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)
Its Going To Take Some
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get myself in shape.
I really fell out of line this time,
I really missed the gate.
The birds on the telephone like, (next time)
Are cryin' out to me, (next time)
And I won't be so blind next time,
And I'll find some harmony.
But it's going to take some time this time,
And I can't make demands.
But, like the young trees in the winter time,
I'll learn how to bend.
After all the tears we've spent,
How could we make amends?
So, it's one more round for experience
And I'm on the road again,
And it's going to take some time this time!
But it's going to take some time this time,
No matter what I've planned.
And, like the young trees in the winter time,
I'll learn how to bend.
After all the tears we've spent,
How could we make amends?
So, it's one more round for experience
And I'm on the road again,
And it's going to take some time this time!
In Carole King's "It's Going to Take Some Time," the singer acknowledges that she has made mistakes and fallen out of line but is determined to get herself back on track. However, she understands that it's not going to be easy and will take some time. She compares herself to the young trees in the winter time that must bend and learn how to survive the harsh conditions. The birds on the telephone wire seem to be mocking her with their next time cries, but she refuses to be blind next time and promises to find some harmony.
The song deals with the theme of starting over and learning from past experiences. The singer acknowledges that she and the person she is singing to have gone through a lot of tears and hardships, but she is willing to try and make amends. The song's refrain, "It's going to take some time this time," reinforces the idea that healing and growth are not instantaneous, and one must be patient and persistent to achieve them.
King's voice conveys a sense of determination and hopefulness even though she admits that it's going to take time to get back on track. She delivers the lyrics with a sense of vulnerability and honesty that draws the listener in and makes them root for her.
Line by Line Meaning
It's gonna take some time this time
It will not be quick or easy this time around
To get myself in shape.
To get back on track and feel good again
I really fell out of line this time,
I made some bad choices and didn't live up to my own standards
I really missed the gate.
I took a wrong turn and lost my way
The birds on the telephone like, (next time)
The birds singing outside remind me that there will be another chance
Are cryin' out to me, (next time)
They are encouraging me to keep going and do better next time
And I won't be so blind next time,
I will be more aware and insightful in the future
And I'll find some harmony.
I will seek balance and peace in my life
But it's going to take some time this time,
It will require patience and effort to make progress
And I can't make demands.
I cannot expect immediate results or control everything
But, like the young trees in the winter time,
Just as young trees flex and adapt in cold weather, I can be resilient in difficult times
I'll learn how to bend.
I will be flexible and adjust to challenges
After all the tears we've spent,
After all the emotional energy we've exhausted
How could we make amends?
How can we repair the damage that has been done?
So, it's one more round for experience
This is another opportunity to learn and grow
And I'm on the road again,
I'm back in motion, moving forward
And it's going to take some time this time!
It's not going to be easy, but I'm determined to make progress
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, TONI STERN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Franklin Margaret
I love learning new things. I, of course, love The Carpenters version of this song. Didn't know or didn't remember that Carole King wrote it until a while back. Karen's awesomely smooth vocals, Richard's great arrangement, made their version uniquely their own. Well, Carole has done the same thing. It's as if she is sitting at her home piano and singing to relax and chill after a long day. Both verions warrant a listen---- once or more times!!!!
Jill Klausen
I just love this song so much, I had to listen to it twice.
Invisible Sun
Loved the Carpenters' version of this. Didn't even discover this version till some 20 years later after hearing Karen's voice. Their version has a very nice, easygoing and carefree feel to it, which reflects the 70's perfectly. But there's something about Carole's plaintive vocal that just stays with you long after the song fades. I concede this version to be the slightly better of the two. Or better yet if I say it's No.1 then the Carpenters' version is 1a.
Pulds Pulds
@James Peyton
Only because I'm a fanatic king fan I spent a day researching this. I know all her interviews back then because they rarely happened. King never talked about other people who covered her music.she did quip once "some I enjoy some not so much " .
So eventually asking people who reference non quote ....no one could site an actual article. Book.etc.
After digging for a long time I found the source on of all places "my space" from a carpenter fan.lol
So if you listen to king in interviews etc she hates to talk music and prefers to talk about politics or the environment.
James Peyton
@Pulds Pulds It is in a book that Richard Carpenter recently put out or endorsed. Carpenter also said the song was weak and he shouldn't have chosen it as a single. I think he pretty much ruined it with his over-production and rather flippant interpretation of the song.
Pulds Pulds
@Ral Ba
Fyi....king never said that.
It's a false rumor.
Kings version is sophisticated and from the source...carpenters' way over produced.
Ral Ba
I really like this version, but even Carole King reportedly said that the Carpenter's version made hers sound like a demo. I agree. If this was the only version of this song, it would be a perfectly fine song, and it is, but there is the Carpenter's version and they take it to another level...
Beth Heinecamp
I had no idea that Carole composed this song. I absolutely love the Carpenters' version. I didn't like Carole's as much. But the more I listened to this, it just really grew on me. I love Carole's soulful and as you say, plaintive quality. It's beautifully heart felt and uncomplicated.
lisa grant
This woman’s talent is timeless
Audrey Sims
Yet again, singing this, makes me want to reach out and connect with another beautiful friend I would just love to be able to hug right now! We bonded with this music so much❣️ She let me take her entire songbook of Tapestry home for almost a whole semester in high school to just play and play and soak in. It was gorgeous and just so relatable to everything we felt. ❤️