Boston-native James Taylor gave Red Sox fans quite the treat yesterday for his hometown team's game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. He performed a taste of his upcoming first album in 13 years with the song "Angels of Fenway," an ode to the Boston Red Sox. The iconic singer also threw out the ceremonial first pitch and sang that traditional "America the Beautiful" during the seventh-inning stretch.
According to TIME, Taylor penned the song to tell the story of his experience as a fan, focusing on the 2004 World Series championship that broke the team's infamous "curse of the Bambino" and earned the franchise its first championship in 86 years.
"In 2004, that miracle season, that incredible thing that happened and what it meant to Red Sox fans, and to the city of Boston, to all of New England ... it moved me deeply and I knew I wanted to write about it," Taylor said in a statement.
Taylor played the song while iconic moments from the team's history played on a screen in the background.
The chorus sees him praying for a win.
"Angels of Fenway, hear our prayer," he sings. "We have been chastened. We have been patient."
Telling the story of the win he sings: "Oh my God it was beyond belief. Like a hungry dog on a bone, Angels of Fenway."
Check it out here along with Taylor speaking about the songs background.
Taylor will be back at Fenway Park on August 6 to perform with Bonnie Raitt.
His new album, Before This World, will be released June 16. "Angels of Fenway" is now available for purchase on iTunes along with "Today Today Today," which Taylor dropped last month.
What do you think of "Angels of Fenway?" Sound off in the comments section below!
