "Fire and Rain"". YouTube. November 19, 2015.

Bibliography

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• Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffmann, Frank W (1994). Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 978-1-56308-316-7.

External links

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• "James Taylor reflects on his career". The 7.30 Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. March 3, 2010. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Transcript of Kerry O'Brien interview with Taylor about "Fire and Rain"

"Fire and Rain" among artists

v t e James Taylor Studio albums James Taylor Sweet Baby James Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon One Man Dog Walking Man Gorilla In the Pocket JT Flag Dad Loves His Work That's Why I'm Here Never Die Young New Moon Shine Hourglass October Road Covers Before This World American Standard Live albums Live/Best Live One Man Band Amchitka Live at the Troubadour Live at the Beacon Theatre (DVD video) Holiday albums A Christmas Album James Taylor at Christmas Compilation albums Greatest Hits Classic Songs Greatest Hits Volume 2 The Best of James Taylor The Essential James Taylor Extended plays Other Covers Singles "Carolina in My Mind" "Knocking 'Round the Zoo" "Sweet Baby James" "Fire and Rain" "Country Road" "You've Got a Friend" "Long Ago and Far Away" "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" "One Man Parade" "Hymn" "Mockingbird" (with Carly Simon) "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)" "Mexico" "Shower the People" "Woman's Gotta Have It" "Handy Man" "Your Smiling Face" "Honey Don't Leave L.A." "Devoted to You" (with Carly Simon) "Up on the Roof" "Her Town Too" "Hard Times" "Everyday" "It's Growing" "Change" Other songs "Night Owl" "Something in the Way She Moves" "Sunny Skies" "Steamroller Blues" "You Can Close Your Eyes" "Highway Song" "I Was a Fool to Care" "Bartender's Blues" "Secret O' Life" "Millworker" "Summer's Here" Related articles Discography James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine Working Vote for Change Tour Troubadour Reunion Tour Carly Simon Sally Taylor Kate Taylor Livingston Taylor Alex Taylor Isaac M. Taylor v t e Johnny Rivers Discography Studio albums In Action Johnny Rivers Rocks the Folk Changes Rewind Realization Live albums At the Whisky à Go Go Here We à Go Go Again! Meanwhile Back at the Whisky à Go Go ...And I Know You Wanna Dance Songs "Memphis" "Maybellene" "Mountain of Love" "Midnight Special" "The Seventh Son" "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" "Secret Agent Man" "(I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water" "Poor Side of Town" "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" "The Tracks of My Tears" "Summer Rain" "Into the Mystic" "Fire and Rain" "Sea Cruise" "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" "Blue Suede Shoes" "So Fine" "Six Days on the Road" "Help Me, Rhonda" "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)" "The Monkey Time" "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um" v t e Marcia Hines Discography Studio albums Marcia Shines Shining Ladies and Gentlemen Ooh Child Take It from the Boys Jokers and Queens Love Sides Right Here and Now Time of Our Lives Hinesight Discothèque Life Marcia Sings Tapestry Amazing The Gospel According to Marcia Live albums Marcia Hines Live Across Australia Compilation albums Greatest Hits Greatest Hits Volume 2 Queen of Pop Diva Marcia: Greatest Hits 1975–1983 Still Shining: The 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collection Notable singles "Fire and Rain" "From the Inside"/"Jumpin' Jack Flash" "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" "(Until) Your Love Broke Through" "What I Did for Love" "You" "Music Is My Life" "Something's Missing (In My Life)" "Your Love Still Brings Me to My Knees" "What a Bitch Is Love" "Many Rivers to Cross" "The Lord's Prayer" "Rain (Let the Children Play)" "What a Feeling" "Ain't Nobody" "Stomp!" Related articles Deni Hines v t e Willie Nelson singles 1950s "No Place for Me" "Man With the Blues" / "The Storm Has Just Begun" "What a Way to Live" 1960s "Nite Life" "The Part Where I Cry" / "Mr. Record Man" "Willingly" "Touch Me" "Wake Me When It's Over" "Half a Man" / "The Last Letter" "Am I Blue" "I Never Cared for You" "Pretty Paper" "San Antonio Rose" "I Love You Because" "The Party's Over" "Blackjack County Chain" "Johnny One Time" "Bring Me Sunshine" 1970s "Fire and Rain" "Yesterday's Wine" "Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)" "Bloody Mary Morning" "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time" "Georgia on My Mind" "Blue Skies" "All of Me" "Whiskey River" "September Song" "White Christmas" 1980s "Help Me Make It Through the Night" "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" "Midnight Rider" "On the Road Again" "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" "Mona Lisa" "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" "Always on My Mind" "Let It Be Me" "Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" "Little Old Fashioned Karma" "Why Do I Have to Choose" "Take It to the Limit" "Without a Song" "City of New Orleans" "Forgiving You Was Easy" "Living in the Promiseland" "Heart of Gold" "Spanish Eyes" (with Julio Iglesias) "Twilight Time" "Nothing I Can Do About It Now" "There You Are" "Mr. Record Man" 1990s "Ain't Necessarily So" "Graceland" 2000s "Mendocino County Line" (with Lee Ann Womack) "Wurlitzer Prize" (with Norah Jones) "Beer for My Horses" (with Toby Keith) "The Harder They Come" "You Don't Know Me" "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other" "Gravedigger" 2010s "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die" "Just Breathe" "Grandma's Hands" (with Mavis Staples) "The Wall" "It's All Going to Pot" "Summer Wind" "Vote 'Em Out" "Forever Country" Category:Willie Nelson

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