3 Eternal Carole King Songs that Will Leave You Floored Every Time

The New York City-born songwriter and performer Carole King writes novels—except she fits them into three-minute songs. With poetic lyricism, deep meaning, and strong character building, King has penned tunes that have not only stood the test of time, they’ve stood tall and will continue to throughout history.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs from the 82-year-old folk artist. A trio of tracks that will not only open listeners’ mind but that will leave them agape. Indeed, these are three eternal Carole King songs that will leave you floored every time.

[RELATED: Behind the Meaning of Carole King’s “Bitter with the Sweet”]

“It’s Too Late” from Tapestry (1971)

This track, which features lyrics from Toni Stern, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s a breakup song that is coming to terms with the end in real time. No one is to blame for the end, sings King, but better to realize it now than prolong the inevitable. Besides, there is no coming back from where the couple is at now. Indeed, it’s too late. On the beloved, Platinum-selling track, King songs,

Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time
There’s something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing, or maybe we’ve just stopped trying

And it’s too late, baby, now it’s too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can’t hide
And I just can’t fake it, Oh no no

“You’ve Got a Friend” from Tapestry (1971)

This song was written by King in 1971, inspired by a line in a track from friend James Taylor from his tune “Fire and Rain,” in which he sings: I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend. King has said this track was one of the easiest and quickest she’s ever written, that it practically tumbled out of her and she was a mere conduit for it. While Taylor’s version may have gone on to earn more praise over the years, it was King who was the originator. On the track, she sings,

When you’re down and troubled
And you need some lovin’ care
And nothin’, nothin’ is goin’ right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (1967)

Fans of Aretha Franklin may not know Carole King originally penned the music for this song (the lyrics were written by Gerry Goffin), but it’s true. In fact, Franklin sang the number to King when the latter was honored at the Kennedy Center in 2015. The song was first released on Aretha Franklin’s 1967 album Lady Soul. And here below, King sings her own rendition of the track, which has gone on to become one of the most memorable songs from the 1960s. She offers,

Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired

Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind
You’re the key
To my piece of mind

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