You've Got a Friend

From Free net encyclopedia

"You've Got a Friend" is a song from the early 1970s which marked the singer-songwriter movement.

The song was written by Carole King and appeared on her 1971 album Tapestry.

James Taylor sang a version of "You've Got a Friend" on his 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. The most famous version of the song, Taylor's rendition hit number 1 on the Billboard charts on July 31, 1971, and won Grammy Awards both for Taylor (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male) and King (Song of the Year).

The song was also recorded in 1971 by Dusty Springfield, a recording that predates Taylor's version. It was recorded for her third album for Atlantic Records, but a falling-out with the company meant the album was unreleased. The song was left unissued until 1999, when it was issued as a bonus track for the Rhino Records deluxe re-release of Dusty in Memphis.

Cover versions

Other than King, Springfield and Taylor's versions, a number of artists have covered "You've Got a Friend". A partial list includes:

• Country singer Lynn Anderson on her album How can I Unlive You.
• Gospel singers Angelo & Veronica on their album Angelo & Veronica.
• Rhythm and blues singer LaVern Baker on her album Woke Up This Mornin'.
• Jazz saxophonist Bob Belden on his King tribute album Tapestry.
• Jazz clarinetist Acker Bilk on his album All The Hits Plus More.
• Acid jazz and alternative hip hop group Brand New Heavies.
• Petula Clark on her album Live in London.
• Reggae musician Jimmy Cliff on his album Humanitarian.
• Gospel singer Jim Cole on his album An Evening in Cincinnati.
• Instrumental jazz group Common Ground on their Taylor tribute album Fire & Rain
• Country music singer Skeeter Davis on her album Love Takes A Lot Of My Time.
• Jazz pianist Xavier Davis on his album The Dance of Life.
• Guitarist Alex de Grassi on his Taylor tribute album Alex de Grassi's Interpretation of James Taylor.
• Celine Dion on the compilation album VH1 Divas Live.
• Reggae singer Adina Edwards on her album Don't Forget to Remember.
• Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald on her album Ella in London.
• Gospel singers The Five Blind Boys of Alabama on their album Bridge Over Troubled Water.
• Roberta Flack on her albums Heavy Soul and Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway.
• Al Green on his album Soul Survivor.
• Ofra Haza on her album Ofra Haza 1997.
• Michael Jackson on his album Got to Be There.
• Tom Jones on his album ...Sings the Ballads.
• Country singer Anita Kerr on her album Daytime Nighttime.
• Easy-listening artist Mantovani on his album Magical Moods of Mantovani.
• Johnny Mathis on his album You've Got a Friend.
• Pop group McFly on their Double A Side single "All About You/You've Got a Friend".
• Punk music band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on their album Turn Japanese.
• Anne Murray on her album Talk It Over in The Morning.
• Pianist Peter Nero on his album Peter Nero's Greatest Hits.
• Cliff Richard on his album Wanted.
• Barbra Streisand on her album Barbra Joan Streisand.
• Pop singer Andy Williams on his album The Andy Williams Show/You've Got a Friend.
• Multiple artists on an AA advert.