Ever walked into a party and realized you’re only there because of your ex? It’s a brutal feeling. That specific, hollow ache is exactly what James Taylor Her Town Too captures, and it’s why the song still feels like a punch to the gut decades later.
Released in 1981, this wasn’t just another mellow folk tune. It was a autopsy of a social circle dying in real-time. Honestly, most breakup songs focus on the two people in the middle, but "Her Town Too" looks at the collateral damage—the friends who stop calling and the "small town city" gossip that makes staying put feel impossible.
The Secret Story Behind the Lyrics
People always assume this song is about James Taylor and Carly Simon. Their marriage was falling apart right as the album Dad Loves His Work hit the shelves. It’s a fair guess. But James has been pretty clear that the song was actually about the divorce of his longtime manager, Peter Asher, and his wife Betsy.
It was co-written with J.D. Souther and Waddy Wachtel. If you know anything about the L.A. music scene back then, those names are basically royalty. Souther was the guy who helped the Eagles write their biggest hits, so he knew a thing or two about "heartache tonight."
That Relentless Bolero Beat
James Taylor once described the track as having a "relentless bolero quality."
Listen to the drums. They don't swing; they just march.
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It creates this sense of inevitable doom. You can’t stop the rumors, and you can’t stop the clock. Waddy Wachtel’s three-note acoustic riff is the hook that stays in your brain, but it’s the harmony between James and J.D. Souther that makes the hair on your arms stand up. They sound like two guys sitting on a porch at 2:00 AM, nursing a drink and talking about things they can't fix.
The Social Geography of a Breakup
The most devastating line in James Taylor Her Town Too is arguably: "She gets the house and the garden, he gets the boys in the band." It’s a masterclass in economy.
Basically, it says the guy keeps his career and his social status, while the woman is left with the physical objects and a whole lot of silence. In a "small town city"—which is how Taylor describes that insular L.A. music world—everyone sees you fall. There’s no privacy. Your name is "running up and down the telephone line" before you've even packed your bags.
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Why It Still Matters in 2026
In an era of social media, the song feels even more relevant.
Back in 1981, the "grapevine" was literally the telephone. Today, it’s a group chat. The feeling of being "talked down" by old girlfriends or having your private life become a public spectator sport hasn't changed; it's just gotten faster.
- The Isolation: The song highlights how friends often "choose sides" without even realizing they're doing it.
- The Stigma: It touches on the "shade of a doubt" that follows someone after a public split.
- The Empathy: James doesn't take a side. He’s just calling to say, "I see you."
Chart Performance and Legacy
Surprisingly, this was James Taylor’s last single to hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at #11. For a guy who had been a superstar in the 70s, this was a final, sophisticated victory before the MTV era changed the rules of the game.
It’s a song for adults.
It’s not about teen angst or "I’ll survive." It’s about the messy, complicated reality of trying to live in a town where every street corner reminds you of someone who isn't there anymore.
Take Action: How to Revisit the Track
If you haven't heard the song in a while, do yourself a favor and listen to the version on Greatest Hits Volume 2. Pay attention to the way the bass interacts with the vocals.
If you're going through a major life shift yourself, use this song as a reminder that the social reshuffling is a normal—if painful—part of the process. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is realize it’s okay if it’s "not your town" for a while. You might just need to find a new one.
Check out the full Dad Loves His Work album to get the context of where James Taylor's head was at during this era; it’s a much darker, more honest record than his "Sweet Baby James" days might suggest.