James Taylor - Sweet Baby James (Live: BBC - 1970)

[1954telecaster]

when he gets to the verse about "now the first of december" it just slays me everytime, like a dagger to your heart, such a soulful performance

[stevosmusic]

My mom used to sing this to me everynight before I went to bed. I couldn't sleep unless she sang it to me. <3 I wish music like this was still popular.

[M0D3Mofficial]

No one's found out where this was performed yet, huh? Well, none the less, I love it. :)

[1954telecaster]

@M0D3Mofficial -i'm pretty sure this was broadcast live from the BBC studios in London...back when they did that sort of thing

[lewars1912]

Seeing the date of this performance makes me think of Jimi Hendrix who died just a few days later on the 18th of September.

[sheenabyrom]

I was 15, yesterday my son James sent me this link. This is our song.

[bretthejet60]

Why do all of your song sights feel like I need to pay money. I have loved your music forever, but please, I just tried to pull up this album, and they were asking money to here it. Just like when I tried to pull up "In The Pocket". I really needed to hear Junkie's Lament, because herion killed my cousin.

[notnicolajames]

One of the best songs new parents should listen to. Here's a top 5 list of songs about new-born babies or pregnancy: h t t p : / / wp.me / p1ZpT1-d1

[kzoladyj]

One of the best from one of the best

[hicksy0427]

what can I say, amazing

[horseinformer]

I was named after this song. My parents played it constantly when I was a child and I love it unlike any other. This will be played to my kids one day, and hopefully to theirs in the distant future.

[FlauntussFloyd]

@tembuck2 homeboy here, I was a kid and this was one of those most peaceful songs

[Bluebottle83]

wonderful

[tembuck2]

Concert in Little Rock Arkansas, 1971. Deploying for VietNam. You Got Me Though It. Thank You James T"

[andreyaniw1]

Went to see a concert of James 5 years ago. My Dad had just been diagnosed with cancer and the concert was in his home town. I said I'd cancel it to spend a bit more time with him but he insisted I go. I'd loved james music before then because it really spoke to me. After this time and since my Dad's death It just breaks me up to listen toit. Somehow though it reminds me of Dad. The music is just so beautiful and poignant..

[garcemac]

This is the voice we will hear in heaven. Pure, sweet, honest, Sweet Baby James. I'm biased - every time James sings, my eyes fill with tears.

I love this man.

Godbless you, James. You are a living angel .

[SixOaksMom]

Great song to sing to my baby James many years ago. Now he's too old to want me to sing it . . . so I sing it inside my heart and outwardly tell him a simple goodnight even though he just ignores or grunts in response.

[GustafW1]

This perfomance is wonderful and unbeatable! Best cover that I've seen of this song on the Youtube is "MrPuh64" 's, somewhat different but beautiful and with a soulful touch.

[Windymiller8]

When my grandson James was born, he was handed to my daughter + she sang it to him - the first thing he heard.

[oldsoul247]

Drove through Stockbridge Mass two days ago and the Berkshires listening to a live version of this song! Always great!! Put up a cover above in vid response (Folkdub)

[coyotepey]

i sang this song to my kids and now i sing it to my grandchildren ..... 

[TwoBitSodapop]

Perhaps the most genuine and authentic voice in the history of music... he just sings

[mrslovedavidboreanaz]

when i have a kid, im going to sing this song to him/her every night. im going to make sure that my kid knows what wondrous music REALLY sounds like.

[pixiepancake]

When my oldest son was an infant, I would put James Taylor on so he would go to sleep...



[theiceberry777]

I have to wonder what is wrong with the people who dislike this. Maybe I'm biased but they must be tone deaf or just plain nuts or both.

[dibcochrane]

My 3 year old won't go to sleep without me singing this to him. 'Cowrain' as he calls it.

James is a beautiful singer and my life would have been just a little less without him.

[cristimalia]

I love this mans sound

[LunaMoonJune]

a man and his guitar... sets my soul ablaze... singing loudly with you James

[HarrrySpider]

I know music is intensely personal and subject to individual taste... but some people actually dislike this? I suppose some people dislike their own ears... stabbing them with ice picks to stop the unbearable harmony and peace that this song inflicts upon them... I pity those people...

[TalonToday]

Remind me of my dad so much. <3

[jmsarltd]

A true Bard, James is magic. This is my all time favorite song, and that is hard for me to say.

[PersephoneStarshyne]

1) am the only one raping the replay button?

2) what idiots would dislike this?!?!?

3) i remember not being able to fall asleep and having my dad sing this to me for hours on end, there is no replacement for the genius that is james taylor. the sweet pure music that he does should be legendary.

[WalkerBros4Ever]

Timeless music, totally effortless, lyrically wistful and wonderful guitar. Just pure heaven. Brilliantly gifted, he could walk into a room, pick up the guitar and come out with gems like this.

[UxUrLuvdK]

Love this;~}

[copywriternj]

Takes me back to a time when everything seemed so much simpler. Oh, to live now without regrets. Thanks for posting...just wonderful.

[johnfoconnor]

As good today as it was when I first listened on my first cassette tape player in the 1970s in USA and back home in Ireland. And now even better on youtube and ipod.

[mrslovedavidboreanaz]

thank god for my mother.28 years before i was even born, and without her, i wouldnt even be listening to this right now. fuck the crap that people call music today, i could sit here and listen to this for the rest of my life.

[717021]

Never heard of him. Was he also a backstreet boy by chance?

[copywriternj]

@717021 You're kidding, right?

[717021]

@copywriternj Uh, yep.

[DoffDave]

What a talented musician and an inspiration to so many of us budding songwriters!

[ieachobabies]

I remember when i was about 4 or 5 years old and i couldn't get to sleep, I would make my dad play this song while I would sit on his lap in an old rocking chair until I was asleep... This song is fucking awesome.

[frizdizzielizzie1959]

this song is why I named my son James.

[forthelostboys]

this is me and my dads song! he sung it to me when i was little and going to sleep :)

[jcombs2010]

love it!!!

[LPMC723]

18 years before i was born, but i was there.

[priscilacoffer]

eu tambem adro;; essa misica ;;e como uma preçe paramim ;;;priscila coffer

[0917gva]

One of my favorite James Taylor songs. I love the line "...deep greens and blues are the colors I choose..." I love the poetry in this song. I just love this song period. Thank you for this great post.

[takeshitapart]

I like this song, but theres some sorrow and errieness to it that gets me, possibly subconchous. Whenever i listen to it i feel sad, nostalgic, (Even thow im 14 and this is my second time to my knowelege hearing this song.) Curious, lonley and other emotions I cant explain. There's just something about this song that "Gets me".

[mrslovett12345678910]

@takeshitapart me too.

[diggitus]

This video can not be real, it is simply too perfect.

[SuperQueenofAfrica]

and how can i forget the beach boys ?

[MrRiphunter]

What if James Taylor had become an accountant?

[mrko1888]

@MrRiphunter Accountancy would never be the same again.

[Xxguitarkiller77xX]

12 dislikes? Better be because they couldn't see this in person! This Is one of my personal favorite songs! Amazing!

[rubyrock2]

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose, wont you let me go down in my dreams... If I can't sleep at night, I just play this song in my head and before I know it, the sun is shining through my window. ♥

[littledogs1]

he wrote this song for his first nephew who was named after him, so beautiful and touching when you think about it, it is a lula bye for sweet baby james..

[Psykotribevids]

My father, David Harrison passed away last week. He was a huge James Taylor fan. Like many others, he was inspired by him and emulate his playing and singing. My name is James and my father used to sing this song to me when I was a baby. So many memories.....thank you James Taylor!

[Xxguitarkiller77xX]

@Psykotribevids thats very inspiring!

[Raspberry54]

Absolutely STUNNING - it just isn't humanly possible to make nicer soundz. Thank you James - you're an All-Time, All-Galaxy, Hall of Famer.

[willmcintyre]

Alec Baldwin 

[Dodoy782]

Ha ha ha lol u r definitely correct berzy56

[Drblooter99]

Thank goodness for youtube, showing youngsters the history of popular music is mostly free from Cowell, Gaga and the rest.

[Frankiarmz]

God! This man can paint a picture with his music. I get such a good feeling listening to his beautiful songs.

[operalament]

actually i think i took up the guitar because of this guy. He is the best what i would categorize as a contemporary folk artists. He is really without peer in this style. Nothing fake, nothing to hide behind, simply a voice a guitar and a song, molded by an extrordinary artist.

[KotaBeariesandcream]

happy tears!:)



[Alofthedesert]

In so many ways this is THE ballad of the baby boom generation. I never get tired of listening to this song and to James Taylor. Thank you, James, from every corner of America.

[EricVolponeMusic]

my dad used to sing this song to me and my sister right before we went to sleep when we were young. this song will live in my heart forever

[kshorse34]

This is my favorite song.

[TheLovelyladylover]

James Taylor,Joni Mitchell,Carole King,Neil Young.........music that changed lives......and thank god they are still here, influencing many!!

[MrDooon007]

this song made to be the best song ever !

[MrLemex]

This is such a gentle song. I sometimes play this to my nephew to get him to sleep.

[thestew56]

Man, i dont care what u got. You just cant do it like this anymore. Good song.

[truzzified]

When i was a kid i couldnt fall asleep unless his greatest hits cd was playing softly in the background :D

[joseluisfernandez58]

Good ol´ James. Part of my life.

[TheBibelotSheep]

Well, I sing this to a Zofia every night.

[marybolanddoyle]

I named my fourth child James, and yes, partly because this has been one of my favorites since early childhood. My niece is having a James now, and I think it's still as perfect as it was when I chose the name, like when James Taylor's parents did, and millions more. Lovely. God bless my grand nephew to be, James. The name means beautiful, and I know you will be.

[jessemparker]

Some people were just put on this earth for the rest of us to listen to. It's so easy to just shut the hell up and listen to these songs. No lights, autotune, driving beat, distortion or heavy processing. Just sound... Listen...

[STEVE24BUS]

@jessemparker Never seen a comment before that made so much sense.

[SuperQueenofAfrica]

@jessemparker i remember this music too from my youth, carole king, james taylor , joni mitchell, simon and garfunkel, i loved them all , as much as i loved listening to motown, micheal jackson, stevie wonder, those where the golden yrs of american music .. never to be forgotten or repeated.. i might have left others out of course but these are my personal preferences and so evocative of an innocent era..

[ydoweneedusernames]

classic.

[rkellenbecker]

I sang this song to my sweet baby James every night when he was a baby.  I love it!

[gluchnurse]

Today all I feel is the 10,000 more miles to go. Sometimes it doesn't seem like a gift, but a curse to go on...

[wendey731]

I used to sing this to my baby sonJames River everynight :(

[409karen]

this is one of my favorite songs of all time!

i sang both of my boys to sleep to this song when they were babies they both love this song!

[mcdonaldold1]

This is sweet! Takes me back.

[isaacnewtin]

If i could choose one concert to have been to then this probably would be it. all of the performances are amazing

[coolmargarita]

Rocked my son James to this song so many times. Precious memories. He is all grown up with a child of his own. But he will always be my "Sweet Baby James"

[webtechnology]

Epic.



[paintballme2]

I think James Taylor is "sweet baby James" LOL He's a baby in this video compared to age today. :p

[nomadseawolf]

I believe he was hooked on heroin at this time

[daneydean]

@nomadseawolf

your point?

[kathyscv1]

awesome!! This is great channel kids listen

[joeyjfields]

Great song Great singer

[mikey1829]

AMAZING how he STILL sounds just as good if not even BETTER<---

[Perry064]

Ten people died in the canyon

[mrpicky510]

He's kinda good, huh?

[SafeBet86]

I love James Taylor!

[patcrossman]

Perfect for my new grandson born in Calgary Canada! Always loved this song!

[ProcolHarum1967]

I prefer this stipped down version to the studio verson.

[jbjindra]

This is so beautiful I just can't stand it. Imagine tuning in your radio some night while you're driving in England..what's that? Oh how delightful, James Taylor playing live.

[Alofthedesert]

This song, sung by James, is "comfort food" for my generation. He just gets better with age too. Thank you, James.

[atomdizl]

My dad used to play this song for me when i was going to sleep as a baby. I love James Taylor. What an iconic artist.

[Caretaker24523]

September of 1970? Sheesh a month before I was born... thanks to my mom I've been listening to James Taylor since before I was born... and there's nothing wrong with that! Great timeless song.

[tonygem]

James Taylor is such a beautiful being.

[bdrasin]

This is my 2 year old daughter's favorite lullaby. She calls it 'Cowboy'.

[Bruniecolombo]

Great

[411w44]

merci

[411w44]

Holy Shit! F.F.C.H.S at BioEthics CoMMiTTTee!

[ChasmCityBlues]

Just the best. Truly beautiful.

[nessumsar95]

He 's been for ages talented. I agree he is a great guitarist and songwriter and singer.

I love him

[JaredM91]

with 10 miles behind me and 10,000 more to go, i think we've all felt that

[Grantrus71]

Beautiful beautiful James Taylor.

[nerfkid22me]

mmmmm love it

[jacksonbrownepuppy]

ONE OF THE BEST EVER!!!! MUSIC HAS CHANGED SO MUCH, IT'S SAD!!!

[CrotchWaffel]

James Taylor is such a talented musician- this song is spiritual to me

[Coldwateroyster1]

As only JT can :Do it! Wow! Classic! 0 :- )

[bassmaster1953]

Search the Livingston Taylor interviews. James' brother talks of their lives growing up in Chapel Hill N.C.

[ellemennop]

My mom used to sing this to me when she tucked my in. To this day, it never fails to make me smile and cry at the same time.

[tattoofthesun]

music brings you right back to your room, keeps you there despite the trips planned

[doradol1]

I discover James Taylor recently, and I am carrement lover of her style of the music that he(it) jout so well. Also playing the guitar and so recently, I hope that a thing(matter) to be able to play as him(her) or at least to try!! I like what loosens(kicks away) this singer, it is simply a rare purity.

[natehpd17]

I'm a James, thanks to this man.

[Rikenrocker]

James on a J-50. Taste of heaven...

[KINGGREATESTROCKSTAR]

MOST EXCELLENT......(:

[jamiepaton5]

this is the song i'll sing to my first born who's due in seven weeks, this song is more beautifull than i can ever hope to express in words, james' voice is like velvet chocolate.

[JustSignOut]

I think I know why most "dislike" votes happen. In some circles, society's programming says we can't feel emotional songs because it makes us weak. Some people believe they are cool because they were different than people who admitted to liking it. They also feel tough, rebellious and smart to go against the popular vote. Maybe a select few are honest and really don't like it or some people really accidentally clicked "dislike". See how the buttons are right next to each other..bad design plan.

[berzy56]

@javadarajava .... Hmmmmm good point. Maybe a Braille keyboard ? But you get my point; how can anyone possibly NOT like such a fabulous song. The end.

[leslieannemorrell]

my baby james' goodnight song....

[xavier1372]

is there an album of this performance?

[hofnerxtc]

Mitch Hedburg can sing!!! Who woulda thunk?!! Hahaha!!! Great song JT!

[eddiekraemer]

Great version of the song....I loved the song so much, I wrote a version for my 3 year old nephew covering his journey through his bone marrow transplant. Lyrically I put references to all his favorite things. I hope I didn't butcher the song too much. Check out the video under "Sweet Baby Jack" for Jackson Merriman.

[jamesVideo100]

my name is james and i love this song. it makes me cry

[aaldawrogers]

Does anyone know where I can find the studio version here on YouTube. I have probably been looking for a year and a half, and can't find one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Not like the live versions aren't good. I just prefer the original, studio version.

[InnerAcoustic]

That line "deep greens and blues are the colors I choose" is one of my all time favorite lines from a song. Great song.

[redrosestoo]

@InnerAcoustic Yeah, the lyrics are really something. My favourites:

"Well, the 1st of December was covered with snow.

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston.

Oh the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting."

...I love the amazing word picture in those lines.

Oh....and singing works just fine for me too! :)

[MsVanessamachado]

i love james taylor melhor do mundo

[malachi12100]

Nothing like him.

[dslhcj1234]

Amen! It doesn't get any better than this. JT music playin, a fire burning and a good glass of cabernet; that's heaven on earth!

[nikcd12]

He's only 22yo here. Amazing.

[lsubooth]

Top 3 singer/songwriter of all time. Period.

[budzin303]

@lsubooth of coures he is one of the best

[Pinkchyo]

@lsubooth who are the other 2 in your opinion, mate?

[HarryPotter573]

Amazing Singer Can listen To His Songs All Day Long!!

[StumpCreekSentinal]

As a young boy, I used to sing this song over the telephone to someone far away, so Goodnight You Moonlight Ladies....

[berzy56]

the 6 thumbs down people are DEAF, DUMB, and BLIND.

This is one of the best songs ever made.

[budzin303]

@berzy56 lol!

[pullbackbaby]

@berzy56 I gave it a thumbs down and added it to my favorites. Now it has 7. One of the best songs ever.

[rjb5678]

@berzy56 i'm sure you mean no offense to those deaf, dumb or blind. Needless to say James is a true gift from a place I struggle to understand. But James your a start....

[joannf54]

@berzy56 I totally agree!!!!!!!

[sergeantfan]

@berzy56 That's a bit of an ignorant comment there. I'm profoundly deaf and this is one of my favourite songs of all time. You can't just assume that all deaf/dumb/blind people don't like this song. Think before you make a comment like that again please.

[berzy56]

@sergeantfan Sorry about that, if I offended. Thought it was funny; I didn't know deaf people could hear a song! I learn something new everyday.....

[blessedalcuin]

@berzy56  Nah, they're really jealous.

[Horaciow14]

@berzy56 You could be blind and still enjoy music

[berzy56]

@Horaciow14 Well crap.... I'm not going to apologize to blind people too. What's next? Should I apologize to all DUMB people too? I'll be here forever doing that!! Just enjoy the damn song, OM ?

[felixq78]

@berzy56 Now there are ten and I really feel for them, they are missing out on some inspiring music, a real shame for them.

[eightycc]

@berzy56 Lol I know right!? They probably just missed the "like" button, there's no other explaination.

[spoiledbigtime]

Six thumbs down...are you kidding me! You are unAmerican if nothing else. He is a national treasure.

[87connell]

some dude, off his face!!!!

[DeadweightStar]

Just absolutely wonderful :)

[sjshoopoo]

james taylor-aww man the memories-dude you soothe my soul.

[kelbymiles]

and in 2010, we have ke$ha...

[odeamusic]

@kelbymiles lmao ... sad but true. 

[doire7]

This is what makes america a fantastic nation, not their military aggression, but most americans will never get that.

[mountainat85]

best song he ever did..love it

[MrsMe16]

The 1st of December was covered with snow" :-) So apt

[flipwiggins]

Funny how he's a bald het now. Damn, I still love that giant, though!!!!! Always have...always will.

[Galantski]

@flipwiggins -- Yeah, but his hair was already starting to recede in this clip and he was only in his 20s. Today in his 60s, he's lost most of it, but he's very little of his voice and nothing in the way he can sell a song.

[nbanolfkid]

James Taylor is a great guitarist, songwriter and singer. I play guitar and he has influenced me more than any other musician. Thank you James!

[joannf54]

@nbanolfkid Totally Agree!!!!!!!!

[mulroasted]

Who else could write "on account of that frosting " I love those words

[QueenBeatlesWings]

such a beautiful, relaxing song

[jcbacongrease]

Chills. Love JT.

[blesstim]

just thanking God for such great talents...

[lbadger22]

i farted