2. James Taylor “Fire and Rain” (from
Sweet Baby James)
https://youtu.be/EbD7lfrsY2s
Not only the James Taylor’s greatest song, but, IMO, the greatest song of the early 70s singer/songwriter movement. The opening guitar work is deceptively simple but actually a fine bit of complex craft (or so I’ve been told by guitar folks); same for the melody.
As for the lyrics: the story, often told by Taylor, is that he returned from a year in England (his first album was produced by Abbey Road) to learn that his best friend and former girlfriend had committed suicide. Taylor, who had spent time both in drug rehab and a mental hospital himself responded with this poignant bit of poetry. Probably because of his own experiences there is an authenticity and universality to his words, which adds to the timeless nature of the song. Pop perfection.