You’ve Got A Friend

Jim Adams writes: Respond to this challenge by either using the prompt word care, or going with the above picture, or by means of the song ‘Give a Little Bit’, or by going with another song by Supertramp, or any other song that is about caring for others, or you can go with anything else you think fits. 

The song I chose is “You’ve Got A Friend” written by Carole King and recorded by James Taylor and Carole King in a BBC television special in 1971 called “In Concert.”

This song is special to me because it was a song that my daughter and my husband both loved, and it became one of “their songs.”

James Taylor and Carole King were never in a relationship, but they were good friends, and King credits Taylor with giving her confidence to overcome her terrible stage fright. Carole King was a brilliant songwriter, and some of her hits were, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “So Far Away,” “It’s Too Late,” and “I Feel The Earth Move.”

James Taylor was credited with writing his beautiful song “Fire And Rain” while in rehab. In the song, he writes about how his girlfriend committed suicide and his addiction problems. He married Carly Simon in 1972 and they had 2 children together, but after their divorce in 1983, it has been alleged that they no longer speak.

When you’re down and troubled
And you need some lovin’ care
And nothin’, nothin’ is goin’ right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you’ll hear me knockin’ at your door

You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’, runnin’, yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yes, I will

Now, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don’t you let them

You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’, runnin’, yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yes, I will
You’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend

Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Ain’t it good to know, ain’t it good to know
Ain’t it good to know
You’ve got a friend
Oh, yeah, now, you’ve got a friend
Yeah baby, you’ve got a friend
Oh, yeah, you’ve got a friend

Songwriters: Carole King

Thursday Inspiration #285 Give a Little Bit