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.
Top Of The World
Richard Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
cnd I won't be surprised if it's a dream
Everything I want the world to be
Is now coming true especially for me
It's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
cnd the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
Something in the wind has learned my name
cnd it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
cll I need will be mine if you are here
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation...
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation...
Richard Carpenter's song 'Top of the World' is an upbeat and joyful love song that speaks to the feeling of being on top of the world when you're in love. The song opens with the line "such a feeling's comin' over me," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer describes the world around him as being full of wonder and beauty, with "not a cloud in the sky" and the "sun in my eyes." He feels as if he's in a dream, unable to believe the happiness he's feeling.
The lyrics go on to explain that the reason for this ecstasy is the presence of someone special who has brought the singer's dreams to life. The singer describes this person as "the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen." Their love has "put [him] at the top of the world," and he feels all his wishes have come true. The song's chorus emphasizes the euphoria the singer feels, as he sees himself "lookin' down on creation" and finds that the only explanation for his happiness is the love he's found with this special person.
The final verse speaks to the singer's hopes for the future, and his certainty that as long as this person remains with him, he will continue to feel as if he's on top of the world. He wishes for the happiness he's experiencing to continue into the future, and feels that his dreams will become reality as long as this person is by his side.
Overall, Richard Carpenter's 'Top of the World' is a joyous and optimistic love song that celebrates the euphoria of being in love, and the almost magical impact that love can have on a person's world.
Line by Line Meaning
Such a feelin's comin' over me
I'm experiencing an overwhelming feeling
There is wonder in 'most ev'ry thing I see
I'm finding beauty and amazement in everything around me
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes
The weather is perfect and it's making me happy
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream
I'm so happy that I feel like this could all be a dream
Everything I want the world to be
My ideal world is coming to life
Is now comin' true especially for me
All the things I've wished for are becoming a reality
And the reason is clear, it's because you are here
The main reason for my happiness is your presence
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
You bring me immeasurable joy and happiness
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
I feel like I'm at the pinnacle of my happiness and success
And the only explanation I can find
I can't think of any reason for my happiness other than your love
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love has been the source of my happiness and contentment
Your love's put me at the top of the world
Your love has made me feel like I'm on top of the world
Somethin' in the wind has learned my name
I feel like the universe is paying attention to me
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
I sense that things are changing for the better
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
Nature is bringing me a sense of happiness and peace
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me
I'm feeling overwhelmingly happy and content
There is only one wish on my mind
I have just one wish, and it's for things to stay this way
When this day is through I hope that I will find
As the day ends, I hope to find that everything is still good
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
I hope that tomorrow will be as wonderful as today
All I need will be mine if you are here
As long as you're here with me, I feel like I have everything I need
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@baobab2933
Such a feeling's coming over me
There is wonder
in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if
it's a dream
Everything I want the world to be
is now coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear
It's because you are here
You're the nearest thing
to heaven that I've seen
I'm on the top of the world
looking down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
is the love that I've found
Ever since you've been around
Your love's put me
at the top of the world
Something in the wind has learned
my name and it's telling me
that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees
and the touch of the breeze
there's a pleasing sense
of happiness for me
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope
that I will find that tomorrow will be
just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
I'm on the top of the world
looking down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
is the love that I've found
Ever since you've been around
Your love's put me
at the top of the world
I'm on the top of the world
looking down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
is the love that I've found
Ever since you've been around
Your love's put me
at the top of the world
@leokimvideo
9 years after this incredible live performance Karen Carpenter died from an eating disorder. She was a one in a billion vocal talent.
@catherinekeller4230
Absolutely right!...how i miss her voice & a lovely person! 😇
@nobody-hp7fg
A writer called her Richard'S chubby sister and she never got over it. She starved herself to death.
@northshorepx
@nobody It was her brother was controlling her life and she couldn't escape. The article is a just misunderstanding.
@jenniferoldiges9934
@Catherine Keller Loved her.....One Take Karen! My 27 year old nice died of the same thing.
@donnalombardo1135
@nobody that's what I read too
@SkyBlue-by9ir
This young lady didn't need no fancy high tech music sound system! She had one of the most beautiful singing voice that no one can top!
@benfranklin3655
Hands down!!
@knutsenneundorf116
She for sure had a top notch high end production at her time. This was no cheapo job to polish her voice like that.
@Segelbootheizer
In deed, @Sky Blue, In deed.