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
Christmas Song
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've waited
Waited through spring and fall
To hear silver bells ringing
See winter time bringing
The happiest season of all
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Will help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes of a glow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is going to spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times,
Many ways
Merry Christmas to you
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is going to spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times,
Many ways
Merry Christmas to you
The first stanza of the Carpenters' song "Christmas Song" describes the anticipation and excitement for the wintertime and the holiday season. The waiting has been long, but it is now time for silver bells ringing and winter to bring joy and happiness. The second stanza paints a cozy and nostalgic picture of people roasting chestnuts on an open fire, with the nip of Jackfrost on their noses. It also notes the singing of Yuletide carols by a choir, and people dressed in warm and comfortable Eskimo attire. Additionally, the third stanza talks about the universal traditions of the holiday season - turkey dinners, mistletoe, holiday songs, and the excitement of children. The anticipation of Santa's arrival is palpable in the song - with every mother's child waiting to see if the reindeer really know how to fly. The song concludes with a simple message of wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, regardless of their age.
Line by Line Meaning
All through the year
We have been waiting for this time of year
We've waited
We have been waiting patiently
Waited through spring and fall
We have waited through all seasons
To hear silver bells ringing
To hear the sound of Christmas
See winter time bringing
To witness the arrival of winter
The happiest season of all
The time of the year that brings the most joy and happiness
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
A Christmas tradition of roasting chestnuts on an open fire
Jackfrost nippin' at your nose
A reference to the cold winter weather
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
Christmas songs being sung by a group of people
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
People wearing warm clothing to stay warm in the cold weather
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Classic Christmas items that everyone is familiar with
Will help to make the season bright
These items bring happiness and joy to the holiday season
Tiny tots with their eyes of a glow
Children who are excited for Christmas
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They are too excited to sleep
They know that Santa's on his way
Children believe that Santa Claus will be visiting soon
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa Claus has been preparing for Christmas by collecting gifts
And every mother's child is going to spy
All children are eager to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
Children are curious if reindeer can really fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
The singer is sharing a greeting for the holiday season
To kids from one to ninety-two
This greeting is for people of all ages
Although it's been said many times, many ways
This message has been shared before, in different ways
Merry Christmas to you
A warm greeting and wishes for a happy holiday season
Lyrics Β© Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omgahamsandwich5608
I'm 29 years old and I can't deny the beauty of the carpenters. This music is from a time when you actually needed talent to be a musician. Just letting the older folks know that young people can enjoy pure art just like them :)
@FarmersAreDummies
I'm older folks and I agree with you.
@thomasaddams8689
Pass this music on to future generations.
@sandiwalter2760
Thank u for saying that . I'm 58 and I live and grew up with the Carpenters
@grazzi9918
..a very relaxing music from an excellent singer β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
@kevine.3596
You just restored my faith in "the younger generation".
@madebytheimageofyou
Being 64 I remember hearing this for the first time on the radio in the car, I couldn't believe that a Christmas song could be so beautiful. Being a huge Carpenters fan from the beginning, Karen's voice made my heart just stop! And, the ending arrangement, I just said Richard has done it again! What an angelic sound! Classic! Now, this is what superb music looks and sounds like. If this doesn't move your very soul, something is wrong! RIP to one of the greatest voices of all time!!
@birdsfan57
There will NEVER be a voice that can move one to tears as Karen Carpenter did for so many years. She truly possessed the voice of an angel, and is still so dearly missed...
@patriciaabidi4481
@birdsfan57 3:06 super voice! Never can forget her! R.I.P. Karen, π
@leewilliams6673
I'm 56 now and this song brings back so many memories of relatives ,etc that are gone. Beautiful and moving sound