Oprah’s Master Class: The Podcast

James Taylor

Episode Summary

James Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, with classics such as "How Sweet It Is," “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Shower the People.” In 1968, when James Taylor was just 18 years old, he opted out of college and talked his parents into buying him a ticket to London. James arrived with guitar in hand and set out to travel and play music. He got his break as the first signed artist to the Beatles' Apple Records, and with influences like Joni Mitchell and Carole King, James has earned his place as one of the best songwriters of all time. He speaks openly about working hard to avoid his family's curse of addiction: "The sooner you get over it, the sooner you get on with your life." James also explains his process of tapping into the emotions that sometimes can only be expressed in a song.

Episode Notes

James Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, with classics such as "How Sweet It Is," “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Shower the People.” In 1968, when James Taylor was just 18 years old, he opted out of college and talked his parents into buying him a ticket to London. James arrived with guitar in hand and set out to travel and play music. He got his break as the first signed artist to the Beatles' Apple Records, and with influences like Joni Mitchell and Carole King, James has earned his place as one of the best songwriters of all time. He speaks openly about working hard to avoid his family's curse of addiction: "The sooner you get over it, the sooner you get on with your life." James also explains his process of tapping into the emotions that sometimes can only be expressed in a song.