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)
Song of Long Ago
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for somewhere else to go
Here is a lamp I've left unlighted
Aren't you someone I should know?
Memory's flame is soon ignited
Lighting my lamp with amber glow
Quietly friends are reunited
Cry, cry for someone
Who just can't be happy
And be glad you can feel enough to cry
Younger than always, time descended
Bringing me brand new seeds to sow
Now that they've been a long time planted
What must I do to help them grow?
If it had been as I intended
I wouldn't have the peace I know
Loving the people I've befriended
Singin' a song of long ago, la la la...
As it began, so I will end it
Singing a song of long ago
Loving the people I've befriended
And singin' a song of long, long, long ago
Carole King's Song of Long Ago is a song about the passage of time and the importance of memories, friendship, and personal growth. The lyrics began with a whispering wind that symbolizes change and the unpredictability of life. The singer feels a sense of familiarity and connection with the wind, as if it were someone they should know. The amber glow of the lamp is a metaphor for memories, which can be rekindled and bring people together in a song of long ago.
The chorus talks about the importance of feeling and expressing emotions, even if it means crying for someone who can't be happy. The second verse reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The singer acknowledges the new seeds they've planted in life and wants to know how to make them grow, suggesting a desire for personal growth and fulfillment. They also acknowledge the peace they have from loving the people they've befriended.
The final verse brings the song full circle, as the singer plans to end the song as it began, singing a song of long ago. The recurring themes of memories, friendship, and personal growth tie the verses together, making the song a reflection on the journey of life and the importance of cherishing the memories and people along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Whispering wind came uninvited
The wind arrives suddenly without being called.
Looking for somewhere else to go
The wind is searching for a new destination to visit.
Here is a lamp I've left unlighted
A lamp that hasn't been turned on yet is shown.
Aren't you someone I should know?
The artist wonders if the wind is someone they recognize.
Memory's flame is soon ignited
A memory is sparked and revived.
Lighting my lamp with amber glow
The memory instills warmth and light like an amber flame.
Quietly friends are reunited
The singer feels like they have reunited with old friends.
Singing a song of long ago, la la la...
The artist expresses their happiness by singing an old song of the past.
Cry, cry for someone
The artist expresses sympathy towards someone who can't seem to find happiness.
Who just can't be happy
The person in question is unable to feel happy or content.
And be glad you can feel enough to cry
The singer encourages others to appreciate their ability to feel emotions, including sadness.
Younger than always, time descended
Time passes by as quickly as one's youth.
Bringing me brand new seeds to sow
New opportunities are presented to the singer.
Now that they've been a long time planted
The opportunities have been in existence for a long time.
What must I do to help them grow?
The singer questions how they can take advantage of these opportunities.
If it had been as I intended
If things had gone according to the artist's original plan,
I wouldn't have the peace I know
They would not have attained the peace they have now found.
Loving the people I've befriended
The singer deeply cares for the people they have made friends with.
Singin' a song of long ago, la la la...
The singer celebrates their happiness with a song from the past.
As it began, so I will end it
The artist will end just as they began.
Singing a song of long ago
The artist ends by singing once again about the past.
Loving the people I've befriended
The artist expresses once again their appreciation for their friends.
And singin' a song of long, long, long ago
The singer ends with a final celebration of the past through song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tiffsaver
Carole King's music never gets old...
Raffaella
It's the first time I've heard this song: what a little jewel! 💖
1tishhead
My first concert was Carole King, 1976 at UCLA. She made an unusual entrance, walking out from the wings unannounced before the house lights came down, sat at the piano and just started playing this song.
It remains high on my list of CK favorites.
Cheryl Libbea
Love you Carole and the great memories I have with you on tour with Lou and going horsebackriding!
globalboy65
Talented and beautifull woman.
Balkingpoints
The voice was all still there in her 60's. Carole doing this song solo live, you can struggle to add in the James Taylor backing vocals...
Julie Watt Faqir
How is it that I have never heard this song before? WOW
gelu batir
WONDERFUL, AMAZING, HEAVENLY GIFT, THANK YOU, MY LADY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH...gelu batir, romania, febr, 2021
Regina_Music
😘💕
Martin gardner
tour in 05 promoted the Living room tour CD.