"Fire and Rain" is a folk/rock song written and performed by James Taylor. Appearing on his second album, Sweet Baby James, it attracted widespread attention. The album was released in February 1970, with the song being released as a single that month. "Fire and Rain" quickly rose to number three on the Billboard hot 100 charts. It was soon covered by Anne Murray, on her album Honey, Wheat and Laughter, also in 1970.
Moody and introspective, "Fire and Rain" became something of a prototype for the singer-songwriter genre that would boom in the few years following its release. Its apocalyptic imagery proved provocative to would-be interpreters. The sparse arrangement, centered on Taylor's ringing acoustic guitar figures, came to represent Taylor's signature sound, and was influential among other performers. Carole King is the pianist on the song.
"Fire and Rain" is in the 227th position on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Read more about Fire And Rain: Origin of The Song, Cover Versions
Famous quotes containing the words fire and/or rain:
“Oh! that thy love might overflow my Heart!
To fire the same with Love: for Love I would.
But oh! my streight’ned Breast! my Lifeless Sparke!
My Fireless Flame! What Chilly Love, and Cold?
In measure small! In Manner Chilly! See!
Lord, blow the Coal: Thy Love Enflame in mee.”
—Edward Taylor (1645–1729)
“The post-office had a great charm at one period of our lives. When you have lived to my age, you will begin to think letters are never worth going through the rain for.”
—Jane Austen (1775–1817)