Karen Carpenter's calm, often somber voice was the most distinctive element of their music, settling in perfectly amidst the precise, lush arrangements provided by her brother Richard. The duo's sound drew more from pre-rock pop than rock & roll, but that didn't prevent the Carpenters from appealing to a variety of audiences, particularly Top 40, easy listening, and adult contemporary. While their popularity declined during the latter half of the '70s, they remained one of the most distinctive and recognizable acts the decade produced.
The Carpenters formed in the late '60s in Downey, CA, after their family moved from their native New Haven, CT. Richard had played piano with a cocktail jazz trio in a handful of local Connecticut nightclubs. Once the family had moved to California, he began to study piano while he supported Karen in a trio that featured Wes Jacobs (tuba/bass). With Jacobs and Richard forming her backup band, Karen was signed to the local Californian record label Magic Lamp, who released two unsuccessful singles by the singer. The trio won a Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Bowl in 1966, which led to a record contract with RCA. Signing under the name The Richard Carpenter Trio, the group cut four songs that were never released. Jacobs left the band at the beginning of 1968.
Following Jacobs' departure, the siblings formed Spectrum with Richard's college friend John Bettis. Spectrum fell apart by the end of the year, but the Carpenters continued performing as a duo. The pair recorded some demos at the house of Los Angeles session musician Joe Osborn; the tape was directed toward Herb Alpert, the head of A&M Records, who signed the duo to his record label in early 1969.
Offering, the Carpenters' first album, was released in November 1969. Neither Offering or the accompanying single, a cover of the Beatles' "Ticket to Ride," made a big impression. However, the Carpenters' fortunes changed with their second single, a version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "(They Long to Be) Close to You." Taken from the album Close to You, the single became the group's first number one, spending four weeks on the top of the U.S. charts. "Close to You" became an international hit, beginning a five-year period where the duo was one of the most popular recording acts in the world. During that period the Carpenters won two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist of 1970, and had an impressive string of Top Ten hits, including "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Superstar," "Hurting Each Other," "Goodbye to Love," "Yesterday Once More," and "Top of the World."
After 1975's number-four hit "Only Yesterday," the group's popularity began to decline. For the latter half of the '70s, the duo were plagued by personal problems. Richard had become addicted to prescription drugs; in 1978, he entered a recovery clinic, kicking his habit. Karen, meanwhile, became afflicted with anorexia nervosa, a disease she suffered from for the rest of her life. On top of their health problems, the group's singles had stopped reaching the Top Ten and by 1978, they weren't even reaching the Top 40. Consequently, Karen decided to pursue a solo career, recording a solo album in 1979 with Phil Ramone. The record was not completed at that time (though it would be released in 1996), and she returned to the Carpenters later that year. The reunited duo released their last album of new material, Made in America, in 1981. The album marked a commercial comeback, as "Touch Me When We're Dancing" made it to number 16 on the charts. However, Karen's health continued to decline, forcing the duo out of the spotlight. On February 4, 1983, Karen was found unconscious at her parents' home in Downey; she died in the hospital shortly after due to cardiac arrest, which was later due to the strain on her heart caused by years of crash dieting caused by anorexia nervosa.
After Karen's death, Richard Carpenter concentrated on production work and assembling various compilations of the Carpenters' recorded work. In 1987, he released a solo album called Time, which featured guest appearances by Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
from http://music.msn.com/artist/?artist=1607403&contenttype=artistsongs
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carols being sung by the tree,
Window's candlelight shining bright for the whole world to see
Children's eyes of sweet expectations
Wondering what each present will hold
Lying in their beds and impatient
On long Christmas eves of old
It used to be that all the family would gather for this one night
It used to be that special feeling shared together knowing Christmas was here one night a year
How I miss that old fashioned Christmas!
Memories that last through the years
Call me sentimental; don't mind if you do
I wish an old fashioned Christmas to you!
The Carpenters' song "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" is a nostalgic ode to the holiday season of yesteryear. With a wistful tone, Karen Carpenter sings of missing the way Christmas used to be celebrated, specifically referencing carols being sung by the tree, the warm glow of candlelight shining through windows, and children's excitement as they waited for Christmas morning. She longs for the simpler times when family members would gather together and share in the magic of the holiday.
The lyrics of this song evoke a sense of longing for the past, a time when the world seemed to slow down and appreciate the small pleasures in life. It's a reminder to slow down, to savor the present moment, and to hold onto cherished memories. As the song comes to a close, Karen Carpenter sends a sentimental message of goodwill to her listeners, wishing everyone an "old-fashioned Christmas."
Overall, "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" is a heartwarming and sentimental song that taps into the collective nostalgia we often feel during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
How I miss that old fashioned Christmas!
I long for the traditional Christmas of my past that had a certain charm and feel to it.
Carols being sung by the tree,
The joyous sounds of traditional Christmas songs sung by friends and family around the decorated Christmas tree.
Window's candlelight shining bright for the whole world to see
The warm, flickering glow of candles placed in windows that could be seen by everyone outside, adding to the Christmas atmosphere.
Children's eyes of sweet expectations
The excitement and anticipation of young children waiting to open their presents on Christmas morning.
Wondering what each present will hold
Curiosity and eagerness about the unique surprises that each Christmas gift will bring.
Lying in their beds and impatient,
The restless feeling of young children as they try to sleep on Christmas Eve, knowing that there are presents waiting for them in the morning.
On long Christmas eves of old
The memories of the long hours spent waiting for Christmas morning to arrive in the past.
It used to be that all the family would gather for this one night
A time when extended family would come together to celebrate Christmas on one special evening.
It used to be that special feeling shared together knowing Christmas was here one night a year
The feeling of camaraderie and shared joy that came from having everyone in the family together to celebrate Christmas on one special night.
Memories that last through the years
The memories of old-fashioned Christmas celebrations that remain vivid and enduring even as time goes by.
Call me sentimental; don't mind if you do
Even though I'm nostalgic for the Christmases of the past, I don't mind being labeled as being overly emotional or having too much sentimentality about it.
I wish an old fashioned Christmas to you!
I hope that you can also experience the charm and cheer of a traditional Christmas like those of years gone by.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Parker
on Happy
Wrong lyrics shown. Correct ones --- Happy by Carpenters
I've played the game of love before.
Too young to know
How hard the fall could be;
I never thought I'd try again.
Somehow you brought
The gambler out in me.
You can deal me in this time around.
Even though the odds are high,
We'll play them down.
You may be a chance I need to take,
And the hand I'm holdin' says it's no mistake.
Happy is the way I'm feelin',
And I know it comes from being with you.
All at once my life is changin',
And I know it's 'cause I'm fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love.
Fallin' in love with you.
If this is luck then let it ride.
If it's the starts,
They're surely on my side.
I've never been so safisfied
By love before;
For all the times I've tried.
These beginnings could mean more
Than the brief affair I bargained for.
Little did I know, when we began,
That my time had come to win a hand.
Happy is the way I'm feelin',
And I know it comes from being with you.
All at once my life is changin',
And I know it's 'cause I'm fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love.
Fallin' in love with you.
Please forgive me if I seem
To be walking through a waking dream.
Laughter never came so easily;
There's a freedom here that's new to me.
Happy is the way I'm feelin',
And I know it comes from being with you.
All at once my life is changin',
And I know it's 'cause I'm fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love.
Fallin' in love with you.