FIRE AND RAIN,

JAMES TAYLOR

SONGWRITER: JAMES TAYLOR

HOW: LIVE 1970

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: SWEET BABY JAMES

LABEL: WARNER BROS

GENRE: FOLCK ROCK

YEAR: 1970

James Vernon Taylor(born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the No. 3 single "Fire and Rain" and had his first No. 1 hit in 1971 with his recording of "You've Got a Friend", written by Carole King in the same year. His 1976 Greatest Hits album was certified Diamond and has sold 12 million US copies. Following his 1977 album, JT, he has retained a large audience over the decades. Every album that he released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies. He enjoyed a resurgence in chart performance during the late 1990s and 2000s, when he recorded some of his most-awarded work (including Hourglass, October Road, and Covers). He achieved his first number-one album in the US in 2015 with his recording Before This World.

He is known for his covers, such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "Handy Man", as well as originals such as "Sweet Baby James".

"Fire and Rain" is a folk rock song written and performed by James Taylor. Released on Warner Bros. Records as a single from his second album, Sweet Baby James, in February 1970, 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.

"Fire And Rain" was released in February 1970. Several events and incidents in James Taylor's life are reflected in this song, including the suicide of his friend, Suzanne Schnerr, the failure with his band and his drug addiction.

Carole King, who played piano on this song, later wrote and recorded a song "You've Got a Friend"(1971) which was inspired by the line "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."

This song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

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 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

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 comin' my way this time around now

Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you

Fire and rain.

I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL

LYNN ANDERSON

SONGWRITER:

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

ALBUM: ROSE GARDEN – 24 GREAT COUNTRY SONGS

LABEL: COUNTRY STARS

GENRE: COUNTRY

YEAR: 2011

Lynn Rene Anderson(September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was an American country music singer known for a string of hits from the late 1960s to the 1980s, most notably her worldwide mega-hit "Rose Garden"(1970). Anderson's crossover appeal and regular exposure on national television helped her become country music's first mainstream female superstar in the early 1970s; taking the genre to venues around the world that previously had not been receptive. In 1970, she became the first female country star to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and, in 1974, the first to headline and sellout Madison Square Garden in New York City. Anderson was among the most highly awarded female country recording artists of her era, and her version of "Rose Garden" stands as one of the most successful crossover recordings of all-time.

Anderson charted 12 No. 1, 18 Top 10, and more than 50 Top 40 hit singles. In addition to being named "Top Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music(ACM) twice and "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association(CMA), she also won a Grammy Award(earning seven nominations), People's Choice Award and an American Music Award(AMA). Record World, one of three major industry trade magazines at the time (Billboard and Cashbox the other two), named Lynn Anderson 'Artist of the Decade' for 1970-80. Additionally, Anderson was the first female country artist to win the American Music Award (1974). All genres combined, she was the #13 music artist of the 1970s according to Joel Whitburn and the highest ranking country artist not yet in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

According to Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, "Anderson's television background and her ability to bring show-business dynamism to recordings and concert performances helped her achieve crossover success. With talent and tenacity, the country music star brought increased visibility to the genre." She continued to record and remained a popular concert draw until her death, regularly headlining major casino showrooms, performing arts centers, and theaters. 

I remember wearin' straight leg Levis and flannel shirts

Even when they weren't in style

I remember singin' with Roy Rogers at the movies

When the West was really wild

And I was listenin' to the Opry

When all of my friends were diggin' Rock 'n Roll

And Rhythm & Blues

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

I remember circlin' the drive-in, pullin' up

And turnin' down George Jones

I remember when no one was lookin'

I was puttin' peanuts in my Coke

I took a lot of kiddin'

'Cause I never did fit in

Now look at everybody tryin' to be what I was then

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

(Chorus:)

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

I was Country, from my hat down to my boots

I still act, and look the same

What you see ain't nothin' new

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

They call us country bumpkins

For stickin' to our roots

I'm just glad we're in a country

Where we're all free to choose

I was Country, when Country wasn't cool

(Repeat chorus)

Yeah, I was Country when Country wasn't cool.

YOU'RE THE REASON

JOE SOUTH

SONGWRITER: BOBBY EDWARDS, TERRY IMESFELL & FRED HENLEY

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: YOU1RE THE REASON

LABEL: CAPITOL RECORDS

GENRE: COUNTRY

YEAR: 1971

"You're the Reason" is a song by Bobby Edwards, released as a single in the United States in 1961. The song reached number four on the Country singles chart and number 11 on the Pop singles chart. The tune was later covered by Gerry and the Pacemakers, Joe South, Hank Locklin, Hank III and John Fogerty on his album The Blue Ridge Rangers.

Joe South(born Joseph Alfred Souter; February 28, 1940 – September 5, 2012) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Best known for his songwriting, South won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1970 for "Games People Play" and was again nominated for the award in 1972 for "Rose Garden".

South had met and was encouraged by Bill Lowery, an Atlanta music publisher and radio personality. He began his recording career in Atlanta with the National Recording Corporation, where he served as staff guitarist along with other NRC artists Ray Stevens and Jerry Reed. South's earliest recordings have been re-released by NRC on CD. He soon returned to Nashville with The Manrando Group and then onto Charlie Wayne Felts Promotions. (Charlie Wayne Felts is the cousin of Rockabilly Hall of Fame Inductee and Grand Ole Opry Member, Narvel Felts.)

South had his first top 50 hit in July 1958 with a cover version of the b-side of The Big Bopper's hit single Chantilly Lace, a novelty song called "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor". After this South would concentrate mainly on songwriting.

In 1959, South wrote two songs which were recorded by Gene Vincent: "I Might Have Known", which was on the album Sounds Like Gene Vincent(Capitol Records, 1959), and "Gone Gone Gone", which was included on the album The Crazy Beat of Gene Vincent (Capitol Records, 1963).

South was also a prominent sideman, playing guitar on Tommy Roe's "Sheila", Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde album, and the classic tremolo intro on Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools". South played electric guitar on Simon & Garfunkel's second album, Sounds of Silence, although Al Gorgoni and/or Vinnie Bell feature on the title track.

Billy Joe Royal recorded five South songs: "Down in the Boondocks" (also covered in 1969 by Penny DeHaven), "I Knew You When", "Yo-Yo" (later a hit for The Osmonds), "Hush" (later a hit for Deep Purple, Somebody's Image with Russell Morris, and Kula Shaker), and "Rose Garden" (see below).

Responding to late 1960s issues, South's style changed radically, most evident in his biggest single, 1969's pungent, no-nonsense "Games People Play" (purportedly inspired by Eric Berne's book of the same name), a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Accompanied by a lush string sound, an organ, and brass, the production won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Song and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. South followed up with "Birds of a Feather" (originally "Bubbled Under" at No. 106 on February 10–17, 1968, more successful as a cover by The Raiders that peaked on the Hot 100 at No. 23 on October 23–30, 1971) and two other soul-searchers, the back-to-nature "Don't It Make You Want to Go Home" (also covered eight months later by Brook Benton With The Dixie Flyers) and the socially provocative "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" (also covered by Elvis Presley in a Las Vegas era version, Bryan Ferry, and Coldcut).

South's most commercially successful composition was Lynn Anderson's 1971 country/pop monster hit "Rose Garden", which was a hit in 16 countries worldwide. Anderson won a Grammy Award for her vocals, and South earned two Grammy nominations for it, as Best Country Song and (general) Song of the Year. South wrote more hits for Anderson, such as "How Can I Unlove You" (Billboard Country No.1) and "Fool Me" (Billboard Country No. 3). Freddy Weller, Jeannie C. Riley, and Penny DeHaven also had hits on the Billboard country chart with South songs. In addition, other artists who have recorded South-penned songs include Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Carol Burnett, Andy Williams, Kitty Wells, Dottie West, Jim Nabors, Arlen Roth, Liz Anderson, The Georgia Satellites, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Ike & Tina Turner, Hank Williams Jr., James Taylor, the Tams, and k. d. lang, although most covered versions of South's best known songs. 

(Walkin' the floor)

(Feelin' so blue)

(Smoke cigarettes)

(Drink coffee, too)

I just lay here at night

Toss and I turn

Lovin' you so

How my heart yearns

You're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

Walkin' the floor

Feelin' so blue

Smoke cigarettes

Drink coffee, too

You're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

I'm bettin'

You're not losin' sleep over me

But if I'm wrong

Don't fail to call

You can keep me company (Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)

Sometimes I go for a walk

Take a look at the moon

Strum my guitar

Sing a love tune

Honey, you're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

(Walkin' the floor)

(Feelin' so blue)

(Smoke cigarettes)

(Drink coffee, too)

(Strum my guitar)

(Look at the moon)

(Losin' my sleep over you)

I'm bettin'

You're not losin' sleep over me

But if I'm wrong

Don't fail to call

You can keep me company (Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)

Sometimes I go for a walk

Take a look at the moon

Strum my guitar

And sing a love tune

Honey, you're the reason

I don't sleep at night (Don't sleep at night)

(Walkin' the floor)

(Feelin' so blue)

(Smoke cigarettes)

(Drink coffee, too)

(Strum my guitar)

(Look at the moon)

(Losin' my sleep over you)

You're the reason

You're the reason

You're the reason

You're the reason

You're the reason.

I'M YOURS

JASON MRAZ

SONGWRITER: JASON MRAZ

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

ALBUM: WE SING, WE DANCE, WE STEAL THINGS

LABEL: ATLANTIC RECORDS

GENRE: POP

YEAR: 2008

Jason Thomas Mraz (/məˈræz/; born June 23, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. In 2002 he released his debut studio album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which contained the single "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" that reached #4 on the US Billboard chart. His second album, Mr. A-Z, released in 2005, peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 100,000 copies in the US. In 2008 Mraz released his third studio album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. It debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. and was an international commercial success primarily due to the hit "I'm Yours". The song peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his first top ten single, and spent a then-record 76 weeks on the Hot 100. His fourth album, Love Is a Four Letter Word, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, his highest-charting album to date.

Mraz has won two Grammy Awards and received two additional nominations, and has also won two Teen Choice Awards, a People's Choice Award and the Hal David Songwriters Hall of Fame Award. He has earned Platinum and multi-Platinum certifications in over 20 countries, and has toured in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and parts of Africa. As of July 2014 Mraz has sold over seven million albums, and over 11.5 million downloaded singles. His musical style, from rhythmic feeling to his use of nylon string guitars, has been heavily influenced by Brazilian music.

"I'm Yours" is the first single released by American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz from his third studio album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.(2008) The song was originally released on a limited edition EP called Extra Credit as a demo in 2005 to promote his second studio album Mr. A–Z. It was performed in his 2004 and 2005 gigs and already became a crowd favorite before its release. "I'm Yours" was nominated for Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 51st Grammy Awards. It was also used for the Australian Seven Network's promotion of the season premiere of Packed to the Rafters.

"I'm Yours" was immensely successful in the US on the Billboard charts. At 76 weeks on the Hot 100, it held the record for most weeks spent on the chart, breaking the previous record of 69 weeks set by LeAnn Rimes’ song "How Do I Live" in 1998; this record has since been broken by Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive", which spent 87 weeks on the chart, and AWOLNATION's "Sail", which spent 79 weeks on the chart. As of January 2013, it is the tenth best-selling digital song of all time in the US, selling over 6 million downloads, and 12.2 million worldwide. It remains Mraz's biggest US hit single to date. The song was used as an 'inspiration' for the Bollywood movie Nautanki Saala song "Mera Mann Kehne Laga". It was the only song to crack Billboard's top 600 of all time despite never cracking the top 5.

Mraz first launched the song from the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California, at Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions in 2008. He also sang a version on Sesame Street titled "Outdoors" and released a successful remixed version featuring Lil Wayne and Jah Cure. 

There was a demo version of this song included on a limited-release bonus EP "Extra Credit" (2005), which Jason Mraz used to promote his "Mr. A-Z" (2005) album.

Many covers of this track have been made and posted on YouTube. The singer told Billboard magazine, "I never instigated any of the covers. But I can see why people are drawn to the song. And because it is about generosity, I wanted to share it."

This song was released as the album's first single because of the fans' response to it.

This song was being performed live for about five years before its release. Jason Mraz noted, "When I finally recorded it, my fans were relieved that we didn't overproduce it. We kept the feel and arrangement true to how we play it live."

Well, you done, done me and you bet I felt it

I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted

I fell right through the cracks, now I'm trying to get back

Before the cool done run out, I'll be giving it my bestest

And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention

I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well, open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn, you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love

Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing

We're just one big family

And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved

Loved, loved, loved, loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm sure

There's no need to complicate, our time is short

This is our fate, I'm yours

D-d-do you, but you, d-d-do

But do you want to come on?

Scooch on over closer dear

And I will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror

And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer

But my breath fogged up the glass

And so I drew a new face and I laughed

I guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reason

To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons

It's what we aim to do, our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait I'm yours

Open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn, you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours

So please don't, please don't, please don't

There's no need to complicate

Cause our time is short

This is, this is, this is our fate, I'm yours!