Carole King stands as a titan in the songwriting world, responsible for crafting countless hits that have resonated across generations. While many know her for her iconic solo performances and albums like “Tapestry,” her early career was largely defined by her songwriting partnership with Gerry Goffin. Together, they penned an array of chart-topping songs for various artists, one of the most infectious being “The Loco-Motion.” This track, initially intended as a demo, unexpectedly launched the career of their babysitter, Little Eva, and became a dance craze anthem that continues to fill dance floors today. The story of “The Loco-Motion” is a testament to King and Goffin’s songwriting prowess and the serendipitous nature of the music industry.
In the early 1960s, the music scene was swept up by a series of dance-oriented songs. Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” had become a cultural phenomenon, dominating the charts and inspiring a flurry of similar tunes. Record labels and songwriters were eager to capture this dance craze magic. Goffin and King, always attuned to musical trends, were no exception. Drawing inspiration from Dee Dee Sharp’s “Mashed Potato Time,” a successful “Twist” offshoot, they set about creating their own dance track.
Initially, “The Loco-Motion” wasn’t conceived for Little Eva, whose real name was Eva Narcissus Boyd. Boyd, a North Carolina native with aspirations of musical stardom, had become acquainted with the Cookies, a popular girl group for whom Goffin and King wrote. She even auditioned for the Cookies with Goffin and King’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” showcasing her vocal talent and earning a spot as an “alternate Cookie,” providing backup vocals on occasion.
To supplement her income, the Cookies introduced Boyd to Goffin and King, who were seeking childcare for their young daughters. For $35 a week, Boyd became their babysitter. Carole King recalled in an NPR interview that during their initial conversations with Boyd, they discovered she sang. Impressed by a brief impromptu performance, they recognized her vocal potential. This chance encounter would prove pivotal.
When Goffin and King penned “The Loco-Motion,” their initial thought was to offer it to Dee Dee Sharp. Boyd was asked to record the demo version, with backing vocals naturally provided by the Cookies. However, fate intervened. Don Kirshner, the head of Dimension Records and a major figure in music publishing, heard Boyd’s demo. He was so captivated by her rendition that he decided to release it as a single, launching Boyd under the stage name Little Eva.
The demo was enhanced with instrumental flourishes, including a memorable saxophone riff inspired by Bobby Darin’s Copacabana performance. Goffin described the added elements, “We had that drumroll that sounded like an engine and then the horns that sounded like a railroad,” perfectly capturing the song’s energetic, train-like rhythm. Interestingly, while Goffin and King conceived the song with a train-like movement in mind, the iconic dance itself was improvised by Little Eva. King explained, “She just did what she thought was the right movement and that became the Loco-Motion.”
“The Loco-Motion” became a massive hit, reaching Number One and cementing its place in pop music history as one of the quintessential Songs Written By Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Its infectious melody and simple, danceable rhythm transcended generations. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its multiple chart-topping reincarnations. Grand Funk Railroad took it to Number One again in 1974, and Kylie Minogue scored a Top Three hit with her version in 1988. These later successes further solidify “The Loco-Motion” as not just a product of the dance craze era, but a timeless example of Carole King’s songwriting brilliance and her ability to craft songs that resonate across decades and musical styles.
