Released: June 1, 1977

Songwriter: James Taylor

Producer: Peter Asher

Now I'm just a bartender and I don't like my work
But I don't mind the money at all
I see a lots of sad faces, a lots of bad cases
Of folks with their backs to the wall

But I need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away

I can light up your smokes
I can laugh at your jokes
I can watch you fall down on your knees
I can close down this bar
I can gas up my car
I can pack up and mail in my key

But I need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away

Now, the smoke fills the air in this honky-tonk bar
And I'm thinking about where I'd rather be
But I burned all my bridges, I sank all my ships
And I'm stranded at the edge of the sea

But I need four walls around me to hold my life
To keep me from going astray
I need a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
To keep me from slipping away

James Taylor

James Taylor (12 March 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He’s won five Grammy awards and appears in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He’s released 16 studio albums, with his first in 1968. His second album, “Sweet Baby James” – 1970, is considered his breakthrough. He continues to record and tour today.

What does Taylor think of his work? Here’s what he’s