Carole King: Natural Woman

King tells her own story in the new documentary American Masters – Carole King: Natural Woman that weaves previously unseen and rare performances and home movies with a new, exclusive interview with King, friends, fellow songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Tapestry producer Lou Adler, drummer Russ Kunkel, guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, and more.

Carole King, songwriters and friends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and others describe the music business and work of songwriters in the 1950s and 1960s. As a 16-year-old living in Queens, King would bring her music to two publishing houses in Manhattan and get paid $25 for a composition that would be given to a recording artist. She soon paired professionally and in marriage with Gerry Goffin.

King didn't like the idea of a musical about herself until she read the book for the show by Douglas McGrath. The storyline not only covers the work of King and her former husband and writing partner Gerry Goffin, but songs of their best friends and competitors, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. King, McGrath, Mann and Weil recall reactions to the musical's creation.

Carole King sings "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" at the piano, in never-before-seen footage. The intimate recording for the camera took place in Austin, TX, in 1982 for the film "One to One," by Scott Garen. Written by Carole King, with lyrics by her then-husband Gerry Goffin, the song was a 1967 single released by soul singer Aretha Franklin. Carole King recorded it herself in 1971.