Taylor wrote “Fire and Rain” in 1968. The song has three verses. One is about a friend who committed suicide, another is about Taylor’s addiction to heroin, the third refers to a mental hospital and a band Taylor started called The Flying Machine. Each verse is followed by the same chorus, `I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.’ James Taylor told me he can’t stand to hear his songs on the radio. He dives for the dial if “Fire and Rain” comes on. But it remains a song he likes to sing and one that audiences always wait for.