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)
Hard Rock Cafe
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can find yourself a Hard Rock Cafe
Put your money on a number anyone can play
Come on and tell us all about what happened to you today
At the Hard Rock Cafe
come to the Hard Rock Cafe
I hope you can find your way to the Hard Rock Cafe
After a hard day's work I guarantee
there just isn't anywhere better to be
If you're unable to find good company
You can always sit down and watch the color TV
At the Hard Rock Cafe
come to the Hard Rock Cafe
The regulars can't keep away from the Hard Rock Cafe
And if you feeling just a little bit lonely
don't sit at home just hoping
Come on down to where the spirit flows so free
You know that door is always open
At the Hard Rock Cafe
come to the Hard Rock Cafe
They will help keep your blues at day at the Hard Rock Cafe
Carole King's song "Hard Rock Cafe" seems to be a joyful celebration of a popular restaurant chain. The first stanza sets the scene: Hard Rock Cafe is ubiquitous in the USA, and anyone can come in and play a game of chance or share their daily news with others. The chorus invites listeners to come to the Hard Rock Cafe and repeat its name like a mantra. The second stanza mentions the pleasures of leaving work and relaxing at the restaurant, especially if one cannot find good company elsewhere. The chorus is repeated, along with a bridge that suggests the Hard Rock Cafe is a fun and welcoming place for all.
However, there may be an ironic twist to the song's lyrics. King wrote "Hard Rock Cafe" in 1977, shortly after Jon Landau made the famous pronouncement that "rock and roll is dead." Some fans and critics speculated that King was actually mocking the commercialization and superficiality of the rock scene. The chorus could be seen as an empty refrain, and the images of gamblers and TV-watchers at the Hard Rock Cafe might be potent metaphors for the decline of rock's revolutionary potential.
Overall, "Hard Rock Cafe" seems to be a catchy and upbeat tune that praises a well-known brand. Yet, its lyrics could be interpreted as a subtle critique of consumer society and the limits of pop culture. As with many of King's songs from this period, there is a sense of ambivalence and complexity that rewards closer listening and analysis.
Line by Line Meaning
Downtown anywhere in the USA
You can find a Hard Rock Cafe in any city in the USA.
You can find yourself a Hard Rock Cafe
It's easy to locate a Hard Rock Cafe.
Put your money on a number anyone can play
There's something for everyone at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Come on and tell us all about what happened to you today
The staff is friendly and willing to listen to your stories.
At the Hard Rock Cafe
The place being referred to is the Hard Rock Cafe.
come to the Hard Rock Cafe
The song encourages people to check out the Hard Rock Cafe.
I hope you can find your way to the Hard Rock Cafe
The singer hopes that people can make it to the Hard Rock Cafe.
After a hard day's work I guarantee
The singer assures that coming to the Hard Rock Cafe after a long day's work is worth it.
there just isn't anywhere better to be
The Hard Rock Cafe is the best place to be after a hard day's work.
If you're unable to find good company
If you're alone and unable to find someone to hang out with,
You can always sit down and watch the color TV
you can find entertainment by watching television at the Hard Rock Cafe.
The regulars can't keep away from the Hard Rock Cafe
People who frequent the Hard Rock Cafe can't resist coming back because they enjoy it so much.
And if you feeling just a little bit lonely
If you're feeling lonely,
don't sit at home just hoping
the song suggests not to wait and just sit at home hoping for something to happen.
Come on down to where the spirit flows so free
Instead, people should go to the Hard Rock Cafe, where they can let loose and have a good time.
You know that door is always open
The Hard Rock Cafe is always welcoming and open to visitors.
They will help keep your blues at day at the Hard Rock Cafe
The Hard Rock Cafe can help cure the blues and make you feel better.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tweetybird2968
Carole King is one of the purest singer/songwriter ever. I can feel her love for what she does. And we are all so lucky to have experienced it. Her songs are timeless and will continue for sooo many generations. Carole is absolutely a gem and glad she was inducted to RRHOF, finally!! I’m glad she got to enjoy the recognition of her life’s work. Thank you Carole for all that you have shared with the world!!
@TheCynedd
How can anyone with a soul not love this song? 😊💖🎹
@phillippladurner2502
I love it all about.😀😘
@wanchaiaeam7083
@Phillipp Ladurner o
@MARCOPOLOVM
Excelente, Carole King é apreciada no Brazil.
@MirandaParedes
Love it so much Carole!!! You're such an inspiring person and amazing singer! Hope I can hear you sing in person one time (and meet you) or at least be like you when I get older (I turn 20 on 2/11...almost bday twins)!!! So proud of you for how far you've come and I love how I've been a fan of you my entire life! Can't wait for all the amazing things in store for you and your career!!!
@erixxxblue2698
her voice is so calming
@user-rm3go2pn2g
once heard this on the radio, and never heard it again....once again finding the wonderful 70's of a 9 year old kid and wonderful carole king. The song stayed in my mind for over 50 years!!!!!
@ryandariushwood225
She was in very good voice here--more so than when she first recorded the song decades earlier!
@ashratempel5094
Never gets old.