Classic Pop Icons

James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

“Carolina In My Mind” was released on the album “James Taylor” in December 1968 in the UK (February 1969 in the US). It was also released on single in February 1969 in the UK (March 1969 in the US) b/w “Taking It In.”

The song was reissued on single in October 1970 b/w “Something’s Wrong” to capitalise on the success of Taylor’s second LP “Sweet Baby James” and the hit single “Fire and Rain.”

James Taylor had arrived in London in 1967 with a view to becoming a solo act, after a period playing with a folk rock band called The Flying Machine in New York. He recorded a number of demos in London and sent them to Peter Asher (of Peter and Gordon), who was A&R head for The Beatles’ newly formed Apple Records. Asher was impressed with the songs and the singer, as was Paul McCartney, and Taylor became the first non-Brit to be signed to the label.

Taylor spent the summer of 1968 recording what would become his self-titled debut album, with The Beatles recording “The White Album” at the same studios. This close proximity led to exchanges of ideas, eg Taylor’s “Something in the Way She Moves” inspired the opening line of Harrison’s “Something”. It also led to Paul McCartney and George Harrison guesting on Taylor’s album, including on “Carolina In My Mind”.

Taylor began writing “Carolina In My Mind” while staying at Peter Asher’s flat in London, and then continued working on it while on holiday on the Balearic island, Formentera. It was while on this holiday that he met a girl called Karin, who he would reference in the song.

Looking back on the song in a 1981 Rolling Stone interview (Issue No 345; June 11, 1981), Taylor said:

“I think of that early time in London when I sing ‘Carolina In My Mind.’ I was homesick when I wrote it, and the ‘holy host of others standing ’round me’ refers to the Beatles. The lyric dealt with being somewhere else, which has always made me feel real good, and it encouraged me that I could write a song that strong. I can always count on a goose pimple or two when I sing it.”

“Carolina In My Mind” (1968) – James Taylor

James Taylor’s best known and most appealing version of “Carolina In My Mind” is a re-recording he made in 1976 for inclusion on his “Greatest Hits” album. This version was recorded (along with a new version of “Something in the Way She Moves”) because of licensing issues regarding the original recordings. The later recording of “Carolina In My Mind” had a slower tempo, more in line with the live performances he had been giving of the song for years. This version also features different personnel, but both were produced by Peter Asher.

“Carolina In My Mind” (1976) – James Taylor

Here’s a great early live version from the BBC’s “James Taylor Sings James Taylor” show, which aired in November 1970.

“Carolina In My Mind” (Live – 1970) – James Taylor

Live versions of the song are featured on the albums “James Taylor – Live” (1993), “One Man Band” (2007), “Amchitka” (2009) and “Live at the Troubadour” (2010).

Authorship

“Carolina In My Mind” was written by James Taylor.

Recording date/location

The original version of “Carolina In My Mind” was recorded at Trident Studios, London from July–October, 1968 at the sessions that produced his self-titled debut album.

The version that appeared on “Greatest Hits” was recorded in October 1976 at The Sound Factory in Los Angeles.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on the 1968 recording of “Carolina In My Mind”:

• James Taylor – Lead and backing vocals/guitar
• Freddie Redd – Organ
• Mick Wayne – Guitar
• Paul McCartney – Bass
• Joel O’Brien – Drums
• George Harrison – Backing vocals
• Peter Asher – Backing vocals/tambourine.

The strings were arranged and conducted by Richard Hewson.

The 1976 recording featured:

• James Taylor – Lead and backing vocals/guitar
• Clarence McDonald – Piano
• Andrew Gold – Harmonium/backing vocals
• Dan Dugmore – Pedal steel guitar
• Lee Sklar- Bass
• Byron Berline – Fiddle
• Russ Kunkel – Drums.

Chart performance

James Taylor’s problems with addiction meant he wasn’t able to promote the original single, so it peaked at a lowly 118 on the US pop charts and failed to chart in the UK.

A reissue of the song in October 1970 peaked at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other notable versions

“Carolina In My Mind” – John Denver and Tom Jones

“Carolina In My Mind” was very well suited to John Denver, who covered it on his 1970 album “Take Me To Tomorrow”. He also had fun with it in a duet with Tom Jones on the “This Is Tom Jones” show in January 1971. This isn’t an obvious pairing, but both sing their parts well and their different vocal qualities merge well when they come together.

“Carolina In My Mind” – Allison Krauss & Jerry Douglas

Allison Krauss and Jerry Douglas performed a mellow version of “Carolina In Your Mind” at the MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Honoring James Taylor in 2006. Krauss’ strong, clear voice is supported by Douglas’ fine work on the dobro and his unobtrusive vocal harmonies.

Tutorial: “Carolina In My Mind” – James Taylor

“Carolina In My Mind” was one of the songs that James Taylor included in his recent series of online guitar tutorials. For the guitarists among you, here’s how Taylor plays the song:

James Taylor’s 1968 recording of “Carolina In My Mind” is available on the album “James Taylor” which was reissued with bonus tracks in 2010, including a solo acoustic demo of the song.

The 1976 version is available on “James Taylor – Greatest Hits Vol 1” and “The Essential James Taylor”.

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