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
Karen's Theme
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Christmas rush is through
And I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas Darling
We're apart, that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmassing with you
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday,
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Log's on the fire, filled me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
(Merry Christmas Darling)
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
(On this Christmas Eve)
I wish I were with you
Log's on the fire, filled me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
(Merry Christmas Darling)
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
(on this Christmas Eve)
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
(Merry Merry Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas darling)
The Carpenters' "Karen's Theme" is a sweet and sentimental song about missing someone special during the holiday season. The lyrics express a longing to be reunited with a loved one, and the melancholy tone of the melody brings to mind the bittersweet emotions that often arise during the holiday season. The first verse sets the scene, describing the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and the singer's desire to make a special wish for her loved one. In the chorus, we learn that the two are apart, but the singer is still able to dream about spending Christmas together. The second verse continues the theme of longing, with the singer expressing her desire to be with her loved one and the sentiment that every day is a holiday when they are together. The chorus repeats, underscoring the singer's wish for a happy Christmas and New Year.
The lyrics to "Karen's Theme" capture the wistful feelings that many people experience during the holidays, particularly when they are separated from loved ones. The song speaks to the universal desire to connect with others in meaningful ways, even if it's only through the transcendental power of longing and dreams. The melody is simple and unadorned, which adds to the emotional resonance of the lyrics. The Carpenters' Karen Carpenter's mellifluous voice, which sounds as if it is delivering a message from the heart, also adds to the power of the song's message.
- "Karen's Theme" is an instrumental version of the song "Merry Christmas Darling"
- The lyrics were written by Frank Pooler and Richard Carpenter
- Karen Carpenter's vocals were recorded separately from the instrumental track
- The song was recorded in 1970 and released as a single in 1978
- "Karen's Theme" was used as the opening theme for the Carpenters' television specials in the 1970s
- The first verse of the song includes a reference to "greeting cards," which was a nod to the Carpenters' hit song "We've Only Just Begun"
- The song is often played on radio stations during the Christmas season
- The Carpenters performed the song live on several occasions, including during a 1977 appearance on the television program "Cher"
- The song has been covered by several other artists, including Kristin Chenoweth and The Jackson 5
- The chords of the song are: G, C, D, G, C, G, Bm, Em, A, D, A, D, A, D, G, C, D, G, C, G, Bm, Em, A, D, A, D, G
Chords may vary depending on the version of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Greeting cards have all been sent
The holiday season is over and I have completed all my seasonal greetings to everyone I wanted to.
The Christmas rush is through
The chaos and busyness of the season is finally over.
And I still have one wish to make
Even after the holiday frenzy, I have a special wish that remains unfulfilled.
A special one for you
This wish is not for just anybody, but it is especially for you.
Merry Christmas Darling
I'm wishing you a joyful Christmas, my darling.
We're apart, that's true
We cannot be together this holiday season.
But I can dream and in my dreams
Although we're physically apart, I can still dream of being together with you.
I'm Christmassing with you
In my imagination, I am enjoying Christmas with you.
Holidays are joyful
In general, holidays bring happiness and elation.
There's always something new
No matter how many holidays we experience, there is always something novel and exciting about each one.
But every day's a holiday,
However, every day can feel like a holiday as long as we're together.
When I'm near to you
As long as you're around, every day feels like a celebration.
The lights on my tree
The glowing lights on the Christmas tree remind me of the magical feeling of the holiday season.
I wish you could see
I wish you were here with me to witness the beauty of the Christmas lights.
I wish it every day
This isn't just a passing thought or feeling - I yearn for you every day.
Log's on the fire, filled me with desire
The firewood in the fireplace makes me feel cozy and longing for your presence even more.
To see you and to say
I crave to see you and meet you in person, just so that I can sayโฆ
That I wish you Merry Christmas
I want to extend my sincere and heartfelt Christmas wishes to you.
(Merry Christmas Darling)
I desire for you to have a very merry Christmas, my sweetheart.
Happy New Year too
Besides Christmas, I also want to send my best wishes for the New Year to you.
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
As the night before Christmas comes upon us, I have only one wishโฆ
(On this Christmas Eve)
As I share my thoughts with you on this special nightโฆ
I wish I were with you
My only wish is to be with you this holiday season.
I wish I were with you
Once more, my ultimate wish is to spend the holidays with you.
(Merry Merry Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas darling)
Multiple wishes of merriment and joy to you this Christmas, my darling.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD LYNN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Moses Maimon
such a shame that so few people have listened to this video,as it is such a beautiful tribute to Karen by her brother
Divas Live
Me as well, i have these CDs in my music room, but i never listened to this beautiful music... just now I've heard it and it was beautifully and brilliantly done, truly fits to her sister's Karen....
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KS CA
God, I still miss here so much. She touched so so many lives and I don't really think just how deeply she meant to people. The Golden Voice.
C Lar
A really beautiful tribute to his sister ..Rest in Peace ,Karen .Now you can sing amongst the angels
Polk Music
Beautiful song and arrangement. Really gets me every time.
Kye
heart wrenching yet sweet... I'm in tears
will91163
Brings me to tears everytime I hear this. Karen will be a very hard act to follow on :(
Luisaura Rodrรญguez de Suรกrez
Today, February 4, it has been 37 years since Karen went to Heaven to sing to God with his Angels. Rest in Pesce and thank you for all the Joy you brought to the World.Thanks to Richard for Karenโs Theme it is BEAUTIFUL. I am very happy our Son Enrique met you in LA. Luisaura Suarez from Venezuela.
Hector Gonzรกlez
Who could ever forget the sweetness of that unique voice that will continue touching millions of hearts all around the world, and dream of a better world... who? I still remember her sadness coming out from every lyrics she sang. The simple dream of being a normal happy woman living with her husband until lifetime's finished... but, she was lonely and died within her loneliness. Rest in peace, lovely Karen. We still owe you so much,.. we won't be able to pay for!!!
ocean 88eagle
never fails to bring me to tears every time i hear it. such a sweet and haunting melody/