Twofer Tuesday here on the Buzzyblog, so let’s talk about song writing couples.

Most of the best-of-lists features a preponderance of male duos such as Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards, Bachrach/David, John/Taupin, Leiber/Stoller, Rodgers/Hammerstein etc.. Also on the list are several married songwriting couples such as King/Goffin, Greenwich/Barry, Ashford/Simpson, the Bryants etc..

What you won’t find on these best-of lists are any female duo’s. Google’s Gemini does have this listing, but I must confess that I do not recognize any of them.

Following her split from then partner Gerry Goffin, Carole King collaborated with Toni Stern to write several great tunes including “It’s Too Late.” Girl Groups such as the Bangles and the Go Go’s also had some co-writing successes, but nothing along the lines of what the men and the married couples cited above ever produced.

I am leery of saying anything more here because it will sound critical as to why it seems that women either can’t or won’t collaborate on writing music with another female. That said, there is something wrong here and “there can be no denying.” You are on your own to try and figure it out. (But if do have some answers, it is not too late to let me know what you come up with. Please!)

Song-wise, this is still the most accurate and incisive divorce/breakup tune ever written. It features Toni’s lyrics and Carole’s music. I can even remember lying in bed listening to it as my first marriage unraveled.

In addition to Carole playing piano, that is Danny Kortchmar on guitar and Curtis Amy on sax with each of them having solos.