What’s On The Shelf | Games, Music & Culture

Originally written for the criminally slept-on album Tapestry by Carole King, James Taylor put his own spin on You’ve Got a Friend in 1971. Taylor’s flowing vocals glide over consistent, comforting guitar strums, with backing vocals provided—surprisingly—by Joni Mitchell. The lyrics and music fit together perfectly, like a hand in a glove.

Taylor’s folksy styling pairs beautifully with the song’s intimate meaning. It feels like two people speaking plainly and openly to one another—are they just friends, or something more? By the end of the song, it doesn’t really matter. What remains is an unshakeable bond: a calm in the storm of life, a source of relief and support that will always be there. Like the chilly weather it evokes, this one settles deep and leaves you feeling it in your bones.