What can I say?
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 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.
Until next time!