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
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Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't be afraid to tell everyone you're learned
(*) That love is a groovy thing
It knows how to make you sing
Don't be afraid to give all you've got to give
One of these days you'll find that's the way to live
And living is what we all were put on this earth to do
So come on and live and be happy
Don't be afraid to love
Repeat (*)
Oh, live and be happy
Don't be afraid to love
Don't be afraid to love
Don't be afraid to love
Don't be afraid to love
The Carpenters’ song “Don’t Be Afraid to Love” is a straightforward and uplifting message encouraging listeners to embrace love in all its forms. The lyrics begin by urging listeners not to be afraid to both love and receive love in return, acknowledging the vulnerability that comes with opening oneself up to such a powerful emotion. However, the song quickly emphasizes the positive impact love can have on one’s life, describing it as a “groovy thing” that can “fill up your life with sunshine and joy.”
The chorus of the song continues this theme, encouraging listeners to give all they have and to live boldly and happily. The song’s ultimate message is one of hope and optimism, suggesting that while loving can be scary, it is ultimately the best way to live a fulfilling life. The Carpenters’ delivery of the song reinforces these positive themes, with Karen Carpenter’s gentle voice and the song’s upbeat melody combining to create a hopeful and joyful listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, don't be afraid to love and get love returned
Do not hesitate to give your love to others and receive their love in return.
Don't be afraid to tell everyone you're learned
Do not hesitate to share your knowledge and wisdom with everyone.
That love is a groovy thing
Love is a wonderful thing that can bring about happiness and joy.
It knows how to make you sing
Love has the power to make you feel alive and joyful.
And it fills up your life with sunshine and joy
Love can bring light and happiness to your entire life.
Don't be afraid to give all you've got to give
Do not hesitate to give everything you have to offer to others.
One of these days you'll find that's the way to live
One day, you will realize that giving your all to others is the key to living a fulfilling life
And living is what we all were put on this earth to do
The purpose of our existence is to live and enjoy life.
So come on and live and be happy
Therefore, live your life to the fullest and always strive to be happy.
Oh, live and be happy
Expressing the importance of living happily and enjoying life.
Don't be afraid to love
Encouraging the listeners once again to not hesitate to give and receive love.
Repeat (*)
Repeating the sentiment that love is a wonderful thing that knows how to make you feel alive and joyful.
Don't be afraid to love
Reiterating the importance of not being afraid when it comes to love.
Don't be afraid to love
Encouraging the listeners once more that love is something worth pursuing.
Don't be afraid to love
Reaffirming the message that listeners should not be afraid of love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONALD T. SCHOLZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Coupydog
Karen was 18 when this was recorded mid-1968. That tone! Already flawless in her natural gift.
Dan Tombs
54 years later Karen was the reason I choose drums 🥁x
Dan Tombs
Omg Karen your missed and loved thank you for your music x
Beulah Burnbody
When she is playing drums and singing, you can really see her joy. Not so much when she is only singing. Have always listened to the Carpenters when I'm really happy or really sad.
Kenneth Haist
I agree with that she seems happy when on the drums
Eisen Jo Casaclang
The folks who witnessed Karen's specialness are getting up in age. I hope the succeeding younger generations continue to appreciate her
Crystal Thomas HTD4Life
I listen to them daily.
BoB Brown
Me 2 too!
David Whitlock
Simply the best female pop singer of all time.......
BRUCE Nishiyama
I love Karen's showmanship(showwomenship) while playing, the pauses in her hand movements, etc. Not in this video so much but in others you may see her with a big smile, wide-eyed look, cute facial gestures, etc. I love her and miss her...