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Where You Lead

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"Where You Lead"
Song
"Where You Lead"
Song

"Where You Lead" is a song written in 1970 by Carole King and Toni Stern.

It first appeared on King's bestselling Tapestry album in January 1971. The song was inspired by the Book of Ruth, where it says: "Where you go, I will go".[1] Rolling Stone Magazine critic Jon Landau described it as an "ingratiatingly witty song that seems to parody the romantic extremes of some of Carole's earlier work."[2] Landau also praises the power of Russ Kunkel's drumming on the song.[2] Author James Perone states that a superficial reading of the lyrics could suggest that the song reinforces stereotypes that a woman should not put her desire for a career ahead of pleasing her husband.[3] But he goes on to say that the singer has actually made "an informed and empowered decision" to follow her man "because of the life changing impact" the relationship has had on her.[3]

Barbra Streisand recorded the song for her August 1971 album Barbra Joan Streisand, with a single just reaching "hit" status. In 1972, she released a live recording of the song on her album Live Concert at the Forum, and it once again became a minor hit. Kate Taylor also covered the song on her 1971 album Sister Kate.[4] Allmusic critic Joe Viglione pointed out that Taylor's version has a "totally different flavor" from both King's and Streisand's versions.[4]

Carole King re-recorded "Where You Lead" for the popular 2000s television series Gilmore Girls with her daughter Louise Goffin. The song was used as the series's theme song.[5]

On King's 2005 album, Love Makes the World - Deluxe Edition, she re-recorded the song with Louise Goffin. Here it was titled "Where You Lead I Will Follow". The song appears on the subsequent 2005 live album The Living Room Tour.

King performed the song with James Taylor on many of the shows on their joint 2010 Troubadour Reunion Tour.

Charts

Artist Year US Hot 100 US AC Album Notes
Barbra Streisand 1971 40 3 Barbra Joan Streisand
Barbra Streisand 1972 37 15 Live Concert at the Forum With "Sweet Inspiration"

References

  1. ^ [1] Revised Standard Version
  2. ^ a b Landau, J. (April 29, 1971). "Tapestry". Rolling Stone Magazine. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  3. ^ a b Perone, J.E. (2006). The Words and Music of Carole King. Praeger. p. 37. ISBN 0275990273.
  4. ^ a b Viglione, J. "Sister Kate". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-04-13.
  5. ^ Strecker, Erin (October 1, 2014). "Thank Goodness! 'Gilmore Girls' on Netflix Uses the Same Theme Song". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2016-05-17.

External links

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