Song Lyric Sunday #9

Posted on 13/09/2020 by Sheree

Jim Adams of Song Lyric Sunday Challenge gave us plenty of notice about today’s prompt – Contrast. As always, I need to give this some thought particularly as I prefer to choose a track from music I’ve purchased. But should the track or the artists provide the contrast?

I’m going back to the first album I ever bought Carole King’s “Tapestry,” a 1971 masterpiece which reflects the golden years of her partnership with Gerry Goffin and I’m picking the song (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

The song was first released in 1967 by American soul singer Aretha Franklin. Written for Franklin, the record was a big hit reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It made history in the UK singles chart a week after her death, finally becoming a hit almost 51 years after it was first released. Franklin also included a live recording on the album Aretha in Paris in 1968. Carole King has performed and recorded a version of the song along with Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, and many others. At the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, Franklin performed the song to honour award-recipient Carole King.

Carole King’s contributions to pop music songwriting and rock ’n’ roll history can’t be overstated. Her work, both as a composer and performer, continues to be the gold standard of fine form matched to pop melody. While Aretha’s towering, French horn-laden version is one of her signature numbers, King’s own performance on Tapestry is a heart-rending, bare bones take anchored by a bracing vocal performance. Simply stated: it’s an all-time classic by an all-time lyrical talent.

Lyrics: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But you’re the key to my peace of mind
‘Cause you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like
A natural woman (woman)
When my soul was in the lost and found
You came along to claim it
I didn’t know just what was wrong with me
‘Til your kiss helped me name it
Now I’m no longer doubtful, of what I’m living for
And if I make you happy I don’t need to do more
‘Cause you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like
A natural woman (woman)
Oh, baby, what you’ve done to me (what you’ve done to me)
You make me feel so good inside (good inside)
And I just want to be, close to you (want to be)
You make me feel so alive
You make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like
A natural woman (woman)
You make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like a natural woman (woman)

Songwriters: Gerry Goffin / Carole King / Jerry Wexler
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC<

Challenge Rules

Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not. If it does not fit, then please explain why you chose this song.
Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
Ping back to Jim’s post or place your link in his comments section.
Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
Feel free to suggest future prompts.
Most of all, have fun and enjoy the music.