Oh God, what memories. I just discovered this great rendition. Me, a Brooklyn boy in the 60’s, climbing up to my roof to get away from the turmoil in the house. To look out at the stars and to watch the lights from the bridge in the distance and dream that there has to be something better than “this.” There was something better. But not perfect. What is perfect in this world? Thank you, God, for all the challenges, for Mom and Dad. Thank you for givng me my dear wife and wonderful sons. In a million years, I would not have dreamt of such wonderful gifts.
There is a kind of wistfulness to this simpler version of the song; a tenderness that borders on sad- that is missing from the hit verson of the song. Love them both of course. Such gifted kids.
I never heard Gerry Goffin sing before. I'm totally blown away. Why in the world was he only singing on demos?? 😥 UPDATE: According to Gerry Goffin's daughter, Louise Goffin, this is not her father singing. This is probably Rudy Lewis, the original lead singer for The Drifters, or Tony Orlando. Carole King says she doesn't remember who sang on this demo. Any further information would be appreciated not only by me, but the Goffin family as well. #thedrifters #TonyOrlando
According to Louise Goffin, Gerry Goffin's daughter, this is not her father singing. It's probably Rudy Lewis, the original lead singer for the Drifters. Carol King is playing the piano.
I have a feeling this is not Rudy Lewis nor Gerry Goffin, but Freddie Scott, who worked on demos with Carole King on occasion and released 'Hey Girl' and a version of 'I Got A Woman' around that time. This sounds a lot like him - check out out the latter track I mentioned for reference.
So beautiful Goffin/ King Classic. Such a gorgeous timeless piece of Music. Made me tear up on this Early Xmas Eve Morning…..Music like this is such a treasure 💕✝✅
I've always loved these two tune smiths. Between them and Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry they wrote the best music of the early 60s. There has never been another pair of duos who have written as many hit songs as those four talented people.
@@marksheiman1538 The magic was in the Brill Building. Several of those creators were Canadians, others from all over the country. It was just Brooklyn's luck to be where that magical place was built. Gene Pitney, Neil Diamond, Carol and Gerry, Jeff and Ellie, and so many more talented people. There's a documentary about the Brill I hope you have seen, or can find. I actually bought the DVD about it. Fun to watch, knowing a little about its history.
One of the things, many things, that I like about a Carole King or a Carole King and Gerry Goffin song is that just with a simple piano the song performed is an enjoyable song. So many songs today are really polished and highly produced. Let's face it, they sound good. But, do they still sound good, do they still stand on their own two feet so to speak, when performed just with a piano. If we are honest, much of the time we will have to say "no". Carole's and Gerry's collaborative songs and Carole's songs on her own all stand up to this test. They are master songwriters together or on their own. (RIP Gerry...may your heart and mind be less troubled now.)
I stumbled on this as I was listening to something else, I'm glad I did It was beautiful & I had no idea Gerry Goffin was the writer too in some of my favorite songs. And who doesn't Love Carole King tooooo.
Mr. Harry, this is the truest response I can think of now, too. It’s early sixties and counting forwards and backward as $ for records was scarce for many; for Mr. Lewis how many practice with Carole went on compared to out west with Goldstar Studio musicians like with The Crystals: I Wonder!
And yet I read in Emersons book that Gerry was frustrated by not having musical ability!. Most of use wish we could sing as well! Beautiful job, RIP and thank you Gerry Goffin.
Love His Voice in This the original version by Carole King the most amazing singer song writer of her age during a time of great unrest in this country! Thanks Carol & Gerry! Love This
such amazing songwriters, I had no idea Gerry Goffin had such a beautiful voice! How awesome, thanks for posting this. Loved Carole King's autobiography recently
Christian Bendix Christian Bendix that’s not true, at least I’m fairly sure it isn’t! Of course we can’t confirm this exact demo, but Louise (his daughter) talked about it in a podcast and said something along the lines of ‘if Bob Dylan can sing, so can I’. She said she discovered the song on CZcams and her cover was released in 2007 so it could just be the same demo, different upload, though I’m 99% sure it’s Gerry
Yes Gail. Now if we can budget rent and County tax to sing along, instead of Polluting with bus, train, car, jet, or diesel. piano needs tuning if I had the money.
Mosca Muerta - yes I can assure you that her demos were over and above what the standard was at the time. At that time they were listening for the words, melody and chord changes... They were looking for potential... the bare bones of the song... I think Carole also communicated the bare bones but her demos were very close to the standards of tapes that were released.
Louise Goffin, Gerry Goffin's first daughter with Carole King, said this is definitely not her dad. The comment is on the other youtube video of this demo.
Qué voz!!! Belleza en todo!!! Música, los valores de esa era, entrega a lo que hacías, amor incondicional, ternura, respeto, dulzura, ....!!!! Me quedé sin palabras!!!!
Ok so got a reply from Jody Miller and she spoke with Carol and Sherry King about this. Carol could not remember absolutely who sang on this but Sherry thought either Rudy Lewis or Ben E. King, so the mystery deepens! If I find out more I will let you know:)
@@galenstone9097 Not Ben E King. He had a distinctive tone and slightly off pitch occasionally. If it's Lewis, the performance is quite different than the hit version.
I just wish Louise Goffin or Carole would actually tell us who the singer is and end all the speculation. Louise has already said it's not her father. I love the Rudy Lewis vocals on The Drifters recording best of all. But I don't think it's Rudy on the Demo. He had a more beautiful, powerful and soulful voice than we hear on the demo. Just listen to Rudy sing the line "At night the stars put on a show for freeeeee . . . " Listen to his soulful phrasing, unique tonality, pronunciation of "stars" and elongation and vibrato of "for free" and I think you'll agree, it is not Rudy on the demo. The demo is a higher pitched voice and a much more simple, straightforward delivery. It's most likely Tony Orlando, who Carole used for other demos back then. Good, but no comparison to the outstanding performance of Rudy Lewis.
I agree. And both The Drifters' and James Taylor's are genius. But this is raw and smooth. Love the piano playing. It is so honest and beautiful. And it speaks volumes of their ambition. He changed the perfectly decent line "I don't melt in the sweltering heat" to "When I come home feeling tired and beat!" Which of course is a much bleaker image.
@@andrewc.2952 No worries. Many people didn't know the songwriters behind the hit songs. Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote so many of the hit songs of the 60s. Along with Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, they wrote the soundtrack of that era.
I am trying to become a professional singer and so I recorded myself singing a song i had wrote and when i played it for a friend and that friend asked me who was singing the song in my recording and i responded by saying it is me who is singing and my friend's response was wow you have a singing voice like a black blues singer when i am a white man who loves singing doo wop music so just because the singer on this demo recording sounds like a balck man singing it can still be Gerry Goffin singing even though he is white if you think that a white guy can't have a black sounding singing voice and a black man can't have a white sounding singing voice fight me on it!!!!
@@nickyl9040 Drink water, Music in Ukraine or in Russia there’s always singing In bile Shetl. Rigor of chemistry on high school tough enough yet college Chem. must be daunting. Glad I planted beans in pots last week.
Seriously idiot? I can point out SO many WHITE singers who sound black. And a few blacks who sound white. I'm a pro singer and he sounds WHITE to me if you want to go head to head.
What are you a racist too? This is Goffin & he sounds amazing very soulful & many voices can sound soulful to say you must be black to achieve this sound is crazy. What about Bonnie Rait & her father & many more people. Rudy Lewis sang it for the drifters nutty! Come on-Like the guy above says read your history. My BF's a Dj since the early 60's & has this on an old reel to reel tape from then! It's Gerry-sorry pal.
Oh God, what memories.
I just discovered this great rendition. Me, a Brooklyn boy in the 60’s, climbing up to my roof to get away from the turmoil in the house. To look out at the stars and to watch the lights from the bridge in the distance and dream that there has to be something better than “this.”
There was something better. But not perfect. What is perfect in this world? Thank you, God, for all the challenges, for Mom and Dad. Thank you for givng me my dear wife and wonderful sons.
In a million years, I would not have dreamt of such wonderful gifts.
thank you
Beautiful…
When Gerry and Carol wrote the tunes that would melt our hearts, the Drifters made them so loved!!!
Gerry Goffin and Carole King were incredible songwriters.
Carole's Tapestry album is a genuine classic and should be in everyone's collection.
As a roofer I love this song, plus Carole King is a Queen.
R.I.P GERRY GOFFIN,PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER YOU SWEET AND SOFTLY.
There is a kind of wistfulness to this simpler version of the song; a tenderness that borders on sad- that is missing from the hit verson of the song. Love them both of course. Such gifted kids.
I never heard Gerry Goffin sing before. I'm totally blown away. Why in the world was he only singing on demos?? 😥 UPDATE: According to Gerry Goffin's daughter, Louise Goffin, this is not her father singing. This is probably Rudy Lewis, the original lead singer for The Drifters, or Tony Orlando. Carole King says she doesn't remember who sang on this demo. Any further information would be appreciated not only by me, but the Goffin family as well. #thedrifters #TonyOrlando
definitely sounds like a Drifter
According to Louise Goffin, Gerry Goffin's daughter, this is not her father singing. It's probably Rudy Lewis, the original lead singer for the Drifters. Carol King is playing the piano.
@tortugabob Rudy it is.
Agree. Listen to Carole do her demo of Pleasant Valley Sunday
Sounds deeper than Rhudy Lewis’s voice on the official track, but most likely candidate. Him or another one of the drifters.
@@lufsolitaire5351 Sounds more like Charley Thomas. But he denies it
@@edwardhayes6111 I don’t understand why it’s a big deal that nobody should know who was singing the demo? I mean I sure Gerry knew and so did Carole.
I have a feeling this is not Rudy Lewis nor Gerry Goffin, but Freddie Scott, who worked on demos with Carole King on occasion and released 'Hey Girl' and a version of 'I Got A Woman' around that time. This sounds a lot like him - check out out the latter track I mentioned for reference.
So beautiful Goffin/ King Classic. Such a gorgeous timeless piece of Music. Made me tear up on this Early Xmas Eve Morning…..Music like this is such a treasure 💕✝✅
I've always loved these two tune smiths. Between them and Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry they wrote the best music of the early 60s. There has never been another pair of duos who have written as many hit songs as those four talented people.
throw in Sedaka & Greenfield, too
What does brooklyn have to produce such great song smiths? The brill building was/still is the best.
@@marksheiman1538 The magic was in the Brill Building. Several of those creators were Canadians, others from all over the country. It was just Brooklyn's luck to be where that magical place was built. Gene Pitney, Neil Diamond, Carol and Gerry, Jeff and Ellie, and so many more talented people. There's a documentary about the Brill I hope you have seen, or can find. I actually bought the DVD about it. Fun to watch, knowing a little about its history.
@@65marlin327don't think so. I think it's the terra.
One of the things, many things, that I like about a Carole King or a Carole King and Gerry Goffin song is that just with a simple piano the song performed is an enjoyable song. So many songs today are really polished and highly produced. Let's face it, they sound good. But, do they still sound good, do they still stand on their own two feet so to speak, when performed just with a piano. If we are honest, much of the time we will have to say "no". Carole's and Gerry's collaborative songs and Carole's songs on her own all stand up to this test. They are master songwriters together or on their own. (RIP Gerry...may your heart and mind be less troubled now.)
One of the finest songs ever. Thanks so much for posting this, made my day hearing this original rendition.
I stumbled on this as I was listening to something else, I'm glad I did It was beautiful & I had no idea Gerry Goffin was the writer too in some of my favorite songs. And who doesn't Love Carole King tooooo.
one of those special collaborations in music that seem to need each other to make beautiful music,
love that leading tone this is sooooo kool, two geniuses
I have loved this song since I was a kid in 1960..Beautiful.
Love this rendition whether it is Gerry or not. The lyrics are amazing to this song its always been a favorite.
Timeless. Any age can go do this.
...can 'do it'?
Fantastic only taken me 45 years to come across this.thanks
Mr. Harry, this is the truest response I can think of now, too. It’s early sixties and counting forwards and backward as $ for records was scarce for many; for Mr. Lewis how many practice with Carole went on compared to out west with Goldstar Studio musicians like with The Crystals: I Wonder!
Love this, so pure and raw. There are more great CK demos out there...
A very young Tony Orlando, demo singer extraordinare.
Maybe. But bless you.
yes sir you are right that is exactly who it is vocally singing on this demo recording 🙂😊💯
@timturner36 yes that's exactly who it is singing vocally on this demo performance you are correct sir 💯
Carole hits that keyboard with passion... Wow...
Awesome, and I love the real lyrics
So glad I found this! It's just amazing.
And yet I read in Emersons book that Gerry was frustrated by not having musical ability!. Most of use wish we could sing as well! Beautiful job, RIP and thank you Gerry Goffin.
His daughter Louis said about a year ago that this is not Gerry singing.
Thank you for the memories 👍🏽🙌🏾
Tony was on the Cowsills CZcams podcast and told his story about cutting this demo for Carole.
So fine…thanks for sharing this great piece of Pop music history!
His voice is truly magical. He is true legend
Truly wonderful
this is the best demo i have heard so perfect...L.A Rob
This is so simple and beautiful. Thanks for posting
truly wonderful songwriters and influence of my childhood
Love His Voice in This the original version by Carole King the most amazing singer song writer of her age during a time of great unrest in this country! Thanks Carol & Gerry! Love This
Beautiful ❤️ Gerry goffin,and Carole playing piano , just class .realy nice .💖💖💖love from scotland.they don't write songs like this anymore.🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶💖.
"Up on the Roof" is the acme of pre-
British Invasion pop music.
Carole and Gerry need more credit as songwriters.
He made it come alive.
awwwww.so lovely.
In my Carole playlist with 6 covers. Thanks for the upload!
Magic.
Beautiful
Wonderful version.....
wow. such a great singer
He's great.
Very pure.
such amazing songwriters, I had no idea Gerry Goffin had such a beautiful voice! How awesome, thanks for posting this. Loved Carole King's autobiography recently
Drifters featuring lead singer Rudy Lewis. Source: czcams.com/video/Y3G-NYIsmqs/video.html
urthcreature absolutely agree. Can’t understand why he didn’t release himself singing their compositions 👍👍
It’s not Gerry singing here
Christian Bendix Christian Bendix that’s not true, at least I’m fairly sure it isn’t! Of course we can’t confirm this exact demo, but Louise (his daughter) talked about it in a podcast and said something along the lines of ‘if Bob Dylan can sing, so can I’. She said she discovered the song on CZcams and her cover was released in 2007 so it could just be the same demo, different upload, though I’m 99% sure it’s Gerry
@@fornkly that singer sounds black though
Tar beach after work New York 1986....a comfy chair and a radio, bliss.😉
You have it right.
this is great
Yes Gail. Now if we can budget rent and County tax to sing along, instead of
Polluting with bus, train, car, jet, or diesel. piano needs tuning if I had the money.
I've heard multiple artists say that Carole King made made the best demo tapes. This is divine. I will always treasure it.
Mosca Muerta - yes I can assure you that her demos were over and above what the standard was at the time. At that time they were listening for the words, melody and chord changes... They were looking for potential... the bare bones of the song... I think Carole also communicated the bare bones but her demos were very close to the standards of tapes that were released.
Her demo of "Pleasant Valley Sunday" is superb.
The stars put on a show for free.
Louise Goffin, Gerry Goffin's first daughter with Carole King, said this is definitely not her dad. The comment is on the other youtube video of this demo.
Qué voz!!! Belleza en todo!!! Música, los valores de esa era, entrega a lo que hacías, amor incondicional, ternura, respeto, dulzura, ....!!!! Me quedé sin palabras!!!!
God Bless you carole
I’ll settle this mystery. If you picture of Tony Orlando while you’re listening to the song, it’s him.
Bless you. Where did your information come from?
Nice music
All this time I assumed the drifter cam up with this song but now I know it wasn’t them , mind blowing
Wow.
I love this demo and I have spent the entire day researching the cut. I am now certain this is Rudy Lewis singing the track.
I agree with you, I played this on an originals show I presented on our community radio station
I have contacted Carole's media team by email and look forward to their settling the matter once and for all.
Ok so got a reply from Jody Miller and she spoke with Carol and Sherry King about this. Carol could not remember absolutely who sang on this but Sherry thought either Rudy Lewis or Ben E. King, so the mystery deepens! If I find out more I will let you know:)
I agree completely and fully believe that this is Rudy singing
@@galenstone9097 Not Ben E King. He had a distinctive tone and slightly off pitch occasionally. If it's Lewis, the performance is quite different than the hit version.
That sounds like Tony Orlando (a pre-Dawn NYC studio denizen).
A very good singer as well, actually.
Gerry Goffin had one hell of an amazing voice!
it isn't Gerry Goffin
it's tony orlando singing the vocal part of this music composition
Rudy Louis singing. Remember.
1962. Gerry's lyrics were based on his just having seen West Side Story.
I 💘 🤴..
Playing on the roofs in NYC as a kid, I'm glad I didn't fall, shudder.
Esther and I on the roof of nursing school dorm finding peace 1962
With a cold 1(rhinegold)
Please post the demo for Star Collector!!! (The Monkees) It used to be on here, can’t seem to find it anywhere now
Gerry had a nice voice
I just wish Louise Goffin or Carole would actually tell us who the singer is and end all the speculation. Louise has already said it's not her father. I love the Rudy Lewis vocals on The Drifters recording best of all. But I don't think it's Rudy on the Demo. He had a more beautiful, powerful and soulful voice than we hear on the demo. Just listen to Rudy sing the line "At night the stars put on a show for freeeeee . . . " Listen to his soulful phrasing, unique tonality, pronunciation of "stars" and elongation and vibrato of "for free" and I think you'll agree, it is not Rudy on the demo. The demo is a higher pitched voice and a much more simple, straightforward delivery. It's most likely Tony Orlando, who Carole used for other demos back then. Good, but no comparison to the outstanding performance of Rudy Lewis.
What is this track from? Do you have it on vinyl? I'd like to own a copy. I Like it better than any other version.
I agree. And both The Drifters' and James Taylor's are genius. But this is raw and smooth. Love the piano playing. It is so honest and beautiful. And it speaks volumes of their ambition. He changed the perfectly decent line "I don't melt in the sweltering heat" to "When I come home feeling tired and beat!" Which of course is a much bleaker image.
Drifters featuring lead singer Rudy Lewis. Longer version: czcams.com/video/Y3G-NYIsmqs/video.html
Rudy Lewis - lead singer of the Drifters: czcams.com/video/puM1k-S86nE/video.html
I miss good songs with good melodies and good lyrics--simple lyrics. I miss when songs had good back-up singers and good progression.
Todo el talento lo tenía carole king
Laura Nyro did this song as a cover and killed it. Go listen.
'Now here's Gerry Goffin song', I always say proceeding ant King/Goffin tunes. Just to balance any unfairness down through the years.
Gerry has the tono voice of African american singer
Wow! Goffin didn't have a bad singing voice! He should have done more.
Louise Goffin says this isn't Gerry. If it were he would have been a performer, like Carole.
They're covering The Drifters!!! I love love LOVE this version!
they're not covering the Drifters.........they wrote "Up on the roof"!!
They most certainly are not. This is their demo that they gave to the Drifters when they sold the song to them.
-gasp- I have been educated. Pardon my ignorance.
@@andrewc.2952 No worries. Many people didn't know the songwriters behind the hit songs. Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote so many of the hit songs of the 60s. Along with Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, they wrote the soundtrack of that era.
My my! Obviously, Gerry had the looks and voice to be a big recording star in his own right if he'd had the inclination to go that route.
he does look pretty gorgeous . and i'm not actually gay! ;)
Drifters featuring lead singer Rudy Lewis. Source: czcams.com/video/Y3G-NYIsmqs/video.html
Yep. This guy had it all. The looks and talent of a rock star and the creativity and intelligence of a true artist.
@@wesleyscott5142 It's not him singing.
That Gerry voice is amazing
It's not him.
This sounds a little like Charlie Thomas.
No, it sounds a lot like Charlie Thomas.
Why doesn't Carole sing too? Great opportunity for a duet.
I am trying to become a professional singer and so I recorded myself singing a song i had wrote and when i played it for a friend and that friend asked me who was singing the song in my recording and i responded by saying it is me who is singing and my friend's response was wow you have a singing voice like a black blues singer when i am a white man who loves singing doo wop music so just because the singer on this demo recording sounds like a balck man singing it can still be Gerry Goffin singing even though he is white if you think that a white guy can't have a black sounding singing voice and a black man can't have a white sounding singing voice fight me on it!!!!
Punctuation might make this readable
How did Gerry Goffin write like this as a teenager ? Amazing insight
he probably spent a lot of time " up on the roof "
@@nickyl9040 Drink water, Music in Ukraine or in Russia there’s always singing
In bile Shetl. Rigor of chemistry on high school tough enough yet college
Chem. must be daunting. Glad I planted beans in pots last week.
Will Toledo
This isn’t Gerry, if it was they may have just as well have released this as is...
Bench mark.
thats ben singing, right?
No. And not Gerry Goffin. Maybe Charley Thomas. He sang When my little Girl is Smiling.
I do not believe that is Gerry's voice.
so I am thinking this is not their demo but a demo.
if u search another longer version of this on youtube, you'll find Garry's the writer not the singer, the singer is Rudy Lewis :)
If you listen, at the very beginning you can hear her say very faintly, "One, two, three, four."
It IS Gerry singing here. It's the most beautiful rendition of all, in my humble opinion.
According to Gerry's daughter, it's not him.
This is not Gerry, it’s Rudy. Fact.
rudy who?
that's not gerrys vocals
hes got a twang that reminds me of bob Dylan.
be nice to know who it actually is.
I would love for this to be Gerry Goffin. But it is a black voice. I would bet Rudy Lewis.
Seriously idiot? I can point out SO many WHITE singers who sound black. And a few blacks who sound white. I'm a pro singer and he sounds WHITE to me if you want to go head to head.
So, don't hold back. Who is the singer on the demo?
Its Goffin NOT Rudy Lewis ! Read music history of that era , especially the incredible Brill Building sessions (late 1950s to mid 1960s) .
Not Jerry. Name one Jew soul singer, please!
What are you a racist too? This is Goffin & he sounds amazing very soulful & many voices can sound soulful to say you must be black to achieve this sound is crazy. What about Bonnie Rait & her father & many more people. Rudy Lewis sang it for the drifters nutty! Come on-Like the guy above says read your history. My BF's a Dj since the early 60's & has this on an old reel to reel tape from then! It's Gerry-sorry pal.
Goffin never gets the proper credit for his part.