Carole King Songs Ranked

Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter who has been active since 1958, initially as one of the staff songwriters at the Brill Building and later as a solo artist. She is the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century in the US, having written or co-written 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. King also wrote 61 hits that charted in the UK, making her the most successful female songwriter on the UK singles charts between 1962 and 2005. She is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to be so honored. She is also a 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree. Here are all Carole King songs ranked.

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20. Way Over Yonder (Tapestry, 1971)

“If I could give it a thousand stars I would. The lyrics of this song are the so beautiful and meaningful. What ever happened to this kind of musical genius?”

19. Pocket Money (A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection, 1968-1976, 1994)

“This is a great melancholy song. It’s the sound track to the movie with the same name with Lee Marvin and Paul Newman. It’s a lay back, drift with your eyes closed, kind of song. Carole and her “wa wa wa” backup singers are perfect.”

18. Tapestry (Tapestry, 1971)

“This record is a work of art and when it came out in 1971 it won four Grammys including best song and best female vocalist. What’s wonderful about this record is that even the saddest songs on it will give you hope and bring you joy.”

17. Smackwater Jack (Tapestry, 1971)

“Great beat/music is why I like the song. It is a sad commentary that people want someone to pay, but I don’t agree with the politics of this song. I just like it because it is a good sound!”

16. Out in the Cold (Tapestry, 1971)

“The music was uncomplicated but the lyrics gave everything a depth. The lyrics were also personal and universal at the same time. It all added up to an album that was laid back, unpretentious, and an effortless listen.”

15. Only Love Is Real (Thoroughbred, 1975)

“I have always enjoyed Carole King and still do, however; some of her songs just don’t seem that relevant to me anymore now that I am so much older.”

14. Sweet Seasons (Music, 1971)

“It’s a relative thing – Because everything off Tapestry is so great, it falls foul of the comparison. It’s a quite decent track though, but we know Carole can do better – Fits in nicely to all that Laurel Canyon sound – with Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and co.”

13. Nightingale (Wrap Around Joy, 1974)

“Carole King was one of the best songwriters of the 60s and 1971’s ‘Tapestry’ LP was a then-unprecedented commercial success. But her work beyond that point charts the course of her artistic decline. This easy listening 70s tune has not held its appeal.”

12. Corazon (Fantasy, 1973)

“Carole King is one of those extraordinary artists. Everything that she writes and/or sings is great. I liked this song because it had a jazz Latin jazz flavor to it. Carole’s drawn picture on this album looks a lot like ‘Lil Debbie’, the young woman on the snake cake cartons.”

11. Home Again (Tapestry, 1971)

“This song is like I’ve written my feelings for my significant other myself in a song. I love it and would recommend. An old classic of Carole King’s and one of my very favorite of hers….from one of the best albums of all time.”

10. You’ve Got a Friend (Tapestry, 1971)

“I have always loved this song, & Carole King’s music in general. She has an amazing voice, & this song is simply beautiful. It’s very comforting sounding, & is both relaxing & inspiring to me to hear this beautiful piece of music about love for the people who will always be there for you.”

9. Been to Canaan (Rhymes & Reasons, 1972)

“Carole hit it big writing this tune. This lady is so talented. Every tune she writes, and plays is a masterpiece! The song is an adult, sensitively rendered, end-of-the-affair number built around a teasing piano line, the verses the dilatory preamble to the blurting out of the chorus.”

8. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (Will You Love Me Tomorrow?, 1960)

“One of the best written, arranged, performed, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered album of all times. There are no “fillers”. All of the songs are musical jewels in their own right. Brilliant.”

See more: James Taylor Albums Ranked

7. Beautiful (Tapestry, 1971)

“King is candid about personal pain endured throughout her life, in particular during her marriages, yet she is refreshingly non-judgemental and seems incapable of harboring feelings of resentment or bitterness. Her gratitude and joy for life are palpable–it’s no wonder this memoir was adapted into a musical.”

6. Where You Lead (Tapestry, 1971)

“My Tapestry album (33 1/3) has been my friend for many years. I practically wore down the grooves for Beautiful. I would listen to it over and over. Such a beautiful song and what a voice!”

5. (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman (Tapestry, 1971)

“Her one big hit before her singer-songwriter career of the early 70’s was this wonderful soda-pop number with its incongruously bright melody, gosh-golly-gee lyric and of-their-time pizzicato strings culminating in that raindrop finish.”

4. Jazzman (Wrap Around Joy, 1974)

“”Jazzman” was the single from the album, which deservedly soared into the Top Ten during 1974. On the title track, King is looser and jazzier than you’ve ever heard her. She sounds as if she has never had more fun than on “Wrap Around Joy”, with excellent backup vocals reminiscent of artists like Bette Midler. Each track is meticulous!”

3. So Far Away (Live at the Troubadour, 2010)

“This song reminds me o the 70s, even though I was just a child then. I can remember hearing it on the radio, and to this day, it pulls at my heart strings. Yep, it’s cheesy, it’s melodramatic, but it’s also just the right thing when you want it.”

2. I Feel the Earth Move (Live at the Troubadour, 2010)

“I Feel The Earth Move by Carole King is a cheery type of classic pop song that appears to be about elevating love that gets a person’s soul racing in multiple good ways. I confess that I recently became curious about hearing this version after also recently listening to at least two other versions.”

1. It’s Too Late (Tapestry, 1971)

“Classic King-without a doubt one of her all time greatest songs and personally one of my favorites. If you have not heard Carole King and love chick love songs-check out this song, album and the Tapestry Album.”