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
Medley
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it simple to last
Your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not
Good enough for anyone
Else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.
Knowing when to leave may be
The smartest thing anyone can learn, go!
I'm afraid my heart isn't very smart
Fly while your still have your wings
Knowing when to leave never let you reach
The point of no return, fly!
Foolish as it seems
I still have my dreams
So I keep hoping, day after day
As I wait for the man I need
Night after night as I wish
For a love that can be
Though I'm sure that no one can tell where their
Wishes and hopes will lead, somehow I feel
There is happiness waiting for me
When someone walks in your life
You just better be sure it's right
'Cause if he's wrong, there's are heartaches and tears you must pay
Keep both of your eyes on the door
Never let it get out of sight
Just be prepared when the time has come
You run away
Sail when the wind starts to blow
But like a fool I don't know when to leave
If you really love her
And there? s nothing I can do
Don? t try to spare my feelings
Just tell me that we? re through
And make it easy on yourself
Make it easy on yourself
Cause breaking up is so very hard to do
If the way I hold you
Can? t compare to her caress
No words of consolation will make me miss you less
My darling if this is goodbye
I just know I want to cry
So run to her before you start crying too
And make it easy on yourself
Make it easy on yourself
Cause breaking up is so very hard to do
Someday, rested from hours of sleeping
We'll stay safely behind what we're keeping
You'll seem warmer than I had remembered you
Lying so close I'll be able to feel you breathe
I could never leave
One day, when I am able to love you
I'll come back from wherever I've been to
Please say that you'll be waiting when someday comes
Promise me this and a kiss, to keep what you are
Always close to me
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
Watching the signs along the way,
Talking it over just the two of us,
Working together day to day
Together.
And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow,
And yes, We've just begun.
The lyrics to the medley song by Carpenters are a series of musings about life and love that come together perfectly in a poignant and emotional performance. The opening verse is a simple instruction to "sing a song," not worrying about whether it's good enough for anyone else, but rather making it simple enough to last a lifetime. The second verse is a reminiscence about how knowing when to leave a situation can be the smartest thing anyone can learn, and how foolish it can be to hold on for too long.
The third verse is a contemplation of hope and longing for a love that may yet come, with the acknowledgement that we cannot always tell where our wishes and hopes will lead us. The fourth verse advises caution in matters of the heart, reminding us to be sure the one who enters our life is right for us before getting too attached. The fifth verse is a plea to make a breakup as easy as possible, knowing that it will be hard no matter what. Finally, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the reminder that we are just beginning and there is so much of life ahead of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing, sing a song
Encouraging someone to sing a simple but meaningful song that can last for their lifetime.
Make it simple to last
Suggesting to create an uncomplicated song that can remain relevant for years to come.
Your whole life long
Highlighting the importance of singing a song that can have long-lasting positive impacts on one's life.
Don't worry that it's not
Assuring that the quality of the song doesn't have to be perfect before it can be sung.
Good enough for anyone
Clarifying that the song's relevance or impact is not necessarily measured by anyone's standards.
Else to hear
Implying that the song's primary audience should be the individual singing it.
Go while the going is good
Encouraging to take advantage of an opportunity while it still exists or feasible.
Knowing when to leave may be
Admitting that discerning when it's right to exit a situation can be challenging but necessary.
The smartest thing anyone can learn, go!
Asserting that being able to recognize the right time to leave can be a wise lesson for everyone to learn.
I'm afraid my heart isn't very smart
Acknowledge having difficulty making wise decisions based on emotions.
Fly while your still have your wings
Encouraging to take advantage of one's strengths and ability to move on to new and better opportunities.
Knowing when to leave never let you reach
Implying that not being aware when to move on can sometimes impede progress or personal growth.
The point of no return, fly!
Advising to be aware that not taking the chance to move on when one should can be detrimental.
Foolish as it seems
Admitting that one's dreams or aspirations may seem unattainable or unrealistic to others.
I still have my dreams
However, despite any criticism or doubt, one still holds on to their hopes or dreams.
So I keep hoping, day after day
Expressing the persistence in holding on to hopes or dreams, even if they seem far-fetched.
As I wait for the man I need
Desperately waiting for the right person who can fulfill their emotional or physical needs.
Night after night as I wish
Continuing to hold on to their desires or dreams, regardless of how unlikely they seem to come true.
For a love that can be
Longing for a relationship that can meet their needs and desires.
Though I'm sure that no one can tell where their
Admitting that life can be unpredictable, and it's impossible to know where one's hopes and desires may lead them.
Wishes and hopes will lead, somehow I feel
Despite the uncertainty of life, one still believes that their dreams and aspirations will lead them to a place of happiness.
There is happiness waiting for me
Expressing optimism that their desires and hopes will lead them to a place of contentment and joy.
When someone walks in your life
Highlighting the impact that certain people can have on one's life.
You just better be sure it's right
However, being careful to ensure that the person coming into one's life is the right fit and won't cause unnecessary heartache.
'Cause if he's wrong, there's are heartaches and tears you must pay
Warning that choosing the wrong person to let into one's life can lead to emotional pain and regret.
Keep both of your eyes on the door
Encouraging to always be aware of the exit, even if things seem to be going well.
Never let it get out of sight
Assuring that keeping the exit visible and accessible is crucial to ensure that leaving is always an option.
Just be prepared when the time has come
Being mentally and emotionally ready to walk away when it's time to do so.
You run away
Making the conscious decision to leave a situation that is no longer right or healthy.
Sail when the wind starts to blow
Capitalizing on opportunities when things are favorable or trending in the right direction.
But like a fool I don't know when to leave
However, struggling to make the right decision and sometimes staying in situations longer than necessary.
If you really love her
Addressing a person who is caught between two loves.
And there? s nothing I can do
Admitting defeat, recognizing that there's no power to change another person's feelings.
Don? t try to spare my feelings
Asking not to be treated with false kindness, but instead to be told the truth.
Just tell me that we? re through
Asking for honesty in ending a relationship, instead of prolonging the pain.
And make it easy on yourself
Asking for the other person to end things without causing extra hurt or difficulty to both parties.
Cause breaking up is so very hard to do
Acknowledging the emotional pain that comes with ending a relationship that has sentimental value.
If the way I hold you
Addressing a partner who may be considering leaving to be with another.
Can? t compare to her caress
Understands that the other person's affection or love may be greater than their own.
No words of consolation will make me miss you less
Admitting that nothing can lessen the pain of losing someone they love.
My darling if this is goodbye
Accepting that this may be the end of the relationship.
I just know I want to cry
Feeling emotional and overwhelmed with sadness.
So run to her before you start crying too
Suggesting that the other person should leave before emotions intensify, and tears flow.
Someday, rested from hours of sleeping
Dreaming of a time in the future when they can rest without worries.
We'll stay safely behind what we're keeping
Believing that in the future, they'll be able to protect and keep safe what they hold dear.
You'll seem warmer than I had remembered you
Expecting to reconnect with someone and feel their familiar warmth and tenderness again.
Lying so close I'll be able to feel you breathe
Anticipating a time when they can be so close to someone that they can feel their breath.
I could never leave
Believing that they could never abandon this special relationship.
One day, when I am able to love you
Expressing future capability to love someone that they may not currently be able to love fully.
I'll come back from wherever I've been to
Expecting to come back to this person from wherever they've been, whether physically or emotionally.
Please say that you'll be waiting when someday comes
Hoping that the other person will still be interested and around when they return.
Promise me this and a kiss, to keep what you are
Asking for a promise from the other person to remain true to themselves until they are reunited.
Always close to me
Asking for the other person to always stay close, both physically and emotionally.
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Anticipating the opportunity to experience new things together.
Watching the signs along the way
Being alert and aware of potential challenges and opportunities while on this new journey.
Talking it over just the two of us
Communicating with each other about their feelings, plans, and experiences.
Working together day to day
Collaborating and supporting each other through the everyday challenges of this new journey.
Together.
Reinforcing the idea of moving forward with each other, side by side.
And when the evening comes we smile
Likely referencing the end of their lives, when they can look back at their journey together and feel content.
So much of life ahead
Believing that there is so much life and time to be experienced and cherished.
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
Hoping to find a comfortable space where they can continue to develop and increase in love and understanding.
And yes, We've just begun.
Asserting that they are just getting started in a lifelong journey together.
Contributed by Savannah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Reck Adrian
Isto foi extraordinário! Nunca vi nada igual! 🎤🎹🎼🎸🎺🎷👍👍👍🇧🇷🌎
doug bowling
She didn't have to prance around half naked to get attention she was a true talent. Such a angelic voice
Keith DeLucia
What a group. Richard was a musical genius, and I don't care what anyone says Karen is the greatest female vocalist in music history. Not Aretha, Whitney, Barbara. Nope, it's Karen
Mike Hatch
Your right she just makes you melt
Bryan
@That Little Voice .... don't forget Miley and Marie osmond
Bryan
It is the most ridiculous statement I ever heard she isn't even as good as Yoko and your comparing her to Whitney etc
Bryan
Lennon and McCartney were musical geniuses the carpenter's were barely average
Flora Folhagem
As vezes tem talentos que so se desenvolvem com o olhar do outro gênio. Os arranjos, as composições eram feitas para ela. Pelo genio do arranjo e da composição. Não existiria karen sem Richard.
Jim Magnet Man
Karen Carpenters, to this day, IMO, still has the most beautiful voice I've heard.
Arturo Delgado
The voice of an angel