Without even realizing it, Carole King wrote the ultimate social distancing anthem almost 50 years ago.
The iconic singer/songwriter did her part to remind people to stay home and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday when she reworked her 1971 Tapestry classic “So Far Away” with some updated lyrics that perfectly capture these strange, strange days.
“So far away/ Everybody has to stay in one place anymore/ It would be so fine to see your face at my door/ Doesn’t help to know/ You’re just time away,” she sang while playing the swaying ballad on piano, slightly tweaking the original lyrics from, “So far away/ Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore?”
King also took time to send some well wishes to those on the front lines who are battling the virus, saying, “I just want to say that I hope you and your family are well and that you all stay well. I wish the same for all the medical professionals who are doing such important and difficult work. And also to thank all the people who keep the groceries coming, and the trash being picked up. There are just so many things that I don’t even know about, but I’m not taking it for granted, none of it. So thank you all. And thank you all for staying in and making sure that we do our part to help this crisis go away. May it be soon!”
King joins a growing list of artists encouraging their fans to adhere to recommended social distancing rules by flipping the lyrics to their songs, from JoJo to Liz Phair, Dua Lipa, Neil Diamond and Gloria Gaynor.
Watch King below.
