"Only Love Is Real" is a song written and performed by Carole King. The song was included on her 1976 album, Thoroughbred.Carole King Discography. Discogs.com. Accessed June 20, 2012. The single peaked at No. 28 in the Billboard Hot 100 and was King's fourth and final No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart, where it remained for one week in March 1976. It is ranked as the 40th biggest AC/Easy Listening hit of 1976.Top 50 Adult Contemporary Hits of 1976
Cash Box said the song has a "likable tune with a carefully constructed lyric" and that "Like Dylan, Carole King understands the power of a subtle rhyme, and she uses her knowledge in this tune with tremendous effect." Record World said that "The exceptional songwriting prowess of Carole King continues to manifest itself in quality records such as this."
Personnel Carole King – synthesizer, piano, vocals, background vocals Waddy Wachtel – guitar Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar – guitar Russ Kunkel – drums Leland Sklar – bass Tom Scott – saxophone Ralph MacDonald - percussion David Crosby - background vocal Graham Nash - background vocal John David Souther - background vocal
Charts Chart (1976)PeakpositionUS Billboard Hot 10028 US Billboard Easy Listening1
See also List of Billboard Easy Listening number ones of 1976
References