When James Taylor recorded his fine version of "You've Got a Friend", he changed Carole King's original lyrics, and instead
of singing:

"When you're down and troubled and you need some loving care",

he sang:

"When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand",

which always sounded so much better to me in the mouth of a male singer. On subsequent occasions I saw and heard him sing these words when performing the song live.

Anyway, the last time I saw him on stage (London 2004, I think), and recently too in a recorded concert on TV, he reverted to, Carole King's original words. Is this documented in America? Is there a reason? Has anyone noticed but me ?

A person from Ohio on Songfacts noticed it and gives a reason that I agree with as most likely (Gary under comments).

That is exactly what I thought, too, Justin. Taylor recorded it pre-Alan Alda's "soft and sensitive male" became more the norm.

Yes, guys, agreed. But don't you find the "...need some loving care" line just a little, well, weak? Compared to the understaed rest of the song, that is. I'd have thought that "... and you need someone to care" would have worked a whole lot better.
I thought James Taylor's version was better still (OK, that's just my view) for that's the whole point of the lyric - to have someone who'll BE there for you, and it seems from the Songfacts link that Carole didn't disagree with the change.
To revert to "and you need some loving care" now seems a step backwards, that's all. The context within this particular song just doesn't work for me with that line. (And don't get me wrong, please - I'm a Carole King fan too - ever since the old Goffin and King days, and yes I did buy "Tapestry" on vinyl!).

I wonder if Carole King's version was intended to be about lovers. You know, because a lover can also be considered your friend. Do you think King's line works better in that context? I think what you said makes sense though. I see what you mean.

Yes, I think you're right. I mean she probably did intend it to be about lovers. I wonder whether JT's change was a deliberate ploy to extend the scope of the song or introduced because he didn't like the original line. Either way, his reverting to it now no doubt means that he's nodding in the direction of the album's success and acceptance, and feels that to insist on his own altered version might be taken as a criticim of sorts. I still think "helping hand" is an improvement though.