Lyricist Gerry Goffin dies at 75
By Brian Miller
About right now, you are probably asking yourself or whoever is sitting next to you, “who is Gerry Goffin?” The likely response will be a dead pan non-interested, “who’s that?”. You might even respond, “beats me but he died”. Such is the life of a lyricist and songwriter. Gerry Goffin however, died Thursday at the age of 75.
More from Entertainment
- 10 greatest fictional football players of all time
- Stephen A. Smith learned quickly not to mess with Rihanna
- Everything to know about Taylor Swift’s Thursday Night Football appearance
- House of the Dragon live stream: How to watch
- From boxing to cinema, Javon Walton stars in Samaritan with Stallone
While you may not know the name Goffin, you likely know his ex-wife. But , you most definitely know his music.
In 1959 Goffin wed his singer/songwriting partner Carole King. See, told you you would know her name. Together they penned some of the most famous songs to come out of that era writing over 40 pop chart hits.
Don’t believe me?
If you have never heard the entire song, you surely have heard the commercial version of it. “You Make Me Feel (like a natural woman)”, yes that was his. Remember the Monkees? That American throw together band that was supposed to originally be a humorous spin on the The Beatles? One of their famous songs, “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” was also his.
“Up on the Roof”? Yep, that was his too. While the duo didn’t stay married forever, hence the term “ex-wife” the two did stay married until 1968. Later Goffin would pen the critically acclaimed ballad, “Saving All My Love For You”. You remember that one right? It was a top hit for the late Whitney Houston. Before she went off the deep end.
In 1987, Goffin was enshrined in the American Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and in 1990 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His life was behind the scenes from broadway classical to rock and roll. He left an indelible mark on the music industry and through his writing, and his spirit inspired others to take to pen, paper, and instrument, carving out their own lives behind the scenes of those we see on stage and listen to in our car.
Other memorable hits included, “One Fine Day”, “The Loco-Motion”, and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”.