James Taylor Updates 'Fire And Rain' to Include Calzones And Adult Diapers on 'Colbert'

Remember when I said yesterday that I was pretty sure James Taylor would never do anything radical or disruptive on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, that he wasn’t a rebellious firebrand like Colbert’s previous musical guest, John Lydon — the former Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten?

Well, it takes a big man to admit his mistakes. He’s not here, but I am, and I’m saying I goofed up. On Wednesday night, Taylor told Colbert that he has done what many of his fans must find unthinkable: He’s updated one of his most popular songs, “Fire and Rain.” The 1970 Taylor composition from the classic album Sweet Baby James is nearly sacred among music fans with the exception of the late rock critic Lester Bangs. Yet Taylor felt the need to update his song with all the things he’s seen since 1970. They include calzones, Bud Light Lime, and adult diapers:

Let’s give Taylor a hand for playing along with this prank doubtless engineered in collaboration with Colbert — who refers to Taylor as “Tay-Tay” — and his writers. He deserves a lifetime supply of Gluten-Free Brown Sugar Special K for doing this with a straight face.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on CBS.