Beautiful- remembering the music of Carole King

Carole King’s Musical is “Beautiful” and her memoir is riveting

album covers from music by Carole King

“You’ve got to get up every morning

With a smile on your face

And show the world all the love in your heart

Then people gonna treat you better

You’re gonna find, yes you will

That you’re beautiful as you feel.”

Beautiful by Carole King

My husband and I enjoyed a date night at the theater watching Beautiful- The Carole King Musical. The play covers the start of Ms. King’s career as a songwriter, including meeting and marrying her songwriting partner Gerry Goffin.

husband-wife couple holding hands in front of poster for Beautiful The Carole King Musical
My husband and I at the theater for Beautiful The Carole King Musical

Together they wrote some of the most successful and memorable songs of the 1960s-1970s including

I Feel the Earth Move 

Will you Love Me Tomorrow?

Up On The Roof 

You’ve Got a Friend 

Sadly, their marriage was not as successful as their careers due to his infidelity and mental instability which culminated in hospitalization and divorce.

As I watched and heard the story portrayed on the stage  I remembered her memoir A Natural Woman which I read and reviewed here. The memoir included this part of her life as well as subsequent years, which often were as turbulent as the ones in the musical.

As she wrote in the book, Carole King insists she never wanted to be a star or diva, and she zealously guarded her privacy. She valued most her family, relationships, writing songs, and sharing her music. I am glad she decided to share this side of her life and the lessons it teaches.    

inserts from our Carole King music CD collection
the inserts from our Carole King music CD collection
It's some kind of wonderful! Beautiful The Carole King Musical- poster on window at theater

 

Here is a selection of Carole King’s music

(these are affiliate links)

Tapestry  Carole King’s first and most successful album

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  the story of Carole’s life and career

Live at the Troubadour Carole King singing with her friend James Taylor, another favorite artist of ours

The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live) June 1971 

Listen  to Carole King on Apple Music 

sharing the HEART of health in music

Read my review of her memoir at the link below. Be sure you enjoy some music today, whatever makes you feel BEAUTIFUL.

Dr. Aletha

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.

8 thoughts on “Beautiful- remembering the music of Carole King”

    1. That’s one of my favorites too. It’s frequently quoted here in Oklahoma when we have earthquakes, lol. (due to fracking, which has been happening less often now) The book covers many more years and more detail than the play, so they complement each other well.

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  1. I loved Tapestry and I believe the show Beautiful is coming to Australia. I’m hoping to see it. Thanks Aletha for sharing at #BloggersPitStop and bringing back fond memories.

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  2. I love Carole King’s music. Tapestry was one of the first albums I owned, and I still listen to the music on my iPod today. Thanks for sharing some of the details of her life. I may have to read her book now. I definitely want to see the musical.

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    1. Christie, we still have the Tapestry album. The musical is a must see for fans of her music. Having read her book helped me understand what was shown in the play. The play definitely is meant to showcase her music, but it also does a nice job portraying her personal and marital struggles.

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  3. I have always loved her voice! And her songs lyrics. Although, I decided long ago to not read about celebrities lives because I was usually disappointed and wouldn’t like them as much as I had. Now, I think though that I’ve matured in my thinking and that we all make mistakes and theirs are no worse than anyone elses, just more public.
    🙂 gwingal

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    1. Thank you Nikki, yes her voice is unique. She considered herself a songwriter and had to be coaxed into singing, she was shy about singing in public. I’m glad she overcame that. I appreciate when celebrities are willing to share their problems and mistakes in order to help others, I admire that.

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