The influential album “Tapestry,” released in 1971, is a landmark display of vulnerable and honest songwriting, accompanied by a warm, stripped down production style.
King takes the listener along on a journey of self-empowerment, balanced with an intimate tribute to the power of love. Blending pop, folk, and soft soul, it truly is one of a kind.
“I Feel the Earth Move”
Opening the album with a bang, King uses metaphorical instability to express the excitement of falling in love. Rattled by these newfound emotions, “I feel my heart start to trembling whenever you’re around,” she can’t help but enjoy the rollercoaster. The song features a funky melody with a groovy instrumental during the middle of the song.
“So Far Away”
Transitioning into a slightly more dramatic tone, King expresses the hardship of being separated from the one you love. Feeling powerless over her situation, she’s left only to miss whoever it is she’s longing for. “Holding you again could only do me good. How I wish I could. But you’re so far away,” King croones. The slower melody and sorrowful piano illustrate a clear disappointment with the situation she’s trapped in.
“It’s Too Late”
King lets her feelings ring true in the album’s third track. As she paints a picture of a love that’s slipped away into the never ending passage of time, King isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. “There’s something wrong here, there can be no denying. One of us is changing or maybe we’ve just stopped trying.” Sometimes it takes time to realize when something has fizzled, but King seems to be sure. “Something inside has died and I can’t hide and I just can’t fake it.” A passionless love is hard to endure, and for King it’s not something she’ll entertain.
“Home Again”
Most everyone can recall what it’s like to feel homesick. In King’s case, being “home” is a metaphor for being back together with the person she loves. “I won’t be happy till I see you alone again. Till I’m home again and feeling right,” she sings. The song echoes a similar theme to “So Far Away,” with the idea of geographical separation acting as a burden central to both tracks.
“Beautiful”
The fifth track of the album truly lives up to its name. “Beautiful” speaks to the idea that beauty comes from our inner selves. King suggests that it’s only when we love ourselves that we can show the world a similar affection, and in return reap the benefits. King recorded her thought process behind the track, as well as many others from “Tapestry” in her 2012 book, “A Natural Woman: A Memoir.” She remembers “I figured out that the way I perceived others on a given day was a reflection of how I was feeling.” A profound realization that eventually gave way to what would become “Beautiful.”
“Way Over Yonder”
Many of us experience the desire for something more. In the track “Way Over Yonder” King describes the gratitude of reaching that goal and basking in the comfort. The lyrics detail “a garden of wisdom” that offers refuge from hardship. The song’s hopeful tone emphasizes a longing for something more stable and how it feels to reach that point.
“You’ve Got a Friend”
King’s reassuring voice delivers a glimmer of hope to anyone struggling in “You’ve Got a Friend.” King has said that she was moved by a line in James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain”, which inspired her to pick up the pen. She offers her unwavering support and unconditional friendship without hesitation. “You just call out my name. And you know wherever I am. I’ll come running to see you again.” A true friend isn’t something to take for granted, and King portrays the perfect example of just how strong platonic love can be.
“Where You Lead”
Any fans of the hit TV show “Gilmore Girls” will instantly recognize this track as the catchy intro song. The promising message to remain loyal and true is at the song’s core. “If 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 train,” vows King. Not only is it a heartwarming assurance to stay near to the one she loves, but it also speaks to King’s integrity and deep respect for maintaining bonds.
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”
The song opens with a deep, emotional piano, the transition into King’s strong vocals accompanied by dramatic harmonies. The lyrics explore King’s uncertainty regarding the state of a new relationship. “You say that I’m the only one. But will my heart be broken, when the night meets the morning son?” Is it truly love, or is the affection between her and her significant other a fleeting affection? It can feel daunting to put your emotions out in the open, an intense vulnerability which King captures perfectly.
“Smackwater Jack”
The jaunty melody at the beginning of the song sets the upbeat tone of track ten. King depicts an outlaw named Smackwater Jack who with “a shotgun in his hand,” resorts to violence, and is consequently hanged. In my opinion this is definitely one of the more experimental tracks on the album and offers a contrast to the other songs. It’s not my favorite, but it creatively captures a western-style story of lies, violence, and deceit.
“Tapestry”
The album’s title track leans into a more imaginative, creative aspect of King’s storytelling. It deviates from the other styles of songs on the album, but maintains the same sort of ideas. King uses a metaphorical tapestry to contemplate the complexity of life and some of the major aspects woven throughout. Compassion, memory, and fate are just a few of the themes explored in the uniquely poetic tune.
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
King penned the iconic track alongside Gerry Goffin in 1967, however it was Aretha Franklin, the vocal powerhouse, who originally brought the song to life. It was only later that King delivered her own rendition of the piece on “Tapestry.” It was written in a single night, yet its emotional impact on listeners has lasted decades. The song charts the path from a life without meaning to one filled with love. The phrase “natural woman” is used to describe the feeling of being restored, with a return to authenticity.
All in all, “Tapestry” is a wonderful album that I’d recommend to anyone. Carol King beautifully weaves together tales of love, loss, and learning. The album’s authentic, stripped down nature is what sets it apart from other albums in my mind. I’m amazed at how King is able to turn such ordinary emotions into profound confessions that make them feel monumental.
