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
You're Just in Love
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why, I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes I wonder why
(You don't need analyzing)
(It is not so surprising)
(That you feel very strange but nice)
(Your heart goes pitter patter)
(I know just what's the matter)
(Because I've been there once or twice)
(Put your head on my shoulder)
(You need someone who's older)
(A rub down with a velvet glove)
(There is nothing you can take)
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
(You're not sick, you're just in love)
I hear singing and there's no one there
(You don't need analyzing)
(It is not so surprising)
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
(That you feel very strange but nice)
All day long I seem to walk on air
(Your heart goes pitter patter)
(I know just what's the matter)
I wonder why
(Because I've been there once or twice)
I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
(With your head on my shoulder)
(You need someone who's older)
And what's more I've lost my appetite
(A rub down with a velvet glove)
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
(There is nothing you can take)
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
Are twinkling in my eyes
(You're not sick)
I wonder why
(You're just in love)
(And I know why)
And I know why
I'm just in love
The lyrics to Carpenters' song "You're Just in Love" describe the feeling of being love-struck and enchanted by someone. The opening lines of the song "I hear singing and there's no one there, I smell blossoms and the trees are bare" create a sense of surrealism and otherworldliness, which is often how love can feel. The imagery of the stars twinkling in the singer's eyes further emphasizes this otherworldly feeling that love can bring. The lyrics also touch upon the physical sensations that can come with falling in love, such as tossing and turning at night and losing one's appetite.
The second half of the song offers reassurance to the listener, stating that these feelings are not unusual and that the singer knows what it's like to experience them. The line "Put your head on my shoulder, you need someone who's older" presents the idea that the singer will offer guidance and support to the listener as they navigate these unfamiliar emotions. The final lines of the song, "There is nothing you can take, to relieve that pleasant ache, you're not sick" convey that while love can be overwhelming, it's ultimately a positive experience that doesn't require a cure.
Overall, "You're Just in Love" is a sweet and romantic song that captures the euphoria and enchantment of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear singing and there's no one there
I'm so happy that I can hear music even when there is none around
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
I can smell the beautiful flowers even though the trees have no leaves
All day long I seem to walk on air
I feel like I'm floating on air throughout the entire day
I wonder why
I'm curious as to why I'm feeling this way
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
I can't seem to get comfortable when I'm trying to sleep
And what's more I've lost my appetite
I'm not as interested in eating as I normally am
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
The stars are shining even brighter than they used to
Are twinkling in my eyes
I can see the reflection of stars in my eyes
You don't need analyzing
Your feelings don't require any deep interpretation or analysis
It is not so surprising
It's a common occurrence
That you feel very strange but nice
You're feeling a bit odd, but it's a good feeling
Your heart goes pitter patter
Your heartbeat is faster than normal
I know just what's the matter
I understand what's causing these feelings
Because I've been there once or twice
I've experienced this before
Put your head on my shoulder
Rest your head on my shoulder and feel comfort
You need someone who's older
You need someone who's experienced in these matters
A rubdown with a velvet glove
Being treated softly and tenderly can help soothe
There is nothing you can take
There's no medication or treatment for these feelings
To relieve that pleasant ache
Even though it's uncomfortable, it's also pleasant
You're not sick
These feelings are not due to any illness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patricia Cubacub
You're Just in Love
Carpenters
I hear singing and there's no one there
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why, I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes I wonder why
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
(You're not sick, you're just in love)
I hear singing and there's no one there
(You don't need analyzing)
(It is not so surprising)
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
(That you feel very strange but nice)
All day long I seem to walk on air
(Your heart goes pitter patter)
(I know just what's the matter)
I wonder why
(Because I've been there once or twice)
I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
(With your head on my shoulder)
(You need someone who's older)
And what's more I've lost my appetite
(A rub down with a velvet glove)
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
(There is nothing you can take)
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
Are twinkling in my eyes
(You're not sick)
I wonder why
(You're just in love)
And I know why
I'm just in love
Rich Buckles
Really, does it get any better than this? This is an amazing voice that I miss to this day and Im sure I will always miss!
Tracevidence1
If you want to hear Karen do a solo, you have over 200 songs to choose from... It is so wonderful to hear Richard and Karen sing a duet together. They had an amazing chemistry, and produced so many great songs together. What a great team they were, with a great, and loyal band of terrific musicians. Carpenters Forever!! Love you Richard and Karen.
byron harkey
Lovely vocals contributing to this upbeat incredible song w Karens perfect pitch and harmony!
Marion Scheuerlein
@Tracevidence1: I totally agree with you!
What a magic duet... it sounds so wondeful! It shows, how unique both were with their gifts. In my opinion Richard and Karen have perfectly complemented each other musically.
The result is reflected in their unique music. Richard had an incredibly good sense of which songs fit them and especially Karen's incomparable voice, how he had to arrange the songs to make them distinctive. What a genius musician!!! And Karen made the songs special with her soft and enchanting voice. She refined them.
But here Richard also finally sings on equal footing with his sister.... and also he has a very warm and soft voice.... they sound so harmonious together...just great! They both couldn't have done us a bigger favor than to make music together and give us so many beautiful songs. It will never happen again like this.
I am incredibly grateful to Richard and Karen for that! The Carpenters were and are simply the best!
rawvegan1
Gosh! I'm no country and western fan, but Karen has a way to make anything appreciated! Her talent and voice is truly a treasure. Thank you for posting
Bill Nance
A superb version of this song. Karen's voice, in my opinion, was perfectly suited to this genre: in tune, perfect pitch, strong but not overpowering.
Rick S
Love the Carpenters and love their version of this song! Written by Irving Berlin and first published in 1950, it has been covered by many artists including Bing Crosby & Judy Garland, Perry Como & The Fontaine Sisters, Ethel Merman & Russell Nype (in "Call Me Madam") and countless others! Great version of a great song! Sure do miss the Carpenters...
Stella Tarazon
Love Richard's voice! So beautiful to hear them together.❤
autumn jasmyn
I have always loved Karen Carpenter's music. She is a timeless treasure. It brings back many memories from the 1970's and the 1980's . She had such a beautiful voice. It is really nice to hear this music again.
kyokat
I consider myself quite a big Carpenters fan and I have never actually got round to getting this album. Boy do I regret not trying now. I love this song. This song plus the Carpenters smooth vocals! It simply cries superb!