Features

A Salute To Gerry Goffin

Published on

June 19, 2014

Paul Sexton

The death of Gerry Goffin on Thursday (19), at the age of 75, robs the world of one of the premier lyricists of the pop era. With his then-wife Carole King, and later in other collaborations, he co-wrote some of the most enduring songs of the past 50-plus years.

Goffin’s death was confirmed by his wife Michelle, while King described Gerry in a statement as her “first love” and said he had had a profound effect on her life.
“Gerry was a good man with a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come,” she said. “His legacy to me is our two daughters, four grandchildren, and our songs that have touched millions and millions of people, as well as a lifelong friendship.”

Here we present a selection of Goffin’s most-loved songs, some of them in the original hit versions and others taken from the thousands upon thousands of interpretations of his work.