You're Beautiful As You Feel

    Isn’t it crazy how a song written years ago, by a person you’ve never met, seems like it was written just for you?  A true artist can take exactly what you’re feeling or experiencing, put it into words, and set it all to music.  An artist that is currently doing that for me is Carole King.  She is everything: singer, pianist, songwriter, and beautiful person.  Hearing her songs only makes me want to go to New York and see the musical Beautiful: The Carole King Story on Broadway more so than I did before.  She has so many classics to her name: It’s Too Late, (You Make Me Feel) A Natural Woman, You’ve Got A Friend, and so many more.  More likely than not you’ve heard a Carole King song, but usually it is being song by someone else.

She really is a musical genius.  Recently she performed at the Grammys alongside Sarah Bareilles performing her hit “Brave.”  If you missed this performance, get on YouTube now and watch it.  Definitely worth your time.  The only way to really appreciate Carole King’s music is to listen.  Not just hear the song, but really listen to it.  Listen to the lyrics she has crafted.  She chose each word purposefully to convey a message, an emotion, a moment.  Even though many artists have covered songs that she’s written, I feel like her songs are the best when performed my Ms. King herself.  There is something so emotionally raw about an artist performing the songs that they’ve written. 

I decided to do a little research on Carole King, mostly because I wanted to see if she planned to go on tour anytime soon-alas she’s not for the time being-and discovered that she has written a memoir.  A Natural Woman is Carole King telling her journey to becoming one of the most influential songwriters and performers in the music industry.  I know what book I'm buying next on my Kindle.  If it wasn’t for her pop music and music in general would be very different.  Artists still look to her for influence.  I’m not even a singer or performer and I feel like Carole King has influenced my life.  Do yourself a favor today or everyday and listen to some Carole King.  

Carole King Performs "Beautiful"