Carole King released her second studio album, Tapestry, on February 10th, 1971. While King had seen success as a songwriter, this was her true breakout moment as a solo artist. The album would see many accomplishments, including the Song of the Year Grammy for “You’ve Got A Friend,” making her the first female artist to win the award.

King would also grow to be a major inspiration for the songwriters to come. King’s vulnerable album showed the industry what it means to put your heart and soul into a body of work. And years later, Tapestry‘s impact has only strengthened since its release.

Tapestry’s Track List Has Withstood The Test Of Time

Tapestry features renowned Carole King tracks like “I Feel The Earth Move,” “So Far Away,” “It’s Too Late,” and “You’ve Got A Friend.” These songs have become timeless in the decades since the album’s release. After King took home the Album of the Year trophy at the Grammys in 1972, the album’s impact was solidified.

However, 55 years later, its legacy hasn’t faded. In the years since its release, there have been several Tapestry tribute albums, including Tapestry: A Tribute To Carole King, with covers by artists like Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, and Celine Dion. In 2003, Tapestry was listed at #36 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The same year, Tapestry made it into the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. The album also acted as inspiration behind the 2014 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Beautiful, named after the Tapestry single.

In 2021, 50 years after the album’s release, Carole King was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. Her first induction came in 1990 as a songwriter with her partner, Gerry Goffin. At the 2021 ceremony, Taylor Swift inducted King and performed a cover of Tapestry‘s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

King’s Album Has Inspired Countless Singer-Songwriters

Tapestry also had a tremendous impact on the singer-songwriter genre. There’s a reason Swift was chosen to induct King into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The singer-songwriter turned pop superstar walked in King’s footsteps to get to where she is today.

While Swift’s earlier work was heavily inspired by the singer-songwriters who came before her, her 2020 albums folklore and evermore also feel like the outcome of Tapestry‘s success. Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Sara Bareilles have also cited King as an influence.

At the 2014 Grammy Awards, Bareilles and King performed a breathtaking medley of their songs “Brave” and “Beautiful,” and King’s influence on Bareilles was evident. As more singer-songwriters step into the spotlight and music evolves, Carole King‘s 1971 album continues to be the blueprint.