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
Runaway
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made lots of friends, many different races
I've had such fun around the world it's true
African skies with a Nairobi mood
I fell asleep in Tuscany and dreamed
The one thing missing was you
Runaway with me my love,
Runaway with me my love,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I woke up with an Australian breeze
And danced the dance with Aborigines
Oh under the moon glow down in Mexico I dreamed
One thing was missing that's you
Runaway with me my love,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Runaway with me my love,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We'll sail the waters of many colors
We won't need a compass, love will guide our way
Don't need nobody, as long as we got each other
No need to hurry, we've got everyday
I wanna share the world with you, you see
Spring time in Paris feels so good to me
Oh this is for me reality
So please make all my wishes come true
Runaway with me my love,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And I just know we'll have a good time
And I just know we'll have a good time
The Carpenters’ song “Runaway” is a love song that recounts the adventures of the singer, who has travelled all over the world and enjoyed the company of different people of different races. However, despite all the fun, the one thing missing in the singer's life is their lover, who they dream about constantly in their travels. In the first verse, the lyrics describe the singer's travels to Africa and Tuscany, where they fall asleep and dream about their lover. The chorus then follows, where they invite their lover to run away with them and join them in their crazy, adventurous life.
The second verse describes the singer's experience in Australia and Mexico, where they danced with Aborigines and dreamt about their lover under the moon glow. The third verse expresses their desire to continue their adventures with their lover by their side, sailing the waters of many colors, guided solely by the power of their love. The song ends with an invitation to their lover, expressing their certainty that they will have a good time together experiencing life's wonders.
Overall, the song is about the limitless adventures of life and how they are even more fulfilling with someone you love by your side.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the world, been to many places
I have traveled to different parts of the world and experienced their diverse cultures.
Made lots of friends, many different races
During my travels, I have formed friendships with people of various ethnicities and nationalities.
I've had such fun around the world it's true
The memories I have created while exploring different parts of the world have been extremely enjoyable.
African skies with a Nairobi mood
The beautiful scenery and tranquil atmosphere of Nairobi's skies have left an impact on my thoughts and memories.
I fell asleep in Tuscany and dreamed
While in the scenic Tuscany region, I had a dream.
The one thing missing was you
You were the only thing missing from the beautiful experiences and memories that I created in my travels.
Runaway with me my love, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Let us embark on a journey together and escape from our daily routine.
I woke up with an Australian breeze
The refreshing Australian air woke me up from my slumber.
And danced the dance with Aborigines
I danced along with the native Aborigines of the land, embracing their culture.
Oh under the moon glow down in Mexico I dreamed
While in Mexico, under the beautiful moonlit sky - I had a dream.
One thing was missing that's you
You were missing from the beautiful Mexican dream I had experienced.
We'll sail the waters of many colors
We will explore and sail through different waters with vibrant colors.
We won't need a compass, love will guide our way
Our love for each other is so strong that it will guide us through life's journey without needing direction or guidance from anyone else.
Don't need nobody, as long as we got each other
We don't need anybody else's company as long as we have each other's love and support.
No need to hurry, we've got everyday
We can take our time and enjoy each and every day that we have to the fullest.
I wanna share the world with you, you see
I want to explore the world with you and share all of the beautiful experiences and memories with you.
Spring time in Paris feels so good to me
The romantic and beautiful vibe of Paris during the spring season makes me feel alive and happy.
Oh this is for me reality
This dreamy and beautiful experience feels like the reality I have always wanted for myself.
So please make all my wishes come true
I hope and wish that you will be a part of and fulfill all of my beautiful dreams and experiences in this world.
And I just know we'll have a good time
I have a positive feeling that we will create beautiful experiences and memories wherever we go and whatever we do.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Del Shannon, Max D. Crook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Parker
on Happy
Wrong lyrics shown. Correct ones --- Happy by Carpenters
I've played the game of love before.
Too young to know
How hard the fall could be;
I never thought I'd try again.
Somehow you brought
The gambler out in me.
You can deal me in this time around.
Even though the odds are high,
We'll play them down.
You may be a chance I need to take,
And the hand I'm holdin' says it's no mistake.
Happy is the way I'm feelin',
And I know it comes from being with you.
All at once my life is changin',
And I know it's 'cause I'm fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love.
Fallin' in love with you.
If this is luck then let it ride.
If it's the starts,
They're surely on my side.
I've never been so safisfied
By love before;
For all the times I've tried.
These beginnings could mean more
Than the brief affair I bargained for.
Little did I know, when we began,
That my time had come to win a hand.
Happy is the way I'm feelin',
And I know it comes from being with you.
All at once my life is changin',
And I know it's 'cause I'm fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love.
Fallin' in love with you.
Please forgive me if I seem
To be walking through a waking dream.
Laughter never came so easily;
There's a freedom here that's new to me.
Happy is the way I'm feelin',
And I know it comes from being with you.
All at once my life is changin',
And I know it's 'cause I'm fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love with you.
Fallin' in love.
Fallin' in love with you.