S.O.D. "Carolina in My Mind" by James Taylor

9/11/2015     In 1951 Taylor's family moved from Massachusetts to Carrboro, NC when he was just three years old. This would be the place of his coming of age and the basis of this 1969 folk rock/country pop hit.  Taylor explains that growing up in a small town (just over 19,000 people) you pay more attention to the landscape, fresh air and climate then you do the people.  Many public figures including musicians, authors and even politicians have commented that the song seems more of an anthem for people who have left the state.  People become homesick just hearing it, and then return to Carolina even if just for a day.  

     Taylor wrote this tune in three places starting at producer Peter Asher's London flat, then on the Island of Formentera in the Mediterranean and completed it while stranded on a nearby island, Ibiza with a Swedish girl he had just met named Karin who is mentioned in the song.  At the time of the original recording at London's Trident Studios, the Beatles were also laying down tracks. The bass guitar you hear on the original recording is Paul McCartney who is credited with this, however George Harrison on backing vocals is not credited.  The tambourine is played by Peter Asher.  

     The song is used in many of North Carolina's activities including at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where it is played at athletic events and is sung by every graduating class.  In 2009 a version of the song was recorded by the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  They are known as the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus and the song is featured on their album "A Soldiers Heart".  Taylor is now 67 and 2016 is his 50th year making music.