Carole King’s Tapestry, her second studio album, has left a massive mark on music history and still regarded as such an influential album to this day. Released on February 10, 1971, the album’s introspective lyrics and soulful melodies, backed by King’s warm voice and piano, resonated deeply with listeners worldwide. With hits like “It’s Too Late” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” Tapestry not only topped the charts but also earned King four Grammy Awards.
1. Tapestry Was a Creative Collaborative Effort
While Carole King wrote or co-wrote all the songs on Tapestry, she wasn’t alone in the process. Collaborators like Toni Stern, who co-wrote the lyrics for “It’s Too Late” and “Where You Lead,” and her ex-husband Gerry Goffin, who penned the lyrics for “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” added diverse voices to the album. James Taylor also played a pivotal role by encouraging King to sing her own songs, and he contributed his guitar skills to the project.
2. The Album Cover Features a Handmade Tapestry
The iconic album cover, showing King with her cat in a cozy home setting, is memorable. But what many may not realize is that King is holding an actual tapestry she hand-stitched herself! Captured by A&M staff photographer Jim McCrary in the living room of her Laurel Canyon home, the image was more than just an aesthetic choice—it reflected King’s authentic, personal connection to the music within – including having with her cat, named Telemachus by her feet.
3. “You’ve Got a Friend” Was a Spontaneous Creation
“You’ve Got a Friend” is one of Tapestry‘s standout tracks, and it came about almost by accident. King described writing the song as an experience of “pure inspiration,” noting that the song seemed to flow through her, almost as if it “wrote itself.” The song became even more iconic when James Taylor recorded his own version, making it his only Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit. Remarkably, both versions were recorded at the same time using shared musicians.
4. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” Takes on New Meaning
Carole King recorded her own version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” for Tapestry, infusing it with a deeper, more contemplative feel. Unlike The Shirelles’ 1960 hit, which captured the innocence of youth, King’s slower, introspective version reveals the perspective of a mature woman seeking a true partnership. With James Taylor and Joni Mitchell adding background vocals on separate audio channels, King’s rendition gained considerable album-oriented rock airplay, benefiting from Tapestry‘s massive commercial success.
5. Session Musicians Worked Across Multiple Albums Simultaneously
During the recording of Tapestry at A&M Studios, several session musicians were also working on James Taylor’s album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. This cross-pollination of talent created a unique sound that contributed to both albums’ success. Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Danny Kortchmar were among the artists lending their talents, creating a dynamic environment that infused Tapestry with a blend of voices and styles.
Carole King’s Tapestry is far more than an album—it’s a piece of history that captures the spirit of the early ’70s while remaining timeless – from James Taylor to Barbra Streisand to Glee to Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift all loving the record. Its songs of friendship, love, and resilience are as relatable today as they were over fifty years ago.
