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
Look to Your Dream
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But make-believe passion has fallen from fashion's milieu
It's understandable why we're a little confused
It's asking for trouble just watching the six o'clock news
But for a moment, all things aside, look to yourself somewhere inside
Look yo your dreams
Don't they still seem worthwhile?
Aren't you glad they're still there?
Look to your dreams
There's a need for them now
When the world has us down
Aren't you glad they're around?
Once conceived, once believed fantasy's reality's childhood
And like a seed, visions need constant care like a child would, we should
[Chorus 1]
Look yo your dreams
We can still make the stars
We can still break the bars
We have built here on earth
[Chorus 2]
Look to your dreams
And tomorrow may be better for you and me
The future may say
Blame blind yesterday for taking dreams away
They could mean more than they seem
And like a seed, visions need constant care like a child would, we should
[Chorus 1]
[Chorus 2]
The song "Look to Your Dreams" by The Carpenters is a call to look inward to one's dreams and hopes amidst the chaos and confusion of the world. The lyrics suggest that although make-believe passion may have fallen out of fashion and watching the news can be troubling, dreams can still be worthwhile and bring hope when the world has us down. The chorus emphasizes the importance of holding onto our dreams and the potential they hold for creating a better future.
The lyrics liken dreams to a seed - something that needs constant care and attention to grow and flourish. The message is clear: though it may seem difficult or even impossible, we must hold onto our hopes and aspirations, for they can provide the inspiration and motivation we need to change our lives and the world.
Line by Line Meaning
To say I'm romantic would be quite semantically true
I may be seen as someone who is romantic, but the make-believe idea of love has lost its appeal in present times
But make-believe passion has fallen from fashion's milieu
False displays of love are no longer in trend
It's understandable why we're a little confused
It's normal for us to be uncertain in today's confusing world
It's asking for trouble just watching the six o'clock news
Even watching the news can be worrisome and dangerous
But for a moment, all things aside, look to yourself somewhere inside
However, taking time to reflect and focus on one's inner self can be helpful
Don't they still seem worthwhile?
Aren't your dreams still valuable and deserving of pursuit?
Don't they still seem in style?
Despite the world's changes, aren't your dreams still relevant?
Aren't you glad they're still there?
Isn't it comforting to know that your dreams still exist?
There's a need for them now
In these difficult times, it's crucial to hold onto our dreams
When the world has us down
When the world feels overwhelming and discouraging
Aren't you glad they're around?
Isn't it a relief that our dreams persist even when life is tough?
Once conceived, once believed fantasy's reality's childhood
When we first come up with a dream and believe in it, it's like childhood imagination brought to life
And like a seed, visions need constant care like a child would, we should
Like a seed that needs nurturing, our dreams require ongoing dedication and attention
We can still make the stars
We still have the potential to achieve greatness and create amazing things
We can still break the bars
There's no limitation that can't be surpassed with grit and determination
And tomorrow may be better for you and me
If we hold onto our dreams, the future might be brighter
The future may say Blame blind yesterday for taking dreams away
The future might condemn today's society for squashing people's dreams
They could mean more than they seem
Our dreams could have a greater significance than we realize
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD LYNN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
three37
Every time I hear this song, fond memories trickle down my cheeks
Gloss Black
Sounds like the beginning lyrics of a great song❤️
David Whitlock
Simply the best female pop singer of all time......
Mirta Favi
@Cimarron Hopper inolvidables carpernters.
Cimarron Hopper
Greatest female singer ever
Wayne Tietz
This is another wonderful vocal by the great Karen Carpenter.This song was co-written by Richard Carpenter. Richard wrote and produced a lot of the hits made famous by the Carpenters.I 've always found it interesting that Richard didn't have a great deal of success after Karen passed away. He was a major talent and was responsible for a lot of the success of the Carpenters.
Robert Piarulli
Richard did bring out the best in her
Yet their is only 1 Karen Carpenter. She can never be replaced. Ever
mikey3800
Richard brought out the best in Karen...........But a bird needs two wings to fly
Jay Dubbs
This song reminds of classic Disney, it reminds me of something Cinderella would sing, so warm, cozy and beautiful. :)
권희철
Totally agree. So warm hearted song. She sings so casually but with all her heart at the same time.