On Thursday night’s episode of The Tonight Show, James Taylor delivered a heartwarming at-home performance of “You Can Close Your Eyes,” joined by his wife Kim and son Henry at their Montana residence.
Taylor led with his signature soothing vocals and acoustic guitar, while Kim and Henry blended in with rich, gentle harmonies. The trio’s rendition of the classic lullaby offered a sense of peace and comfort. Lyrics like “This old world must still be spinnin’ around / And I still love you” carried particular resonance in a time when much of the world remained under lockdown due to COVID-19. The song, first released on Taylor’s 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, felt especially timely in its message of calm and reassurance.
In related news, Taylor recently stepped into a new role as the Mega Mentor for Season 18 of The Voice, where he’ll be collaborating with coaches Blake Shelton, Nick Jonas, John Legend, and Kelly Clarkson. The season debuted on April 13th. Meanwhile, his planned summer tour with Jackson Browne has been postponed because of the pandemic. Taylor has also contributed $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital to support relief efforts.
Earlier this year, Taylor unveiled a new album featuring reinterpretations of classic standards. Speaking about the project, he noted, “We stayed true to the original melodies and harmonies, but we also wanted to offer a fresh take—something personal. That’s what gives these songs new life.”
