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
There's a Kind of Rush
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All over the world tonight
All over the world
You can hear the sound of lovers in love
You know what I mean
Just the two of us
And nobody else in sight
There's nobody else and I'm feelin good
(**) so listen very carefully
Get closer now and you will see what I mean
It isn't a dream
The only sound that you will hear
Is when I whisper in your ear I love you
For ever and ever
There's a kind of hush
All over the world tonight
All over the world
People just like us are fallin' love
Repeat (**)
Repeat (*)
The Carpenters' hit song "There's A Kind Of Hush" is a beautiful love ballad that talks about the kind of hush that is present when lovers are together. The song starts with the lyrics "There's a kind of hush all over the world tonight," which implies that people are falling in love and feeling happy to be together. The song suggests that this hush is not limited to one region or country but is present all over the world.
When the singer says "Just the two of us, and nobody else in sight," it gives the listener a feeling of intimacy, that no one could disturb this moment of sharing love. They are the only ones in sight, and they are feeling good just by holding each other tight. In the second verse, the singer urges the listener to listen carefully and to get closer to see what's happening. The only sound that one could hear while being close is the sound of the lover whispering "I love you for ever and ever" in their ear.
It is a beautiful expression of love and togetherness, where the world seems to disappear around two lovers, and only they exist in the moment. Such lyrics appeal to people who are in love and want to feel cherished. The Carpenters sang these lyrics with deep emotion, which made the song an all-time hit.
Line by Line Meaning
there's a kind of hush
There is a gentle silence
all over the world tonight
Across the globe, at this moment
all over the world
In every place around the earth
you can hear the sound of lovers in love
One can perceive the romantic ambiance
you know what I mean
You understand exactly what I'm saying
just the two of us
Only me and you
and nobody else in sight
No one else is around
there's nobody else and I'm feelin good
I'm content with just you and nothing else
just holding you tight
Embracing you closely
so listen very carefully
Pay close attention to what I'm about to say
get closer now and you will see what I mean
Approach nearer and you'll comprehend
it isn't a dream
This isn't just an illusion
the only sound that you will hear
The singular noise you discern
is when I whisper in your ear I love you
Occurs when I murmur loving words to you
for ever and ever
Eternally
people just like us are fallin' love
Folks akin to ourselves are falling in love
there's a kind of hush
There is a gentle silence
all over the world tonight
Across the globe, at this moment
all over the world
In every place around the earth
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LES REED, GEOFF STEPHENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rakshitapadmajitweerakkody8350
The world will never hear a voice like this ever again. The rich crystal clear effortless vocalization is absolutely beyond comparison. It' only fitting that she's now singing with heaven's angels.
@serenaqiang6353
That is such accurate description!
@adevandojuvencio5671
I agree completely, Rakshita!!! Never again the world will give birth to such a voice!! Never!
@nikkymouce
I totally agree with your comment!
@michaelhuggins2108
Just beautiful beyond doubt.Karen Carpenter's voice was simply magic.Memories for a Lifetime.Thanks Karen wherever you are.
@jamescairns4051
One of the finest voices. Ever. Thanks Karen for keeping me company through some pretty tough times. ❤
@DavidDenton-lg5fe
I agree with everyone. Karen's voice is just super-smooth. It breaks my heart that she died too soon. 💔 Her songs were like a warm blanket on a cold night. These two will forever transcend time. Thank God for recordings. What a pure gift Karen was to us all. Rest in peace, darlin'.
@GeorgeVreelandHill
Karen Carpenter ...
The greatest voice of all-time.
@mstrunn
+George Vreeland Hill You have my vote!
@gontierfrancois8115
Yes