Secret of Life - James Taylor

Performed by Taylor in HD with stunning sound quality.

In the early '70s, when he appeared with his introspective songs, acoustic guitar, and calm, understated singing style, James Taylor mirrored a generation's emotional exhaustion after tumultuous times.

Just as Bing Crosby's reassuring voice brought the country out of the Depression and through World War II, Taylor's eased the transition from '60s activism and its attendant frustrations into the less political, more inward-looking '70s.

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
Any fool can do it
There ain't nothing to it
Nobody knows how we got to
The top of the hill
But since we're on our way down
We might as well enjoy the ride.

The secret of love is in opening up your heart
It's okay to feel afraid
But don't let that stand in your way
'cause anyone knows that love is the only road
And since we're only here for a while
Might as well show some style
Give us a smile.

Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.

Now the thing about time is that time
Isn't really real
It's just your point of view
How does it feel for you
Einstein said he could never understand it all
Planets spinning through space
The smile upon your face
Welcome to the human race.

Some kind of lovely ride
I'll be sliding down
I'll be gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.

Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.

• Category

  Music

[Carey McGleish]

View lyrics by clicking on Detail arrow at right.

[Carey McGleish]

From the 2007 concert "One Man Band". It was performed at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (think Tanglewood). It is JT's favorite place to perform.

[pennysworth]

I keep playing his music, finding fresh perspectives and falling in love with certain songs all over again. A remarkable number in a remarkable career. This one in particular. Those minor chords!

[Mark Lewis]

James Taylor is a world treasure

[David Thompson]

His best work, yes very inspiring...

[Max Mehrjui]

such great song

[onefoot7]

He's so great and cool ,he pisses me off...

[Eric Chapman]

I look up to this type of talent, very inspiring

[JOHN MURPHY]

The most soothing voice in the history of recorded sound.......one could listen to this a hundred times and never get tired of it......talent from another planet.

[klatu1956]

James Taylor looks like a snapping turtle with cancer.

[Pinkletess]

this song feels like a blanket ..; )

[Tom deWilde Kinney]

I saw JT on this tour. Charleston SC. The tickets were almost $100 each. Worth every penny! When so many have lost thier voices with age, he just gets better. A gift not wasted.