Carole King reveals surprising story behind “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”

In Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs, Carole King reveals the surprising story behind "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," a hit made famous by The Shirelles. Despite initial hesitation, the song became a timeless classic and launched King's career as a songwriter.

In a recent episode of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs, singer-songwriter Carole King revealed the surprising story behind one of her most iconic compositions, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” The 1960 hit was famously recorded by The Shirelles, but according to King, it almost didn’t happen.

King explained that she had written the song with her then-husband Gerry Goffin, and they initially pitched it to the girl group The Cookies. However, the group’s producer Don Kirshner turned it down, saying it wasn’t a good fit for them. Undeterred, King and Goffin then took the song to The Shirelles, who were hesitant to record it at first.

“They were a gospel group, and they were afraid that the song was too risqué for them,” King shared. “But we convinced them to give it a try, and the rest is history.”

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” went on to become The Shirelles’ first number one hit, making them the first all-female group to top the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s success also launched King and Goffin’s career as a songwriting duo, leading to numerous other hits such as “The Loco-Motion” and “Natural Woman.”

King also discussed the inspiration behind “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” revealing that it was inspired by country music. “I was listening to a lot of country music at the time, and I wanted to write a song with that kind of storytelling and emotion,” she said.

The song’s lyrics, which touch on the fear and uncertainty of a new relationship, struck a chord with listeners and have continued to resonate over the years. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” has been covered by countless artists, including Dusty Springfield, Linda Ronstadt, and Amy Winehouse.

Despite its initial hesitation, The Shirelles’ recording of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” remains the definitive version and a timeless classic. King’s songwriting talent and ability to capture universal emotions have solidified her place as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

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