Knocking 'Round the Zoo
James Taylor
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Just knocking around the zoo On a Thursday afternoon, There's bars on all the windows And they're counting up the spoons, yeah. And if I'm feeling edgy, There's a chick who's paid To be my slave, yeah, watch out James. But she'll hit me with a needle If she thinks I'm trying to misbehave. Now the keeper's trying to cool me Says I'm bound to be all right, But I know that he can't fool me 'Cause I'm putting him uptight, yeah. And I can feel him getting edgy Every time I make a sudden move, Whoa, yes it's true. And I can hear them celebrating Every time I up and leave the room. Now my friends all come to see me, They just point at me and stare. Said, he's just like the rest of us So what's he doing there? They hide in their movie theaters Drinking juice, keeping tight, Watch that bright light. 'Cause they're certain about one thing, babe, That zoo's no place to spend the night, no. Just knocking around the zoo On a Thursday afternoon, There's bars on all the windows And they're counting up the spoons, yeah. And if I'm feeling edgy, There's a chick who's paid to be my slave, Watch out Kootch. But she'll hit me with a needle If she thinks I'm trying to misbehave.
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Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Songwriting"Knocking 'round the Zoo" is one of the songs written by James Taylor in his early career. He wrote it when he was an inmate in a psychiatric institution during his teenage years.
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Album ReleaseThe song was featured on James Taylor's debut album, "James Taylor" for Apple Records, which was released in the UK in December 1968 and in the US in February 1969.
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Lyrical ContentThe song's lyrics reflect Taylor's experiences in a mental institution — in particular, the feeling of being like a wild animal in a cage. For example, one line reads, "just knockin' around the zoo on a Thursday afternoon".
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InfluenceThe song was informed and influenced by the folk and blues music Taylor was listening to at the time.
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Early Live Performances"Knocking 'round the Zoo" was performed live by Taylor in his early solo shows and with the Flying Machine, a band he was a part of before his solo success.
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Song InterpretationSome critics and audiences interpreted the song as a satirical commentary on mental health treatment in the late 1960s.
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Musical ArrangementThe song features Taylor's acoustic guitar playing and distinctive vocal style, which would become his trademarks throughout his career.
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ReputationThough not one of his most famous songs, "Knocking 'round the Zoo" is a fan favorite and is considered part of the classic James Taylor songbook.
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Cover VersionsIn 1971, it was covered by a band called Sweetwater on their album "Melon".
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Notable PerformancesDuring his 2010 Troubadour Reunion Tour with Carole King, Taylor often played "Knocking 'round the Zoo" as an encore.
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CollaborationsDanny "Kootch" Kortchmar, a long-time collaborator with James Taylor, also played and recorded the song with him.
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Influence on Other ArtistsThe song has been cited as a favorite by other musicians, including David Crosby and Graham Nash.
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Different VersionsOver the years, there have been different versions of "Knocking 'round the Zoo" with varying arrangements, showing Taylor's versatility and creativity as an artist.
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Citation
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"Knocking 'Round the Zoo Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/645884/James+Taylor/Knocking+%27Round+the+Zoo>.
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