You've Got a Friend

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"You've Got a Friend" is a song from the early 1970s which marked the singer-songwriter movement.

The song was written by Carole King and appeared on her 1971 album Tapestry.

James Taylor sang a version of "You've Got a Friend" on his 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. The most famous version of the song, Taylor's rendition hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 31, 1971, and won Grammy Awards both for Taylor (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male) and King (Song of the Year). It also reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart, giving Taylor his only Top 20 entry in the United Kingdom. The song was also recorded in 1971 by Dusty Springfield, a recording that predates Taylor's version. It was recorded for her third album for Atlantic Records, but a falling-out with the company meant the album was unreleased. The song was left unissued until 1999, when it was issued as a bonus track for the Rhino Records deluxe re-release of Dusty in Memphis.

[edit] Cover versions

Other than King, Springfield and Taylor's versions, a number of artists have covered "You've Got a Friend". A partial list includes:

• Country singer Lynn Anderson on her album How can I Unlive You.
• Gospel singers Angelo & Veronica on their album Angelo & Veronica.
• Rhythm and blues singer LaVern Baker on her album Woke Up This Mornin'.
• Jazz saxophonist Bob Belden on his King tribute album Tapestry.
• Jazz clarinetist Acker Bilk on his album All The Hits Plus More.
• Acid jazz and alternative hip hop Group Brand New Heavies on their album Shelter
• Petula Clark on her album Live in London.
• Reggae musician Jimmy Cliff on his album Humanitarian.
• Gospel singer Jim Cole on his album An Evening in Cincinnati.
• Instrumental jazz group Common Ground on their Taylor tribute album Fire & Rain
• Pop singer Billy Crawford on the Japan edition of his self-titled album.
• Country music singer Skeeter Davis on her album Love Takes A Lot Of My Time.
• Jazz pianist Xavier Davis on his album The Dance of Life.
• Guitarist Alex de Grassi on his Taylor tribute album Alex de Grassi's Interpretation of James Taylor.
• Celine Dion on the compilation album VH1 Divas Live.
• Reggae singer Adina Edwards on her album Don't Forget to Remember.
• Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald on her album Ella in London.
• Gospel singers The Blind Boys of Alabama on their album Bridge Over Troubled Water.
• Roberta Flack on her albums Heavy Soul and Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway.
• Al Green on his album Soul Survivor.
• American actor/singer Scott Grimes on his self-titled 1989 debut album.
• Ofra Haza on her album Ofra Haza 1997.
• British indie rock group The Housemartins on their album Now That's What I Call Quite Good
• R&B singer Javine on her double A-side single "Don't Walk Away/You've Got A Friend". Her version was also taken from the movie soundtrack for "Garfield The Movie".
• Michael Jackson on his album Got to Be There.
• Tom Jones on his album ...Sings the Ballads.
• Stacey Kent on her album The Boy Next Door.
• Country singer Anita Kerr on her album Daytime Nighttime.
• Labelle covered the song on their 1971 self-titled album
• Russell Malone on his album Playground.
• Easy-listening artist Mantovani on his album Magical Moods of Mantovani.
• Jazz saxophonist Eric Marienthal on his covers album Got You Covered.
• Johnny Mathis on his album You've Got a Friend.
• Miki Matsubara on her album Blue Eyes.
• Pop group McFly on their double A-side single "All About You/You've Got a Friend".
• Punk music band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on their album Turn Japanese.
• Anne Murray on her album Talk It Over in The Morning.
• Pianist Peter Nero on his album Peter Nero's Greatest Hits.
• Vincent Price & Monsters on an episode of The Muppet Show. Clip on YouTube
• Cliff Richard on his album Wanted.
• Barbra Streisand on her album Barbra Joan Streisand.
• Pop singer Andy Williams on his album The Andy Williams Show/You've Got a Friend.
• Many AA employees on a 2006 AA advert.
• Various Disney artists on this album Winnie The Pooh — Friends Forever.

Preceded by "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" by The Raiders

Billboard Hot 100 number one single (James Taylor version) July 31, 1971

Succeeded by "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Bee Gees