Goin' Back

"Goin' Back" (also recorded and released as "Going Back") is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1966. It describes the loss of innocence that comes with adulthood, along with an attempt, on the part of the singer, to recapture that youthful innocence. The song, as recorded that year by Dusty Springfield, was a top ten hit on the UK Singles Chart. It was recorded and released as a single the following year by The Byrds; it was included on their album The Notorious Byrd Brothers and subsequently on many Byrds compilation albums as well. A critically lauded interpretation was recorded by Nils Lofgren at the start of his solo career in 1975 and has been a mainstay of his concert performances since. The song has also been recorded by many other artists, including Marianne Faithfull, the New Seekers, the Pretenders, Diana Ross, Richard Thompson, and Phil Collins, as well as by Carole King herself. Dusty Springfield's version Although Goldie (of Goldie & the Gingerbreads) was the first artist to record the song, her version was withdrawn following disagreements with Goffin and King over the song's lyrics. Carole King then decided to record "Goin' Back" herself, but ultimately she offered it to Dusty Springfield instead. Springfield went on to have an international hit with the song and it is considered one of the best known versions. Springfield's version of "Goin' Back" was recorded on June 15, 1966 at Philips Studios, Stanhope Place, London, with musical accompaniment by Peter Knight and production by Johnny Franz. It was released as a single on July 1, 1966, reaching number 10 in the UK Singles Chart, but was not released as a single in the U.S.