| Only Love Is Real | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Carole King |
| Album: | Thoroughbred |
| B-Side: | Still Here Thinking of You |
| Released: | February 1976 |
| Genre: | Easy listening |
| Length: | 3:29 |
| Label: | Ode |
| Producer: | Lou Adler |
| Prev Title: | Nightingale |
| Prev Year: | 1975 |
| Next Title: | High Out of Time |
| Next Year: | 1976 |
"Only Love Is Real" is a song written and performed by Carole King. The song was included on her 1976 album, Thoroughbred.[1] The single peaked at No. 28 in the Billboard Hot 100 and was King's fourth and final No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart, where it remained for one week in March 1976.[2] It is ranked as the 40th biggest AC/Easy Listening hit of 1976.[3]
Cash Box said the song has a "likable tune with a carefully constructed lyric" and that "Like Dylan, Carole King understands the power of a subtle rhyme, and she uses her knowledge in this tune with tremendous effect."[4] Record World said that "The exceptional songwriting prowess of Carole King continues to manifest itself in quality records such as this."[5]
| Chart (1976) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 28 | |
| US Billboard Easy Listening | 1 |
. Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Joel Whitburn . 2002 . Record Research . 136.
. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 . Joel Whitburn . 2013 . Record Research . 464.