King's major success began in the 1960s when she and her first husband, Gerry Goffin, wrote more than two dozen chart hits, many of which have become standards, for numerous artists. She has continued writing for other artists since then. King's success as a performer in her own right did not come until the 1970s, when she sang her own songs, accompanying herself on the piano, in a series of albums and concerts. After experiencing commercial disappointment with her debut album Writer, King scored her breakthrough with the album Tapestry, which topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971 and remained on the charts for more than six years.
King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years. Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter. 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.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_King
Studio albums
Writer (1970)
Tapestry (1971)
Music (1971)
Rhymes & Reasons (1972)
Fantasy (1973)
Wrap Around Joy (1974)
Thoroughbred (1976)
Simple Things (1977)
Welcome Home (1978)
Touch the Sky (1979)
Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King (1980)
One to One (1982)
Speeding Time (1983)
City Streets (1989)
Colour of Your Dreams (1993)
Love Makes the World (2001)
A Holiday Carole (2011)
A Road to Nowhere
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now I can see that it just ain't no good
Our love it has wasted
Right down to the core
Whatever we had
We don't have anymore
You've got to get off a road to nowhere
You've got to get off a road to nowhere
But I guess we're two people who can't help but fight
Your eyes they are open
And oh so are mine
We both need our freedom
Don't you think it's about time
I'm trying to get off this road to nowhere
I'm trying to get off this road to nowhere
Thank you for the good times we've had in the past
But we both know enough to know good times don't last
Baby you're just no good for me
And I'm no good for you
Let's not waste our time talkin'
We both know what to do
We've got to get off this road to nowhere
It's time to get off this road to nowhere
You've got to get off this road to nowhere
We've got to get off this road to nowhere
In the song, 'A Road to Nowhere', Carole King sings about a failing relationship that has reached its inevitable end. The lyrics speak of the emotional turmoil that comes when two people who were once in love, are no longer compatible for each other. The singer has tried and failed to salvage the relationship but now realizes that there is no point in holding on to it. However, both of them seem to be stuck on a 'road to nowhere', a path that is leading them away from each other, and they both need to find a way to get off it.
The song also speaks on the theme of freedom. Both the singer and her lover have come to the realization that they need their freedom, as they are not able to compromise and are unwilling to change their ways. They have come to the realization that they are better off going their own separate ways. The song, therefore, encourages its listeners to take control of their lives and relationships and move on when things are not working out.
Overall, the song is a reminder that despite the challenges and hardships that come with love and relationships, it's important to recognize when it's time to let go and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to hang on for as long as I could
I have tried to keep this love alive for as long as possible
But now I can see that it just ain't no good
However, I have come to the realization that things aren't working out
Our love it has wasted
Our love has been drained and lost its essence over time
Right down to the core
It has been depleted to its very center
Whatever we had
Anything we once had is now gone
We don't have anymore
There is nothing left between us
You've got to get off a road to nowhere
You need to put a stop to this pointless relationship
Well I tried and I tried to make things work out right
I've put in all the possible efforts to make things right between us
But I guess we're two people who can't help but fight
But, it seems like we just seem to fight constantly
Your eyes they are open
You are aware of our problems
And oh so are mine
And I am too
We both need our freedom
We need to be independent
Don't you think it's about time
Do you not think it's time?
I'm trying to get off this road to nowhere
I am making an attempt to end this unfulfilling relationship
Thank you for the good times we've had in the past
I appreciate the good memories we have shared together
But we both know enough to know good times don't last
However, we are aware that good times are always fleeting
Baby you're just no good for me
Baby, the fact is that you and I aren't good together
And I'm no good for you
And, I am not good for you either
Let's not waste our time talkin'
We shouldn't waste any more of our time talking about this
We both know what to do
We both know what needs to be done to move on
We've got to get off this road to nowhere
We have to put an end to this listless and unfulfilling relationship
It's time to get off this road to nowhere
It is about time that we put an end to our pointless relationship
You've got to get off this road to nowhere
You also need to put an end to this pointless relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trfesok
Covered by a group called Hearts and Flowers, which included Bernie Leadon. Both are in my Carole playlist. It's a much darker song than was usual for her. Thanks for the upload!
@heavenesc1387
can't believe this song isnt on spotify one of her best
@dgaff17
Fantastic song. Soulful and with a touch of psychedelia that was to come in the next few years. I wish songwriters could write like this nowadays.
@Byrdeyy
such an amazing dramaturgy... no recordings like that anymore...
@lestoil
Supposedly this song inspired Lou Reed to write “All Tomorrow’s Parties”. I prefer this song.
@unfrown
So Beautiful
@patrickhicks9880
i really love this song her voice was amazing on this one
@pollysunday
> ULTIMATE! One of the best 6ts recordings...EVER!//JJ-Sweden
@consumerwarrior1267
This song by Carole King has that sort of old world charm to the way it sounds. It is so clear to see that she had a completely different style in the 1960s than she did in the 1970s with her songs. I give this song a thumbs-up. :-)
@shyman99
New found respect of the talents of Carole King. I didn't know she had it in her. This is stunning and the cover by Trash is epic.