1) The City cons… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with the name "The City"
1) The City consisted of Carole King on piano/vocals, Danny Kortchmar on guitar/vocals, Charles Larkey on bass and Jim Gordon on drums. With her marriage on the rocks and looking for a fresh start, Carole King moved to Los Angeles in 1967. More specifically, Laurel Canyon, where she fell in with the nascent singer/songwriter crowd. She and bassist/boyfriend Charles Larkey (formerly of the Myddle Class, a band she and then-husband Gerry Goffin had signed to their record label) soon formed a band, adding old friend from NYC, guitarist Danny Kortchmar. The trio spent time at King's house working on a batch of songs she had written with Goffin (some previously released by other acts, some not), plus some co-written by another member of Myddle Class, Don Palmer, and fellow Brill Building refugee Toni Stern. Thanks to their industry connections it wasn't long before they had a record deal. Adding drummer Jim Gordon and naming themselves the City, they hit the studio with Lou Adler producing. The outcome of the sessions was the thoroughly charming Now That Everything's Been Said LP.
Released in 1968 on Ode Records, the album had one foot in the kind of radio pop bands like the Monkees and the Mamas & the Papas were cranking out and another in the earthy, homegrown realm of singer/songwriters like Joni Mitchell and, a few years later, King herself. The songs are unsurprisingly strong, a fact borne out by how many of them were picked up by other groups (American Spring covered the title track, the Monkees did "Man Without a Dream," Blood, Sweat & Tears had a hit with "Hi-De-Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)," and the Byrds' version of "Wasn’t Born to Follow" memorably appeared on the Easy Rider soundtrack.) The group is obviously a very talented batch of musicians, while Larkey's melodic basslines provide a beating heart to many of the songs, and Kortchmar shades things in around the edges with subtle fills. King's piano playing isn't as up front as on her solo work, which isn't surprising since this was truly a band effort. Her wonderfully honest and crookedly real-sounding vocals are the star of the album, though. She's never been accused of being a great singer, but she's a hell of a vocalist, able to break a heart without trying very hard at all. Songs like "Wasn't Born to Follow" or the truly lovely chamber pop ballad "Snow Queen" certainly don't suffer from having a less-than-spectacular vocalist out front -- King is able to wrench all the emotions she can out of them with her expressive amateurism. Her duets with Kortchmar on a couple tracks are nice enough, too, that you wonder why they didn't do it more often. The strength of the songs plus the care and thought that went into the music make the album a stirring success. While King went on to hit far greater heights commercially, and Tapestry is an unqualified stroke of genius, she rarely made an album as strong from beginning to end as Now That Everything's Been Said.
2) A Norwegian pop duo, from Kristiansand. Changed name to Oakland Rain in 2014.
3) A Chrysalis Records house band from the mid-80s, including Billy Trudel, Peter McIan, Stuart Mathis (later in The Wallflowers), Jerry Speiser (formerly of Men At Work), and Wade Biery. They released one album, "Foundation", in 1986.
Snow Queen
The City Lyrics
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From her throne she looks down at the clowns
Who think youth can be found in a fountain
High on the wings of her rhythm
She will smile at the guys who come on with their eyes
But she'll never dance with them.
And in smoke filled rooms of electric sound
A legend is built around the snow queen
But with her you will soon bite the dust
And discover you're just a beginner
You may not think you're a loser, but in midair
You'll be hung while you trip on your tongue
And it'll only amuse her
In the morning haze you are frozen there
Caught in the icy stare of the snow queen
No my friend, she doesn't want what you're selling
Go my friend, there must be a place you can hide
And into the night you'll fade, knowing
You lost the game and just how she got
Her name the snow queen
The song "Snow Queen" by The City introduces us to a character who is perched high on a snow-covered mountain, named the 'Snow Queen'. From her throne, she looks down upon the people who are constantly searching for youth thinking that it can be found in a fountain. She sits high up on the wings of her rhythm, smiling at the guys who come on to her but never dancing with them. Legends are built around her in smoke-filled rooms of electric sound. The lyrics suggest that although one may believe they are a winner, they will soon discover they are just a beginner when it comes to the Snow Queen. One may not think they are a loser, but they will still be hung while tripping on their tongue and it'll only amuse her.
The Snow Queen is depicted as a character who is unattainable and unreachable, someone who imposes their power without even trying. The lyrics suggest that anyone who tries to get close to her will lose the game and discover the hard way how she got her name. In the freezing morning haze, one can see how they've frozen there, caught in the icy stare of the Snow Queen. And so the song becomes a subtle warning that if we chase things that we know we cannot possess, it will only lead to our downfall.
Line by Line Meaning
High on a snow covered mountain
The Snow Queen sits on a throne at the top of a mountain covered in snow.
From her throne she looks down at the clowns
She looks down at those who foolishly pursue youth and beauty, appearing like clowns to her.
Who think youth can be found in a fountain
These people believe that youth and beauty are eternal, like a magical fountain, but are mistaken.
High on the wings of her rhythm
The Queen enjoys the beat of her own drum and lives according to her own standards.
She will smile at the guys who come on with their eyes
She will receive attention from men who come on to her with their eyes, but will not let them think they have any power over her.
But she'll never dance with them.
She has no desire to engage romantically with these men.
And in smoke filled rooms of electric sound
The Snow Queen is often found in places where there are smoke and loud electronic music.
A legend is built around the snow queen
People see her as a mysterious and alluring figure, enshrined in myth and rumor.
You may believe you're a winner
Those who come to her may think they have won her over or gotten the best of her trappings.
But with her you will soon bite the dust
However, they will be proven wrong and come to ruin with her.
And discover you're just a beginner
They will realize they have only just started their exposure to what she holds.
You may not think you're a loser, but in midair
They may not believe they are exposed or vulnerable, but they will be caught off guard.
You'll be hung while you trip on your tongue
The Queen will enjoy catching them in their mistake and making fun of them.
And it'll only amuse her
She finds great enjoyment in exposing the shortcomings of others.
In the morning haze you are frozen there
Those who misjudge her will find themselves in a state of shock and immobility.
Caught in the icy stare of the snow queen
They are entrapped by her gaze, which is cold and merciless.
No my friend, she doesn't want what you're selling
The Queen has no interest in what any of these people have to offer, and will only bring the worst out in them.
Go my friend, there must be a place you can hide
The Queen gives no protection or sympathy, and only serves to scare people away.
And into the night you'll fade, knowing
Those who flee from her will escape only by the cover of darkness, understanding the pain and suffering that could have been their fate.
You lost the game and just how she got her name the snow queen
They will realize that she is a commanding and powerful figure, the Snow Queen herself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jimvandemoter6961
I remember this version, I was a sophomore in high school, it blew me away at the time and I still love it.
@alanpotter2183
One of my favorite all time songs. I think this is the very first version I heard long ago. Thank you for finding it!
@globalboy65
Carole explora sus raíces jazzísticas con immejorables resultados
@ahsir8
I loved the song since the 60s and could not find it until today , 2020! So surprised it was Carole King!!!! Now I am at peace.
@juliagetty-gordon2500
Jazzy, and beautiful harmonies
@trfesok
Remade by Carole herself in 1980 on "Pearls". Also covered by the Tokens in 1970 and the Association in 1972. I put all 4 versions in my Association playlist. Thanks for the upload!
@oldsurferdude1
Reminds me of the early days of FM progressive radio which were so damn good. Killer song.
@hip-hoprapstorage4440
Would you like to give me some tracks from this style you described ? I really enjoyed it, the whole album too
@oldbeatpete
it was called ' FM Radio ' - B sides, flip sides, undiscovered & under appreciated... Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, later Jackson Browne... stuf
@globalboy65
LOVE VOCAL ARMONIES ON CAROL'S SONGS.