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Classic Songs
Revisited
You’ve Got A Friend
written by Carole King
produced by Lou Adler
Carole from Manhattan put out some non-album solo singles in the
late ’50s and ’60s before settling into her professional recording
career with Ode Records. Her debut album Writer from 1970 did
not make too much of a splash, but it was the only one album
recorded and released... before her legendary hit-laden sophomore album Tapestry one year later. Tapestry popped out of the woodwork on February 10th, 1971, and spawned three singles—with successful b-sides to boot—the third, “You’ve Got A Friend” (b/w “Beautiful”) being the only one to fail to chart. Nonetheless, if everyone didn’t know the song at first, they did a few months later when fellow adult contemporary artist James “Fire And Rain” Taylor, recorded and put out a cover version just two short months later. The song’s natural beauty—as well as that of Carole’s offering of unconditional friendship—speaks for itself. In 2013, I teamed this song up together with Carole’s much later ode to pure love, “Anyone At All”—which just so happens to be the very next song in The List—for a two-song medley I used as a soundtrack to a YT video I made in tribute to one of my favorite actresses of all time, Carol Kane. The homophonic first names and innocent, unassuming delight of both songs made for the perfectly benevolent vibe I wished to capture. So enjoy this one... and keep your eyes peeled for further selections from Miss King, including “Anyone At All” coming up next.
Have notes to add? Let me know!
YT:
1971
When you’re down, and troubled / And you need some love and care / And nothing, nothing is going 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 running / 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 / If the sky above you / Grows dark and full of clouds / And that old north wind begins to blow / Keep your head together / And call my name out loud / Soon you’ll hear me knocking at your door / You just call out my name / And you know wherever I am / I’ll come running, running, yeah, yeah / To see you again / Winter, spring, summer or fall / All you have to do is call / And I’ll be there, yes I will / Now ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend / When people can be so cold / They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you / And take your soul if you let them / Oh, but don’t you let them / x1 / You’ve got a friend / You’ve got a friend, ain’t it good to know / You’ve got a friend, ain’t it good to know / Ain’t it good to know, ain’t it good to know / You’ve got a friend, oh yeah, now / Well you’ve got a friend, yeah, baby / You’ve got a friend, oh yeah / You’ve got a friend
first release: Tapestry (1971/02/10)
audio treated sample
This page was originally made on May 26th, 2021 and last edited on August 1st, 2021