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)
Haywood
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haywood, you been on the street again, I know, I know
Haywood, that man's not your friend
Haven't you had enough of the stuff
Oh, you know it's got to do you in
Remember John John
How mama stayed awake all night
She cried and said she always knew he was up to no good
It broke her heart the night he died
And she made me promise I'd stand by your side
And try to protect you from the evil in the neighborhood
Haywood, where have you been, tell me now
Haywood, you been on the street again, I know, I know
Haywood, hangin' out with your so-called friends
What makes you think that you'll be the one to put it down
Use your ears, use your eyes, just look around
Everyone's dying, everyone's going down
Just think of Valerie
She's always been so good to you and you've never let her down
What about the life you planned
It can still come true, it's all up to you
I know it's hard to shake it
But you got to be a man and take it
I know this is no way to make it
It's not too late for you
Listen to me, Haywood
The song "Haywood" by Carole King is about a woman's concern for a man named Haywood who seems to be involved in drugs and dangerous activities. She urges him to stop and reminds him of the consequences of his actions, using the examples of John John and Valerie. This is a heartfelt ballad that is both empathetic and cautionary.
At the beginning of the song, the woman asks Haywood where he has been and implies that he has been on the street getting involved with drugs once again. She reminds him that the lifestyle is dangerous and that he needs to be careful of the people he associates with. She uses the example of John John who died as a result of his involvement with drugs. She promises to stand by his side and tries to protect him from the evil in the neighborhood.
As the song continues, the woman also reminds Haywood of his girlfriend Valerie, who has always been good to him. She urges him to remember the life he planned and how it can still come true if he stays away from the dangerous lifestyle. Despite the difficulties of leaving his current situation, she reminds him that it's not too late to change his life.
Overall, "Haywood" is a poignant song that addresses the struggles of addiction and the importance of positive support from loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Haywood, where have you been, tell me now
The singer wants to know where Haywood has been and is eager to hear his answer.
Haywood, you been on the street again, I know, I know
The singer is certain that Haywood has been hanging around in the streets again.
Haywood, that man's not your friend
The singer warns Haywood that the man he's been hanging around with is not his true friend.
Haven't you had enough of the stuff
The artist is asking Haywood if he's had enough of the harmful substance he's been consuming.
Oh, you know it's got to do you in
The artist realizes that Haywood knows that the harmful substance he's been consuming will lead to his early death.
Remember John John
The singer asks Haywood to remember John John, someone who Haywood may have known.
How mama stayed awake all night
The singer reminds Haywood of how John John's mother stayed awake all night when John was in trouble.
The night they brought him in
The artist is talking about the night when John John got into trouble and was brought in by someone.
She cried and said she always knew he was up to no good
John John's mother cried and said that she always knew that John was not doing anything good.
It broke her heart the night he died
John John's mother was heartbroken when John passed away that night.
And she made me promise I'd stand by your side
John John's mother asked the singer to promise her that he will be by Haywood's side.
And try to protect you from the evil in the neighborhood
The artist will try to protect Haywood from the negative influences in their neighborhood as promised to John John's mother.
Haywood, hangin' out with your so-called friends
The singer believes that Haywood is hanging out with people who are not really his friends.
What makes you think that you'll be the one to put it down
The singer is questioning Haywood's ability to overcome the harmful substance he's been consuming.
Use your ears, use your eyes, just look around
The singer advises Haywood to be aware of his surroundings and observe what's going on.
Everyone's dying, everyone's going down
The artist warns Haywood that everyone who continues to consume the harmful substance will face the same fate.
Just think of Valerie
The artist reminds Haywood of someone named Valerie who has always been good to him.
She's always been so good to you and you've never let her down
Valerie has always supported Haywood and he has never disappointed her.
What about the life you planned
The singer encourages Haywood to think about the life that he had planned for himself in the past.
It can still come true, it's all up to you
The artist believes that Haywood can still achieve the life he planned for himself if he tries hard enough.
I know it's hard to shake it
The artist acknowledges that it is difficult to break away from the harmful substance that Haywood has been consuming.
But you got to be a man and take it
The artist believes that Haywood needs to be brave and face the challenge of staying away from the harmful substance.
I know this is no way to make it
The singer acknowledges that it is difficult to overcome addiction and Haywood needs support to achieve that.
It's not too late for you
The artist wants Haywood to know that it's not too late for him to change his ways and start anew.
Listen to me, Haywood
The singer is urging Haywood to listen to what he's saying and make the right choices.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind