In This Together: Carole King’s Amazing ‘Wrap Around Joy’ (50th Anniversary)
Carole King’s ‘Wrap Around Joy’ truly is the gift that keeps on giving. It equally is holding listeners close 50 years on from its release in September 1974.
Perfect Pitch & Powerful Hits
Carole King holds her place as one of music’s most talented singer-songwriters of all time. Whether you hold her albums dear to your heart or you don’t even realise you’re listening to the songs she wrote, she changed the face of music. The Manhattan-born talent began when Carole was only 3, starting by copying the notes her mother would play on their home piano. Indeed, there was no denying the curiosity of this budding star.
In addition to this undeniable inquisitiveness, her parents discovered her perfect pitch and would showcase this talent to friends. This ability to name any note followed her later in life, ultimately finding love and a songwriting partner all in one when she joined forces with Gerry Goffin. As a result, both would continue to write music in and amongst the swirling business of being parents and working hard to provide. Although, a lifetime of being a committed musician came after the success of their writing. This came in the form of one of the highest regarded songs of all time, ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ performed beautifully as we know by The Shirelles.
They focused solely on writing what would become some of music’s most respected and famous tracks. The duo would produce hits such as ‘Take Good Care Of My Baby’ for Bobby Vee and arguably her best-known work ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ for the magnificent Aretha Franklin. Carole would not make it herself as an artist until the 70s. What a time for music that would be.
Putting a Face to the Fame
Despite all this talent, there was still no face to put to all the wonderful creations she was behind. As a result, King started down her own path. Importantly, the singer started this journey with the release of their first album ‘Writer’. It involved joining forces with the incomparable Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Toni Stern. She finally made the breakthrough as the gift music needed.
By the time ‘Wrap Around Joy’ was released in 1974, King had already had her well-deserved taste of true success. This was showcased by the victory that was ‘Tapestry’. However, now with a whole load of expertise under her belt, the sixth album became her third to reach Number 1.
Admittedly, ‘Wrap Around Joy’ became a work in which to compare to all that came before. Particularly, it was weighed up against the immediately popular ‘Tapestry’ that came before. Jon Landau wrote in Rolling Stone that both writers (King and Lou Alder) were, “…forced to live in its oppressive shadow.”. There were elements of that same soul that crept through, which people begged this album to have more of.
Whereas, the title track holds 50s-inspired harmonious elements. Importantly, you’re seeing the very thing that started Carole’s King story in the first place. While creating has always been what she does best, taking inspiration from others and collaborating with so many different musicians continued to breathe life into everything she made. In addition to all of these new sounds and ideas, there was a whole new brain in the operation. This brain belonged to David Palmer, a talent from Steely Dan, whom she wrote the record with. As a songwriter as accomplished as her, it was important to be inspired by all different proposals. However, so was working with those who knew her. This is illustrated by the talents of guitarist Danny Kortchmar who returned to ‘Wrap Around Joy’ after working on four of her previous albums.
The Best Is Yet To Come
The thing that keeps Carole King true to herself and the music she makes is an utter love for songwriting. She has a true appreciation and respect for the people around her who make the singer’s ideas into what they eventually become. ‘Wrap Around Joy‘ encapsulates all that the singer does best. I feel this is showcased best in the genuine ‘You’re Something New’. This is a song that holds a strong and incredibly moving chorus. Although a simple and repetitive story within, it bears that deep honesty we see throughout her previous works.
Carole King – Craig Rosen, The Billboard Book of Number One Albums,
“When I make my demos, I get to do my own material. It’s a lot more fun to hear someone like Aretha Franklin or someone like Mariah Carey sing a song of mine.”
1996
With an abundance of remarkable value in her music, Carole King withholds an unwavering openness about her. The ability to create such music for others that can fit their voice so perfectly is one of the most incredible joys to hear. As a journalist, it is easy to recognise the quality of the production and the sounds you are hearing. Yet, it always boils down to the lyrics and how they make you feel. King is a pioneer in perfecting each sound for someone new. Even so, while comparisons were thrown around, the artist continued to do what she loves to do, storytelling.
While not always the face of her talents, she creates such a world with her songwriting that could never be disregarded.
Carole King is on Instagram and X. Listen to ‘Wrap Around Joy‘ below and read more anniversary pieces here.
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