I recently saw the Carole King bio-musical, Beautiful, and I can't stop thinking about it. I went in with no pre-conceived notions; indeed, I wasn't sure I even knew who Carole King was. And then the music started, and I realized how much I owe that lady. She wrote some of my all-time favourite songs, and I didn't even know it.
At one point in the musical, composer Carole and her husband (and lyricist) Gerry are trying very hard to make it in the music industry. They're living with her mother and have a little baby. Gerry is working full time as a chemist, just to help make ends meet, while Carole is writing music like mad to try to keep them employed. And then the boss tells them 'I need a girl song for the Shirelles by tomorrow morning.'
They stay up all night, after a day's work and hours spent taking care of an infant, and came up with 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow'. An instant hit, and an enduring classic.
Now, I'm not sure it happened exactly like that; facts may well have been bent to suit the narrative. But I just can't stop thinking about that young couple pushing themselves to the limit to follow their dreams, and coming up with...genius. I saw afresh just how profound those simple lyrics are, as I heard the depthless beauty of that melody as if for the first time.
I wonder...did they feel the power of what they had created? Did they know then that it was a song that would echo in broken hearts for decades? Perhaps not...perhaps they just fell into bed for a few minutes' sleep before work, or stumbled into the shower, or went to make coffee.
But maybe they knew. Maybe the poignancy and vigour of that song tingled in their fingertips and gave them the energy to face the day. I'd like to think so.
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