“Fire and Rain” is a deeply personal song by James Taylor, released in 1970 on his second album, “Sweet Baby James.” The song reflects on Taylor’s experiences with mental health struggles, the sudden death of a friend, and his recovery from addiction. It is widely considered one of his most poignant and enduring works.

About The Song

The lyrics of “Fire and Rain” are introspective and somber, divided into three verses that each deal with different personal crises in Taylor’s life. The first verse speaks about the suicide of his friend, Suzanne Schnerr, which Taylor heard about while in London recording his debut album. The second verse reflects his time in psychiatric institutions and his struggles with addiction, while the third verse is about his resilience and recovery, expressing a mixture of hope and melancholy.

Musically, the song features Taylor’s soft, gentle guitar playing and his warm, comforting vocal style. The arrangement is simple but effective, with piano accompaniment that enhances the emotional depth of the song.

“Fire and Rain” became a major hit for James Taylor, reaching the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidifying his reputation as a talented singer-songwriter. The song’s honest and raw portrayal of pain and personal struggle has resonated with listeners for decades, making it a staple of folk rock and an essential track in Taylor’s discography.

Video

Lyric

Just yesterday mornin’, 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’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