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
The Carpenters-I Won't Last A Day Without You
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to
Who will always care, you're always there
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
So many times when the city seems to be
Without a friendly face, a lonely place
It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you
And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
Touch me and I end up singing
Trouble seems to up and disappear
You touch me with the love you're bringing
I can't really lose when you're near
When you're near, my love
If all my friends have forgotten half their promises they're not unkind
Just hard to find
One look at you and I know
That I couldn't learn to live without the rest
I've found the best
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
This song, "Won't Last a Day Without You" by the Carpenters, is a beautiful and heartfelt expression of the human need for companionship and love in a world that can often seem cold and indifferent. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as Karen sings about the struggles of facing a world full of strangers where she doesn't feel like she belongs. It's a sentiment that many people can relate to, especially those who have ever felt isolated or alone in a crowded place. The second line, "I'm not that strong," is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the vulnerability and fragility of the human spirit.
Despite this sense of disconnection and loneliness, the song offers a glimmer of hope by introducing the idea that there is someone out there who cares and will always be there. This reassurance provides a source of comfort and strength for the singer, as she navigates the ups and downs of life in the world. The chorus echoes this sentiment, with its powerful declaration that while the world may throw all kinds of madness and chaos her way, she won't be able to survive it without the love and support of her companion.
The final verse of the song offers a message of gratitude and appreciation, as the singer reflects on the importance of her loved one and acknowledges that she couldn't learn to live without them. It's a fitting end to a song that is ultimately about the power of human connection and the ways in which love can sustain us even in the darkest times.
Line by Line Meaning
Day after day, I must face a world of strangers
Each day, I am forced to interact with unfamiliar people and situations
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong
I feel out of place and inadequate
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to
Having someone to rely on is comforting
Who will always care, you're always there
Knowing that you will be there for me is reassuring
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When it seems impossible to achieve my dreams
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
Even my most modest aspirations seem unattainable
I can take all the madness the world has to give
I am strong enough to handle the challenges life throws my way
But I won't last a day without you
But I cannot endure without your love and support
So many times when the city seems to be
There are countless moments when the urban environment feels
Without a friendly face, a lonely place
Unwelcoming and desolate, lacking human connection
It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you
I feel comforted in the knowledge that you will be there for me when I require your assistance
And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile
Your warm demeanor makes it all worth it
Touch me and I end up singing
Your touch fills me with joy and happiness
Trouble seems to up and disappear
My problems vanish when I am around you
You touch me with the love you're bringing
The love and care you show when interacting with me
I can't really lose when you're near
Being close to you makes me feel like I cannot fail
When you're near, my love
Having you close to me fills me with affection and fondness
If all my friends have forgotten half their promises they're not unkind
Even if my friends fall short of their commitments, it does not mean they lack compassion
Just hard to find
It can be difficult to locate true, reliable friends
One look at you and I know
Seeing you gives me the knowledge
That I couldn't learn to live without the rest
That I cannot imagine a life without you in it
I've found the best
I have encountered the ultimate, most wonderful companion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL H. WILLIAMS, ROGER S. NICHOLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RainukT
Day after day, I must face a world of strangers
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to
Who will always care, you're always there
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
So many times when the city seems to be
Without a friendly face, a lonely place
It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you
And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
Touch me and I end up singing
Trouble seems to up and disappear
You touch me with the love you're bringing
I can't really lose when you're near
When you're near, my love
If all my friends have forgotten half their promises they're not unkind
Just hard to find
One look at you and I know
That I couldn't learn to live without the rest
I've found the best
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
When there's no gettin' over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
@jenya8227
2021!! Does anybody still listening to this masterpiece? Anyone?
@raulhilliard1140
Yea I hope humanity can return here
@goldwinnm1609
yasss hshwhshwhas
@jeremysanchez2598
Yessssss
@ArturosyArturosy
It's one of my favorites for all time
@onhelrubio7479
Yes I am 💯😊
@scottee1933
For my mom who is fighting for her life. Her favorite singer.
@geoffreyantazo4994
She can do it, trust her. God bless 😘💞
@lemuelbaruela1277
She can do it, I'll include her to my prayers
@zack7059
She can surpass this situation,I'll assure you! And God bless you both as well. 😊