Music purists usually get a twitch in their eye when you mention a white folk-rocker covering a Motown staple. It usually feels like a cash grab. Or worse, a beige, lifeless copy. But when James Taylor released his version of How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) in the spring of 1975, something weird happened. It didn't just chart; it kind of redefined what a cover could be in the "Me Decade."
Honestly, it shouldn't have worked. Marvin Gaye’s 1964 original is a masterclass in suave, driving soul. It has that stomping Motown backbeat that makes you want to drive a convertible through Detroit. Then comes JT. He’s the guy known for singing about fire, rain, and deep-seated depression. Yet, his take on the Holland-Dozier-Holland classic became an anthem of domestic bliss.
It’s sweet. Maybe too sweet for some. But if you've ever heard it at a wedding and felt that sudden urge to actually smile, you’ve been caught in the Taylor trap.
The 1975 Pivot: From Darkness to Gorilla
By the mid-70s, James Taylor was in a transitional headspace. His previous album, Walking Man, had sort of flopped. Critics were starting to think he was a one-trick pony of sadness. He needed a win. He moved to Warner Bros. Records and teamed up with producers Lenny Waronker and Russ Titelman.
The result was the album Gorilla.
This record was a massive departure. It was light. Airy. Sophisticated. Taylor was married to Carly Simon at the time, and you can hear that "newlywed energy" all over the tracks. James Taylor How Sweet It Is became the centerpiece of this new era. It wasn’t just a song; it was a public statement that James was finally doing okay.
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The recording sessions at Warner Bros. Studios were basically a "who’s who" of 70s session legends. You had Lee Sklar on bass—the man with the beard and the most rock-solid pocket in history. Jim Keltner was on the drums. Even David Sanborn popped in to provide that iconic, soaring saxophone solo that every amateur sax player has tried to mimic since.
The Carly Simon Factor
You can’t talk about this version without mentioning the harmony. That’s Carly Simon back there. Her voice blends with James’s in a way that feels incredibly intimate. It’s not just a backup vocal; it’s a conversation. When they sing "I want to stop and thank you baby," it feels like they’re actually looking at each other in the booth.
That chemistry is why the song feels authentic. It’s a folk singer trying on a soul suit and realizing it fits perfectly.
Why the Arrangement Actually Works
Technically, Taylor slowed the whole thing down. He traded Marvin's driving "four-on-the-floor" beat for a laid-back, mid-tempo groove. It’s what people call "Yacht Rock" now, though the term didn't exist then.
- The Piano: Clarence McDonald’s Fender Rhodes work gives it that shimmering, electric glow.
- The Guitar: James uses his signature fingerstyle technique, but he adds a little more "chunk" to the rhythm.
- The Space: There’s a lot of air in the mix. It doesn't crowd you.
Most covers fail because they try to out-sing the original. James Taylor didn't try to out-soul Marvin Gaye. That would have been a disaster. Instead, he treated the song like a folk tune that just happened to have a great groove. He leaned into his own strengths: clarity, warmth, and that "neighborly" vocal delivery.
Charts, Stats, and Staying Power
People bought it. A lot of people. The single peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1975. More impressively, it went straight to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was the kind of song that played in grocery stores, car radios, and dental offices, but somehow stayed cool enough for FM radio.
It’s one of those rare tracks that bridged the gap between the radical 60s and the polished, produced 70s.
Even now, decades later, the song is a staple of his live sets. If you go to a James Taylor concert in 2026, he’s going to play it. He has to. The audience expects that specific moment where the band drops out, and everyone shouts "STOP!" along with him. It’s a communal experience.
A Few Things Most People Forget
Wait, did you know that the song was almost left off the album? There was a bit of hesitation about doing such a high-profile cover. But Titelman pushed for it. He saw the potential for a hit that could revive James's commercial standing.
Also, look at the credits. You’ll see Nick DeCaro mentioned for string arrangements. Those subtle strings in the background? They’re the "secret sauce" that makes the song feel like a warm blanket. It’s high-end production that doesn't feel overproduced. That's a hard line to walk.
James Taylor How Sweet It Is: A Cultural Marker
The song has faced some backlash over the years. Some critics called it "whitebread" or "sanitized." They argued it stripped the grit away from the Motown version. And yeah, it’s definitely "cleaner."
But music isn't a zero-sum game. Marvin’s version is about the raw excitement of love. James’s version is about the quiet gratitude of staying in love. Both are valid. Both are "sweet" in their own way.
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If you’re a musician looking to learn this track, pay attention to the bass line. Leland Sklar isn't just playing notes; he’s playing a melody under the melody. It’s one of the best examples of "less is more" in 70s pop.
How to Get the Most Out of the Song Today
If you want to really hear it, don't just stream it on crappy phone speakers. Find a high-quality version of the Gorilla album.
- Listen for the "air" between the instruments.
- Follow the bass line specifically through the second verse.
- Check out the 1986 live performance from the German show Ohne Filter—it’s widely considered one of the best live captures of this arrangement.
Ultimately, James Taylor proved that you can respect the source material while completely changing the vibe. He took a Motown powerhouse and turned it into a sunset on a porch. And honestly? That’s pretty sweet.
To dig deeper into this era of music, start by listening to the rest of the Gorilla album, specifically the track "Mexico," which features David Crosby and Graham Nash. It captures that same high-fidelity, mid-70s California sound that made this cover such a massive success.