Carolina Day

Album: Livingston Taylor (1970)
Charted: 93
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • James isn't the only Taylor to write a song about growing up in North Carolina. His younger brother, Livingston Taylor, wrote "Carolina Day" when he was just 16. The song deals with their upbringing in Chapel Hill, and mentions all four of his siblings: James, Alex, Hugh and Kate. The song also mentions Alex' wife, Brent, and Livingston's childhood friend, Louis.
  • In 1970, this was released on Taylor's first album, his only one on Capricorn Records. Released as a single, it charted for two weeks in February 1971, peaking at #93. Livingston never reached the great heights of his brother, but that's fine with him: his career was just as long and he never had to deal with the crushing forces of fame. "You never want to be recognized walking around," he said in a Songfacts interview. "Your anonymity is very important."
  • "James is becoming a star," Livingston sings here. James Taylor's first album was released on the Beatles' label, Apple Records, two years earlier. His first single was "Carolina In My Mind," but it wasn't until his second album, released in 1970 after leaving Apple, that his career took off thanks to the hit "Fire and Rain."
  • Logan airport in Boston gets a mention in the line, "On a plane out of Logan, up pops a slogan."

    "I don't know why I wrote that," Livingston told Songfacts in 2018. "I Just liked the rhyme of 'slogan' and 'Logan.' That sort of thing would worry me hopelessly today - I would not be able to write a lyric that was as unresolved as that."

Comments: 1

  • Rose_tattoo from Maine"There were smoke, then booze, then tokes, then Herc.
    And my head were dead and gone.
    And with Dr. SheIn a lot of money and time
    And a few friends stickin' around."

    These lyrics are a reference to psychiatrist Harvey Shein, Livingston Taylor's compassionate and gifted young therapist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, outside Boston.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.