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)
One Small Voice
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No clothes? That can't be he's the Emperor
Take that child away
Don't let the people hear the words he has to say
One small voice
Speaking out in honesty
Silenced, but not for long
Speaking with the values we were taught as children
So you walk away and say, Isn't he divine?
Don't those clothes look fine on the Emperor?
And as you take your leave, you wonder why you're feeling
So I'll-at-ease don't you know?
Lies take your soul
You can't hide from yourself
Lies take their toll on you
And everyone else
One small voice speaking out in honesty
Silenced, but not for long
One small voice speaking with the values we were taught as children
Tell the truth
You can change the world
But you'd better be strong
The Emperor's got no clothes on, no clothes
He doesn't want to know what goes on, though everyone knows
The Emperor's got no clothes on
The Emperor's got no clothes on
One small voice can change the world
But you'd better be strong
In the song One Small Voice, the lyrics are centered around the theme of speaking up honestly, even when it seems like you are the only one with a differing opinion. The song's title, One Small Voice, is a representation of how one person can make a difference in the world with their voice. It describes a scenario where an Emperor is walking around with no clothes but no one speaks up because they fear speaking the truth. The child is the only one who speaks up honestly and is silenced for it. The song emphasizes the importance of speaking out for what you believe in, no matter how small your voice may seem.
The lyrics of One Small Voice are a call to action for those who hear them. It is asking people to be strong and tell the truth since lies can take a toll not only on themselves but also on everyone else. The message is clear that one person can make a difference in the world and change it for the better, but they must speak out consistently with honesty and integrity. The song's simplicity and melody make it appealing to everyone, and it has become an anthem for many social movements as it encourages people to stand up for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
The Emperor's got no clothes on
The supposed leader has exposed their true nature and intentions.
No clothes? That can't be he's the Emperor
The people are blinded by their belief in the authority figure and refuse to see the truth.
Take that child away
Suppress and silence voices of dissent to maintain the illusion of power.
Don't let the people hear the words he has to say
The truth is perceived as a threat to the status quo and must be kept hidden.
One small voice
An individual's honest perspective can ignite change and work towards a greater good.
Speaking out in honesty
Sharing the truth without fear of consequences and standing up for what is right.
Silenced, but not for long
Oppression may temporarily eradicate voices of dissent, but the truth will eventually resurface.
Speaking with the values we were taught as children
Upholding the moral values instilled in a person since childhood and refusing to stray from them.
So you walk away and say, Isn't he divine?
People blindly admire authority figures without considering their true intentions or actions.
Don't those clothes look fine on the Emperor?
Superficial appearances are more important to people than the truth itself.
And as you take your leave, you wonder why you're feeling So I'll-at-ease don't you know?
Denial and avoidance of reality may ease one's conscience temporarily, but have long-lasting consequences.
Lies take your soul
Deception corrupts one's morality and sense of self.
You can't hide from yourself
One must face their own truth and act accordingly to break free from deception.
Lies take their toll on you
Deception has consequences beyond the individual and can harm others.
And everyone else
The effects of deception spread and affect the community as a whole.
Tell the truth
Bringing forth honesty and transparency is the only way to create a just and equitable society.
You can change the world
One person's actions and honesty can have a transformative impact on the world.
But you'd better be strong
Upholding and promoting the truth may face resistance and adversity, and one must remain resilient to continue.
He doesn't want to know what goes on, though everyone knows
The ones in power are aware of their own flaws but choose to ignore them and suppress dissent.
One small voice can change the world
The power of one honest voice can have a transformative impact on the world.
But you'd better be strong
To remain steadfast in truth and face the challenges that come with it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind