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)
Alabaster Lady
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have always wanted to be a girl like you
Long of leg and seeing the world the way you do
But you're in tiny golden chains
Somehow I think you know it don't make sense for you
To let your wings be held by someone
Who's too intense for you
You are such a sweet and sensual spirit
There's a joy within him singing
And he loves you 'cause he knows that you can hear it
Still the child within remains
And though he knows that you have pains to talk about
He sees your soul as you walk about
And doesn't dare to let himself get near it
You're so very young
Your life is just beginning
Your consciousness begun
Like a sleepy child awakening
As you reach out for me
With confidence still to come
Can you teach me to be free
Of my fear of being struck down by the pendulum
Alabaster Lady
As you weave a web of love with azure flowers
The early morning hours
Bring to you the misty light of dawn
And he, knowing you'll be gone, only tries
To hold you closer to him
If you only knew your powers
You could save him
You could save him by just saying,
No sir to him
Come on, Alabaster Lady
You say that you love him just be yourself
You can save him if you try
Come on Alabaster Lady
Ya know just where you're goin'
Keep on growin'
And let yourself just fly
Come on, Alabaster Lady
Come on now, Alabaster Lady
In Carole King's Alabaster Lady, the singer expresses a desire to be like the titular character, a woman who is described as sweet, sensual, and spiritually joyful. However, the Alabaster Lady is also trapped in "tiny golden chains," held back from being her true self because she is in a relationship with someone who is "too intense." The singer encourages the Alabaster Lady to embrace her power and to "save" her partner by asserting her independence and saying no to him.
There is a complexity to the Alabaster Lady's character that is intriguing. She is simultaneously delicate and powerful, young and wise. Her partner sees her pain but is afraid to get too close to her soul, while the singer admires her confidence and encourages her to teach her how to be free. The lyrics also contain a sense of time passing and the Alabaster Lady's potential for growth, as she reaches out with confidence "still to come." This song ultimately celebrates the beauty of femininity and the power of self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Alabaster Lady
Addressed to the subject of the lyrics, who is referred to as the Alabaster Lady.
I have always wanted to be a girl like you
The singer admires the Alabaster Lady's qualities and wishes to possess them.
Long of leg and seeing the world the way you do
The Alabaster Lady is tall and has a unique perspective on life.
But you're in tiny golden chains
The Alabaster Lady is constrained by her circumstances.
Somehow I think you know it don't make sense for you
The Alabaster Lady is aware that her situation is limiting.
To let your wings be held by someone
The Alabaster Lady is allowing someone to control her.
Who's too intense for you
The person controlling the Alabaster Lady is too intense for her to handle.
You are such a sweet and sensual spirit
The Alabaster Lady is characterized as being both sweet and sensual.
There's a joy within him singing
The Alabaster Lady's partner is happy and contented because of their relationship.
And he loves you 'cause he knows that you can hear it
The Alabaster Lady's partner loves her because he knows she is aware of his love for her.
Still the child within remains
The Alabaster Lady has an innocence about her.
And though he knows that you have pains to talk about
The Alabaster Lady has struggles, but her partner wants her to feel comfortable sharing them with him.
He sees your soul as you walk about
The Alabaster Lady's partner sees her true self.
And doesn't dare to let himself get near it
Despite this, the Alabaster Lady's partner is afraid to get too close to her.
Your life is just beginning
The Alabaster Lady is young and has much ahead of her.
Your consciousness begun
The Alabaster Lady is just starting to become aware of the world around her.
Like a sleepy child awakening
The Alabaster Lady is still in the early stages of her emotional and spiritual development.
As you reach out for me
The singer feels that the Alabaster Lady is approaching her for guidance.
With confidence still to come
The Alabaster Lady is not yet self-assured.
Can you teach me to be free
The Alabaster Lady wants the singer to help her be more independent.
Of my fear of being struck down by the pendulum
The Alabaster Lady is afraid of the consequences of her actions.
As you weave a web of love with azure flowers
The Alabaster Lady is creating a loving and beautiful atmosphere around her.
The early morning hours bring to you the misty light of dawn
The Alabaster Lady is experiencing a new beginning or a fresh start.
And he, knowing you'll be gone, only tries to hold you closer to him
The Alabaster Lady's partner wants to keep her close because he knows that she will soon leave.
If you only knew your powers
The Alabaster Lady has the ability to change her situation but may not realize it.
You could save him
The Alabaster Lady's partner needs help.
You could save him by just saying, no sir to him
The Alabaster Lady needs to stand up for herself to help her partner.
You say that you love him just be yourself
The singer wants the Alabaster Lady to be true to herself in her relationship.
Ya know just where you're goin'
The Alabaster Lady has a sense of direction in her life.
Keep on growin'
The singer encourages the Alabaster Lady to keep learning and evolving.
And let yourself just fly
The Alabaster Lady should embrace her freedom and take flight.
Come on now, Alabaster Lady
The singer is urging the Alabaster Lady to take action and make a positive change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind