King hardly needs an introduction among music lovers. She’s had a string of hits as both a recording artist and behind the scenes as a songwriter, crafting some of the most enduring music of the last century: “You’ve Got a Friend,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman” and “Up on the Roof” to name just a few. She’s just the third woman to be inducted twice into the Hall of Fame. Swift—who (fun fact!) was named after one of King’s msot famous collaborators, James Taylor—sang and performed in honor of King and her work at the induction ceremony, which was held in October 2021 at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. She took the stage in a lacy catsuit and sang a stunning rendition of King’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” She then delivered King’s induction speech, returning the favor from 2019, when King presented Swift with the Artist of the Decade Award at the 2019 American Music Awards. “I cannot remember a time when I didn’t know Carole King’s music,” Swift shared during her remarks. “I was raised by two of her biggest fans, who taught me the basic truths of life as they saw it: That you should treat people the way you want to be treated, that you must believe that you can achieve whatever you want to in life, and that Carole King is the greatest songwriter of all time.” In fact, Swift shared something more personal: She might not have existed if Carole King’s music hadn’t already. “There have been times when any fan’s dedication to the artist they love can complicate things in their personal life,” she said. “My dad once told me a story from when he was in college and a girl he was just starting to date flirtatiously asked him if there were any songs that made him think of her. He instantly responded with his absolute favorite song, which was ‘It’s Too Late’ by Carole King—not taking into consideration that the lyrics include lines like ‘Something inside has died and I just can’t hide and I just can’t fake it.’ Shockingly the relationship didn’t work out. But if it had, I wouldn’t be here tonight.” Keep reading to find out more about Taylor Swift and Carole King at the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, King’s reaction to Swift’s remarks, whether King will induct Swift when her turn comes and how you can watch the induction ceremony when it airs on Saturday, Nov. 20.
When was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony?
The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Hall of Fame is headquartered.
Who performed at the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction?
A slew of stars were on hand to take part in the ceremony, either in-person or via short video speeches. In addition to Swift, Jennifer Hudson, who worked with King during the making of the ArethaFranklin biopicRespect, was also on hand to sing another one of King’s creations, “Natural Woman.” King herself sang “You’ve Got a Friend,” another iconic song she co-wrote. Other performers included Paul McCartney (there to induct Foo Fighters), Mickey Guyton, Brandi Carlile, Keith Urban, H.E.R, Christina Aguilera and the Go-Go’s.Eminem and Jennifer Lopez made surprise appearances and performed with inductee LL Cool J, while Dave Chappelle was another surprise appearance to induct JAY-Z.
Is Carole King in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
You’re not alone if you thought King was already in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was inducted for songwriting in 1990 with former husband Gerry Goffin.
When was Carole King inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
King became a second-time inductee in the Rock Hall’s class of 2021, which also included Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Carole King and JAY-Z. The full list of inductees for 2021 included: Performer Category: Tina Turner Carole King The Go-Go’s JAY-Z Foo Fighters Todd Rundgren Early Influence Award: Kraftwerk Charley Patton Gil Scott-Heron Musical Excellence Award: LL Cool J Billy Preston Randy Rhoads Ahmet Ertegun Award: Clarence Avant
What did Taylor Swift say about Carole King?
Swift drew from personal experience when talking about King and the effect that she had on the world. “I grew up dancing around the living room in socked feet to the sounds of Carole’s soulful voice, her infectious melodies and lyrics that I, a 7-year-old, thought had been crafted for my exact, specific life experience. I listen to Carole’s music now and I feel that same tingle of recognition,” she explained. Getting a few chuckles, Swift praised King’s album Tapestry, saying, “It was a watershed moment for humans in the world who have feelings, and for cats who had big dreams of one day ending up on iconic album covers.” Swift shared that she felt inspired by King because she showed the power of resilience and hard work. “Carole taught artists like me that telling your own story is worth the work and struggle it takes to earn the opportunity for your story to be heard. That musical connection can be generation-spanning.” You can find the full text of Swift’s remarks here.
Why did Carole King become emotional during Taylor Swift’s speech?
King, known as a bit of a hermit who rarely travels far from her Idaho home, thought the induction ceremony was big enough to attend in person. “It’s a great honor. In fact, I’ll tell you what a great honor it is: I’m actually going!… I’m leaving Idaho.” She seemed happy she made the trip, and seemed to become emotional during Swift’s induction speech. “She speaks about some of the same things that I did, you know?” she said about Swift in an interview earlier this year. “And they are timeless [things]. People have these feelings, you know, marriages come together, they break up.” King has long been a fan of her fellow singer-songwriter. “She [Swift] wants to be real, she wants to keep it real. We’ve talked about that, and she hears me about that and she’s real on her own, too.” After Swift’s speech at the induction ceremony, King took the stage for her own remarks. “I want to thank Taylor—thank you for that awesome performance. And also, thank you for carrying the torch forward,” King said. “I want to thank all of tonight’s inductees for carrying the torch, from rhythm & blues to rock & roll, to the music that inspires us today.” King also owned the fact that she’s an inspiration to Swift and many other artists today. “I keep hearing it, so I guess I’m going to have to try to own it, that today’s female singers and songwriters stand on my shoulders,” she said. “Let it not be forgotten that they also stand on the shoulders of the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—may she rest in power, Miss Aretha Franklin!”
Is Taylor Swift in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
Not yet. An artist is first eligible for induction 25 years after their first recorded piece of music. For Swift, that will come in about 11 years, in 2032. When asked if she’d induct Swift when the time came, King told Rolling Stone she would. “Oh my god, yes. In 10 years, I’m going to be 90. So if I’m here and I can walk, I would be honored to present it to her.”
How can you watch the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony?
The ceremony will air on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. Next, Read Our Refresher to Find Out What You Remember About Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl “Wardrobe Malfunction”
