The Little-Known Inspirations Behind the World’s Greatest Hits

Neil Sedaka’s high school relationship with Carole King inspired his hit “Oh! Carol,” which reached the top 10 in 1959. King’s playful retort, “Oh! Neil,” co-written with husband Gerry Goffin, revived Sedaka’s hit and launched their successful songwriting career, creating classics like “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

Since the 1950s, Neil Sedaka has remained a prominent music figure known for his remarkable comebacks. His repertoire, including hits like “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” showcases his enduring influence. His song “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” became a number-one hit in 2005 with Tony Christie’s “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo.”