Thoroughbred (album)

Thoroughbred
Studio album by Carole King
Released	January 13, 1976[1]
Studio	A&M (Hollywood)
Genre	Pop, soft rock
Length	33:11
Label	Ode / A&M (Original Issue) Ode / Epic (Re-issue)
Producer	Lou Adler
Carole King chronology
Really Rosie (1975) Thoroughbred (1976) Simple Things (1977)

Thoroughbred is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter Carole King, released in 1976. Her final release on Ode Records, it was produced by Lou Adler, who had been her collaborator since Tapestry (1971). After Carole King self-produced for a number of years on Capitol and Atlantic Records, Lou Adler later rejoined King to produce her 1984 album Speeding Time.

The track "Only Love Is Real" was released as a lead single from the album, and became her 4th and final chart-topper on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. "High Out of Time", a song featuring David Crosby and Graham Nash on vocals, was also released as a single. The track "There's a Space Between Us" features harmony vocals by James Taylor.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Rolling Stone	(positive)[3]

Cash Box called "High Out of Time" "a sweet ballad, filled with Carole King's expected but always exciting melody hooks."[4] Record World called "High Out of Time" a "thoughtful and moving story as only this songstress can relate."[5]

Track listing

All songs written by Carole King, except where noted.

Side one

1. "So Many Ways" – 3:11
2. "Daughter of Light" (Gerry Goffin, King) – 3:11
3. "High Out of Time" (Goffin, King) – 3:15
4. "Only Love is Real" – 3:29
5. "There's a Space Between Us" – 3:20

Side two

6. "I'd Like to Know You Better" – 2:48
7. "We All Have to Be Alone" (Goffin, King) – 3:44
8. "Ambrosia" (King, Dave Palmer) – 3:16
9. "Still Here Thinking of You" (Goffin, King) – 3:11
10. "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" – 3:50

Personnel

• Carole King – piano, vocals, backing vocals
• Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar – guitar, vocals
• Russ Kunkel – drums
• Ralph MacDonald – percussion
• David Crosby – backing vocals
• Graham Nash – backing vocals
• Tom Scott – saxophone
• Leland Sklar – bass guitar
• JD Souther – backing vocals
• James Taylor – guitar, backing vocals
• Waddy Wachtel – guitar

Production notes

• Lou Adler – producer
• Milt Calice – engineer
• Hank Cicalo – engineer

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1976) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 87 Canadian RPM Albums Chart[7] 9 Japanese Oricon Albums Chart[8] 7 US Billboard 200[9] 3

Year-end charts Chart (1976) Position U.S. Billboard Year-End[10] 85

Certifications

Region	Certification
United States (RIAA)[11]	Gold

References

1. "Pop Picks" (PDF). Cashbox. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
2. Thoroughbred at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
3. Holden, Stephen (1976-03-25). "Carole King: Thoroughbred: Music Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
4. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 1, 1976. p. 21. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
5. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 1, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 166/167. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
7. Library and Archives Canada. Archived 2014-01-06 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2011-02-22
8. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
9. Allmusic - Carole King > Wrap Around Joy > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums
10. "Top Pop Albums of 1976". billboard.biz. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
11. "American album certifications – Carole King – Wrap Around Joy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-02-07.