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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
– James Taylor, Fire and Rain
Do you know the story?
He was on the road a lot, playing gigs. He was despondent, being separated from his girlfriend Suzanne for long stretches.
They were to be married. Build a life together. They spent hours on the phone. Talking about things to come. Sweet dreams.
Their friends arranged for her to fly out to join him.
She never did.
Enroute to him, her plane crashed.
Sweet dreams, and flying machines, in pieces, on the ground.
Heartbreaking, isn’t it?
Omigosh yes …
But not true.
And do you know what I find really interesting?
My reaction to learning that.
* * * * *
I, along with legions of fans, collectively developed that scenario from the lyrics. Perhaps it is the power of imagination. Perhaps it is the compulsion we have as human beings to search for meaning in everything we experience.
Perhaps it is our flair for the dramatic; I mean omigosh! how gut wrenching and sad that story is; furthermore, oh! the irony! that capturing that tragic event in lyric and song, with it’s implication of life-threatening depression, would provide the lift of his career and his life …
Whatever the reason, the fact of the matter is — we, collectively, made it up.
What he did, in writing the song, was piece together people and experiences and feelings drawn from his life. He very cleverly crafted a scenario.
His creative license and supple storytelling pulled us in … and boy did we go all in …
If you want to dive a little deeper into the fiction and the facts, go here.
* * * * *
Does the fact that the song doesn’t represent something real diminish the experience for you?
It did for me.
Upon learning that the story I believed behind the song wasn’t true, I went into denial. It had to be true! It was so compelling!
Then I was upset. Angry. Duped! Then profoundly disappointed. (Fire and rain; kind of.)
But that reaction has subsided. I’ve come to terms with it; and I still do like the song.
But my relationship with the song — my experience with it — is very different now. I no longer have the momentary emotional gut reaction upon hearing it every. single. time.
I now simply appreciate the artistry. But, alas, it’s a dispassionate appreciation.
* * * * *
My pondering of this takes me several different directions. There may need to be a follow-on post.
I’m wondering what your reaction is, and what your pondering provokes …
So what is your reaction? What does your pondering conjure up?
I never knew about the fiancee/plane crash story – I only knew that the song was about mental illness and addiction. I find the latter interpretation more compelling, but I had no bait and switch experience to alter my view of the song.
I think that this supports the argument that an artist’s creation is fleshed out as much by its beholders’ perception as it is by the artist’s craft. I think this is especially true in song and poetry, as the language has to be very efficient, and the listener has to read between the lines. The listeners have enough knowledge to be dangerous, but they don’t have enough context or shared experience in order to know precisely what the artist is talking about.
I actually love this aspect of music and literature – seeing so many different viewpoints on the same thing makes my experience of art multi-layered, like cutting into a fine pastry or peeling back the layers of an onion.
I too wasn’t aware of the story – I knew enough of the pieces of James Taylor’s life struggles to know it was about his addiction, and Suzanne’s suicide. Those two speak as poignantly to me as the girlfriend dies in a crash story. I have a very visceral reaction to this song, to the pain expressed, so it wouldn’t matter. It moves me.
Love these perspectives!
I wasn’t disappointed upon learning the facts because the song is “universal”: this tragedy (or something similar) has happened to thousands of people throughout history. So the “reality” of the song didn’t fade for me.
(Hope I just didn’t bum folks out!)
It also reminds me how life is too short, and puts the work/life balance in perspective.
You’re bumming me out Pete!
Hi John,
I did not know the setting of the song. Your writings made me more aware and touched by the lyrics. Thanks for sharing.
Brother Jim
Turns out, Jim, I didn’t know the setting of the song either! 🙂
I didn’t know the background to this song.
The very first thing I thought of when I read your post was Eric Clapton’s song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxPj3GAYYZ0
Isn’t that funny?
I guess my reaction to your post is that there is a universal truism at play here, which is “No one like to feel like they’ve been deceived.”
Exactly, Erik. EXACTLY. That’s what I was going for. The deception … that really wasn’t.
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