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.
Yesterday Once More
Richard Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd listen to the radio
Waitin' for my favorite songs When they played I'd sing
along
It made me smile.
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well.
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're startin' to sing's
So fine.
When they get to the part
Where he's breakin' her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more.
Lookin' back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed.
It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away.
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're startin' to sing's
So fine.
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry.
Just like before
It's yesterday once more.
Richard Carpenter's "Yesterday Once More" is a reflective track that reminisces about the artist's youth and the impact music had in his earlier years. Carpenter begins by sharing memories of listening to the radio during his childhood and waiting for his favourite songs to play. He remembers singing along and feeling happy during those euphoric times. Despite the years that have lapsed since then, Carpenter still finds solace in the music from his youth as it brings back memories of his carefree past. The lyrics describe how the same songs that he was listening to all those years ago still reverberate in his mind, and the emotions that they evoke are as potent as ever. Carpenter is transported back in time to a simpler age, and he becomes wistful as he wonders where those days have disappeared to. He compares the experience to reuniting with an old friend that you might not have seen in years.
The chorus elevates Carpenter's nostalgia even further, as he becomes almost overwhelmed with emotion: "Every Sha-la-la-la, Every Wo-o-wo-o, Still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're startin' to sing's so fine." These lyrics emphasise the importance of music as a comforter when times seem hard. The music of Carpenter's youth can trigger the same feelings of joy, love, and hope that he felt before, and he sings along to the songs with heartfelt abandon. The second verse expands on this concept, as Carpenter reflects on how much his world has changed since he was young. The good times that he remembers are long gone, replaced by hard realities and difficulties. However, the songs of his past still resonate with him, and he shares how they helped shape him into the person he is today. The final lines of the song indicate that Carpenter's memories of the past will never leave him, and that the power of music will always be with him.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young
The singer reminisces about his youth.
I'd listen to the radio
The singer enjoyed listening to the radio in his youth.
Waitin' for my favorite songs
The singer eagerly anticipated hearing his favorite songs on the radio.
When they played I'd sing along
The artist enjoyed singing along to the songs when they were played on the radio.
It made me smile.
Singing along to his favorite songs on the radio brought the artist great joy.
Those were such happy times
The singer remembers his youth as a happy time in his life.
And not so long ago
The singer feels like his youth was just yesterday.
How I wondered where they'd gone
The artist is nostalgic for his youth and the music he used to enjoy.
But they're back again
The artist is pleased that the songs he loved in his youth are still being played today.
Just like a long lost friend
The artist feels like he's been reunited with an old friend when he hears these songs again.
All the songs I loved so well.
The singer has a deep appreciation for the music he enjoyed in his youth.
Every Sha-la-la-la
The artist is referring to the background vocals commonly found in the music of his youth.
Every Wo-o-wo-o
The singer is also referring to the background vocals commonly found in the music of his youth.
Still shines
The music from the singer's youth still resonates with him today.
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
The singer is again referring to the background vocals commonly found in the music of his youth.
That they're startin' to sing's so fine.
The artist feels that the revival of this music is wonderful.
When they get to the part
The artist is referring to a common theme in the music of his youth where heartbreak is often portrayed.
Where he's breakin' her heart
The singer is referring to a specific part of a song where the singer is causing someone heartache.
It can really make me cry
The singer is moved to tears by the emotional lyrics in this type of music.
Lookin' back on how it was
The artist is reflecting on his past.
In years gone by
The artist is reminiscing about his youth, which he considers long ago.
And the good times that I had
The artist recalls the enjoyable moments from his youth.
Makes today seem rather sad
The singer feels that his current situation is less enjoyable than his youth.
So much has changed.
The artist recognizes that time has passed and things have changed since his youth.
It was songs of love that
The singer is referring to the types of music he enjoyed in his youth.
I would sing to then
The singer enjoyed singing along to these songs in his youth.
And I'd memorize each word
The singer knows the lyrics of these songs by heart because he listened to them so often in his youth.
Those old melodies
The artist is referring to the music he enjoyed in his youth.
Still sound so good to me
The artist still enjoys this music today.
As they melt the years away.
The singer feels that listening to this music transports him back to his youth.
All my best memories
The singer's fondest memories involve the music he enjoyed in his youth.
Come back clearly to me
The artist is able to recall these memories vividly when he hears this music today.
Some can even make me cry.
The artist is moved to tears by some of these memories.
Just like before
The artist feels like he's back in his youth when he hears this music today.
It's yesterday once more.
The singer is transported back to his youth when he hears this music today.
Writer(s): JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD CARPENTER
Contributed by Micah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@peace-Humanity_123.
I was born in yr 1971. I was first introduced this song by my school music teacher.
It had become my lullaby song when I preparing my sons to bed.
He is an adult now. Few days ago, he came back home and shared excitingly with me that he heard this old song played in the restaurant. He was amazed that he can sing along and memoize every word of the lyrics correctly..He recalled when he was a boy,he found this song is so soothing and brings him calmness. He is happy to find back this old song.
I realised I have not played it for many years. This is the reason I am here today to play ‘ yesterday once more’ and find back my best memories…..
Thanks, Carpenters❤
@raycao4195
When I was young
I'd listen to the radio
Waitin' for my favorite songs
When they played I'd sing along
It made me smile.
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
But they're back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well.
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're startin' to sing's
So fine.
When they get to the part
Where he's breakin' her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more.
Lookin' back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed.
It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away.
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're startin' to sing's
So fine.
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry.
Just like before
It's yesterday once more.
@princedarius7224
Best advice I can give a youngster. Ask Jesus into your heart, and follow Him, and ask for His guidance and protection.
Your life will turn out just fine. Don't feel scared about the future.
20 years from now, the sun will still shine in a blue summer sky because God is faithful
20 years from now, birds will still sing praises to God each morning
20 years from now, little babies will still laugh and play
@edisoncutamora3167
If you listen this 2024 you are a legend ❤
@saramaki1088
💖
@neetapoddar6072
Me at 72😊n loving all the memories that come flooding back.
@lienchu6329
Lần đầu tôi nghe trên radio năm 1990
@rosevelasquez324
❤
@ellenmariemcdonagh4538
I'm 66 years old,my loving husband passed away in 2021 aged 63,this brings back wonderful memories ❤
@mixplix100
Tears, tears, tears. After these years. I'm 78.
@gevans3523
I'm about to turn 50. I remember being a child and hearing this on the am car radio pouring out like an angels voice that even came thru on crappie am radio and that one speaker. I get misty every time I hear this song to.
@MrHolzheim
HI Jude............I'm 71, and almost daily I thank Utube and all those wonderful people that upload the great music from the 50s, 60's and yeah, some from the 70's, some of which I missed at the time, mainly Doo wop. And yes, many of them can now cause my eyes to moisten as the memories come back. Where's my time machine. LOL.
@mymysticplanet3535
You're not crying alone there, Jude. I'm 80 and writing my autobiography with a box of tissues nearby. Lots of good memories and lots of loving people to remember, so many of them gone now.