Nine Hit Songs You Had No Idea Were Written By Carole King (Suprises me)

BI ^ | 6-29-2014 | Aly Weisman

[blam]

Aly Weisman
June 26, 2014

The Broadway musical "Beautiful" — the true story of Carole King's remarkable rise from behind-the-scenes songwriter to solo stardom — took home three Tony Awards in June, including Best Actress for Jessie Mueller's portrayal of King. "Tapestry" launched Carole King's solo career in 1971, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.

But what many don't realize about King's career is that the musician began songwriting for other artists in the 1960s, over a decade before she became a famous artist in her own right. King and her then husband, Gerry Goffin, wrote more than two dozen hits for top artists of the time, including Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, and the Beatles.

It wasn't until divorce and a cross-country move to Los Angeles that King released her first successful solo album, "Tapestry," which included hit songs like "I Feel the Earth Move," "You've Got A Friend," and "It's Too Late." In 1971, "Tapestry," produced by Lou Adler, hit No. 1 on the charts and won a Grammy in 1972 for Album of the Year.

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[I_be_tc]

I just remembered that song about two weeks ago and went to download on iTunes. I was around 10 when it was popular and had no idea until I bought it that it was Carole King.

[RegulatorCountry]

All this talk about The Funk Brothers as well as Carole King, singer-songwriter that she was and is, led me to think of The Temptations and “How I Wish It Would Rain.”

http://youtu.be/Z-es4Q8AJaU

I suspect most of the time, we just don’t grasp how very real the words and emotions expressed in song can be. After I learned of Roger Penzabene who wrote this song, I could never hear it quite the same way again, and actually stopped enjoying it for a number of years.

But, it’s quite literally a swan song, and it’s beautiful. So, I’ve gotten past that. May God rest his tormented soul, what a crazy thing to do over a cheating wife.

[RansomOttawa]

In one of those weird coincidences that actually happens from time to time, I heard all three of the major recordings of "The Loco-Motion"—Little Eva, Grand Funk, and Kylie—over the PA in three different stores last Saturday.

[TakeChargeBob]

I saw Beautiful the night that Carol King made a surprise visit. Great show and the perfect night to go. I was surprised at the amazing songs that were in the show. Check out these clips from You Tube from that night.

The 1st clip shows when she came out and surprised everyone and shows snippets of the song “You’ve Got A Friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjiMvmD6XH4

The next is the full performance of “You’ve Got A Friend”. Best encore of a show ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL0pCajv_oA

[Gay State Conservative]

There was so much great stuff that came out of the Brill Building during the early to mid 60’s including stuff written by Carole King.Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow was probably the biggest hit she wrote...a all time great classic done by the Shirrels.

[sheana]

I always give her praise as a great songwriter but her voice grates on me.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Outa sight and in the groove