YouTube - Carole King - It's Too Late

Carole King sings "It's Too Late"

"Tapestry" is one of the greatest albums of all time, and perhaps the best one ever recorded by a female singer/songwriter. It was on the charts for more than five years, and sold more than 20 million copies. It was the best-selling album in history until Jacko's Thriller came along. In addition to the songs which King made famous, the album includes three songs which become mega-hits for three others: Aretha Franklin ("You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman"), James Taylor ("You've Got a Friend"), and the Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow")

All of those songs were co-written with Gerry Goffin, who was also her husband until 1968. They also wrote hits for Herman's Hermits, Steve Lawrence, Bobby Vee, Little Eva, The Drifters, The Everly Brothers, The Chiffons, The Monkees, The Animals, Dusty Springfield, BS&T and others. Chances are good that a great song from the sixties, if not written by lennon and McCartney, was written by Goffin and King.

King achieved all that fame before she turned 30, but she never had the same success without Goffin. As for his career, Goffin did alright after the break-up, co-penning #1 hits for Diana Ross ("Do You Know Where You're Going To") and Whitney Houston ("Saving all My Love for You"), but King and Goffin apart were never as strong as the combo. Together, they were magic.