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
I Got Rhythm Medley
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
I got daisies in green pastures
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
Old man trouble, I don′t mind him
You won't find him around my door
I got starlight, I got sweet dreams
Who could ask for anything more?
I got rhythm, I got music
I got rhythm, who could ask for anything more?
The lyrics to Carpenters' song "I Got Rhythm Medley" convey a sense of contentment and joy in life. The singer expresses gratitude for various aspects that enrich her life. She begins by saying she has rhythm and music, which implies a lively spirit and an appreciation for the beauty of music. She then proclaims that she has her man, highlighting the importance of love and companionship. By stating "who could ask for anything more," she suggests that she has all she needs and is completely satisfied.
The next verse introduces the idea of overcoming challenges. The singer confidently asserts that she doesn't mind old man trouble, indicating her resilience and ability to face difficulties head-on. She asserts that trouble won't find its way to her door, implying that she has established a peaceful and trouble-free existence for herself. The mention of starlight and sweet dreams adds a touch of romance and imagination to her life. Once again, she concludes that having her man is more than enough and wonders who could ask for anything more.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Got Rhythm Medley" celebrate the joys of music, love, resilience, and the ability to find contentment in life's simple pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
I got rhythm, I got music
I have a natural sense of rhythm and I am blessed with the gift of music
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
I have the love and companionship of my significant other, what more could I possibly want?
I got daisies in green pastures
I have beautiful flowers blooming in peaceful and idyllic places
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
I have the love and companionship of my significant other, what more could I possibly want?
Old man trouble, I don’t mind him
I am not bothered or affected by any difficulties or hardships that may come my way
You won't find him around my door
I have successfully kept any troubles or worries away from my life
I got starlight, I got sweet dreams
I have the beauty of twinkling stars and pleasant dreams to enjoy
I got my man, who could ask for anything more?
I have the love and companionship of my significant other, what more could I possibly want?
Who could ask for anything more?
Is there anyone who could desire or need anything additional in life?
I got rhythm, I got music
I have a natural sense of rhythm and I am blessed with the gift of music
I got rhythm, who could ask for anything more?
I have a natural sense of rhythm, is there anything more one could wish for?
Writer(s): Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Contributed by Bella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.