SET LIST AND SONG LYRICS

[Pamela]

Where the Streets Have No Name (U2)
Shine (removed for state fair dates)
When You Say You Love Me
I Will Carry You
Kyrie (Mr Mister)
No More Sad Song (replaced with *IKYWW)
-James Taylor Acoustic Tribute
-Sweet Baby James
-How Sweet It Is
-Fire and Rain
-Whenever I See Your Smiling Face
-You've Got a Friend
Measure of a Man
Run To Me (removed for state fair dates)

Intermission (Proud of Your Boy/Disney video)

Chain of Fools*** (Aretha Franklin)
Still the One**(Orleans)
Perfect Day
I Survived You
All About Love (removed from set)
Band Intro
Rosanna (Toto)
You Were There (Avalon)
This Is the Night
Invisible
Solitaire (encore)

***added in Knoxville TN
**added in Lexington KY
*I Knew You Would Wait (with Angela - added in Gilford NH)
Fool (with Cherie at Foxwoods)

[Pamela]

Where The Streets Have No Name
U2

I want to run
I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I want to reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name

I want to feel sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
Without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name

Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do

The city's aflood
And our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled in dust
I'll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name

Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
Our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, and I see love
See our love turn to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do

[Pamela]

Shine
Lindy Robbins/Pete Gordeno/Reed Vertelney

You can try to hide away from every drop of rain that's hanging over you.
And you can say it's all a waste.
Lost your time and space.
There's nothing left to lose.
Like a broken angel on the ground, like a symphony without a sound.
Turn around.

[Chorus]
Everything you are.
Everywhere you've been.
The sinner, and the saint that fight the battle within.
Everyplace you go.
Everybody knows.
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes.
Shine.
You're gonna shine.

In the mirror of your soul.
I know that you know, you are not forsaken.
Hey butterfly open up your weary eyes, and realize it's a trip we're taking.
And the world will turn around again.
And your shattered heart is going to mend.
In the end.

[Chorus]

Everything you are.
Everywhere you've been.
The sinner,and the saint that fight the battle within.
Everyplace you go.
Everybody knows.
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes.
Shine.
You're gonna shine.

Baby let's go riding those shooting stars.
Watch the cresent moon smile to your heart.
Shine.
You're gonna shine.
Shine.
You're gonna shine.

[Chorus]
Everything you are.
Everywhere you've been.
The sinner,and the saint that fight the battle within.
Everyplace you go.
Everybody knows.
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes.
Shine.

[Chorus]
Everything you are.
Everywhere you've been.
The sinner,and the saint that fight the battle within.
Everyplace you go.
Everybody knows.
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes.
Shine.
You're gonna shine.

[Pamela]

When You Say You Love Me
Darren Hayes/Rick Nowels

I've been watching you, from a far and the way you make your way around the bar. You laugh like your really entertained and
you smile like its your favorite game. Now your moving closer to me and our eyes are connected emotionally. I'm not looking
for a one night stand, Or a place for a broken heart to mend, I know everybody hear wants to hold ya. I know what it's like
cause i feel the same. When you look in my eyes there's a part of me that's still afraid.

[Chorus:]
And when you say you love me do you mean it, baby when you hold me do you feel it? Should I believe in magic in your eyes,
I would wait until the end of time to hear you say you love me like you mean it, baby when you hold me make me feel it. All
i wanna do is make you mine I've been hurt way too many times.

They say if you wanna make god laugh, then all you gotta do is tell him your plans. I know that the timing's not right,
Didn't know that I would meet you tonight. Its not that i don't really like the attention, I feel like the only man in the
room. Are you really sincere, is this just something that you do?

[Chorus]

Again and Again and again I've been hurt my friend till the end..., You know I've been high i've been low I got no plaace else
left to go, again and again and again when will this search ever end?

[Chorus]

[Pamela]

I Will Carry You
Lindy Robbins/Dennis Matkosky/Jess Cates

Yeah I know it hurts, Yeah I know you're scared walking down the road that leads to who knows where.
Don't you hang your head don't you give up yet when courage starts to disappear I will be right here.

[Chorus]

When your world breaks down and the voices tell you turn around.
When your dreams give out I will carry you, carry you.
When the stars go blind and the darkness starts to flood your eyes.
When you're falling behind, I will carry you.

Everybody cries, Everybody bleeds, No one ever said that lifes an easy thing.
Thats the beauty of it, when you lose your way, close your eyes and go to sleep and wake up to another day.

[Chorus]

You should know now that you're not alone.
Take my heart and we will find, you will find, your way home.

When your dreams give out I will carry you, carry you.
When the stars go blind and the darkness starts to flood your eyes.
When you're falling behind, I will carry you, carry you, I will carry you, carry you, I will carry you, carry you, I will carry you.

[Pamela]

Kyrie
Mr. Mister

Kyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, kyrie

The wind blows hard against this mountain side, across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide, setting my feet upon the road

My heart is old, it holds my memories, my body burns a gemlike flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine, is where I find myself again

Chorus:
Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison, where I'm going will you follow
Kyrie eleison, on a highway in the light

When I was young I thought of growing old, of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road, or only wished what I could be

(chorus repeats out...)

[Pamela]

No More Sad Song
Jimmy Harry/Wayne Hector/Shep Solomon

This is the way, that i state my independence, that i'm no longer connected to your memory.
This is the day that i'm making my defection, gotta claim back the affection that you stole from me.
I used to hear your music so loud, but its so low.
You're just another face in the crowd, I'm letting you know.

[Chorus]
No more sad song, I'm letting you go now, Switched off switched on, I'm letting you know, you turned out the light. I'm
gonna be alright when I... turn the radio on. No more sad song.

These are the words to descibe all your offenses. You said love in the past tense and then you let it go. Haven't you
heard, Your are no longer respected, you are formally rejected from the one you hurt. I used to have the longing to hear
what was in your heart, But now it seems i'm over the fear of this falling apart.

[Chorus]

I used to have the longing to hear what was in your heart, but now it seems i'm over the fear of this falling apart.

No more sad song, I'm letting it go now, Switched off switched on, I'm letting you know. No more sad song, I'm letting it
go now, Switched off switched on, I'm letting you know. you turned out the light. I'm gonna be alright without... Turn the
radio off. No more sad song. No more sad song.
No more sad song, No more sad song.

[Pamela]

Sweet Baby James

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range. His horse and his cattle are his only companions.
He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons, waiting for summer, his pastures to change.
And as the moon rises he sits by his fire, thinking about women and glasses of beer.
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire, he sings out a song which is soft but it's clear
as if maybe someone could hear:

Goodnight you moon light ladies, rock-a-bye sweet baby James.
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose, won't you let me go down in my dreams?
And rock-a-bye sweet baby James.

Now the first of December was covered with snow
and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston.
Though the Berkshires seemed dreamlike on account of that frosting,
with ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go.
There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway,
a song that they sing when they take to the sea,
a song that they sing of their home in the sky, maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep,
but singing works just fine for me.

So, goodnight you moon light ladies, rock-a-bye sweet baby James.
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose, won't you let me go down in my dreams?
And rock-a-bye sweet baby James.


How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (Holland, Dozier, Holland)

How sweet it is to be loved by you. How sweet it is to be loved by you.

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were.
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were.
With sweet love and devotion, deeply touching my emotion,
I want to stop and thank you baby. I want to stop and thank you baby.
How sweet it is to be loved by you.  How sweet it is to be loved by you.

I close my eyes at night wondering where would I be without you in my life.
Everything I did was just a bore, everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before.
But you brighten up for me all of my days with a love so sweet in so many ways,
I want to stop and thank you baby, I just want to stop and thank you baby.
How sweet it is to be loved by you, feels so fine. How sweet it is to be loved by you.

You were better for me than I was for myself,
for me, there's you and there ain't nobody else,
I want to stop and thank you baby. I just want to stop and thank you baby, yes I do,
how sweet it is to be loved by you. How sweet it is to be loved by you.
Feels so fine, how sweet it is to be loved by you.
Just like jelly baby, oh yeah, how sweet it is to be loved by you.
Just like honey to the bee, babe, how sweet it is to be loved by you.


Fire And Rain

Just yesterday morning, 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.


You've Got A Friend (King)

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend.

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,
oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.

[Pamela]

Measure of a Man
Steve Morales/Cathy Dennis/David Siege

If one day you discover him
Broken down he's lost everything
No cars, no fancy clothes to make him who he's not
The woman at his side is all that he has got
Why do you ask him move heaven and earth
To prove his love has worth?

Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
When it's down to the wire
Would he give his life up
To be all he can
Is that, is that, is that how you measure a man?

If by chance all he had to give you
Was three words wrapped around your finger
Would that be deep enough at the end of every day
And how will you ever know
If a man is what he says?

Why do you ask him to move heaven and earth
To prove his love has worth
Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
When it's down to the wire
Would he give his life up to be all he can
Is that, is that, is that how you measure a man?

He never gives up
Lets go of his dream
His world goes around for his one true belief
Is that how you know
Is that what it means?

Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
Would he will be your anchor when the dark unfolds
Would he always love you the best that he knows?

Would he give his life up
To be all that he can
Is that, is that, is that how you measure a man?

Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
When it's down to the wire
Would he give his life up
To be all he can

Is that, is that, is that, how you measure oh...

Is that, is that, is that, how your measure a man?

[Pamela]

Run to Me
Desmond Child/Gary Burr/Chris Braide

Don't, you don't have to save my life
No, you're not ready I can feel it
Outside it's raining, but I'll just go home
Someday your heart will just let him go

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all make sense
Right now I can't give you what you need
As soon as you get that feeling... run to me

Hush, you don't have to say a word
Trust, I'm not going to hate you for it
Feels like my touch only brings back the pain
Someday those memories will fade away

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all make sense
Right now I can't give you what you need
As soon as you that feeling... run to me

How can I be brave enough to say good-bye
I’d die inside without you, oh
Can't you see it's hard enough to walk away
Don’t look at me you make me wrong,
I’ve been through this to make me strong

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again, oh
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all make sense
Right now I can’t give you what you need
As soon as you get that feeling,
As soon as you get that feeling… run to me

[Pamela]

Perfect Day
Jimmy Harry/Danielle Brisebois/Shep Solomon

I was fading last night, lost out in the cold
Couldn’t see the light then she opened up the door
I came in from the dark, fell into her arms just in time

And now I know that I have left the past behind, won’t let it go

[Chorus]
You could tell me tonight
That maybe the world would end
That the sun wouldn’t rise
And it was gonna rain again
Just as long as she’s in my arms
It’s gonna be a perfect day

There’s a look in her eyes
It makes me feel alright
It lights the perfect sky
That I couldn’t see before,
That she helped me to find, now that I’ve seen the shine,
I know that I’ll never be alone

'Cuz now I know that I have love I can’t deny, won’t let it go

[Chorus]

Its gonna be a perfect day

I think I lost you in another life,
A part of me that I left behind
I won’t go on without you
And now I know that I have put the past behind, I let it go

[Chorus x2]

Its gonna be a perfect day

[Pamela]

I Survived You
Ty Lacy/Jess Cates/ Jeff Franzel

I see the picture clear now, the fog has lifted.
The wool you tried to pull over my eyes was clever.
Yeah you're gifted.
But you forgot to dot some I's, and cross some T's along the way.
I'm better now despite you baby.
I'm stronger these days.
Stronger.

[Chorus:]
I survived the crash.
Survived the burn.
Survived the worst, yeah baby, but I learned.
Survived the lies.
Survived the blues.
Almost killed me, but I survived the truth.
And when you wrote me off like I was doomed.
I survived you.

I can look in the mirror now.
It's been a slow awakening.
Haunted by a heart full of you, couldn't help mistaking.
That you could ever care for anyone.
Anyone but yourself. Hey.
But you would have to have a conscience baby.
Good luck I wish you well.

[Chorus]
I survived the crash.
Survived the burn.
Survived the worst, yeah baby, but I learned.
Survived the lies.
Survived the blues.
Almost killed me, but I survived the truth.
And when you wrote me off like I was doomed.
I survived you.

This heart has been torn in two.
Cut and bruised.
With too many bitter endings.
I'll be damned if I have thoughts of you
Rain on my new beginning.

[Chorus]
I survived the crash.
Survived the burn.
Survived the worst, yeah baby, but I learned.
Survived the lies.
Survived the blues.
Almost killed me, but I survived the truth.
And when you wrote me off like I was doomed.

I survived the crash.
Survived the burn.
Survived the worst, yeah baby, but I learned.
Survived the lies.
Survived the blues.
Almost killed me, but I survived the truth.
And when you wrote me off like I was doomed.
I survived you.

[Pamela]

All About Love

We've got CDs, tapes and videos, radios and TV shows
Conferences, retreats and seminars
We've got books and magazines to read on everything from A to Z
And a web to surf from anywhere we are
But I hope with all this information buzzing through our brains
That we will not let our hearts forget the most important thing is

Love love love love love ...it's all about
Love love love love love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
It's all about love

Now they're fighting in the Middle East and they're fighting down on 7th street
And there are fights in my own house on given days
It's like something's lurking deep inside that can't seem to be satisfied
But life was not meant to be lived this way
'Cause it's true for every man and woman, every boy and girl
That our only hope for living here together in this world is ...

Love love love love love ...it's all about
Love love love love love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
It's all about love

This is the reason we were made
To know the love of our creator
And to give the love He's given us away
Yeah, the Maker and the Father and the God of everything
He says to ...

Love love love ... He says love love love
Love love love ... 'cause after all it's all about love
God says ...

[Pamela]

Rosanna

All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me, Rosanna

All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn't know you were looking for more than I could ever be

Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna
Now she's gone and I have to say

[Chorus:]
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna

I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn't know that a girl like you could make me feel so sad, Rosanna

All I wanna tell you is now you'll never ever have to compromise
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad

Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna
Now she's gone and I have to say

[Repeat chorus]

[Instrumental break]

Not quite a year since she went away,
Who is it? Rosanna
Now she's gone and I have to say

[Repeat chorus]

Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna

[Pamela]

You Were There
Avalon  

I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight

'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb

'Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood You
There You were

Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath

You were there, You were there
During darkest hour
You were there, You were there always
You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be
the Risen Lamb of God

You were, You are and You will always be
The Risen Lamb of God

[Pamela]

This is the Night
Aldo Nova/Gary Burr/Chris Braide

When the world wasn't upside down, I could take all the time I had
But I'm not going to wait when a moment can vanish so fast

Cause every kiss is a kiss you can never get back

Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven is, well, you'd be right
I've been waiting forever for this
This is the night

When the answer to all my dreams is as close as a touch away
Why am I here holding back what I'm trying to say?

Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven is, well, you'd be right
Hold me close to your heart
I would go with you to the ends of the Earth and we'll fly
I've been waiting forever for this
This is the night

This is the night where we capture forever and our tomorrows begin
After tonight, we will never be lonely again

Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven is, well, you'd be right
Hold me close to your heart
I would go with you to the ends of the Earth and we'll fly
I've been waiting forever for this
This is the night

[Pamela]

Invisible
Desmond Child/Andreas Carlsson/Chris Braide

Whatcha’ doin’ tonight
I wish I could be a fly on your wall
Are you really alone
Who's stealin' your dreams
Why can't I bring you into my life
What would it take to make you see that I'm alive

[Chorus]

If I was invisible
Then I could just watch you in your room
If I was invincible
I'd make you mine tonight
If hearts were unbreakable
Then I could just tell you where I stand
I would be the smartest man
If I was invisible
(Wait..I already am)

Saw your face in the crowd
I call out your name
You don't hear a sound
I keep tracing your steps
Each move that you make
Wish I could read what goes through your mind
Wish you could touch me with the colors of your life

[Chorus]

If I was invisible
Then I could just watch you in your room
If I was invincible
I'd make you mine tonight
If hearts were unbreakable
Then I can just tell you where I stand
I would be the smartest man
If I was invisible
(Wait..I already am)

I reach out
But you don't even see me
Even when I'm scream out
Baby, you don't hear me
I am nothing without you
Just a shadow passing through...

[Repeat Chorus]

If I was invisible...
If I was invisible...
If I was invisible...
If I was invisible...
If I was invisible...
If I was invisible...

[Pamela]

Solitaire
Neil Sedaka

There was a man, a lonely man
Who lost his love through his indifference
A heart that cared, that went unshared
Until it died in his silence

And Solitaire's the only game in town
And every road that takes him, takes him down
And by himself, it's easy to pretend
He'll never love again

And keeping to himself he plays the game
Without her love it always ends the same
While life goes on around him everywhere
He's playing Solitaire

Another day, a lonely day
So much to say that goes unspoken
And through the night, his sleepless nights
His eyes are closed, his heart is broken

And Solitaire's the only game in town
And every road that takes him, takes him down
And by himself it's easy to pretend
She's coming back again

And keeping to himself he plays the game
Without her love it always ends the same
While life goes on around him everywhere
He's playing Solitaire

A little hope, goes up in smoke
Just how it goes, goes without saying
Solitaaaaaire.....
And by himself it's easy to pretend
He'll never love again
Ohhh

And keeping to himself he plays the game
Without her love it always ends the same
While life goes on around him everywhere
He's playing Solitaire
Solitaire, solitaire

[wordsmith1223]

Hello
I posted this in Got Clay in the Fox Cities cellcert, but thought it may be suited for here too.

Maybe most of you know this, but in my constant desire to inform people the back stories to things, I thought I'd explain some of the cover songs' background Clay is singing.
(For those of you who don't know me, I'm a huge James Taylor and U2 fan. The OCDers have heard all about my 20-year love affair with Bono and the boys, so I won't bore you with it now.
I'm just so excited Clay's singing a U2 song because I've always felt his voice was perfect for it -- he has that same passion and emotion that Bono has, plus the booming pipes. I could go on and on...and did)

BTW, WTSHNN is the song that U2 played at the February 2002 Super Bowl Half-Time Show where they scrolled down all the victims' names from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
U2 also did that during their "Elevation Tour" post-9/11 (2001/2002). (FYI - A DVD of their Elevation Tour concert in Boston is available, and is WONDERFUL!!!)

"Where the Streets Have No Name" is on the landmark "The Joshua Tree" album, which won the Grammy for Best Album of the Year for 1987. The song's video is very famous, generally regarded as one of the best performance videos ever. U2 was on top of a building in downtown LA singing the song, and such a crowd gathered that the police had to come shut it down. It was a very Beatle-esque concept, like "Get Back" on the top of the Abbey Road studio.

OK, here's what Bono said in 1987 about "Where the Streets Have No Name":

'Where the Streets Have No Name' is more like the U2 of old than any of the other songs on the LP, because it’s a sketch - I was just trying to sketch a location, maybe a spiritual location, maybe a romantic location. I was trying to sketch a feeling. I often feel very claustrophic in a city, a feeling of wanting to break out of that city and a feeling of wanting to go somewhere where the values of the city and the values of our society don’t hold you down.
‘An interesting story that someone told me once is that in Belfast, by what street someone lives on you can tell not only their religion but tell how much money they’re making - literally by which side of the road they live on, because the further up the hill the more expensive the houses become. You can almost tell what the people are earning by the name of the street they live on and what side ot that street they live on. That said something to me, and so I started writing about a place where the streets have no name....’"

The song fits Clay, doesn't it?
And man, does he look like a big-time rock star opening up the show with it!!!
Ooooohhh, baby!!

Here's some James Taylor background. BTW, Taylor is a Massachusetts native. He later made whatever Carolina his home (Thus, Carolina In My Mind.)

James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" was written for his nephew, who was named for him. It's a lullaby. I used to sing it to my sons when I rocked them.

James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" is based on a personal account staying in an institution/facility. I can't remember the real story as to why he was in there. He had some substance abuse problems as a young man, but I'm not sure if that was it, or if he had some mental breakdown. Anyway, this young woman, Suzanne, who he became friends with, killed herself.
So the line "Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you" refers to her funeral. And that line, "But I always thought that I'd see you again" is about finding out she died.
I know, deep. But that's still one of the most poignant songs ever written.
That line about "Flying Machines in pieces on the ground" refers to his first band, James Taylor and The Flying Machine.

"You've Got a Friend" is actually written by Carole King, one of the legendary songwriters of the '60s and '70s. Taylor recorded it for his "Sweet Baby James" follow-up, "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon." Reportedly, they were more than "friends." But have since been close friends.

The other songs, "Smiling Face" and "How Sweet It Is" are pretty self-explanatory.

Y'all know that he was married to Carly Simon and they have two children, Ben and Sally, who are also singers. You can check out Ben's music at Amazon if you want to hear him. He's also done some music with dad and mom. I'm not all that familiar with Sally's stuff.

Oh, and more trivia. When "Sweet Baby James" came out in 1970, James Taylor was the first pop/rock star to make the cover of Time Magazine. It was a huge deal. It also ushered in the singer/songwriter era.


And as for "Rosanna," one of the Toto members wrote it for his then-girlfriend, actress Rosanna Arquette. She is also reportedly the subject for Peter Gabriel's song "In Your Eyes." So what is with this chick that she had two famous songs written about her?
"Rosanna" was the Best Record of the Year at the Grammies back in '81 or '82, I believe.

CHeers,
Lynn aka The Wordy One

[Pamela]

Thank you Lynn...most interesting!  I had heard about the origin of the song Streets With No Name, but forgot that it was used as a tribute to the 9/11 victims.  I went back and read the lyrics with that knowledge and they became even more meaningful.

And, I think I remember reading that the video for the song may have even been part of the inspiration for Clay's Invisible video; where a performance is occurring and people are drawn to the music.  Interesting!

As far as Toto, I happen to recall that they also had a song called Pamela. Why couldn't Clay have chosen that one?!?  

:mrgreen:

Thank you for sharing your expertise!