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Discover the surprising hits penned by Carole King that you never knew were hers! From timeless classics sung by Aretha Franklin and James Taylor to unexpected collaborations with Celine Dion and Mariah Carey, we’re uncovering the hidden songwriting genius behind legendary tunes that defined generations. Dive into the stories behind these iconic songs and celebrate the legacy of one of music’s greatest writers.
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00:07Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the unforgettable songs
00:12you may not have realized were written or co-written by Carole King.
00:2120. The Reason – Celine Dion
00:33Carole King is the most closely associated with the sounds of the 60s and 70s,
00:38which makes her collaboration with Celine Dion particularly unexpected.
00:43Appearing on Dion's blockbuster album Let's Talk About Love,
00:46the reason was co-written by King, who also played piano on the recording.
00:50It may have been overshadowed by My Heart Will Go On,
00:53but the fact that it's a collaboration between these two titans makes the reason worthy of recognition.
01:06Dion brought the vocal firepower, while King helped build the song's emotional, gospel-tinged foundation.
01:13They later performed it together at the inaugural VH1 Divas Live Concert in 1998,
01:19marking a rare meeting of pop icons from different generations.
01:32Number 19. If It's Over – Mariah Carey
01:47Celine Dion wasn't the only 90s vocal powerhouse to collaborate with Carole King.
01:52After seeing Mariah Carey perform early in her career,
01:56King reached out and proposed that they write a song together.
01:59The result was If It's Over, which appeared on Carey's second album, Emotions,
02:03Drawing on gospel, blues, and classic soul,
02:07the song gave Carey room to showcase both her vocal range and her flair for dramatic performance.
02:22She later sang it at the Grammy Awards and during her acclaimed MTV Unplugged appearance.
02:27Only Carole King could help create a song that sounded unmistakably like Mariah Carey while still bearing her own musical
02:34fingerprints.
02:42Number 18. Wasn't Born to Follow – The Birds
02:54It's easy to assume this song was written by a member of The Birds.
02:58Instead, it came from Carole King and Jerry Goffin,
03:01who had evolved considerably beyond the teen romances that first made them famous.
03:06The Birds included the track on their 1968 album, The Notorious Bird Brothers,
03:11rapping King's melody and Goffin's mystical lyrics in psychedelic country rock.
03:24Its cultural legacy grew even larger when it appeared in the 1969 film Easy Rider,
03:31accompanying a motorcycle journey through the American landscape.
03:34The song's sense of freedom proved perfectly suited to the film,
03:38and showed that King and Goffin could capture the spirit of the counterculture
03:42just as effectively as they had captured adolescent longing earlier in the decade.
03:47You may lead me to the chasm
03:49Where the rivers of our vision
03:52Glowing to one another
03:55Number 17. Going Back – Dusty Springfield
04:08Here, Jerry Goffin's reflective lyrics reject the idea that maturity has to mean losing your curiosity,
04:15sincerity, or imagination,
04:17while Carole King's gentle melody gives the song its bittersweet pull.
04:21Dusty Springfield released her version in 1966,
04:25bringing warmth and restraint to a song that could easily have become overly sentimental.
04:39Her recording reached the UK top ten, and the Birds later offered their own folk rock rendition.
04:46King would eventually reclaim the composition on her 1980 album, Pearl's Song of Goffin and King.
04:51Still, Springfield's tender performance remains deeply associated with the song,
04:56turning King and Goffin's meditation on aging into something intimate and timeless.
05:02So catch me if you can
05:07I'm going back
05:18Number 16. Hey Girl – Freddie Scott
05:21Hey Girl is essentially a desperate plea from a man watching his relationship collapse.
05:32Freddie Scott moves from quiet disbelief to outright begging as the arrangement swells around him.
05:42Written by King and Goffin,
05:44Hey Girl reached number 10 on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts.
05:49King's melody gives the track the grandeur of a classic soul ballad,
05:53while Goffin's blunt lyrics keep the emotions raw.
06:08The song proved durable enough to attract later versions from Donny Osmond and Billy Joel, among many others.
06:16But Scott's performance remains the definitive recording, transforming a King Goffin composition into three minutes of beautifully controlled heartbreak.
06:30Number 15. Don't Say Nothing Bad About My Baby – The Cookies
06:46After the Cookies scored a hit with Chains, Carole King and Jerry Goffin gave them another song packed with girl
06:52group attitude.
06:53The song became the Cookies' biggest hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the
07:00R&B chart.
07:01Goffin also produced the recording, while King's bright melody helped balance the lyrics' mix of confidence and youthful devotion.
07:15The result captures the magic of the era's best girl group records, conversational storytelling, infectious hooks, and just enough uncertainty
07:24beneath the surface to make the narrator's fierce loyalty sound authentic.
07:28He's true, he's true, he's true to me, so girl you better shut the mouth.
07:35Number 14. Don't Bring Me Down – The Animals
07:38When you complain and criticize, I feel I'm nothing in your eyes.
07:46Carole King's reputation for warm piano melodies might make her seem like an unlikely source for an aggressive Animals single.
07:54Yet, she and Jerry Goffin wrote Don't Bring Me Down, a song that becomes a forceful showcase for Eric Burden's
08:00gritty vocals and the band's blues rock sound.
08:03Girl, I want to provide for you, and do all the things that you want me to, but…
08:10Produced by Tom Wilson, The Animals' 1966 recording pulverized the polished feel associated with many King Goffin hits.
08:19The song reached number 6 in the UK and also became a major American hit.
08:24Beneath the heavier arrangement, however, the writing still carries the emotional directness that defined King and Goffin's work.
08:30Its narrator is tired of being criticized and neglected, turning a relationship complaint into something like an ultimatum.
08:43Number 13. Go Away Little Girl – Donny Osmond
08:55It takes a talented songwriter to reach number 1 with a song.
08:59King and Goffin effectively managed it twice with Go Away Little Girl.
09:03Steve Lawrence first carried the composition to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.
09:09Eight years later, a 13-year-old Donny Osmond introduced it to a new generation and repeated the achievement.
09:15I know that your lips are sweet, but our lips must never meet.
09:23Osmond's version spent three weeks at number 1 in 1971, becoming his only solo chart topper in the United States.
09:31The success of two drastically different recordings demonstrated the strength of King's melody,
09:36which survived the transition from early 60s traditional stylings to early 70s teen pop without losing its emotional appeal.
09:44So don't wait, little girl, before I beg you to stay.
09:51Number 12. Crying in the Rain – The Everly Brothers
09:56I'll never let you see the way my broken heart is hurting me.
10:04Most of Carole King's early classics were written with Jerry Goffin, but Crying in the Rain came from an unusual
10:11creative experiment.
10:13As the story goes, King and lyricist Howard Greenfield temporarily switched their usual songwriting partners for a day.
10:20The pairing produced the only major hit credited exclusively to King and Greenfield.
10:33The Everly Brothers released the song near the end of 1961, and it reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot
10:40100 the following year.
10:46King's wistful melody blends beautifully with the duo's harmonies, while Greenfield's lyrics use stormy weather as a metaphor for hiding
10:54one's heartbreak.
10:55The song later found a new audience in 1990 through a cover by Norwegian synth-pop superstar's A-Ha.
11:05Number 11. You've Got a Friend – James Taylor
11:09When you're down, in trouble, and you need some loving care
11:18James Taylor heard Carole King perform this newly written song while they were working and performing in the same Los
11:24Angeles music scene.
11:26He quickly recorded it for his album, Mudside Slim and the Blue Horizon, with Joni Mitchell contributing backing vocals.
11:32Winter, spring, summer, fall
11:37Hey, now all you've got to do is call
11:41Taylor's gentle rendition hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his only American chart topper.
11:48Taylor received the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, while King earned Song of the Year.
11:53So, while dedicated fans already know the credit, plenty of casual listeners still primarily associate You've Got a Friend with
12:01James Taylor.
12:02And I will be there, yeah, yes I'll be there
12:06You've got a friend
12:08Number 10. One Fine Day – The Chiffons
12:17Released in July 1963, when the Chiffons belted out One Fine Day, they captured the hearts of teenagers everywhere with
12:25its upbeat melody and hopeful lyrics about a boy finally noticing a girl.
12:29This track is pure brill-building brilliance, springing from the fertile partnership of Carole King and Jerry Goffin at their
12:36creative hub at 1650 Broadway.
12:39One fine day, you look at me, and you will know I was meant to be.
12:50King's piano demo helped shape the song's vibrant feel and infectious hook, influencing the final arrangement that listeners fell in
12:57love with.
12:58The song climbed to number five on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the chiffon's signature hit and further cementing King
13:04and Goffin as elite hitmakers,
13:06even when their names stayed behind the scenes.
13:09One fine day, you're gonna want me for your turn
13:15Number 9. I'm Into Something Good – Herman's Hermits
13:26At the height of the British invasion, Herman's Hermits scored their first major US breakthrough with a song that sounded
13:33surprisingly American.
13:34That's because I'm Into Something Good was written by Carole King and Jerry Goffin.
13:39Originally recorded earlier in 1964 by Earl Jean McRae, formerly of the Cookies, the song was reworked by Herman's Hermits
13:47into a bright, bouncy pop smash.
13:49Something tells me I'm into something good
13:57I'm Into Something Good soared to number one on the UK singles chart and hit number 13 on the Billboard
14:03Hot 100, launching the band into international stardom.
14:06With its irresistible melody and Goffin's simple, optimistic lyrics about finding happiness, the song showcased King's uncanny ability to craft
14:15feel-good pop that effortlessly crossed borders.
14:27Number 8. Take Good Care Of My Baby – Bobby V
14:31Bobby V's tender rendition of Take Good Care Of My Baby became one of the defining teen idol ballads of
14:43the era.
14:44The song climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1961, giving V his only chart topper
14:51and solidifying his status as a pop heartthrob.
14:54Take good care of my baby, he's remembering the blue.
15:04The emotional core of the track came from Carole King and Jerry Goffin, whose songwriting captured the bittersweet vulnerability of
15:11asking someone else to look after a former love.
15:14It was an early triumph for the duo and a clear sign of their ability to turn youthful emotion into
15:19timeless pop.
15:20Take good care of my baby, now don't you girl make her cry.
15:29Number 7. Chains – The Cookies
15:32Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains.
15:38Chains holds the rare distinction of being both a girl group gem and a Beatles deep cut.
15:43The Cookies' harmony-rich version explored the frustration of being trapped in a painful relationship led by vocalist Earl Jean.
15:50The song's legacy expanded dramatically when the Beatles recorded it for their debut album Please Please Me in February 1963.
16:05With George Harrison on lead vocals and a raw harmonica-driven arrangement, the Beatles introduced Chains to a massive international
16:13audience.
16:14That the most influential bands in history chose to cover a King Goffin composition speaks volumes about the power of
16:20their songwriting.
16:21Oh, these chains of love got a hold on me, yeah.
16:28Number 6. Pleasant Valley Sunday – The Monkees
16:32The local rock group down the street is trying hard to learn their song.
16:38Pleasant Valley Sunday, released in July of 1967, gave The Monkees one of their most enduring and critically respected hits.
16:46A top-five Billboard hit, the song offered a sharp, satirical take on suburban conformity, providing a witty counterpoint to
16:54the idealism of the summer of love.
16:56Jerry Goffin's lyrics were inspired by his and Carole King's experiences living in suburban West Orange, New Jersey, observing the
17:03routines and pressures of middle-class life.
17:05Another Pleasant Valley Sunday – Charcoal burning everywhere
17:14King's driving composition, anchored by a distinctive guitar riff often attributed to Michael Nesmith and producer Chip Douglas, added urgency
17:23and edge.
17:24The result was a pop song that doubled as social commentary, proving King and Goffin could evolve with the times
17:30while still delivering chart-dominating hooks.
17:33Rows of houses that are all the same, and no one seems to care.
17:42Number 5 – Some Kind of Wonderful – The Drifters
17:46All you have to do is touch my hand
17:50To show me you understand
17:54When the Drifters put out Some Kind of Wonderful in May 1961, they delivered a soulful classic that blended pop,
18:01R&B, and doo-wop into a timeless love anthem.
18:04That's some kind of wonderful anytime my little world see the blue
18:12Coming shortly after Ben E. King's departure, the song featured Rudy Lewis on lead vocals and reached number 6 on
18:19the R&B chart and number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.
18:22King's gospel-tinged melody and sophisticated chord progressions gave the track emotional richness, while Goffin's heartfelt lyrics celebrated the magic
18:32of recognizing a truly special love.
18:44It's a perfect example of how their songwriting could become the emotional backbone of legendary vocal groups.
18:50And don't feel too bad for Benny King, you might remember a little song of his called Stand By Me.
18:55So darling, darling, stand by me Oh, stand by me
19:04Number 4 – The Locomotion – Little Eva
19:15You songs have enjoyed as many chart-topping lives as The Locomotion.
19:19Released in May 1962, Little Eva's original version became a global dance craze, spending two weeks at number 1 on
19:27the Billboard Hot 100.
19:35The inspiration came from Eva Boyd, the King Goffin household babysitter who demonstrated a dance while working in their home,
19:43sparking the idea for a dance instruction hit.
19:46Over a decade later in 1974, Grand Funk Railroad turned it into a hard rock anthem that also hit number
19:531.
19:57Then in 1988, Kylie Minogue introduced it to a new generation, topping charts in Australia and becoming a major hit
20:05worldwide.
20:06Three eras, three styles and three massive successes, all from the same King and Goffin classic.
20:17Number 3 – Up on the Roof – The Drifters
20:26Released in December 1962, Up on the Roof stands as a rare moment where pop songwriting reaches true poetry.
20:33The Drifters version, led by Rudy Lewis, reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the
20:40R&B chart, capturing the fantasy of escaping city stress for peace and romance above the streets.
20:46And there the world below can't bother me.
20:52Jerry Goffin's lyrics vividly portray the rooftop as a refuge from urban chaos, while Carole King's elegant melody adds warmth
21:01and longing.
21:02Produced and arranged by the legendary Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, the song elevated pop songwriting into something closer to
21:09urban poetry.
21:24A true milestone in pop history, Will You Love Me Tomorrow became the first number 1 hit on the Billboard
21:31Hot 100 by an all-female group when it topped the chart in January 1961.
21:36Written by a very young Carole King and Jerry Goffin, the song broke new ground with its candid exploration of
21:43intimacy, vulnerability and emotional uncertainty.
21:46When will you love me tomorrow?
21:53Shirley Owens' heartfelt lead vocal gave voice to feelings rarely addressed so openly in early 60s pop, while King's sweeping
22:01melody and orchestration gave the song its emotional weight.
22:04The track didn't just top charts, it helped redefine what pop lyrics could address, cementing King and Goffin as writers
22:11willing to push boundaries while still delivering massive commercial hits.
22:15Will you still love me tomorrow?
22:28Before we continue, check out this single from Current, EDM Transform.
22:33Check out the full track and album below.
22:411.
22:43You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman
22:45Aretha Franklin
22:47Looking out on the morning rain
22:52I used to feel so uninspired
22:57Topping our list is one of the most iconic songs ever recorded.
23:01Released in September 1967, Aretha Franklin's You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman became a defining moment in her
23:09legendary career, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B chart.
23:15The song's origin is legendary. Producer Jerry Wexler suggested the phrase Natural Woman to Carole King and Jerry Goffin, who
23:23went home and wrote the song almost immediately.
23:26Because you make me feel
23:29You make me feel
23:32King's gospel-infused melody and Goffin's deeply moving lyrics created the perfect foundation for Aretha Franklin's transformative vocal performance.
23:42Recognized by the Library of Congress, A Natural Woman stands as the ultimate testament to King and Goffin's songwriting legacy.
23:57Which Carole King songwriting credits surprised you the most? Are there any songs we missed? Be sure to let us
24:03know in the comments.