Carpenter created the Richard Carpenter Trio in 1965 with sister Karen and friend Wes Jacobs. Richard played the piano; Karen played the drums, and Wes played the tuba and bass.
In 1966, the Richard Carpenter Trio played "Iced Tea" and "The Girl from Ipanema" at the Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Bands. They won the competition, and shortly after recorded three songs at RCA Studios: "Every Little Thing," "Strangers in the Night," and the Carpenter original, "Iced Tea." "Iced Tea" is the only recording that was officially released to the public.
Around 1967, Richard and Karen joined four other student musicians from Long Beach State to form a sextet, Spectrum, consisting of:
John Bettis
Richard Carpenter
Karen Carpenter
Leslie Johnston
Gary Sims
Danny Woodhams
Although Spectrum played frequently at LA-area nightclubs such as Whisky A Go-Go, they met with an unenthusiastic response - their broad harmonies and avoidance of rock 'n roll limited the band's commercial potential. Yet Spectrum was fruitful in another way, providing the raw material of future success: Bettis went on to become a lyricist for Richard's original compositions, and all the other members except Leslie Johnston went on to become members of the Carpenters.
While Karen was suffering from the anorexia nervosa that ultimately claimed her life, Richard suffered from an addiction to quaaludes. They had been prescribed for him by his doctor as sleep aids, but his usage got out of hand. He eventually sought treatment for his addiction at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, checking into the clinic in 1979 for an eight-week treatment program, which proved successful.
Three days before his 37th birthday, the Carpenter family celebrated the unveiling of the Carpenters' new Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. He said in his speech 'this is a sad day, but at the same time a very special and beautiful day to my family and I, My only regret is that Karen is not physically here to share it with us, but I know that she is very much alive in our minds, and in our hearts'.
He started recording a solo album on June 26, 1985 and finished the album on July 5, 1987. The album was called Time. It featured Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. Springfield sang "Something in Your Eyes," and Warwick sang "In Love Alone." Richard created a song dedicated to Karen called "When Time Was All We Had." It starts off as an a cappella, but then Richard's piano fades in, as well as Herb Alpert's flugelhorn. Lyrics included:
Our hearts were filled with music and laughter, Your voice will be the sweetest sound I'll ever hear and yet, We knew somehow the song would never end, When time was all we had to spend.
In 1996, at the suggestion of music writer Daniel Levitin, Carpenter recorded and released "Richard Carpenter: Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor", which included reworkings of many Carpenters favorites, including hits and album tracks, and ends with "Karen's Theme", which Carpenter composed for the 1989 made for TV movie, "The Karen Carpenter Story".
In 1984, Richard married his first cousin Mary Rudolph (daughter of his mother's sister Bernice). Her brother, Mark Rudolph, was the Carpenters' road manager, as well as the radio call-in "contestant" in the [Oldies] "Medley" on the 1973 album, Now & Then. The couple had been dating since the late 1970s. A young Mary made a cameo appearance in the Carpenters promotional video for the song "I Need to be in Love." It should be noted that when Karen learned of the relationship she was completely mortified and shared her feelings with her brother on a number of occasions, leading to a final argument where Richard told his sister "We have had the tests done there will be no problem if we have children in the future. So let it drop!". Richard and Mary have five children: Kristi Lynn, Traci Tatum, Mindi Karen (named after his late sister), Colin Paul and Taylor Mary. The children and Richard sometimes perform music together at various Carpenter-related events. The family today resides in Thousand Oaks, California. He also funds an annual scholarship/talent show for people with artistic abilities that is held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center.
Recently, Richard helped in the productions of the documentaries "Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters" (1997) and "Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story" (2007). He released the DVDs "Gold: Greatest Hits" and "Interpretations." Carpenter is also mastering a new Christmas album.
Sandy
Richard Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something in you puts me at ease.
Yes I know that you're suspicious of me, do I mean the things I say?
You know I've been in love before, that much is true,
but though I've been in love before it wasn't with you.
(Chorus)
Oo, Sandy Could we spend the day together?
You Sandy, you gotta be a friend today.
An hour with you could chase the winter away.
Being with you I'm like a child again.
Your eyes can see clearer than mine.
No one ever made me quite so aware, no one ever took the time.
The time it took surprises me, nothing's the same,
As if my life began again hearing you name.
(Repeat Chorus)
The song "Sandy" by Richard Carpenter is a sweet and heartfelt ballad about finding comfort and solace in a special someone. The lyrics express the singer's desire to spend time with someone named Sandy, who seems to make them feel at home and at ease. Despite Sandy's suspicions about the singer's intentions, they assure her that their feelings are genuine and that they have never felt this way before. The singer reminisces about being in love before but acknowledges that it wasn't with Sandy, indicating that this is a new and profound experience for them.
The chorus of the song repeats the singer's plea to spend time with Sandy and expresses how much they value her friendship. They describe how being alone in rainy weather brings them down but that spending time with Sandy could "chase the winter away." The second verse continues to describe the singer's feelings of comfort and safety around Sandy, comparing it to feeling like a child again. They acknowledge that no one has ever made them feel so aware and taken the time to understand them like Sandy has. The song ends by repeating the chorus once more, emphasizing the importance of Sandy's companionship in the singer's life.
Overall, "Sandy" is a touching and poignant tribute to the power of a special connection. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has found a person who makes them feel seen and understood, and who brings them joy and hope just by being around. The song is a beautiful reminder of how important it is to have people in our lives who make us feel at home and who bring out the best in us.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking at you I'm almost home again.
Seeing you makes me feel like I am back where I belong.
Something in you puts me at ease.
There is a calming quality about you that makes me relax.
Yes I know that you're suspicious of me, do I mean the things I say?
I understand you might not fully trust me and wonder if my words are truthful.
You know I've been in love before, that much is true, but though I've been in love before it wasn't with you.
I have experienced love in the past, but it is not comparable to the way I feel about you.
Oo, Sandy Could we spend the day together?
Sandy, I would love to spend the day with you.
You know how rainy weather get me down when I'm alone.
Rainy weather makes me feel sad when I am by myself.
You Sandy, you gotta be a friend today.
You, Sandy, have the ability to be a friend to me today.
An hour with you could chase the winter away.
Just one hour with you can make me feel warm and happy, even in the midst of winter.
Being with you I'm like a child again.
When I am with you, I feel young and carefree.
Your eyes can see clearer than mine.
You have a better perspective on things than I do.
No one ever made me quite so aware, no one ever took the time.
You are the first person who has made me truly conscious and you take the time to understand me.
The time it took surprises me, nothing's the same, as if my life began again hearing you name.
The amount of time we have spent together is remarkable, and it has transformed my life, almost as if I have been reborn just by hearing your name.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD LYNN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind