Chapter 15: Teen-Targeted Pop Music in the Early '60s
Carole King (b.1942) and Gerry Goffin (1939-2014) were a highly influential songwriting duo during the Brill Building era. They met in 1958 while attending Queens College in New York and married the following year. Shortly afterward, they began working together as staff songwriters for Don Kirshner’s Aldon Music, contributing numerous songs aimed at a young pop audience.
Their first major hit was “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” recorded by The Shirelles in 1960. This song was notable for becoming the first number-one single by a Black girl group and launched King and Goffin’s prolific songwriting career. Throughout the early 1960s, they produced a steady flow of chart-topping songs. Some of their notable works include “Take Good Care of My Baby” (1961) for Bobby Vee, “Some Kind of Wonderful” (1961) for The Drifters, and “The Loco-Motion” (1962) for Little Eva. The latter was a significant hit released by Dimension Records, a label founded by Don Kirshner specifically to showcase their work.
In their partnership, King composed the music while Goffin wrote the lyrics. Together, they created songs that combined emotional depth with broad commercial appeal. Their lyrics often addressed themes important to teenagers, such as first love, heartbreak, and personal identity. Their melodies were accessible and the arrangements polished, fitting the pop music style of the era. Over time, they wrote hits for a variety of artists, including “I’m Into Something Good” (1964) for Herman’s Hermits and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (1967) for Aretha Franklin. The latter song became a lasting anthem of female empowerment.
King and Goffin’s marriage and professional partnership ended in 1968, but both continued to influence popular music. King went on to enjoy a highly successful solo career, highlighted by her 1971 album Tapestry, which established her as a leading singer-songwriter in the 1970s. Goffin continued his career as a lyricist, writing later hits such as Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love for You” (1985). Together and individually, King and Goffin helped shape the sound and spirit of early 1960s pop music, leaving a significant legacy in American songwriting.