Joe Salvo was in Buzzy’s Country Store the other night and in the course of our conversation he mentioned having seen James Taylor perform several times. Reflecting on our conversation while driving home, it got me thinking about JT because I just recently finished reading a bio of him by Timothy White titled Long Ago and Far Away (For review of book click here.)
One of the things I liked about the bio was White going into lots of detail on all of James’ songs re: when they were written, what was going on at that time etc.. For instance in this song below I learned that a couple of the verses are about JT’s buddy John Belushi dying from an overdose. White notes that it was Belushi’s death that made James see his way to finally overcoming his own drug addictions. I’d always liked the “learn not to burn” line but had never really known it was all in reference to Belushi.
John’s gone found dead he dies high he’s brown bread
Later said to have drowned in his bed
After the laughter the wave of the dread
It hits us like a ton of lead
It seems “learn not to burn” means to turn on a dime
Walk on if you’re walking even if it’s an uphill climb
Try to remember that working’s no crime
Just don’t let ’em take and waste your time