Celebrating 50 Years of Carole King's 'Tapestry,' Soundtrack of My Life

Courtesy of Ode Records

by Wendy Spivey
February 10th marks the 50th Anniversary of Carole King’s highly celebrated album, Tapestry. I’m honored my son Julian invited me to offer my opinions on this remarkable album and my recollections of Carole King, one of my all-time favorites among songwriters, lyricists and vocalists.
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In February of 1971, I was almost 11 years old, and as a budding young woman, with aspirations of writing poetry, Carole King was a lyricist/songstress extraordinaire, in my opinion. King was a role model for other women in the music industry, and indeed, in life. By 1971, she had already penned over 20 top hits for other artists along with her husband, Gerry Goffin. She wrote hits for the Shirelles, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Vee, The Drifters, The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers, Billy Joel and the list could go on.

Carole credits her friendship with James Taylor as a major influence in her decision to become a solo artist. Carole King’s first album debuted in 1970, simply called Writer. It didn’t receive much attention until after Tapestry was released in February 1971.

Tapestry became my first ever LP purchase. I’ll always remember getting money for my birthday in April of 1971, and knowing exactly what it would be used for, and the exact record shop, and my joy at securing a copy of this best seller. Oh, the “anticipation.” Just kidding, different songstress. 

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Carole King: "I used to hate the sound of my voice" 

Even though King, herself, may have been surprised at her success with Tapestry, due to the fact interviewers have heard her statements about the “hoarseness” in her voice, it came as no surprise to me having literally spun that album for hours on end, singing along with every lyric. I loved the raspy, soulful voice of Carole King! So, it was no shock at all to me that Tapestry became one of the greatest selling albums of all-time, received diamond status here in the United States with more than 10 million copies sold, and has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.
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Carole King and her second solo album, Tapestry, received four Grammy awards in 1971, including the coveted trifecta, Record, Song and Album of the Year, plus she also one Best Female Vocalist. Again, it was no surprise to me with the radio of the day spinning her top tunes for the world to enjoy, "It's Too Late," "I Feel The Earth Move" and "You've Got A Friend."

Many people, when asked to name their favorite Carole King song, will instantly mention “You’ve Got a Friend.” I readily agree, it is a fabulous anthem to friendship, the song held its own against other odes to friendship during the “Peace, Love, No War” decade. And, believe me, there was no shortage of great songs during that time period. Songs like the well-known Simon & Garfunkel hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” The Beatles’ and Joe Cocker’s, “With a Little Help From My Friends,” and I could go on and on. Carole’s close friend, James Taylor continued the success of “You’ve Got a Friend” by recording his solo version in May 1971, sealing its fame for future generations.

There is not a single song on this album that I do not enjoy. However, my three favorites never received much airtime on popular radio stations. “Home Again,” “Tapestry” and “Way Over Yonder.”

Although a bit obscure to some, these songs speak to me directly and hit me in my feels! Give them a listen, truly listen. Even pull up the lyrics and read along. There is so much power in King’s words. Her poetry has such a Spiritual quality about it. I never grow tired of hearing it. 

Three Favorite Tracks from Tapestry
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3. “Home Again”
A young person, lonely, in need of a friend, perhaps. A traveling troubadour missing home and feeling incomplete without his/her significant other, probably. A soldier or homesick individual longing for the love of his/her life, maybe. An estranged family member longing for family stability and warmth, perhaps. Someone seeking a Spiritual higher plane, maybe. The beauty of King’s lyrics is that they could speak to your heart, soul, and mind right across the age groups, no matter what situation life has thrown at you. King turns simple lyrics into magical words that conjure up love, friendship, affection, warmth, a cozy fire, a nice chat, HOME. Simply stated, her words give us what we need, when we need it. “Snow is cold, rain is wet Chills my soul right to the marrow I won't be happy 'til I see you alone again 'Til I'm home again and feeling right.”

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​2. “Tapestry”
Carole King’s chosen song/album title, and metaphor for life. She uses her words to spin a tale of LIFE, a tapestry woven beautifully, impossible to hold steady, unraveling, changing, then being remade. My explanation or interpretation is so lackluster compared to King’s. “My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue An everlasting vision of the ever-changing view A wondrous woven magic in bits of blue and gold A tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold”

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​1. “Way Over Yonder”
I feel Carole King’s spiritual and Jewish roots in many of her songs, but in none more than this one. Does the “land of milk and honey” refer to the Promised Land as in Jewish tradition (Exodus 3:8); or is it an idiom referring to comfort and luxury? “Way over yonder is a place that I know Where I can find shelter from hunger and cold And the sweet-tastin' good life is so easily found Way over yonder, that's where I'm bound” Whether King meant a Promised Land from the Almighty God, or she just longed for earthbound success. I am happy King lived long enough to find her life of comfort and luxury here on Earth, and that she lived in my generation and shared the songs of her life with me. 

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​I am also ecstatic that Julian shares his father’s and my love of great music. I was blessed that he suggested we attend the “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at the Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock, Ark. in 2018. I laughed, I was mesmerized, I cried. Even though I’ve never been able to see Carole King in person, I felt like a part of her that day. The cast did a magnificent job portraying King’s life, and the music was spot on! Music speaks to the soul of a person, and Carole King’s music has always spoken to mine! Even today, as we near the Golden Anniversary of Tapestry, I still refer to this collection of treasured songs, as the “soundtrack of my life.”