Beautiful song. It would be great if the world could find a way to live like this. I don't remember us having any Taylor songs on the show. That would be very cool.
I've loved James Taylor of more years than I would want to own up to. lol. He is a really moving singer and this song is incredible. Thanks for posting it.
Anne: I think you are right. I can't remember any of his songs being on the show. That is a shame because his body of work is extensive. We have plenty of seasons ahead of us. Maybe one day one of the writers will have a Taylor inspiration.
This is a beautiful rendition of the song. I have also heard a couple of other artists sing it but his was one of the best I have heard.
Anne is right and these are words for the world to live by. Maybe someday everyone in the world will embrace the concept of togetherness and mutual respect. We can only hope.
Thanks for the treat. It is a nice song but the world has struggled with these issues for longer than I have been alive and hasn't moved a tad closer to living up to their meaning. Maybe the next generation will do better.
The song is great. I have loved it since I first heard Aimee Mann's version on "The West Wing" but James Taylor's version is even better. The problem isn't that people listening don't hear the words. The problem is that they think it only applies to race and the song speaks about race, religion and everything that separates us one from another.
Changing the world takes time Celeste. It happens in small ways. A generation can't fix hundreds of years of prejudice and intolerance. The song is a song of hope and I enjoyed it.
This song is a hopeful one but the message it has for all of us is a serious one and I think the words may be just to subtle for the average listener to understand.
Criminal Minds is a thinking person's show so the viewers of the show probably do get the meaning. I wouldn't count on the general population being able to find the broader meaning and that is the saddest part of life today.
I wonder if the reason we have not had any JT is because our writers tend to be a younger group and JT is not as popular as he once was.
I'm so impressed with the conversation this song has inspired. I can remember crying the first time I heard it a few years ago. I think it is the dream of every parent that one day these words will be meaningless because equality will be taken for granted as a given.
I think people today are so worried about being politically correct that the conversation of gender, race and religous equality has been pushed to the back of the bus. It seems to me that since 9-11 it has been an off-topic which is a huge step back for our society. The song lends itself well to conversation and thought. Wonderful choice to post.
I think James Taylor has always had a hand in the social climate but certainly age has increased his involvement. I think since the song talks about MLK that people assume it is only about race. Maybe the bigger message will someday take hold.
James T. rocks. Thanks for posting it. Actually he does rock but his jazz is incredible. If you all haven't heard him doing jazz then you have missed a treat.
Some people would not think of this song as being so hopeful. I have mixed feelings about the message. I agree that it is meant to mean all differences but since it references Martin Luther King, Jr. it narrows itself down to race. I don't think it should have referenced any one of the great human rights leaders. James Taylor does a very great job singing the song and I like the choral parts the best.
My computer is cranky today and is refusing to play Youtube clips... So I found the lyrics online:
Shed a Little Light Lyrics Artist:James Taylor
Let us turn our thoughts today To Martin Luther King And recognize that there are ties between us All men and women Living on the Earth Ties of hope and love Sister and brotherhood That we are bound together In our desire to see the world become A place in which our children Can grow free and strong We are bound together By the task that stands before us And the road that lies ahead We are bound and we are bound
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist There is a hunger in the center of the chest There is a passage through the darkness and the mist And though the body sleeps the heart will never rest
(Chorus) Shed a little light, oh Lord So that we can see Just a little light, oh Lord Wanna stand it on up Stand it on up, oh Lord Wanna walk it on down Shed a little light, oh Lord
Can't get no light from the dollar bill Don't give me no light from a TV screen When I open my eyes I wanna drink my fill From the well on the hill
(Do you know what I mean?) - Chorus -
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist There is a hunger in the center of the chest There is a passage through the darkness and the mist And though the body sleeps the heart will never rest
Oh, Let us turn our thoughts today To Martin Luther King And recognize that there are ties between us All men and women Living on the Earth Ties of hope and love Sister and brotherhood
I can't say that I am a huge James Taylor fan, but the lyrics were quite powerful. The line "don't give me no light from a TV screen" seems to apply to a lot of the crazy that has been happening around CM... as much as we enjoy the show and the characters on it, we have to remember that the joy in our lives should come from family, friends and the real people we come into contact with. If we base our happiness on money or celebrity we will only be disappointed.
I love the lyrics. Thanks a ton for posting them for us. I think the message is very clear that we all need to hold each other up high and close and it is very pure and very true. I love James Taylor.
James Taylor is such an incredible legend and he really does drive this song home. Wonderful words to live by.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful song. It would be great if the world could find a way to live like this. I don't remember us having any Taylor songs on the show. That would be very cool.
ReplyDeleteI've loved James Taylor of more years than I would want to own up to. lol. He is a really moving singer and this song is incredible. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteLovely words and sentiment.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you liked it. I knew you liked James Taylor. It is a wonderful song and he is just the very best. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteAnne: I think you are right. I can't remember any of his songs being on the show. That is a shame because his body of work is extensive. We have plenty of seasons ahead of us. Maybe one day one of the writers will have a Taylor inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful rendition of the song. I have also heard a couple of other artists sing it but his was one of the best I have heard.
Thanks for posting the Youtube!
great!
ReplyDeleteAnne is right and these are words for the world to live by. Maybe someday everyone in the world will embrace the concept of togetherness and mutual respect. We can only hope.
ReplyDeleteI could listen to James Taylor all day long. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the treat. It is a nice song but the world has struggled with these issues for longer than I have been alive and hasn't moved a tad closer to living up to their meaning. Maybe the next generation will do better.
ReplyDeleteThere is always hope. When you give that up Celeste then you are left with darkness. I hope we don't have to wait for the next generation.
ReplyDeleteGreat song!!
I love James Taylor too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately most people don't really take the time to actually listen to the words in this song. It is a beautiful song.
ReplyDeleteThe song is great. I have loved it since I first heard Aimee Mann's version on "The West Wing" but James Taylor's version is even better. The problem isn't that people listening don't hear the words. The problem is that they think it only applies to race and the song speaks about race, religion and everything that separates us one from another.
ReplyDeleteChanging the world takes time Celeste. It happens in small ways. A generation can't fix hundreds of years of prejudice and intolerance. The song is a song of hope and I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteJames Taylor is just awe inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThis song is a hopeful one but the message it has for all of us is a serious one and I think the words may be just to subtle for the average listener to understand.
ReplyDeleteCriminal Minds is a thinking person's show so the viewers of the show probably do get the meaning. I wouldn't count on the general population being able to find the broader meaning and that is the saddest part of life today.
I wonder if the reason we have not had any JT is because our writers tend to be a younger group and JT is not as popular as he once was.
I'm so impressed with the conversation this song has inspired. I can remember crying the first time I heard it a few years ago. I think it is the dream of every parent that one day these words will be meaningless because equality will be taken for granted as a given.
ReplyDeleteI would hope our writers are familar with James Taylor. He is such an icon and has been around since before I was even born.
ReplyDeleteI'm part of the "James Taylor Generation," and proud of it. Another beautiful and moving song.
ReplyDelete[Quentin says, "Hey, I'm just 6!]
Great song. Lets hope James Taylor makes the cut one of these seasons. That would be real nice.
ReplyDeletePeople equality is certainly something for us all to work towards. Great James Taylor song. Thank you for posting it for us to all enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI think people today are so worried about being politically correct that the conversation of gender, race and religous equality has been pushed to the back of the bus. It seems to me that since 9-11 it has been an off-topic which is a huge step back for our society. The song lends itself well to conversation and thought. Wonderful choice to post.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to think back on our CM episodes to remember any crimes that were racially or religously based. We've had a few.
ReplyDeleteGreat YouTube. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that said the words are inspiring and that James Taylor is great. He really is.
ReplyDeleteJames Taylor has become so spiritual in his music the last decade. I have always been a huge fan of his music but I also love his social conscience.
ReplyDeleteA real nice songs with very pretty words. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou called it right when you said the words are inspiring. They are.
ReplyDeleteJames Taylor is inspiring. I've loved his music since forever.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes Amanda, hopefully one day the words will be meaningless because there will be equality on all levels.
Great song by a great artist. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think James Taylor has always had a hand in the social climate but certainly age has increased his involvement. I think since the song talks about MLK that people assume it is only about race. Maybe the bigger message will someday take hold.
ReplyDeleteWow that was a great song. New to me. Where have I been? I like the message.
ReplyDeleteJames T. rocks. Thanks for posting it. Actually he does rock but his jazz is incredible. If you all haven't heard him doing jazz then you have missed a treat.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this song.
ReplyDeleteSome people would not think of this song as being so hopeful. I have mixed feelings about the message. I agree that it is meant to mean all differences but since it references Martin Luther King, Jr. it narrows itself down to race. I don't think it should have referenced any one of the great human rights leaders. James Taylor does a very great job singing the song and I like the choral parts the best.
ReplyDeleteMy computer is cranky today and is refusing to play Youtube clips...
ReplyDeleteSo I found the lyrics online:
Shed a Little Light Lyrics
Artist:James Taylor
Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women
Living on the Earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children
Can grow free and strong
We are bound together
By the task that stands before us
And the road that lies ahead
We are bound and we are bound
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist
There is a hunger in the center of the chest
There is a passage through the darkness and the mist
And though the body sleeps the heart will never rest
(Chorus)
Shed a little light, oh Lord
So that we can see
Just a little light, oh Lord
Wanna stand it on up
Stand it on up, oh Lord
Wanna walk it on down
Shed a little light, oh Lord
Can't get no light from the dollar bill
Don't give me no light from a TV screen
When I open my eyes
I wanna drink my fill
From the well on the hill
(Do you know what I mean?)
- Chorus -
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist
There is a hunger in the center of the chest
There is a passage through the darkness and the mist
And though the body sleeps the heart will never rest
Oh, Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women
Living on the Earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
I can't say that I am a huge James Taylor fan, but the lyrics were quite powerful.
The line "don't give me no light from a TV screen" seems to apply to a lot of the crazy that has been happening around CM... as much as we enjoy the show and the characters on it, we have to remember that the joy in our lives should come from family, friends and the real people we come into contact with. If we base our happiness on money or celebrity we will only be disappointed.
I did get to see the You Tube but thanks for posting the lyrics. I think it is a beautiful song with lots of useful sentiment in it.
ReplyDeleteI love the lyrics. Thanks a ton for posting them for us. I think the message is very clear that we all need to hold each other up high and close and it is very pure and very true. I love James Taylor.
ReplyDeleteIt would be really great to hear a Taylor song on the show. He has some great songs in his music vault. This is a good one.
ReplyDeleteGreat song!
ReplyDeleteIt would be really nice if the world did this but it is a long way from that way here.
ReplyDeleteIt's a new song for me and I like the meaning very much. Very cool. Thanks.
ReplyDelete