What should I write?
What can I say?
What can I say?
Those are the opening lyrics of Carole King’s first hit as a singer/songwriter. Born and raised in Manhattan, she was surrounded by musicians. Her mother taught her piano and music theory starting at the very young age of four. She sang demos with Paul Simon. She dated Neil Sedaka in high school. With her songwriting partner and, later, husband, Gerry Goffin, she wrote some of the biggest hits of the late 1950s through the 1960s, until their divorce in 1968. Among their hits: “Chains” (Everly Brothers and The Beatles), “Loco-Motion” (Little Eva), “One Fine Day” (The Chiffons), “Up on the Roof” (The Drifters), “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (The Monkees), and “You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman” (Aretha Franklin) to name only a very, very few.
But then Carole started writing with other people and recording more and more of her songs herself. Her distinctive voice was a part of the tapestry of my young life. I remember seeing her singing and playing the piano. She was a huge influence on my life.
Her first solo recording, “It Might as Well Rain until September,” was not intended to be a record. It was written in 1962 for the singer Bobby Vee. (You might remember Bobby Vee from my blog on “The Day the Music Died.” He was the singer who filled in for the newly deceased Buddy Holly the night after the deaths of Holly, Richie Valensand the Big Bopper.) King and Goffin had already written the immensely popular “Take Good Care of my Baby” for Vee. But he was not thrilled with the demo for “It Might as Well Rain until September.” He agreed to record it but would not release it as a single.
However, producer Don Kirshner liked what he heard in the demo and released it as a single. Carole was a young mother with two kids, a successful career as a songwriter, and no interest in touring to promote the single. She did appear on American Bandstand where she gave a lack-luster performance lip-syncing her song. (Everybody lip-synced on Bandstand.) She just was not comfortable standing there and singing. She needed her piano, I guess.
She went on to write so many great songs. But this is where her story as a singer/songwriter started:
But then Carole started writing with other people and recording more and more of her songs herself. Her distinctive voice was a part of the tapestry of my young life. I remember seeing her singing and playing the piano. She was a huge influence on my life.
Her first solo recording, “It Might as Well Rain until September,” was not intended to be a record. It was written in 1962 for the singer Bobby Vee. (You might remember Bobby Vee from my blog on “The Day the Music Died.” He was the singer who filled in for the newly deceased Buddy Holly the night after the deaths of Holly, Richie Valensand the Big Bopper.) King and Goffin had already written the immensely popular “Take Good Care of my Baby” for Vee. But he was not thrilled with the demo for “It Might as Well Rain until September.” He agreed to record it but would not release it as a single.
However, producer Don Kirshner liked what he heard in the demo and released it as a single. Carole was a young mother with two kids, a successful career as a songwriter, and no interest in touring to promote the single. She did appear on American Bandstand where she gave a lack-luster performance lip-syncing her song. (Everybody lip-synced on Bandstand.) She just was not comfortable standing there and singing. She needed her piano, I guess.
She went on to write so many great songs. But this is where her story as a singer/songwriter started:
What should I write?
What can I say?
How can I tell you how much I miss you?
The weather here has been as nice as it can be
Although it doesn't really matter much to me
For all the fun I'll have while you're so far away
It might as well rain until September
I don't need sunny skies for things I have to do
'Cause I stay home the whole day long and think of you
As far as I'm concerned each day's a rainy day
So it might as well rain until September
My friends look forward to their picnics on the beach
Yes, everybody loves the summertime
But you know, darling, while your arms are out of reach
The summer isn't any friend of mine
It doesn't matter whether skies are grey or blue
It's raining in my heart 'cause I can't be with you
I'm only living for the day you're home to stay
So it might as well rain until September
(September, September)
Oh, it might as well rain until September.
What can I say?
How can I tell you how much I miss you?
The weather here has been as nice as it can be
Although it doesn't really matter much to me
For all the fun I'll have while you're so far away
It might as well rain until September
I don't need sunny skies for things I have to do
'Cause I stay home the whole day long and think of you
As far as I'm concerned each day's a rainy day
So it might as well rain until September
My friends look forward to their picnics on the beach
Yes, everybody loves the summertime
But you know, darling, while your arms are out of reach
The summer isn't any friend of mine
It doesn't matter whether skies are grey or blue
It's raining in my heart 'cause I can't be with you
I'm only living for the day you're home to stay
So it might as well rain until September
(September, September)
Oh, it might as well rain until September.
What is your favorite Carole King song? Do you have any stories about her or any of the other singers I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll be playing some more songs by Carole King on my Minnich Music Facebook page, so check them out.
Until next time!
Until next time!
RSS Feed