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
Sleigh Ride
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling yoo-hoo
Come on it's lovely weather
Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, let's go
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, it's grand
Just holding your hand
Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
Like birds of a feather would be
Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
There's a Christmas party
At the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending
Of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
We love to sing
Without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop
Pop pop pop
There's a happy feeling nothing
In the world can buy
As they pass around the coffee
And the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
By Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Let's take the road before us
And sing another chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
The song "Sleigh Ride" talks about a sleigh ride in the snow with someone special. The first two lines of the song describe the sound of the sleigh bells ringing and the excitement that comes with snowfall. The singer invites someone to join them on this lovely ride through the snow. They mention the snow, friends calling out and it being the perfect weather for taking a ride. The chorus of the song talks about singing together while taking the ride and enjoying the wonderland of snow.
The second verse adds to the picture of this cozy scene, describing the two people snuggling together and feeling warm and comfortable. They invite each other to sing some more and enjoy the moment. The third verse talks about a Christmas party that is happening, and this will be the perfect end to a perfect day together. They will be singing songs and enjoying the fireplace as they watch the chestnuts pop. The song ends with the mention of coffee and pumpkin pie being passed around, all adding to the perfect moment that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
The sound of the bells is beautiful and festive, let's embrace this wonderful weather and take a sleigh ride together
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling yoo-hoo
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
There's snow falling, friends are enjoying the weather, and it's a perfect opportunity to go on a sleigh ride together
Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Let's enjoy the ride while also singing some songs together, it's the perfect time!
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, let's go
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Let's go faster while also admiring the beautiful winter scenery
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, it's grand
Just holding your hand
It's amazing to just hold your hand while enjoying the sleigh ride
Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
Like birds of a feather would be
Our faces are red from the winter wind, but we're cozy and warm together, like two birds of a kind
There's a Christmas party
At the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending
Of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
We love to sing
Without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop
Pop pop pop
After our wonderful sleigh ride, we'll be going to a Christmas party at Farmer Gray's house, where we'll sing our favorite songs and watch chestnuts roasting over the fire
There's a happy feeling nothing
In the world can buy
As they pass around the coffee
And the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
By Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives
There's a priceless joy in being with loved ones, sipping coffee and eating pumpkin pie. It's like a scene from a picture print by Currier and Ives. These moments will be cherished forever
Let's take the road before us
And sing another chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Let's keep singing and enjoying the lovely weather while we take one more ride on this beautiful day
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
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.