Socially Conscious Song, Essay Example

You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King & James Taylor

Among the many songs which might be chosen to illustrate the theme of social consciousness, some of the choices seem rather obvious because of the strong and explicit expression of the theme of friendship in the songs and because of the initial popularity of the songs. Carole King’s anthem of friendship, “You’ve Got a Friend”, is from her album Tapestry (1971), one of the most popular albums of classic rock (Farber 3). The lyrics are familiar to most since both King’s version and James Taylor’s remain popular.

Although there are definite hints of some romance involved between the friends described in this song, the main thrust of the nature of the friendship is definitely not romantic. Indeed, the kind of friendship expressed in the lyrics is the kind of which is considered to be more fundamental than romantic or familial relationships. Even if there is a romantic or sexual relationship between the ‘friends’ in this song, the friendship would withstand the end of the romantic or sexual involvement (Farber 3). For example, one can imagine, years later, that one of the friends is sick or at the end of another romantic relationship and needs the solace and comfort from the other friend. The anger and hostility which so frequently results from the end of a marriage or romantic involvement would prevent a further friendship between the individuals, but, in the case of the friends in King’s song, the friends are going to remain friends no matter what happens.

“When you’re down and troubled….you’ve got a friend” (Farber 3), such a friendship is constant and provides security, comfort, and support in all seasons. And such a very special friendship supersedes other relationships. After all, only people who are really close to someone in some special ways are capable of hurting him/her or talking to his/her soul as King describes in the last verse. But in the midst of crisis or hardship or heartbreak, when other people hurt you and desert you, “you’ve got a friend” (Farber 3).

Works Cited

Farber, Barry Alan. Rock ‘n’ roll wisdom: what psychologically astute lyrics teach about life and love. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. Print.