The greatest songwriter ever, according to Suzi Quatro
Songwriting is an elusive skill that many people attempt to master, but only a select few succeed.
The 20th century played host to a wide range of incredible songwriters and performers as the world of rock and pop opened the floodgates to an entirely new world of artistic expression. Among those figures, Suzi Quatro played an essential role in opening up the traditionally male-oriented rock scene to some much-needed female influence.
Her presence alone challenged long-standing assumptions about who belonged on a rock stage. Armed with a bass guitar and an unapologetic attitude, Quatro projected a kind of authority that had rarely been afforded to women in the genre. In doing so, she quietly widened the doorway for those who would follow.
From her early years in Detroit, Michigan, Quatro was a devotee of great pop and rock songwriting. In fact, it was a televised performance of The Beatles that first inspired the songwriter to take up music, joining the ranks of her sister’s pioneering garage rock outfit, The Pleasure Seekers. Although Quatro did not have the opportunity to put her songwriting education into practice with The Pleasure Seekers, the experiences gave Quatro some invaluable experience in the music industry that would go on to influence her incredible solo career.
After relocating to the United Kingdom in 1971, Quatro wasted no time in establishing herself as the rebellious face of modern hard rock. Her long and illustrious career proved incredibly influential for countless young rock hopefuls, particularly young women who found themselves largely ignored by the music industry on the whole. Although Quatro could regularly be seen necked in leather with a guitar in-hand, many of the musical influences she maintained were much more mellow.
Aside from the obvious figures of Elvis Presley, Donovan, and Bob Dylan, Quatro also maintained an utter adoration for the folk, soul, and soft rock songwriters. Notably, the Detroit-born musician has always held a special place in her heart for the incredible tones of Carole King. Born and raised in the heart of New York City, King penned some of the most iconic tracks of the 1960s, including tunes recorded by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and even The Beatles.
King’s own recordings are, of course, incredible, but the breadth of her songwriting for other artists made her an essential part of popular music during the 1960s and beyond. Quatro had been a fan of King’s work since the early days, and her love for the New Yorker has never really waned. So much so that, when asked in 2021 who her favourite songwriter of all time is, Quatro told Classic Rock, “Well, the first person that springs to mind is Carole King, so I’d have to say her.”
What makes King’s work so enduring is its deceptive simplicity. Her melodies feel conversational, almost effortless, yet they carry emotional weight that few writers can replicate. For a songwriter like Quatro, that balance between accessibility and depth represents the very pinnacle of the craft.
Quatro has never been quiet about her love for King. Having regularly espoused the joys of the blue-eyed soul star, Quatro even selected King’s ‘So Far Away’ as one of her all-time favourite tracks during an appearance on BBC Radio Two back in 2017. The legendary performer also covered King’s ‘I Feel The Earth Move’ on her 2022 EP ‘Uncovered’.
Many songwriters have influenced Suzi Quatro over the years, spanning countless different genres, styles, and eras. However, Carole King’s writing has that special, timeless quality that means her influence—not just over Quatro but over pop music as a whole—will remain for years to come.
