I’ve recently reintroduced myself to this classic in my library (one of a handful I’ve got on CD and vinyl), thanks to hearing the song, “Tapestry” at Faye’s on Friday. I dragged the sister to see Carole King perform years and years ago, when she was on tour for City Streets. I never moved past that album, nor did I ever move back from Tapestry and looking back now, I remember nothing about the album, nor do I remember anything about the show, except it was in Long Island.
My expected favorite track is the amazing, It’s Too Late, which is one of the few songs on the album I can sing comfortably in my normal vocal range (which is quite low). However, listening to the album now, the standout track for me is Where You Lead, which I appreciate much more at 39 then I ever did – or ever thought I could – at 19.
- A true classic from the 70s!
Loving you the way I do
I only wanna be with you
And I would go to the ends of the earth
Oh, darling, to me that’s what you’re worthWhere you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you leadIf you’re out on the road
Feeling lonely, and so cold
All you have to do is call my name
And I’ll be there on the next trainWhere you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you leadI always wanted a real home with flowers on the window sill
But if you want to live in New York City, honey, you know I will (yes I will, yes I will)I never thought I could get satisfaction from just one man
But if anyone can keep me happy, you’re the one who canAnd where you lead, I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow where you lead (repeat)I’m gonna follow were you lead (I’m gonna follow were you lead) I’m gonna follow were you lead (I’m gonna follow were you lead ) I’m gonna follow were you lead (I’m gonna follow were you lead )
© Carole King/Toni Stern
Related posts:
- All roads lead to Rome…and Byzantium, Normandy, and Gaul
- Old age sets in very slowly
- Quote
- Carole = <3 (16)
- Making Love Out Of Nothing At All
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This was one of the two* most important post-Beatles albums for me. I had “So Far Away” on a 45 & pretty much wore the thing out. Digital recording has been a boon to those of us who are prone to obsessions! =D
*(The other one is Carly Simon’s “No Secrets.” I used to sneak into my sister’s room just to stare at the cover.)
Other albums from that time gained importance for me later on (The Who’s “Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy,” for example) – but Tapestry was the one that captivated me at the time – and marked the beginning of my love affair with female vocalists. It’s truly a landmark album – and a triumph for Carole King, whose career had previously been to write songs for other people to sing.
According to Wikipedia: “Tapestry was ranked US number 1 for 15 consecutive weeks, which is the longest time for an album by a female to occupy that position, and remained in the charts for over six years. In terms of time on the charts, it ranks fifth overall and in terms of length on the charts for solo musical acts it ranks second. It remains the longest charting album by a female solo artist.”
I thought for a minute that “No Secrets” was the album where Carly’s on her knees, wearing the boots and that slip, but a quick search told me that was “Playing Possum.” :-P