Gerry Goffin might have been a chemist, but when it came to music, he was a scientist of songwriting.
Goffin began his songwriting career with ex-wife Carole King, who he met at Queens College, where he studied chemistry. The duo went on to craft songs that have become American classics, from (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman to The Loco-Motion.
And without King, Goffin was still a powerhouse: He collaborated with the likes of Michael Masser and Barry Goldberg to write hits including the Oscar-nominated Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To), recorded by Diana Ross, and Whitney Houston’s Saving All My Love for You, which won the late icon her first Grammy Award.
Goffin died on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles at age 75. Here’s a look at his key songs, written with King and without her.
Gerry Goffin’s key songs written with Carole King:
— Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Shirelles
— (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Aretha Franklin
— Take Good Care of My Baby, Bobby Vee
— The Loco-Motion, Little Eva
— Go Away Little Girl, Steve Lawrence
— Pleasant Valley Sunday, The Monkees
Gerry Goffin’s key songs written without Carole King:
— Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To), Diana Ross
— I’ve Got to Use My Imagination, Gladys Knight and the Pips
— Saving All My Love for You, Whitney Houston
— Run to Him, Bobby Vee
— Miss You Like Crazy, Natalie Cole
— Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp Bomp Bomp Bomp), Barry Mann
