James Taylor-Handy Man 11:27:25 5.23 PM

Story by: Gail Nobles
James Taylor Photo: Wikipedia Public Domain
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles! Let's take a little trip back to the breezy days of the '70s and talk about a catchy tune that still sticks in your head: James Taylor's "Handy Man." If you were cruising down the road or hanging out at home, you likely caught this song blaring on AM radio, and boy, did it make an impression!

Now, here’s a fun fact: James Taylor's version of "Handy Man" came out in 1977 on his album "JT." This song wasn't just a one-hit wonder; it had a bit of history! Originally, it was a hit for Del Shannon back in 1964, but Taylor really took it to another level when he released it. In fact, his version zoomed all the way to the top and became the most popular rendition ever! It reached No. 1 on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada, No. 2 on the Cash Box Top 100, and even made it to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. Not to mention, it topped the Adult Contemporary chart. It created a success story!

And let's not forget the magic of that backup singer, Leah Kunkel. Her harmonies brought an extra special touch to the track, especially with those "comma comma" parts that just make you want to sing along.

James Taylor's version not only won the hearts of many but also snagged him his second Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. It's been almost 50 years since "Handy Man" first hit the airwaves, but it still feels fresh to listen to today.

So, next time you hear that classic on the radio, take a moment to appreciate the catchy hooks and smooth vibes that James Taylor brought to this timeless tune!

Music commentary news.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Podcast AM Memories. Hello, I'm Gale Nobles. Let's take a
trip back to the breezy days of the seventies and

(00:24):
talk about a catchy tune that still sticks in your head,
James Taylor's Handyman. If you were cruising down the road
or hanging out at home, you likely caught this song
blaring on AM radio, and boy did it make an impression.

(00:48):
Now here's a fun fact. James Taylor's version of Handyman
came out in nineteen seventy seven on his album JT.
This song wasn't just a one hit wonder. It had
a bit of history. Originally, it was a hit for

(01:09):
Dale Shannon back in nineteen sixty four, but Taylor really
took it to another level when he released it. In fact,
his version zoomed all the way to the top and
became the most popular rendition ever. It reached number one

(01:31):
on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada, number two
on the cash Box Top one hundred, and even made
it to number four on the Billboard Hot one hundred
in the US. Not to mention it topped the Adult

(01:51):
Contemporary chart. It created a success story, and let's not
forget the magic of that backup singer Lea Counkle. Her
harmonies brought an extra special touch to the track, especially
with those coma coma parts that just make you want

(02:14):
to sing along. James Taylor's version not only won the hearts,
but also snagged him his second Grammy Award for Best
Male Pop Vocal Performance. It's been almost fifty years since
Handyman first hit the airwaves, but it still feels fresh

(02:36):
to listen to today. So next time you hear that
classic on the radio, take a moment to appreciate the
catchy hooks and smooth vibes that James Taylor brought to
this timeless tune.