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
Turn Away
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the answers seem so clear to you
You know just exactly what do you want to do
And never allow a feeling of doubt
I guess you see where your road can lead
And all the pain that you have in store
For now you have chosen to lock every door
(Think you need)
Turn away, find a way, your own
I'll be here waiting for you to say
Turn away, find a way, your own
I'll still be calling your name
And if I tried to show you how
Tomorrow is never like yesterday
Would you change your mind and see things my way
(Try and and see things my way)
Or are you afraid that I'll bring you down?
(Bring you down)
Turn away, find a way, your own
I'll be here waiting for you to say
Turn away, find a way, your own
(Turn away)
I'll still be calling your name
Turn away, find a way of your own
I'll be here waiting for you to say
Turn away, find a way, your own
(Turn away)
I'll still be calling your name
Turn away, find a way of your own
I'll be here waiting for you to say
Turn away, find a way, your own
(Turn away)
I'll still be calling your name
Turn away, find a way of your own
I'll be here waiting for you to say
Turn away, find a way, your own
(Turn away)
I'll still be calling your name
The lyrics to Carpenters' song "Turn Away" seem to be addressing someone who is very sure of themselves and their path in life. The singer is admiring this person's conviction and focus, but at the same time expressing concern about the potential downsides of such a single-minded approach: "all the pain that you have in store" and the fact that this person "never allow[s] a feeling of doubt." The singer offers support, telling the person to find their own way and offering to be there for them regardless of what they choose. However, there is some tension in the lyrics as well, as the singer wonders if the person is afraid that they will "bring [them] down."
Overall, the lyrics of "Turn Away" seem to be about the difficulties of navigating life and relationships when one person is very sure of themselves and their goals, while others are struggling to find their own way. There is a sense of both admiration and concern in the singer's words, as they try to find a balance between respecting the other person's choices and offering support and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess you know what it's all about
You believe you have a clear sense of purpose in your life.
All the answers seem so clear to you
You believe you have all the solutions to your problems.
You know just exactly what do you want to do
You have a clear idea of what you want to achieve.
And never allow a feeling of doubt
You refuse to entertain any doubts about your goals.
I guess you see where your road can lead
You are aware of the potential consequences of your choices.
And all the pain that you have in store
You acknowledge that your choices may come with a cost.
For now you have chosen to lock every door
You have closed yourself off from other people's advice or input.
And find on your own what you think you need
You believe that you can find what you need on your own.
Turn away, find a way, your own
You need to pursue your own path and not rely on anyone else.
I'll be here waiting for you to say
I will support you no matter what path you take.
And if I tried to show you how
If I tried to persuade you to consider a different path.
Tomorrow is never like yesterday
The future is never predictable and can be different from the past.
Would you change your mind and see things my way
Would you be willing to reconsider your current path.
Or are you afraid that I'll bring you down?
Are you worried that I will negatively impact your plans or goals.
Turn away, find a way of your own
You need to pursue your own path and not rely on anyone else.
I'll be here waiting for you to say
I will support you no matter what path you take.
I'll still be calling your name
I will always be there for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD LYNN CARPENTER, JOHN BETTIS
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.