Guitarist John Mayer praised James Taylor as the “blueprint” for his inspiration. James Taylor is considered a confessional singer-songwriter. This style of writing explores the emotions involved in personal relationships and experiences that relate to personal loss. His second album, Sweet Baby James (1970), established him as a leading figure of the era. Pop classic “Fire and Rain,” and his other folk-ballad songs feature unexpected major 7ths and other jazz-derived chords.

His subsequent albums since Sweet Baby James contain original songs as well as revivals of hits from the 1950s and 1960s, such as “Handy Man” and “Devoted to You.” “Devoted to You” was one of a number of duets Taylor performed with his then wife, Carly Simon. His strength has remained the confessional mode songwriting. You can hear it at its best on That Lonesome Road (1981), Native Son (1991), and Jump up Behind Me (1997). His Greatest Hits album (1976) is his bestselling album to date.

On March 1, 1971, James Taylor was featured on the cover of Time magazine. The magazine described Taylor as the forerunner of the singer-songwriter era. The featured article called Taylor, “the man who best sums up the new sound of rock.”

James Taylor has won five Grammys, three of them for Best Male Pop Vocals. He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.