Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American … Read Full Bio ↴Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has been active since 1958, initially as one of the staff songwriters at 1650 Broadway and later as a solo artist. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential musicians of all time, King is the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century in the US, having written or co-written 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. King also wrote 61 hits that charted in the UK, making her the most successful female songwriter on the UK singles charts between 1962 and 2005.

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)

Main Street Saturday Night
Carole King Lyrics

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See them drivin' by look at them fancy wheels
Headlights winkin' checkin' each other out
The Great American Pastime is still the automobile
Cruisin' on the white line
Is the only way to make time

Down on Main Street Saturday night
Everybody thinks they're so cool

On Main Street
Saturday night
Don't you mess with him (her),
Daddy, he's (she's) nobody's fool

Look at the blonde haired beauties, givin' it all they got
Maybe if you hit on one, you might luck out
Some of them are foxy some of them are not
But all of them will get down
If the right thing comes around

Here comes Little Willie, higher than a kite
He's been doin' some heavy duty hangin' out
If Willie's got a line on some of the best, it's got to be
Dynamite

You know you can trust him
If the Law don't bust him

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Carole King's song "Main Street Saturday Night" depict a scene of a vibrant and lively Saturday night on Main Street. The song highlights the significance of automobiles as a symbol of the American lifestyle and the pursuit of freedom. The opening lines emphasize the fascination people have with fancy cars, as they cruise past each other, checking out the competition and displaying a sense of confidence and coolness. The song suggests that the act of driving on the open road, represented by the white line, is a way to escape and pass the time.

The chorus focuses on the atmosphere of Main Street on a Saturday night, where everyone believes they are the epitome of cool. It warns against underestimating someone, as they may be smarter or more cunning than they appear. This could be in reference to a specific individual or the collective spirit of the people on Main Street. The lyrics describe a parade of attractive women, some more alluring than others, but all willing to have a good time if the right opportunity presents itself. Additionally, the song introduces "Little Willie," a character known for getting into trouble and constantly seeking thrilling experiences. His reputation suggests that he knows where to find the best connections or deals, although it also implies a certain level of risk.

"Main Street Saturday Night" captures the atmosphere and characters that one might encounter in a small town, where Main Street serves as the social hub for the community. The lyrics celebrate the intertwining nature of nightlife, cars, and the pursuit of excitement, while also emphasizing the importance of being cautious and aware of the underlying dynamics at play.

Line by Line Meaning

See them drivin' by look at them fancy wheels
Observe the cars passing by, admire their luxurious appearance

Headlights winkin' checkin' each other out
The cars' headlights flashing as they acknowledge each other and assess their competition

The Great American Pastime is still the automobile
Driving and cruising in cars remains a beloved activity in American culture

Cruisin' on the white line
Driving steadily along the road's center divider

Is the only way to make time
It's the most effective method for passing the time while driving

Down on Main Street Saturday night
On Saturday nights, Main Street becomes a bustling hub of activity

Everybody thinks they're so cool
People believe they exude a sense of confidence and style

On Main Street
Specifically on Main Street

Saturday night
During Saturday nights

Don't you mess with him (her), Daddy, he's (she's) nobody's fool
Don't underestimate or challenge that person, as they are intelligent and won't be fooled easily

Look at the blonde haired beauties, givin' it all they got
Observe the attractive individuals with blonde hair, putting in their maximum effort

Maybe if you hit on one, you might luck out
Perhaps if you attempt to flirt with one of them, you may have good fortune

Some of them are foxy some of them are not
Some of them are attractive while others are not as appealing

But all of them will get down
However, all of them are willing to engage in certain activities

If the right thing comes around
If the opportunity or proposition is suitable

Here comes Little Willie, higher than a kite
Little Willie is approaching, under the influence of drugs and feeling euphoric

He's been doin' some heavy duty hangin' out
He has spent a significant amount of time socializing and indulging in recreational activities

If Willie's got a line on some of the best, it's got to be Dynamite
If Willie knows about a source for excellent substances, it must be outstanding

You know you can trust him
He is reliable and can be relied upon

If the Law don't bust him
Unless the authorities apprehend and arrest him

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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