Writer
Carole King · 1970
44 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
A lush blend of introspective lyrics and melodic hooks, showcasing King's signature storytelling and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Child of Mine — This song resonates with heartfelt affection, as King captures the complexities of parental love through tender melodies and poignant lyrics.
-
→
Goin’ Back — A reflective piece that blends nostalgia with yearning, showcasing King's ability to evoke deep emotion through simple yet powerful songwriting.
-
→
Spaceship Races Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its playful yet thought-provoking lyrics, illustrating King's range as both a storyteller and musician.
-
→
Up on the Roof — A cover of the classic song, it highlights King's interpretive skills and ability to reinvigorate familiar melodies with her unique vocal style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases King's songwriting and storytelling but lacks some cohesion in pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features more upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to slower, more reflective songs.
- Several tracks incorporate rich vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow
- introspective listening moments
- thoughtful background ambiance
- gradual emotional builds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified King's reputation in the singer-songwriter movement after early successes.
- Career context
- Released in May 1970, 'Writer' was Carole King's third studio album, following her successful breakthrough with 'Tapestry' in 1971. At this point in her career, King was transitioning from a prolific songwriter to a solo artist, establishing her voice as both a performer and composer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Joni Mitchell· Linda Ronstadt
Tracklist
- 1 Spaceship Races Start here 3:07
- 2 No Easy Way Down 4:34
- 3 Child of Mine 3:55
- 4 Goin’ Back 3:36
- 5 To Love 3:39
- 6 What Have You Got to Lose 3:58
- 7 Eventually 5:02
- 8 Raspberry Jam 4:32
- 9 Can’t You Be Real 2:54
- 10 I Can’t Hear You No More 2:59
- 11 Sweet Sweetheart 2:47
- 12 Up on the Roof 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.