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)
Seeing Red
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's been without a home
Once he lived on an open plain where wildlife grazed
And buffalo used to roam
Red was the sunrise on the dawn of his creation
Now where is the road that will lead him to his destination
It took so little time to destroy a way of life
They served his people well
Gifts that they gave in all good faith
Have been misused and shot to hell
You who want wisdom, turn and face the four directions
For only those with one heart, fall under their protection
In the future of my days ahead
I want to see it right
We got to make it right
In Carole King's song "Seeing Red," the singer reflects on the history of Native Americans and their displacement from their land. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has lost his home and way of life due to the destruction caused by colonizers. The song's opening lines state, "since a time before my memory, he's been without a home," highlighting the deep history of displacement and loss experienced by indigenous peoples. King goes on to describe the man's previous way of life, living on an open plain where wildlife roamed free.
The chorus of the song is particularly striking, as King sings, "you who want wisdom, turn and face the four directions, for only those with one heart fall under their protection." This is a reference to the ancient Native American practice of facing the cardinal directions - north, south, east and west - to find guidance and a deeper connection with the earth. The Four Directions are often viewed as guardians, and King suggests that only those with a strong connection to the earth can be truly protected.
The lyrics also touch on the destructive impact of colonization on indigenous cultures. King sings, "it took so little time to destroy a way of life, they served his people well, gifts that they gave in all good faith have been misused and shot to hell." This refers to the devastating impact that colonization had on Native American communities, who were forced to give up their land, resources, and way of life to the newcomers.
Overall, "Seeing Red" is a powerful reflection on the history of Native Americans and the continuing struggles they face today. King's lyrics express empathy for those who have lost their homes and culture, while also calling for a more just future.
Line by Line Meaning
Since a time before my memory
From the farthest memories I can recall, he has been without a permanent dwelling place.
He's been without a home
He has no specific place to call home.
Once he lived on an open plain where wildlife grazed
He used to reside in a plain where animals roamed freely.
And buffalo used to roam
The landscape was home to wild buffalo, but they have now disappeared.
Red was the sunrise on the dawn of his creation
When he came into existence, the dawn had a reddish hue.
Now where is the road that will lead him to his destination
He lacks direction towards his destination.
It took so little time to destroy a way of life
In just a short time, an entire way of life was destroyed.
They served his people well
His ancestors were well-served by gifts from nature.
Gifts that they gave in all good faith
The gifts were given by nature in pure generosity.
Have been misused and shot to hell
Over time, people have misused, wasted and depleted these gifts.
You who want wisdom, turn and face the four directions
To gain wisdom, turn to each of the four compass points.
For only those with one heart, fall under their protection
Only individuals with pure intentions are under their protection.
In the future of my days ahead
As I look to the future.
I want to see it right
I wish to see a brighter future, where things have turned out well.
We got to make it right
We have to correct the wrongs of the past to have a better future.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind