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
When You
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this world there's a whole lot of pain
In this world there's a whole lot of trouble, but
A whole lot of ground to gain
Why take when you could be giving?
Why watch as the world goes by?
It's a hard enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly?
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
In this world there's a whole lot of shame
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
And a whole lot of ground to gain
When you spend your whole life wishing
Wanting, and wondering why
It's a long enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly?
And in this world there's a whole lot of golden
In this world there's a whole lot of pain
In this world you've a soul for a compass
And a heart for a pair of wings
There's a star on the far horizon
Rising bright in an azure sky
For the rest of the time that you're given
Why walk when you can fly?
The lyrics to the Carpenters' song "When You" are about the difficulties and challenges of living in the world, but also the potential for growth and happiness. The opening lines acknowledge the troubles and pain that exist in the world, but points out that there is also a lot of opportunity for success and achievement. The song encourages listeners to give rather than take, and to not simply watch life pass by but to actively participate in it.
The second verse focuses on sorrow and shame, but again emphasizes the potential for growth and change. The lyrics suggest that it's easy to get caught up in wishing and wanting, but that life is too short to simply wait for things to happen. Instead, we should strive to make the most of our time and find joy in every moment.
The final verse offers a more hopeful perspective, suggesting that there is also beauty and goodness in the world. The use of a compass and wings as metaphors for the soul and heart suggest that we are capable of navigating our way through life and reaching great heights. The song encourages us to look towards the horizon and to never stop striving towards our goals.
Overall, the lyrics to "When You" offer a message of hope and encouragement, urging us to make the most of our time on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
In this world there's a whole lot of trouble, baby
This world is full of turmoil, difficulties, and issues, my dear
In this world there's a whole lot of pain
There is a lot of suffering, hurt, and agony in this world
In this world there's a whole lot of trouble, but
Although there are many troubles in this world,
A whole lot of ground to gain
there are still opportunities for growth, development, and progress
Why take when you could be giving?
Why choose to receive when you have the option to give instead?
Why watch as the world goes by?
Why be a mere spectator as life passes you by?
It's a hard enough life to be living
Life is challenging enough as it is
Why walk when you can fly?
Therefore, why limit yourself when you can achieve anything you desire?
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
This world is also full of grief, sadness, and despair
In this world there's a whole lot of shame
There is a lot of disgrace, embarrassment, and guilt in this world as well
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
Once again, there is a lot of sorrow in this world to endure
And a whole lot of ground to gain
Yet there are still opportunities for growth and improvement
When you spend your whole life wishing
If you spend your entire life hoping for something
Wanting, and wondering why
Desiring, and questioning why it is not a reality yet
It's a long enough life to be living
Life is already long and challenging enough
Why walk when you can fly?
So why not aim for the stars and pursue your dreams instead of settling?
And in this world there's a whole lot of golden
Moreover, this world has a lot of good, valuable, and precious things to offer
In this world there's a whole lot of pain
But unfortunately, this world still has a lot of suffering and agony to endure
In this world you've a soul for a compass
However, each person has an inner voice that can provide guidance and direction
And a heart for a pair of wings
Additionally, a person's heart can offer freedom, motivation, and encouragement
There's a star on the far horizon
There is a bright and promising future waiting on the distant horizon
Rising bright in an azure sky
Shining brilliantly in a vast blue sky
For the rest of the time that you're given
During the remaining time you have in this life
Why walk when you can fly?
Why limit yourself when you can soar to great heights?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music
Written by: MARY CARPENTER
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.