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
Please Mr Postman
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yes, wait a minute
Mr. Postman
(Wait)
Wait Mr. Postman
(Please Mr. Postman look and see)
Oh yeah
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mr. Postman look and see
If there's a letter a letter for me
I've been standin' here
Waitin' Mr. Postman so patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Sayin' he's returning' home to me
Mister Postman
(Mister Postman look and see)
Oh yeah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin' in my eyes
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter
Mister Postman
(Mister Postman look and see)
Oh yeah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Why don't you check it and see one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
Wait a minute, wait a minute Mr. Postman
Ooh Mr. Postman
(Mr. Postman look and see)
C'mon deliver the letter, the sooner, the better
Mr. Postman
Aaah
The Carpenters classic "Please Mr. Postman" is a poignant and yearning love song that speaks to the universal experience of waiting for a letter from a distant loved one. The song is sung by Karen Carpenter, who delivers an emotive performance of the lyrics, which express the longing of a woman waiting for news from her faraway boyfriend. The opening lines of the song urge the postman to wait for a minute, and then implore him to check if there is a letter in his bag for her.
The song also highlights the pain of being apart from a loved one, as the singer sings about waiting for just a card or a letter that says her boyfriend is returning home to her. The song's chorus repeats the plea to the postman to deliver the letter, and expresses frustration and sadness at the delay. The lyrics also reveal the singer's desperation for any news from her boyfriend, and the tears in her eyes from waiting so long.
Overall, "Please Mr. Postman" is a beautiful and timeless love song that captures the universal experience of waiting for a long-distance lover. The Carpenters' version is a classic, but the song has also been covered by many other artists, including The Marvelettes, The Beatles, and The Supremes.
Line by Line Meaning
(Stop)
Oh yes, wait a minute
Mr. Postman
(Wait)
Wait Mr. Postman
The singer is calling out to the postman to stop and wait for a moment as they have been waiting patiently for a letter.
(Please Mr. Postman look and see)
Oh yeah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
The singer is pleading with the postman to check if there is a letter in their bag for them as they have been waiting a long time to hear from their distant boyfriend.
There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mr. Postman look and see
If there's a letter a letter for me
The singer believes that today there must be a letter from their distant boyfriend and is urging the postman to check their bag for any letters addressed to them.
I've been standin' here
Waitin' Mr. Postman so patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Sayin' he's returning' home to me
The singer has been standing and waiting patiently for the postman to bring them a card or letter that says their boyfriend is returning home to be with them.
So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin' in my eyes
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter
The singer has been waiting for many days and even shed tears while waiting, but the postman never stopped to give them any sort of emotional support through a card or a letter.
Why don't you check it and see one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
Wait a minute, wait a minute Mr. Postman
Ooh Mr. Postman
(Mr. Postman look and see)
C'mon deliver the letter, the sooner, the better
Mr. Postman
Aaah
The singer keeps on urging the postman to check their bag again for any letters addressed to them to bring them some good news from their boyfriend who is far away. They emphasize the urgency of the matter and want the postman to deliver the letter as soon as possible.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Holland, Freddie Gorman, Georgia Dobbins, Robert Bateman, William Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
(Stop) Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman
(Wait). Wait Mister Postman
Please Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah). If there’s a letter in your bag for me
(Please, please Mister Postman). Why’s it takin’ such a long time
(Oh yeah). For me to hear from that boy of mine
There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mister Postman, look and see
If there’s a letter, a letter for me
I’ve been standin’ here waitin’ Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
Sayin’ he’s returnin’ home to me
(Mister Postman) Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah) If there’s a letter in your bag for me
(Please, please Mister Postman) Why’s it takin’ such a long time
(Oh yeah). For me to hear from that boy of mine
So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin’ in my eyes
You didn’t stop to make me feel better
By leavin’ me a card or a letter
(Mister Postman). Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah). If there’s a letter in your bag for me
(Please, please Mister Postman). Why’s it takin’ such a long time
(Why don’t you check it and see one more time for me, you gotta)
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
(Oh, Mister Postman). Mister Postman, look and see
(C’mon deliver the letter, the sooner the better)
Mister Postman …
jadesadaK
Oh yes, wait a minute
Mr. Postman
(Wait)
Wait Mr. Postman
Oh yeah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mr. Postman look and see
If there's a letter a letter for me
I've been standin' here
Waitin' Mr. Postman so patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Sayin' he's returning' home to me
Mister Postman
(Mister Postman look and see)
Oh yeah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin' in my eyes
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter
Mister Postman
(Mister Postman look and see)
Oh yeah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time)
Why don't you check it and see one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
Wait a minute, wait a minute Mr. Postman
Ooh Mr. Postman
(Mr. Postman look and see)
C'mon deliver the letter, the sooner, the better
Mr. Postman
Aaah
B52 BOMBER
Best female singer ever. Her voice is so clear and pure like fine silk. It’s a shame she had issues with her weight although beautiful and shapely .It was said her issues with anorexia started with a producer telling her to lose weight . Why is it that female performers must look good and men don’t .
carolki13
is that what started it? a producer told her she needed to lose weight?? wtf was wrong with him?? she never had a weight problem!
golden-oldies
she was sad because she mentioned in the newspapers that she was Richard Carpenters chubby sister (her brother) then started to do extreme dieting.
Hoze 123
crystal clear voice especially on top of the world
Nope
I was in choir and theatre and believed as a woman having a soprano was what you needed to be “perfect” and was taught that sopranos were the only ones that deserved solos/leads. Then I learned about KAREN CARPENTER.
golden-oldies
Ehehe, Karen has a contralto vocal range, sounds hauntingly beautiful.
Stuart Scharcarnie
Undoubtedly one of the best performers ever Karen had the voice Richard had the brains, Karen's voice is so natural just like pure velvet, unlike today's performers an auto tune mic was not required. Sadly missed since 1983 god bless you Karen xx
Hoze 123
crystal clear voice
Isabel CS
Qué linda canción cantada por una voz envidiable angelical
Joselyn Casas Zavala
Mi cancion favorita de Carpenters