The song was originally in a wedding-themed television commercial for Crocker National Bank in California in early 1970, with Paul Williams on vocals. As a single, the full song was first recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend of Roger Nichols, singing under the name "Freddie Allen". It was released in March 1970 but did not get significant airplay. Separately, Richard Carpenter saw the TV commercial and guessed correctly that Williams was the vocalist (both of them were under contract to A&M Records). Carpenter ran into Williams on the record company's lot and asked whether a full-length version was available. Although the TV commercial had only two verses and no bridge, Williams stated that there was a bridge and an additional verse, forming a complete song, which was then delivered. Upon hearing the demo, Richard was convinced the song was a hit.
According to Williams in the documentary Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters. "We'd had some success with songs before, a few album cuts and some B-sides - but no singles. This was a major break, a chance to get an A-side and maybe even a hit, so we would have absolutely lied through our teeth if there wasn't a full song."
Carpenter selected the composition for the duo's third single for the album Close to You. It was released in late summer 1970, featuring Karen's lead vocals and the overdubbed harmonies of both siblings. "We've Only Just Begun" hit No. 1 on the Cash Box singles chart (that described the song as having "delicious lyrics and a sparkling production.") and No. 2 on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100, becoming the pair's second million-selling gold single, spending nine weeks in the Top 10. It was considered by both Karen and Richard to be their signature song. According to The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (6th edition), on the U.S. Adult Contemporary singles chart, it was the duo's best-performing tune, lasting seven weeks at No. 1 (beating the six-week stay at the top of "Close to You").
Williams recorded his own version of "We've Only Just Begun" for his 1971 album Just an Old Fashioned Love Song. Bitty McLean also released a notable cover version of "We've Only Just Begun" on June 5, 1995, and reached No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart
For Williams, the song was a personal victory; it was his first collaboration with Nichols that resulted in a hit single, and it opened the door to many more thereafter. In 1998, the recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for recordings "of lasting quality or historical significance".
Although it only charted at number 28 in the UK Singles Chart in 1970, its subsequent growth in popularity in the UK saw it voted second in The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song, broadcast by ITV in 2016.
We've Only Just Begun
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we're on our way
(We've only begun)
Before the risin' sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We'll start out walkin' and learn to run
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together
And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
(And yes, we've just begun)
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin' the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together
Together
And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
And yes, we've just begun
The lyrics to "We've Only Just Begun" by Carpenters speaks about the beginning of a new journey in life, specifically a romantic relationship. The first verse narrates the moment when the couple begins to embark on their journey together, with promises of a bright future filled with love (white lace and promises) and good luck (a kiss for luck). The phrase "we've only just begun" is repeated twice to emphasize that the couple is at the start of something exciting and new.
In the second verse, the couple prepares to face the challenges and uncertainties of the road ahead. The lyrics mention the rising of the sun, signifying the start of a new day and a new journey. The couple has many roads to choose from, but they start with baby steps and gradually learn to run. The phrase "And yes, we've just begun" is repeated again to reinforce their position at the beginning of their journey.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of the couple working together, talking things through and watching out for signs along the way. They're experiencing new horizons together, finding a place to grow and appreciating the life ahead of them.
Overall, the song expresses hope, positivity, and the idea that anything is possible when you are young and in love. It is a message of unity, encouragement and support between two people who are on a journey towards a better, happier future.
Line by Line Meaning
We've only just begun to live
We are just starting our life journey together
White lace and promises
We are dressed in fine attire and anticipating the future with hope
A kiss for luck and we're on our way
We give each other blessings and embark on our journey together
(We've only begun)
We are just starting our life journey together
Before the risin' sun, we fly
We start our journey early in the morning
So many roads to choose
We have many options and possibilities ahead of us
We'll start out walkin' and learn to run
We will take it slow at first, but eventually gain momentum
(And yes, we've just begun)
We are just starting our life journey together
Sharing horizons that are new to us
We are experiencing new experiences together
Watchin the signs along the way
We are paying attention to the subtle cues that guide us
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
We confide in each other and work through things together
Workin' together day to day
We collaborate and support each other every day
Together
We are united and committed to each other
And when the evening comes, we smile
We are happy and content with our progress
So much of life ahead
We have a lot of life left to live and experience
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
We will find a place where we can develop and expand our lives
And yes, we've just begun
We are just starting our life journey together
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Williams, Roger Nichols
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nadinegabitanan8207
We've only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we're on our way
(We've only begun)
Before the risin' sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We'll start out walkin' and learn to run
(And yes, we've just begun)
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together
And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
(And yes, we've just begun)
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin' the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together
Together
And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
And yes, we've just begun
@vitoarchitetto5026
I think the world can agree on one thing; Karen Carpenter had the voice of an angel.
@xavierminchello8431
I have never heard the voice of an angel so I don't know. I'm sure when I'm dead I will.
@otisroseboro2837
Yes i agree
@Kalaxian80animations
What about Christina Grimmie?
@xavierminchello8431
@Kalaxian80 she had the voice of the Devil!
@Kalaxian80animations
@Xavier Minchello oh fuck no, I highly think your just messing around, her voice was better than this artist, Christina is my favourite! I respect your opinion, but I highly disagree.
@Smartass_Jedi
As a lifelong metal/rock guy, I can without hesistation say that Karen is my favorite singer of all time. And at this point, it's not even close. Nobody elicits the kind of emotions her voice does for me. This is immutable and for all time. RIP Queen. Hope you found peace ❤
@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503
I grew up in Downey CA... always running across Karen and Richard driving their Carpenter's Van around town and always waving...big smiles...Mom and I ran into Karen at JCPENNEY while in the ladies dept...
You like Metallica too obviously...I went to Downey High school with James Hetfield we were in the same class! James wouldn't cut his hair for football and decided to be a Rock and Roll star! James would walk around Downey High playing music in his head playing air guitar...I can remember it like it was yesterday...his long curls bouncing off his shoulders!
Eric Underwood Class of 81 Downey High school CA ✌️❤️🇺🇸🛐🗽
@richarddainty2855
I agree. Love heavy metal too but she is one of a kind
@luigivincenz3843
@@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503 "You like Metallica too obviously...I went to Downey High school with James Hetfield we were in the same class! "
Metallica fan the past 40 years (showing my age here) > I know Jim is from Downey and Mustaine started his band there. Heck, I even know the apartment where Erickson and Mustaine were and how they met. On the VH1 SPECIAL, Erickson showed the apartment bldg which is close to mine and not one rock tour in Hollywood shows it. This is the apt bldg where Dave first meets Ellefson (downstairs) to shut up and dropped a plant over his head because his Van Halen version of Runnin with the Devil was awful.