Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was 'Oh! Carol' released?

   'Oh! Carol' was released in 1959. It became Neil Sedaka's first Top 10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

2. Who co-wrote 'Oh! Carol' with Neil Sedaka?

   'Oh! Carol' was co-written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Greenfield was a longtime collaborator of Sedaka, and they had started working together when Sedaka was 13 and Greenfield was 16.

3. What inspired Neil Sedaka to write 'Oh! Carol'?

   Neil Sedaka was inspired to write 'Oh! Carol' by his high school ex-girlfriend, Carol Klein, who later became famous under the stage name Carole King. They both attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, New York.

4. Did Carole King respond to 'Oh! Carol' with her own song?

   Yes, Carole King, then known as Carole Klein, responded with a playful answer song titled 'Oh, Neil,' co-written with her husband Gerry Goffin and released in 1959. However, it did not achieve the same level of success as 'Oh! Carol.'

5. Who performed the backup vocals on the original recording of 'Oh! Carol'?

   The backup vocals on 'Oh! Carol' were performed by The Kittens, a girl trio group present in the studio during the recording session. Al Nevins, the producer, felt something was missing in the track and asked The Kittens to contribute.

6. Did 'Oh! Carol' achieve success outside of the United States?

   Yes, 'Oh! Carol' enjoyed international success. It reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and was re-issued in 1972, reaching No. 19. The song also earned Sedaka a No. 1 ranking in Japan for several months in 1960, aided by the B-side song 'One Way Ticket.'