We all know songs by singer-songwriter Carole King like "So Far Away," "Only Love Is Real," "It's Too Late," "I Feel The Earth Move," etc. But her body of work includes many great songs that never were released as a single. Here are 10 deep cuts we highly recommend.
1) "You Still Want Her."
From the highly underrated TOUCH THE SKY album (1979).
2) "Chalice Borealis."
If we list no co-writer, Carole wrote the song by herself. This is one she wrote with ex-husband Rick Sorensen. It's from another underrated album, SPEEDING TIME (1983).
3) "Ain't That The Way."
One of many great songs on 1989's CITY STREETS.
4) "Venusian Diamond."
1978's WELCOME HOME is a mixed bad, to be sure. But this track is a diamond.
5) "Tears Falling Down On Me."
COLOUR OF YOUR DREAMS (1990) should have been a much bigger album for Carole and, if you doubt it, check out this track. It's one of many great songs.
6) "One To One."
Carole wrote this song with longterm friend Cynthia Weil (Cynthia and her husband Barry Mann have written many great songs including "You Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Here You Come Again" -- Cynthia's also co-written songs without Barry including "Running With The Night"). By the way, when this site started, we talked about Carole and how there needed to be a real film about her life. C.I. said Debra Winger should play her. Debra Winger? The video above is from a VHS special ONE TO ONE. When we couldn't see Debra as Carole, C.I. made us look at that concert and, yes, Debra could easily play Carole.
7) "It Could Have Been Anyone."
2001's LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND is an uneven album but it has its moments. This is a song she wrote with her friend Carole Bayer Sager and with David Foster. Ava and C.I. don't care for David so we'll take a pass on him. But Carole Bayer Sager is a one of kind songwriter whose hits include "On My Own," "Don't Cry Out Loud," "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" (a favorite of Jim's), "Niagra" and "It's My Turn" (two of C.I.'s favorites), "Come In From The Rain," "A Groovy Kind Of Love" and "That's What Friends Are For."
8) "Speeding Time."
One of the greatest songs Carole wrote with her first husband Gerry Goffin -- one of the greatest songs they wrote together after they divorced. This is as strong as anything the pair came up with during the sixties. An amazing song and Carole nails the vocal. It's from the album SPEEDING TIME.
9) "Eagle."
Carole wrote amazing songs for TOUCH THE SKY. It really is an overlooked album that you should steer everyone to. Amazing.
10) "Changes."
Again from WELCOME HOME. This is a very basic song in that the emotions are something we can all relate to. This is an undiscovered gem for many.