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 Need to Be in Love
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is keep believing
There's someone in this crazy world for me
The way that people come and go
Through temporary lives
My chance could come and I might never know
I used to say, no promises
But freedom only helps you say goodbye
It took a while for me to learn
That nothin' comes for free
The price I've paid is high enough for me
I know I need to be in love
I know I've wasted too much time
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
So here I am with pockets full of good intentions
But none of them will comfort me tonight
I'm wide awake at four a.m.
Without a friend in sight
Hanging on a hope, but I'm alright
I know I need to be in love
I know I've wasted too much time
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
I know I need to be in love
I know I've wasted too much time
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
The lyrics to Carpenters' song "I Need to Be in Love" convey a sense of longing and yearning for a romantic connection. The singer expresses difficulty in maintaining hope in finding someone special in this "crazy world." They acknowledge that people come and go in temporary lives, and they may miss their chance at love. The singer also reflects on their past hesitation to commit to a relationship, thinking that simplicity and freedom were the answers, but learning that everything comes at a cost. Despite having good intentions, the singer finds themselves alone and longing for a romantic connection that has yet to come.
The lyrics of this song convey a universal feeling of longing and a search for love that many people can relate to. The lyrics express the sentiment that love is not always easy and requires sacrifice and vulnerability. Karen Carpenter's tender and emotive vocal delivery adds to the emotional impact of the lyrics. Overall, the song is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience of searching for love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
The hardest thing I've ever done
The most difficult challenge I've faced
Is keep believing
Maintaining faith despite doubts and setbacks
There's someone in this crazy world for me
That I will find a compatible partner despite challenges
The way that people come and go
Seasonal nature of people's lives
Through temporary lives
The transient nature of human existence
My chance could come and I might never know
Missing an opportunity without awareness
I used to say, no promises
Prior attitude of avoiding commitments
Let's keep it simple
Preferably avoiding complication
But freedom only helps you say goodbye
Paradox of freedom: easier to leave, harder to commit
It took a while for me to learn
A process of learning from experience
That nothin' comes for free
All gains/achievements require effort, sacrifice, or patience
The price I've paid is high enough for me
Individual judgement of the worth of the cost or consequence
I'm wide awake at four a.m.
Insomnia or mental/emotional anxiety
Without a friend in sight
Momentarily disconnected from social support
Hanging on a hope, but I'm alright
Optimism despite uncertainty or sadness
I know I need to be in love
Admission of emotional desire for affection
I know I've wasted too much time
Awareness of past hesitation or lack of action
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
Unrealistic expectations from flawed reality
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
Naive and hopeful despite doubts or experience
So here I am with pockets full of good intentions
Intentions or plans but no tangible progress or result
But none of them will comfort me tonight
Emotional dissatisfaction despite efforts
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERT HAMMOND, JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hadrianbriggs9506
This song is soooo strong.
The lyrics.
The emotion.
Thank you for sharing x
@MrStuckinthe70s
Definitely, one of the most beautiful voices ever!
@otopatamar8875
I agree.
@buffalobob2890
To me it is THE most beautiful ever!
@waynephillips5013
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world, and fool enough to think that's what I'll find. What an incredible line.
@Topmember
She is teaching us one of life’s hardest lessons. I feel guilty of wasting time if I listen to this song more than twice, as well as feeling like a fool!
@durians6
Agree❤
@franng7480
I wept the first time I heard this song. I am 75 years old and it still reduces me to tears. Not just for myself, but for Karen. It is so sad she never found love, real love, here. Hopefully she looked IT right in His eyes when she passed over. She wanted it so.
@rogerbartlett6154
Ya I'm 80 and this song always brings me teary eyed...KAREN WAS SO TALENTED AND BEAUTIFUL....I REALLY MISS HER
@melondust
Ya i'am 85 year old
This song brings me to tears