Top Ten Songs by James Taylor

1. SWEET BABY JAMES. Smooth, sensitive and sweet are the perfect adjectives to describe James Taylor's voice on this hit tune. Originally intended as a lullaby for his nephew, James Taylor turned Sweet Baby James into a top pop hit with his calming vocals, great lyrics and gentle guitar work. From the February 1970 Sweet Baby James album, the song of the same name has become JT's trademark tune.

2. HANDY MAN. It's easy to see why James Taylor's second Grammy came on this song. A remake of the song penned by Otis Blackwell and performed by both Jimmy James and Del Shannon, James Taylor put his own distinctive style to the tune and brought it to the top of the charts once again. With Handy Man, JT gives us an introspective tune and a mellow melody straight from the heart. As a result, Handy Man, from the JT album released June 1977, was a huge hit for James Taylor.

3. YOUR SMILING FACE. This up-tempo ditty is a work of genius by James Taylor, defining his true talent as an incredible songwriter. Who wouldn't be put into a cheery mood after hearing Your Smiling Face, released June 1977 from the JT album. Along with being a pop hit, the song is a timeless classic as well.

4. MEXICO. Without a doubt, James Taylor is a great storyteller and his expertise shines on Mexico. For the melody, he brings in a Latin sound to accent his lyrics about the country, as well as Crobsy and Nash on harmony. With his vivid depiction, clean voice and wonderful melody, James Taylor brings yet another hit and classic to his collection. It's from the May 1975 Gorilla album.

5. FIRE AND RAIN. From the February 1970 Sweet Baby James album, Fire and Rain defines the best of James Taylor. He spills out his innermost thoughts with intense lyrics that echo his experiences in a drug rehab institution. The words are matched to a mellow melody that perfectly sets the mood for the song. Fire And Rain also garnered attention and set the stage for the 1970s pop sound that included Elton John, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison and others. A major hit for JT, Fire and Rain also goes down in the music history books as being covered by more solo artists than any other song.