One Man Parade

James Taylor

About One Man Parade

"One Man Parade" is a song written by James Taylor that was first released as the first track on his 1972 album One Man Dog. It was also released as the second single from the album, following up on the Top 20 hit "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," after receiving significant airplay as an album track. The single was issued twice with two different B-sides, "Hymn" and "Nobody But You." It did not achieve the same chart success as "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," peaking at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also charted on the Adult Contemporary chart in Canada, reaching #55. In some countries, such as in Europe, it was released as the B-side of the single release of "One Morning in May." 


Year:
1972
3:10
89 

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Do believe I'm gonna clap my hands, 
Think I might tap my feet.
Put together a one-man band, 
Take a walk on down the street.
Have a one-man parade, nobody needs to know.
Cause I'm right good of holding on to secrets 
And don't believe they show.

All I want is a little dog 
To be walking at my right hand.
Taking a breeze just as free as you please, 
Maybe checking out occasional garbage cans.
Talking bout a one dog, y'all, 
Nobody's friend but mine.
Hey now, you can say he's looking kind of funky, But I do believe he suits me just fine.

We were on the road again, 
I was wondering what to do,
But Honalei, it was pouring down rain, 
Baby she had the low down blues.

Hey now, I was looking for my walking cane 
Trying on my highway shoes.
Thinking 'bout a one man parade, y'all, 
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, hey.
I'm right good at holding on, 
Holding on, holding on.

Honalei, it's raining. 
Honalei, sure nough, it's raining, listen here.
Honalei, it's raining, 
Honalei, it's raining muddy waters.

Thinking 'bout a one man parade, y'all, 
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody, hey.
I'm right good at holding on, 
Holding on, holding on.
La la la la la...

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James Taylor

James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. more »

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Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Singer-Songwriter Origin
"One Man Parade" is a song by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. It was released in 1972, and it remains as one of Taylor's most enduring classics.
Album Feature
The song "One Man Parade" is the first track from James Taylor's 1972 album “One Man Dog”, which is his fourth studio album.
Unique Song Structure
Unlike many songs, "One Man Parade" is not divided into verse and chorus, instead it constantly evolves and changes. This makes it a unique piece of musical artistry.
Inspiration
The song reflects Taylor's growing disillusionment with fame and success. The lyrics convey a deep sense of introspection and a desire for solitude.
Collaborative Work
The song was worked upon and completed with the help of Carole King, a popular songwriter, and musician. King is known for her work on multiple successful albums throughout her career.
Critical Reception
While the album "One Man Dog" received mixed reviews, "One Man Parade" was often singled out for praise. Critics generally acknowledged the song's lyricism and Taylor's vocal performance.
Musical Elements
The folk-rock elements of the song mark a departure from Taylor's earlier work, which tended toward the folk-pop genre.
Chart Performance
Despite the mixed reviews of the album, "One Man Parade" did fairly well on the charts, which is testament to Taylor's enduring popularity at the time.
Multi-Instrumentation
The song features multiple instruments including guitars, keyboards, and even a harmonica.
Personal Significance
For Taylor, "One Man Parade" has sometimes been cited as one of his more personal and introspective songs. It serves as an expression of his personal journey and struggles with mental health and addiction.

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    One Man Parade

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    258     40

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1973

    Billboard #67


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