Gerry Goffin passed away on June 19th, at the age of 75. He is most famously known for his songwriting partnership with Carole King (the couple were married from 1959 to 1968). As a lyricist, Goffin was known for his acute writing from a female perspective and as King has noted, his ability to put “big ideas into simple words.” He co-wrote many other fine songs and hit records, but any rock fan should have the following ten at a minimum in their music collection.
1. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” The Shirelles. The first hit for Goffin/King went #1 pop in 1961, but not without controversy. Some stations thought the female question about whether the romantic involvement was a fling or a thing was too explicit for radio. Also, some listeners, probably willingly, misheard the line, “Can I believe the magic of your sighs?” as “Can I believe the magic of your thighs?” I’m sure Doug Fieger heard it that way. In any event, a timeless classic and a classic question.
2. “Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp),” Barry Mann. Goffin co-wrote this Top Ten hit with singer Barry Mann – it’s a doo-wop ode to doo-wop that pays tribute to the Marcels, the Edsels, and The Diamonds. Demonstrating the song’s hip factor, “Who Put the Bomp” was used as a title of a popular rock fanzine published by Greg Shaw from 1970 to 1979.
3. “Chains,” Cookies. The Cookies were a female group that did backup vocals for Neil Sedaka and Little Eva. Their biggest hit was the Goffin/King composition “Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad (About My Baby),” but “Chains” received greater exposure after being covered by the Beatles.
4. “The Loco-Motion,” Little Eva. Eva Boyd was hired to be Carole King’s babysitter, a fortuitous gig. Goffin and King wrote a dance number for her that became their third #1 single (after “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and Bobby Vee’s “Take Good Care of My Baby”). Grand Funk Railroad ploddingly took the wacky dance back to #1 in 1974.
5. “One Fine Day,” The Chiffons. In early 1963, Goffin and King scored top ten singles with Skeeter Davis (“I Can’t Stay Mad at You”) and Freddie Scott (“Hey Girl”). Their next major hit was this piano hooked girl group smash about a sweet lass willing to wait for a bad boy.
6. “Up on the Roof,” The Drifters. A beautiful piece of songwriting about an urban rooftop that becomes a utopian getaway from daily struggles. Pop music never got any better than this.
7. “Don’t Bring Me Down,” The Animals. Eric Burdon gave the Goffin/King songbook a more menacing edge, demanding emotional support from a critical woman. Toughen up, Eric. It’s not going to get better.
8. “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” The Monkees recorded several Goffin/King compositions, including “Take a Giant Step,” “Sometime in the Morning,” “Star Collector” and the resplendently trippy “Porpoise Song.” This commentary about a society that embraces consumerism over community was a #3 pop hit.
9. “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” Aretha Franklin. Jerry Wexler came up with the title concept, but Goffin/King constructed one of Aretha’s most powerful songs. Overcoming vulnerability through supportive love. Simple words. Big idea.
10. “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination,” Gladys Knight and the Pips. After Gerry Goffin stopped working with Carole King, he wrote a number of hits with different musicians. His credits include “Theme from Mahogany” by Diana Ross, “Saving All My Love for You,” by Whitney Houston, and “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” by Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson. On “Imagination,” Gladys loses a man and looks for a reason to keep on keeping on. Wonder if Zimmerman ever heard that one.
