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
First Snowfall / Let It Snow
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was a day that we all waited for
When it drifted to and frost
Why you should've seen the snow
It was near seven feet or more
By the old barn door
Oh the first snowfall of the winter
In each house you'll find a sleigh
That was waiting for this day
And of course, down the road a hill
For each Jack and Jill
Every winter breeze that scurries
Sets the snowflakes up in flurries
It's the good old sentimental season when
Folks put runners on their surreys
And forget about their worries
When a man becomes a boy once again
Oh the first snowfall of the winter
Jingle bells bring us spells ever dear
Under wintry skies of gray
It was snowing all the day
And it showed no signs of stopping
Every kid with eyes of popping
Will soon be belly-whopping on his ear
On the first snowfall of the winter
Oh the first snowfall of the year
The first snow of the year
Is just about the best snow
Well I'll say any snow Is a pretty good show
The song "The First Snowfall" by Carpenters is a winter-themed piece that talks about the joy and wonder of the first snowfall of the year. The lyrics paint a picture of the excitement felt by young and old as they anticipate and witness the snowfall. The song tells how the snowdrifts and frost creates a magical winter wonderland, which is captivating to see.
The first paragraph captures the heightened anticipation of the first snowfall of the year. The lyrics suggest that everyone has been waiting for this day to enjoy the snow. The second paragraph further expands on this idea, highlighting the joy that this snow brings to people of all ages. The children are excited to play in the snow, while the adults are lining up their sleds for a day of fun.
The third paragraph describes the atmospheric conditions that bring forth the snowfall, and how it signals the start of a wondrous season. It mentions how the snowflakes are set in flurries by the winter breeze, and how it ignites the sentimental yearning in people. The last paragraph reiterates the uplifting mood of the song, highlighting how children are excited to play in the snow, and the adults forget their worries and become young again.
Overall, the song captures the depth of emotions and experiences that come with the first snowfall, and it is a perfect piece to listen to during winters.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the first snowfall of the winter
The arrival of the first snowfall in winter was highly anticipated by all
Was a day that we all waited for
Everyone looked forward to this day
When it drifted to and frost
The snow was light and powdery, and covered everything with a layer of frost
Why you should've seen the snow
The snow was a sight to behold
It was near seven feet or more
The snow was very deep, almost seven feet tall
By the old barn door
The snow was piled up by the door of an old barn
What a joy for a boy to behold
Boys were especially happy to see the first snowfall
In each house you'll find a sleigh
Every house owned a sleigh to play with in the snow
That was waiting for this day
The sleigh was eagerly anticipating this day too
And of course, down the road a hill
There was a hill down the road for sledding
For each Jack and Jill
Both boys and girls were excited about sledding down the hill
Every winter breeze that scurries
The chilly winter winds created the perfect snowfall conditions
Sets the snowflakes up in flurries
The wind blew the snowflakes around in a flurry
It's the good old sentimental season when
Winter is a nostalgic and sentimental time
Folks put runners on their surreys
People attached runners to their carriages for easier transport in the snow
And forget about their worries
Winter weather had a way of making people forget their problems
When a man becomes a boy once again
The innocence and joy of childhood returns during winter
Jingle bells bring us spells ever dear
The sound of jingle bells is very dear to people's hearts
Under wintry skies of gray
The skies were gray with winter clouds
It was snowing all the day
The snowfall lasted all day long
And it showed no signs of stopping
The snowfall was expected to continue
Every kid with eyes of popping
Children were ecstatic and amazed by the snowfall
Will soon be belly-whopping on his ear
The children were eager to sled in the snow and might take a tumble
Oh the first snowfall of the year
This was the first snowfall of the year
The first snow of the year
The first snowfall was always special
Is just about the best snow
There's nothing quite like the first snowfall of the year
Well I'll say any snow Is a pretty good show
Any snowfall is worth watching and enjoying
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph Francis Burke, Paul Francis Webster, Sonny Burke
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.