Recorded - January 1971 (both songs)
Released - February 10, 1971 (album), April 16, 1971 (single)
#1 for weeks of June 19 and 26 & July 3, 10 and 17, 1971.
Carole King has popped up a few times on this blog throughout the 1960's. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", for example, was written with her then-husband Gerry Goffin and given to The Shirelles. Additional non-chart toppers that Carole "Gave Away" are "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman", "Goin' Back" and "Up On The Roof".
Carole put out several singles under her own name throughout the 1960's. However, none of these songs ever managed to crack the top 20. Even Carole's first full-length album, 1970's Writer, only got as high as 84 on the albums chart. It was her second album, 1971's Tapestry that launched her from simple songwriter to superstar songstress.
Containing a blend of newly recorded versions of her previous hits, as well as brand new material, Tapestry remains a key album of the early 1970's singer-songwriter movement. In addition to Tapestry itself reaching #1 for 16 weeks, a double A-sided single containing tracks from the album topped the pop charts for five weeks.
The first half of this double A-side, "It's Too Late", features music by Carole and lyrics by Toni Stern. Simply put, the song is a perfect piano-based ballad, with hints of jazz and rock and roll. The jazz element comes from the saxophone and jazzy piano chords. The electric guitars are what give the song a rock vibe.
Besides the stellar instrumental track, the actual melody of the song is one of the greatest of the era. Carole really was a voice that needed to be heard and she gives "It's Too Late" a convincing and emotion-filled performance. All of the harmony vocals are performed by her as well and these are put on full display during the song's incredibly catchy chorus.
Then we have "I Feel The Earth Move", composed entirely by Carole. If "It's Too Late" is a cool and refreshing dip into the pool of jazzy piano pop rock, then "I Feel The Earth Move" is a hot and energetic summer night. Musically, the song is much more grounded in rock and roll, with piano still remaining the dominant instrument.
Carole's vocals performance in "I Feel The Earth Move" is passionate and has a sense of urgency. She delivers the song in a rather soulful manner, which is appropriate considering several prominent soul singers had hits with her material. Having this song placed as Tapestry's opening track is no doubt what helped the album sell so many copies.
Final Verdict - Both "It's Too Late" and "I Feel The Earth Move" are equally magnificent piano and vocal workouts by one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century. A well-deserved double chart topper, and one of the finest pop songs of '71.
Coming Up Next - "Indian Reservation" by The Raiders.
Until Next Time, I'm Dr. Rock and I feel the Earth move under my feet -
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