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
Without A Song
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without a song
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
The Carpenters' song "Without A Song" is a poignant reflection on the importance of music in one's life. The lyrics suggest that a life without music is hardly worth living at all, as it is music that gives meaning and purpose to our days. The opening lines suggest that a day without a song feels endless and directionless, with no purpose or goal to strive towards. Similarly, the idea of a road without a bend implies a flat, unchanging existence with no sense of exploration or adventure.
As the song continues, the lyrics delve into deeper issues of loneliness and isolation. The phrase "When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend" speaks to the idea that sometimes we feel completely alone in the world, with no one to turn to for help or support. However, even in the darkest moments, the song insists that music can be a source of comfort and strength. The repeated refrain, "Without a song", emphasizes the central role that music plays in our lives - it is the one constant that can always be relied upon to help us through difficult times.
The final verse of the song takes a more philosophical turn, suggesting that there is a mystery to the world that music can help us grapple with. The lines "I'll never know what makes the rain to fall / I'll never know what makes that grass so tall" suggest that there are some things in life that we will never fully understand. However, the song argues that we don't need to understand everything in order to find joy and meaning - as long as we have music in our hearts, we can find a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Overall, "Without A Song" is a beautifully crafted tribute to the power of music in our lives. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, we can always turn to music to find hope, strength, and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song the day would never end
The day seems never-ending without a song to bring a sense of completion.
Without a song the road would never bend
A song is necessary to enrich life's journey, making it more enjoyable and purposeful.
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
During difficult times, music can be a steadfast companion when other humans aren't available.
Without a song
The importance of music is emphasized, as it is necessary to provide guidance through life's challenges.
That field of corn would never see a plow
A song brings about hope and motivation, which encourages farmers to work harder and cultivate their fields.
That field of corn would be deserted now
The barren lands are symbolic of a life without music, which can lead to a lack of purpose and motivation.
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without guidance and inspiration, humans can feel lost, and their lives seem aimless.
I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Even during difficult times, music has a way of keeping hope alive, and the thought that life will move on towards better moments.
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
A strong song resonates within the soul, providing one with the strength and hope to carry on despite life's problems.
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
Life is full of mysteries that we can never fully understand, and music is one of them, like what makes the rain to fall.
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
Music, like the forces that make grass grow tall, is part of the natural world and seemingly magical in its effects.
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without music, life can be a bleak and loveless existence, devoid of the beauty and passion that music brings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans
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.