I’ve been a fan of Carole King’s music since I was a teenager in the Paleozoic Era. I loved her music with her husband, Gerry Goffin, especially “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” But Carole King’s life has not been a picnic. I was surprised to learn that Gerry Goffin suffered from mental problems that ended their marriage. Carole King suspects much of her husband’s problems were caused by LSD. Another new revelation to me was the physical abuse Carole King endured in a later relationship. Although she writes frankly about her life, Carole King is also more revealing about the record industry. If you’re a Carole King fan, there’s plenty in this book that will fascinate you. GRADE: A
She’s the background music of my youth.
Motown provided most of the soundtrack music for my youth, Patti. And Goffin/King wrote plenty of songs for those groups.
King was interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air last week–great stuff. I’m looking forward to reading her book; “Tapestry” was the soundtrack of my early adolescense.
BTW, have you read Sheila Weller’s GIRLS LIKE US? It covers the lives and music of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. Weller mentions Goffin’s mental illness and King’s abusive relationship with one of her later husbands. And did you know that the 1996 movie “Grace of My Heart” is a fictionalized account of the King-Goffin marriage and musical partnership? It’s not a great movie, but it’s kind of fun to try to figure out who’s based on who.
I haven’t seen GRACE OF MY HEART, Deb. But I’ll seek it out now that you’ve told me it’s based on Goffin/King’s relationship. It must be terrible to be in a marriage when one of the partners has mental problems.
I remember a couple of songs, and friends liked and played “Tapestry”, but she was never a favorite of mine, at least as a singer. She did write some great lyrics for other groups.
I know what you mean, Rick. Carole King’s voice can get to me if I listen to a lot of her music in one sitting. I prefer her songs sung by other artists.
Grace of My Heart.
I once went through my 45’s (remember them, geezers?) and was surprised to find how many were written by Goffin/King: Hey Girl (Freddie Scott), Take Good Care of My Baby (Bobby Vee), etc. I even have Carole singing her minor hit “It Might As Well Rain Until September.”
As for GIRLS LIKE US, I saw an item yesterday saying Taylor Swift was going to play Joni Mitchell in a new movie version, which I find troubling.
Goffin/King wrote some of my favorite songs from the early Sixties, Jeff. Glad to have you back!