Ode 77013
Producer: Lou Adler
Track listing: Brother, Brother / It’s Going to Take Some Time / Sweet Seasons / Some Kind of Wonderful / Surely / Carry Your Load / Music / Song of Long Ago / Brighter / Growing Away from Me / To Much Rain / Back to California
January 1, 1972
3 weeks
Following the tremendous and surprising success of Tapestry, Carole King returned to the A&M studios in August and September of 1971 with many of the same musicians and Lou Adler once again producing. “I didn’t feel any pressure,” says King. “Other people around me felt some pressure. The people who made all the money off selling Tapestry, but I didn’t feel pressure to repeat the success. I was surprised by it in the first place.”
For King, the making of Music wasn’t much different than her previous recordings. “I’ve always done the same thing,” she says. “Written a song, put it on demo, record, or tape, and then gone on to do whatever was up next. To me if it was successful, it was kind of a miracle. I just do what I do without worrying if it is going to be commercial.”
For Music, King once again wrote with Toni Stern, co-author of Tapestry‘s Number One hit “It’s Too Late.” Stern and King collaborated on “It’s Going to Take Some Time,” “Sweet Seasons,” and “Too Much Rain.” “Some Kind of Wonderful” was a Goffin-King oldie that was a R&B hit in 1961 for the Drifters. The remaining eight tracks were King solo compositions.
Musically, King and Adler took a more jazz-oriented approach on Music, with a full horn section replacing the single horns that were featured on some tracks on Tapestry. James Taylor was once again featured, playing guitar on “Too Much Rain,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and “Song of Long Ago.” On the latter track, he also contributed backing vocals.
King was also beginning to become more involved in politics. Although none of the songs are overtly political, she used the liner notes to send a message — “use the power, register and vote” — to the millions of people buying her records. “I have always been an advocate of people getting involved and doing the right thing with their lives,” she says.
On August 18-21, in the middle of the Music sessions, King, who had overcome a bad case of stage fright, celebrated with a triumphant stand at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. All four nights were sold out.
Music was released on November 30, 1971, just weeks before King gave birth to her third child (and first with her second husband Charles Larkey, who played bass on Tapestry and Music). On the album cover, King, several months pregnant, was photographed behind the piano.
Music became King’s second Number One album in seven months. It hit the top spot after a mere four weeks on the chart while Tapestry was still in the top 10, holding at number nine. King’s first solo album, Writer, which had been re-promoted following the success of Tapestry, had climbed to number 84.
“Sweet Seasons,” the first single from Music, was released on January 11, 1972. Less than two months later, it peaked at number nine.
THE TOP FIVE
Week of January 1, 1972
1. Music, Carole King
2. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin
3. Teaser & the Firecat, Cat Stevens
4. Chicago at Carnegie Hall, Chicago
5. E Pluribus Funk, Grand Funk Railroad