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)
Sacred Heart Of Stone
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even the sword of love cannot penetrate you
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
I used to love you
Now I think I hate you
When I was younger I believed your lies
Your shield and armor that would not compromise
Whoever thought it would come to this
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
Maybe if I saw you shed a tear
The feeling of love might re-appear
You're all alone now
You've got nothing to fear
It'll be your own doin'
To survive in the ruin
I think its time for me to turn away
You invented the world we're living in today
When you inherit the earth and all its gold
It's not my hand you will get to hold
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
Even the sword of love cannot penetrate you
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
I used to love you
Now I think I hate you
Sacred heart of stone
The lyrics to Carole King's song "Sacred Heart Of Stone" convey a sense of disappointment, disillusionment and betrayal. The song is written from the perspective of someone who has been in love with the subject of the song, the "sacred heart of stone," but has come to a point where they can no longer stand the emotional distance and lack of vulnerability. The singer addresses the subject directly, stating that even the sword of love cannot penetrate their defensive walls.
The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, establishing the idea of the subject being impenetrable and inaccessible. The line "even the sword of love cannot penetrate you" is a powerful one, highlighting the emotional barriers that the subject has put up. The second verse reflects on the singer's history with the subject, pointing out that they used to believe the subject's lies and armor, but have come to see through them. The reference to winning a war with a ghostly kiss suggests that the subject is manipulative and cunning, and that their tactics are ultimately empty.
The final verses of the song indicate a desire for the singer to move on from the relationship, even though they still feel a sense of attachment. The idea that seeing the subject shed a tear might rekindle feelings speaks to the emotional complexity of the situation, and the sense that the singer is struggling to let go. The final lines are a note of finality, suggesting that the singer has recognized that they cannot let the subject continue to control their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sacred heart, sacred heart of stone
The person is addressing someone with a heart that seems impenetrable and unresponsive.
Even the sword of love cannot penetrate you
The person acknowledges that their attempts to love and connect with this individual have failed.
I used to love you
Now I think I hate you
The person feels a sense of betrayal and has grown to resent the person they used to love.
When I was younger I believed your lies
The person reflects on their past and acknowledges that they were once deceived by this individual.
Your shield and armor that would not compromise
The person is describing the defensive and unyielding nature of the individual's heart.
You won your war with a ghostly kiss
Whoever thought it would come to this
The person recognizes that the individual won them over with insincere affection and they are now regretful of their choices.
Maybe if I saw you shed a tear
The feeling of love might re-appear
The person is open to forgiveness and reconciliation, but only if they see genuine emotion from the individual.
You're all alone now
You've got nothing to fear
It'll be your own doin'
To survive in the ruin
The person is conveying that the individual's defensiveness has left them alone and facing the consequences of their actions.
I think its time for me to turn away
You invented the world we're living in today
The person recognizes that the individual's actions have had a significant impact on their life but has decided to move on.
When you inherit the earth and all its gold
It's not my hand you will get to hold
The person is saying that the individual's success will not lead to their reconciliation or forgiveness.
Sacred heart of stone
The repeated refrain emphasizes the impenetrable nature of this individual's heart and describes the source of the person's frustration and heartache.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind