There are few who have mastered the art of whimsical wordplay and experimental instrumentals, but James Taylor is undoubtedly one of them. Most know him for his singles like “Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Your Smiling Face,” but there’s an endless collection of under-the-radar tunes Taylor composed over the years that don’t quite fit the mold of his traditional soft rock stylings.
One of them comes off his 1972 album One Man Dog, featuring a nifty little tune called “Little David.” While the song is short, sweet, and heavily Christian-themed, the intro is a perplexing whirring sound that eases into Taylor’s signature strumming. Recently, Taylor shared a resurfaced video from a 2019 interview where he explained exactly what created that effect.
On the “patchwork” series of songs, “Little David” actually starts out with a chainsaw, a drone, a saw, a hammer, and an axe to make the percussion sound before the song begins.
Taylor admitted in a 2000 interview that he isn’t typically an “experimental” artist.
“I’ve taken no more risk than I absolutely had to. I’m not changing the world. I don’t have anything to prove,” he told CBS. “Sometimes I worry about repeating myself and doing the same thing over and over and over again.”
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However, after a string of successes, it’s fair to call One Man Dog a departure from the familiar sound fans were used to. Though it lacked the number of commercial hits his other albums boasted, Rolling Stone categorized it as one of his most “unified” works. Since it was recorded at his home, it’s noticeable that he was significantly “freer” with his instrumentals (hence the chainsaw) and more impassioned in his delivery. The album’s emotional resonance is palpable, and his unconventional experimentation made for a fascinating chapter in his career.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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