Carole King’s beloved, whimsical collaboration with Maurice Sendak, Really Rosie, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a vinyl reissue from Legacy Recordings, the catalogue division of Sony Music Entertainment. Available February 28th on vinyl for the first time since 1975, the release features 11 original soundtrack recordings composed and performed by Carole King, with story and lyrics by the legendary Sendak. The album was produced by King's long time collaborator Lou Adler, the man behind the board on her 1971 smash-hit album Tapestry.
First premiered as a CBS animated special in February 1975, Really Rosie tells the story of an ambitious and imaginative girl from Brooklyn who decides to stage a musical about her life and her quirky neighbourhood friends. Set to the vibrant and poignant music of Carole King, paired with Sendak’s delightfully subversive lyrics, the songs explore themes of childhood whimsy, creativity, and self-discovery.
King had a deep connection to the material. Recognizing echoes of her own Brooklyn childhood in Sendak’s work, she brought her signature style and warmth to Really Rosie, voicing the title character and infusing each track with her unmistakable charm. Songs like the cheeky “Pierre” and the bittersweet “The Ballad of Chicken Soup” highlight Sendak’s mix of playfulness and darker humour, all buoyed by King’s effervescent music and performance.
Over the past five decades, Really Rosie has remained a treasured classic, a staple for children’s theatre groups, and a gateway to musical discovery for families. Its educational and entertaining elements have transcended generations, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.
Release Date: 28.02.25