The Best Of James Taylor

James Taylor The Best Of James Taylor Lyrics
1.Something In The Way She Moves

something in the way she moves

There's something in the way she moves,
Or looks my way, or calls my name,
That seems to leave this troubled world behind.
If i'm feeling down and blue,
Or troubled by some foolish game,
She always seems to make me change my mind.

Chorus:
'n'(and) i feel fine anytime she's around me now,
She's around me now
Almost all the time.
'n'(and) if i'm well you can tell that she's been with me now,
'n'(and) she's been with me now
Quite a long, long time
And i feel fine.___________

Every now and then the things i lean on lose their meaning,
And i find myself careening
Into places where i should not let me go.
, she has the power to go where no one else can find me,
Yes, and to silently remind me
Of the happiness and good times that i know, you know.
Well i said i just got to know that:

It isn't what she's got to say
Or how she thinks or where she's been.
To me, the words are nice, the way they sound.
I like to hear them best that way -
It doesn't much matter what they mean,
Weh (when/well?) she says them mostly just to calm me down.

Chorus:
'n'(and) i feel fine anytime she's around me now,
A-she's around me now
Almost all the time.
If i'm well you can tell that she's been with me now,
And she's been with me now
Quite a long,
Long
Time -
Yes, and i feel fine.


2.Sweet Baby James

There is a young cowboy he lives on the range
His horse and his cattle are his only companions
He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons
Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear
As if maybe someone could hear

(chorus)
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby james
Deep greens and blues are the colors i choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby james

Now the first of december was covered with snow
And so was the turnpike from stockbridge to boston
Lord, the berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that
frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me

- chorus -


3.Fire And Rain

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne 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've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching 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 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 walking 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

Oh, 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 coming my way this time around, now
Thought i'd see you, thought i'd see you fire and rain, now


4.Country Road

Take to the highway won't you lend me your name
Your way and my way seem to be one and the same

Mamma don't understand it
She wants to know where i've been
I'd have to be some kind of natural born fool
To want to pass that way again
But i could feel it
On a country road

Sail on home to jesus won't you good girls and boys
I'm all in pieces, you can have your own choice
But i can hear a heavenly band full of angels
And they're coming to set me free
I don't know nothing 'bout the why or when
But i can tell that it's bound to be
Because i could feel it, child, yeah
On a country road

I guess my feet know where they want me to go
Walking on a country road

Take to the highway won't you lend me your name
Your way and my way seem to be one and the same, child
Mamma don't understand it
She wants to know where i've been
I'd have to be some kind of natural born fool
To want to pass that way again
But i could feel it
On a country road

Walk on down, walk on down, walk on down
Walk on down, walk on down a country road
Country road
Walking on a country road


5.You've Got A Friend

Lyrics:Carole King
Music:Carole King
Arranger:Carole King

When you're down and trubled
And you need some love and care
And nothin', no nothin' is goin' right
Just close your eyes and think of me
And soon i'll be there to brighten up
Yeah, even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever i am
I'll come a-runnin'
To see you again
Chorus :
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And i'll be there, yeah i will
You've got a freind

When the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind
He begins to blow
Here's what you do baby
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
And soon you'll hear me
Knockin' at your door
Oh yes i will, yes i will
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever i am
I'll come a-runnin'
To see you again

Chorus

Ain't it good to know
That you've got a freind
People can be so cold
They'll hurt you and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, don't let them

Chorus :
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And i'll be there, yes i will

You've got a freind, yes you do
You've got a freind, yes you do
Right till the end, for you
Ain't it good to know


6.You Can Close Your Eyes

Well the sun is surely sinking down
But the moon is slowly rising
So this old world must still be spinning 'round
And i still love you

(chorus)
So close your eyes
You can close your eyes, it's all right
I don't know no love songs
And i can't sing the blues anymore
But i can sing this song
And you can sing this song
When i'm gone

It won't be long before another day
We gonna have a good time
And no one's gonna take that time away
You can stay as long as you like

- chorus -


7.Long Ago And Far Away

Long ago a young man sits and plays his waiting game
But things are not the same it seems as in such tender dreams
Slowly passing sailing ships and sunday afternoon
Like people on the moon i see are things not meant to be

Where do those golden rainbows end?
Why is this song so sad?
Dreaming the dreams i've dreamed my friend
Loving the love i love

To love is just a word i've heard when things are being said
Stories my poor head has told me cannot stand the cold
And in between what might have been and what has come to pass
A misbegotten guess alas and bits of broken glass

Where do your golden rainbows end?
Why is this song i sing so sad?
Dreaming the dreams i dream my friend
Loving the love i love to love to love to love


8.Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Do me wrong, do me right,
Tell me lies but hold me tight,
Save your goodbyes for the morning light,
But don't let me be lonely tonight.

Say goodbye and say hello,
Sure enough good to see you, but it's time to go,
Don't say yes but please don't say no,
I don't want to be lonely tonight.

Go away then, damn you,
Go on and do as you please,
You ain't gonna see me gettin' down on my knees.
I'm undecided, and your heart's been divided,
You've been turning my world upside down.

Do me wrong, do me right (right now baby),
Go on and tell me lies but hold me tight.
Save your goodbyes for the morning light (morning light),
But don't let me be lonely tonight.
I don't want to be lonely tonight.
No, no, i don't want to be lonely tonight.

I don't want to be lonely tonight.


9.Walking Man

Moving in silent desperation
Keeping an eye on the holy land
A hypothetical destination
Say, who is this waliking man?

Well, the leaves have come to turning
And the goose has gone to fly
And bridges are for buning
So don't you let that yearning
Pass you by
Walking man, walking man walks
Well, any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks

Well the frost is on the pumpkin
And the hay is in the barn
An pappy's come to rambling on
Stumbling around drunk
Down on the farm

And the walking man walks
Doesn't know nothing at all
Any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks on by
Walk on by

Most everybody's got seed to sow
It ain't always easy for a weed to grow, oh no
So he don't hoe the row for no one
Oh for sure he's always missing
And something is never quite right
Ah, but who would want to listen to you
Kissing his existence good night

Walking man walk on by my door
Well, any other man stops and talks
But not the walking man
He's the walking man
Born to walk
Walk on walking man
Well now, would he have wings to fly
Would he be free
Golden wings against the sky
Walking man, walk on by
So long, walking man, so long


10.How Sweet It Is(To Be Loved By You)

how sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms, and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs, and there you
were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
Wondering where would i be without you in my life
Everything i did was just a bore
Everywhere i went it seems i'd been there before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better to me than i was to myself
For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you


11.Mexico

Way down here you need a reason to move
Feel a fool running your stateside games
Lose your load, leave your mind behind, baby james

Oh, mexico
It sounds so simple i just got to go
The sun's so hot i forgot to go home
Guess i'll have to go now

'americano' got the sleepy eye
But his body's still shaking like a live wire
Sleepy 'serita' with the eyes on fire

Oh, mexico
It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
Moon's so bright like to light up the night
Make everything all right

Baby's hungry and the money's all gone
The folks back home don't want to talk on the phone
She gets a long letter, sends back a postcard; times are hard

Oh, down in mexico
I never really been so i don't really know
Oh, mexico
I guess i'll have to go

Oh, mexico
I never really been but i'd sure like to go
Oh, mexico
I guess i'll have to go now


12.Shower The People

You can play the game and you can act out the part
Though you know it wasn't written for you
But tell me, how can you stand there with your broken heart
Ashamed of playing the fool
One thing can lead to another; it doesn't take any sacrifice
Oh, father and mother, sister and brother
If it feels nice, don't think twice

Just shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will

You can run but you cannot hide
This is widely known
And what you plan to do with your foolish pride
When you're all by yourself alone
Once you tell somebody the way that you feel
You can feel it beginning to ease
I think it's true what they say about the squeaky wheel
Always getting the grease.

Better to shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be just fine if you only will
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will

Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel

You'll feel better right away
Don't take much to do
Sell you pride
They say in every life
They say the rain must fall
Just like pouring rain
Make it rain
Make it rain
Love, love, love is sunshine.
Oh yes
Make it rain
Love, love, love is sunshine
Yeah, all right
Everybody, everybody
Shower the people you love with love


13.Golden Moments

Now if all my golden moments
Could be rolled into one
They would shine just like the sun
For a summer day
And after it was over
We could have it back again
With credit to the editor
For striking out the rain (very clean)
And all it really needed
Was the proper point of view

No one's gonna bring me down
No one's gonna stop me now

Now i gathered up my sorrows
And i sold them all for gold
And i gathered up the gold
And i threw it all away
It all went for a good time and a song (come on)
The laughter was like music
It did float my soul along for awhile
And all it really needed was the proper point of view

No one's gonna reach me here
No one's gonna know i'm gone

You may think i might be crazy
And i guess you might be right
But i know the way i feel today is out of sight
I do not trust your senses to remember your name
Without corrective lenses
Things are never twice the same anyway
And all it really needed
Was the proper point of view

No one's gonna bring me down
No one's gonna stop me now
No one's gonna reach me here
No one's gonna know i'm gone


14.Steamroller(Live)

Well, i'm a steamroller, baby
I'm bound to roll all over you
Yes, i'm a steamroller now, baby
I'm bound to roll all over you
I'm gonna inject your soul with some sweet rock 'n roll
And shoot you full of rhythm and blues

Well, i'm a cement mixer
A churning urn of burning funk
Yes, i'm a cement mixer for you, baby
A churning urn of burning funk
Well, i'm a demolition derby (yeah)
A hefty hunk of steaming junk

Now, i'm a napalm bomb, baby
Just guaranteed to blow your mind
Yeah, i'm a napalm bomb for you, baby
Oh, guaranteed, just guaranteed to blow your mind
And if i can't have your love for my own (now)
Sweet child, won't be nothing left behind
It seems how lately, baby
Got a bad case steamroller blues


15.Carolina In My Mind

In my mind i'm goin' to carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes i'm goin' to carolina in my mind

Karen she's a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'
Watch her watch the mornin' come
A silver tear appearing now i'm cryin'
Ain't i goin' to carolina in my mind

There ain't no doubt it no ones mind
That loves the finest thing around
Whisper something warm and kind
And hey babe the sky's on fire, i'm dyin'
Ain't i goin' to carolina in my mind

In my mind i'm goin' to carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes i'm goin' to carolina in my mind

Dark and silent last night
I think i might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say i going, going
I'm goin' to carolina in my mind

With a holy host of others standing 'round me
Still i'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If i'm up and gone to carolina in my mind

In my mind i'm goin' to carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes i'm goin' to carolina in my mind


16.Handy Man

Hey girls, gather round
Listen to what i'm putting down
Hey babe, i'm your handy man

I'm not the kind to use a pencil or rule
I'm handy with love and i'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, i know that i truly can

If your broken heart should need repair
Then i'm the man to see
I whisper sweet things, you tell all your friends
They'll come runnin' to me

Here is the main thing i want to say
I'm busy 24 hours a day
I fix broken hearts, i know that i truly can

Come, come, come
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Come, come, come
Yeah, yeah, yeah
They'll come runnin' to me

That's me
I'm your handy man


17.Your Smiling Face

Whenever i see your smiling face
I have to smile myself
Because i love you (yes, i do)
And when you give me that pretty little pout
It turns me inside out
There's something about you, baby (i don't know)

(chorus)
Isn't it amazing a man like me
Can feel this way
Tell me how much longer
I will grow stronger every day
Oh, how much longer

I thought i was in love
A couple of times before
With the girl next door
But that was long before i met you
Now i'm sure that i won't forget you
And i thank my lucky stars
That you are who you are
And not just another lovely lady
Sent down to break my heart

Isn't it amazing a man like me
Can feel this way
Tell me how much longer
I can grow stronger every day
How much longer

No one can tell me that i'm doing it wrong today
Whenever i see you smile at me
No one can tell me that i'm doing it wrong today
Whenever i see your smile at face my way
No one can tell me that i'm doing it wrong today
No one can tell me that i'm doing it wrong today


18.Up On The Roof

up on the roof
Carole king (attributed to james taylor...)

When this old world starts a getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I'll climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space

On the roof, it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below don't bother me, no, no

So when i come home feeling tired and beat
I'll go up where the air is fresh and sweet
I'll get far away from the hustling crowd
And all the rat-race noise down in the street

On the roof, that's the only place i know
Look at the city, baby
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Let's go up on the roof

And at night the stars they put on a show for free
And, darling, you can share it all with me
That's what i said
Keep on telling you

That right smack dab in the middle of town
I found a paradise that's troubleproof
And if this old world starts a getting you down
There's room enough for two
Up on the roof...


19.Only A Dream In Rio

More than a distant land
Over a shining sea
More than the steaming green
More than the shining eyes

Well they tell me it's only a dream in rio
Nothing could be as sweet as it seems
On this very first day down
They remind me 'son have you so soon forgotten
Often as not it's rotten inside
And the mask soon slips away'

Strange taste of a tropical fruit
Romantic language of the portuguese
Melody on a wooden flute
Somba floating in the summer breeze

It's alright you can stay asleep
You can close your eyes
You can trust the people of paradise
To call your keeper
And tender your goodbyes

Oh what a night wonderful one in a million
Frozen fire brazillian stars
Oh holy southern cross
Later on take me way downtown in a tin can;
Can't come down from the bandstand
I'm never thrown for such a loss when they say

Quando a nossa mae acordar
Andareimoz au sol
Quando a nossa mae acordar
Cantara' pelos sertao
Quando a nossa mea acordar
Todos os filios saberao
Todos os filios saberao
E regozilarao

Caught in the rays of the rising sun
On the run from the soldier's gun
Shouting out loud from the angry crowd
The mild the wild and the hungry child
I'll tell you there's more than a dream in rio
I was there on the very day
And my heart came back alive
There was more
More than the singing voices
More than the upturned faces
And more than the shining eyes

But it's more than the shining eye
More than the steaming green
More than the hidden hills
More than the concrete christ
More than a distant land
Over a shining sea
More than a hungry child
More like another time
Born of a million years
More than a million years

Portuguese version

Performed by james taylor & milton nascimento
Additional lyrics in portuguese by fernando brant
From 'angelus'

A terra ?minha m
O mar ?o meu ch
O verde ?a luz
Sorrindo em meu olhar

Pois eu digo, ?mesmo um sonho o rio
Tudo ser?como deve ser
Quero estar com voc?l?
Eu garanto, ?um lugar diferente
A minha gente carrega uma cruz
Mas tem for pra mudar

Strange taste of a tropical fruit
Romantic language of the portuguese
Melody on a wooden flute
Samba floating in the summer breeze
Float on

It's alright you can stay asleep
You can close your eyes
You can trust the people of paradise
To call your keeper
And to tender your goodbyes

Oh, what a night
Wonderful one in a million
Frozen fire brazilian
Oh, holy southern cross
Later on take me way downtown
In a tin can
I can't come down from the bandstand
I'm never thrown for such a loss
When they say

O lugar de onde eu vim
Brota no corao
O lugar aonde eu nasci
Est?no mundo e em mim

O lugar que a gente sonhar
Pode existir, existir?Vive em n e viver?Enquanto houver cano

Caught in the rays of the rising sun
On the run from the soldier's gun
Shouting out loud from
The angry crowd
The mild, the wild and the hungry child

I'll tell you it's more than
A dream in rio
I was there on the very day

D demais o corao, e era mais
Mais do que nossas vozes
Mais do que o nosso rosto
Mais do que a luz do olhar

But it's more than the shining eye
(mais do que a luz do olhar)
More than the steaming green
(mais do que o verdejar)
More than the hidden hills
(tudo o que n se viu)
More than the concrete christ
(mais do que o redentor)
More than a distant land
(mais do que a terra m)
Over the shining sea
(mais do que o c e o mar)
More than a hungry child
(a fome a nos doer)
More like another time
(o tempo a nos curtir)
Born of a million years
(mais do que um milh)
More than a million years
(de anos pra sonhar)


A translation of the portuguese:

Quando a nossa m acordar
When our mother awakes
Andaremos ao sol
We shall walk in the sun
Quando a nossa m acordar
When our mother awakes
Cantar?pelo sert
She shall sing in the wilderness
Quando a nossa m acordar
When our mother awakes
Todos os filhos saber
All her children shall know
Todos os filhos saber
All her children shall know
E regozijar
And they shall rejoice