“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” by Carole King
Originally written for African-American female group, The Shirelles and later covered by Carole King, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow? speaks about the insecurities of a sexually liberated woman. The initial release of this 1960 hit song was released in the same year as the first oral contraceptive pill.
With the release of the pill, many women were quick to use it. Interesting to note is that 1.2 million American women used it in just the first two years since its debut.
The Analysis of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”
There are many probably meanings behind this song. Whatever it is, however, sex is a definite part of it. Now with the launch of the pill, it was possible for women to be sexually active with less worry about getting pregnant. However, it could bring about insecurities as to whether their partner would love them beyond the night of fun.
We could say that the song is about a one-night stand caused by the addressee who starts off making the narrator feel that they’ve fallen in love with them in hopes of getting lucky. Alternatively, it could have been of a couple who finally has decided to have sexual relations with each other, making one partner feel uncertain if the relationship will last past that night.
Everything leading up to the action and during is sweet and magical. Beautiful words are said during the night such as them being “the only one”. Despite all that is happening during this event, the narrator is faced with constant despair as they wonder what will happen tomorrow – if they are going to be faced with another broken heart or if love prevails.
When did Carole King release “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”
King’s cover of this classic was released on 10th February, 1971 as part of her legendary album titled “Tapestry”. Ode Records and A&M Records were the labels behind this iconic project of King’s.
Did Carole write this Classic?
Yes. She composed it with her then-husband, Gerry Goffin.
Goffin was an American lyricist who, together with King, wrote popular songs such as “Take Good Care of My Baby” and “The Loco-Motion” which were performed by Bobby Vee and Little Eva respectively.
Song’s Success
While King’s version did not chart, The Shirelles made history with this song. They were the first all-black female group to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart – a feat they achieved with this song! Their version of the song was also named one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone.
Aside reaching the apex of the Hot 100 in U.S.A, the Shirelles’ version of 1960 was also a top-5 hit in the UK, Canada and New Zealand.
Other Notable Covers
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” has been covered by multiple artists over the years, such as:
- The Four Seasons
- Linda Ronstadt
- Roberta Flack
- Amy Winehouse
- Taylor Swift
- Norah Jones
- Bee Gees
Carole’s “Tapestry” Album
US singer Carole King dropped “Tapestry” as her second studio project. The singer released this album, on February 10 of 1971, via record labels Ode Records and A&M Records.
This project, which American producer Lou Adler single-handedly produced, was promoted by four hit singles including one of King’s most-successful songs “It’s Too Late“. This track was released along with another single “I Feel the Earth Move”. Both songs were issued during April of 1971.
“Smackwater Jack” and “So Far Away” are the other singles from the project. They were, respectively, released in February and March of 1971.
“Tapestry” is undoubtedly King’s biggest project. It achieved huge commercial success globally, topping the official album charts in multiple nations including the US and Canada. It also topped the charts in Spain and Japan. It reached #4 on the UK’s main albums chart. The album also ranked inside the top-10 on the charts in Australia and Norway.
This album has been honored with several certifications due to its remarkable sales records. For instance, in the United States, it has received 14-times Platinum certification from the RIAA. It has also earned 8-times Platinum certification in Australia and 2-times Platinum certification from the UK’s BPI.
In addition to its outstanding commercial success, “Tapestry” has also earned multiple top honors. This includes winning the awards for “Album of the Year” and “Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female” at the Grammys in 1972.
In 2000 prominent British writer Colin Larkin placed this album at #74 on his compilation of “All Time Top 1000 Albums”. “Tapestry” was also placed at #25 on Rolling Stone’s popular list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” for the year 2020.
