In 1971, Carole King heard James Taylor’s ode to loneliness. Her response became “the best song ever written by a human being”

Carole King wrote ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ after James Taylor’s song ‘Fire and Rain’ expressed a sense of loneliness. The song became a way of reassuring Taylor that he was not alone, and its success helped King move towards performing her own music.

Taylor recorded the song first, calling it “the best song written by a human being”, before telling King he had recorded her prospective hit. Their versions were released only a few months apart and both became hits, with Taylor’s gentler baritone and King’s softer vocal giving the song distinct interpretations. The article also describes Taylor as an important influence in helping King overcome her reluctance to perform live.