Introduction
“Fire and Rain” was penned and performed by James Taylor and issued in August 1970 by Warner Bros. Records as the second single from his second studio album, Sweet Baby James. In its three-and-a-half-minute span, Taylor confronts the suicide of his childhood friend Suzanne Schnerr, his struggles with depression and addiction, and the surreal isolation of early stardom. Upon release, the track climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on Canada’s RPM Top Singles chart, cementing Taylor’s place in the burgeoning folk-rock movement. Rolling Stone later ranked it No. 227 on their “500 Greatest Songs” list (2003) and moved it up to No. 146 in 2021.
This particular video captures Taylor performing “Fire and Rain” on BBC’s In Concert on November 16, 1970. Broadcast footage has been lovingly restored, showcasing Taylor at age 22 playing with raw intimacy—his gentle guitar picking and quiet vocal delivery feel like a confidant sharing a secret.
More than half a century later, “Fire and Rain” remains deeply felt by listeners, often cited as one of Taylor’s most personal works. It inspired a stage musical titled Fire & Rain, with book by playwright Tracy Letts and direction by Tony winner David Cromer, announced in March 2025 by AP News. People magazine adds that Taylor, a six-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is thrilled to see his songs reach new audiences through theater