Wandering

James Taylor · Gorilla [1975]

I've been wanderin' early late

From New York City to the Golden Gate

And it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'



My daddy was an engineer

My brother drives a hack

My sister takes in laundry

While the baby balls the jack

And it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'



I've been in the army

I've worked on a farm

And all I've got to show is the muscle in my arm

And it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'



My ma she died when I was young

My daddy took to stealin' and he got hung

And it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'



Snakes in the ocean

Eels in the sea

I let a redheaded woman make a fool out of me

And it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'



I've been wanderin' early and late

From the New York City to the Golden Gate

And it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'

No, it don't look like

I'll ever stop my wanderin'

About Wandering

James Taylor's "Wandering" appears on her 1975 album *Gorilla*, a collection that reflects her evolving songwriting and production approach during the mid-1970s. As a defining voice of the soft rock and folk-pop genre, Taylor often explored themes of personal introspection and emotional vulnerability in her work. This recording exemplifies her signature style, blending acoustic textures with a polished studio sound that became a hallmark of her discography. The song fits within a broader catalog of tracks that examine the complexities of relationships and self-discovery, characteristic of her output from the late 1960s through the 1970s. Taylor's ability to craft melodic structures that resonate with listeners remains evident in this track, which stands alongside other notable works from her era such as "I Will Not Lie For You" and "Daddy's Baby." Her contributions to the genre helped shape the sound of American pop music, influencing countless artists who followed. The recording serves as a testament to her skill as both a performer and a songwriter, capturing a moment in time when her music was reaching new audiences while maintaining its intimate, confessional quality.