Prior to signing with Apple, Taylor released the single "Night Owl" with the group The Flying Machine.

Its lead single "Fire and Rain" became a significant international hit and gained Taylor his first major exposure as an artist.

[1][2] In 1979 and 1981, Taylor released Flag and Dad Loves His Work, respectively, which both certified platinum in the United States and produced Top 40 singles.

Nearly four years later, Taylor's next studio album That's Why I'm Here was released and spawned a cover of Buddy Holly's "Everyday", which became a minor hit in the United States.

[1][3] His fifteenth studio release October Road was issued on August 13, 2002, on Sony BMG[4] and certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.