The Carpenters' melodic pop charted a record-breaking score of hit recordings on the American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts, becoming leading sellers in the soft rock, easy listening and adult contemporary genres. The Carpenters had three #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifteen #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary Chart (see The Carpenters discography). In addition, they had twelve top 10 singles (including their #1 hits). To date, The Carpenters' album and single sales total more than 100 million units.
During their fourteen-year career, The Carpenters recorded eleven albums, five of which contained top 10 singles (Close to You, Carpenters, A Song for You, Now & Then and Horizon), thirty-one singles, five television specials, and one short-lived television series. They toured in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium. Their recording career ended with Karen's death on February 4, 1983. Karen passed away after cardiac arrest due to complications of anorexia nervosa. Extensive news coverage of the circumstances surrounding her death increased public awareness of the consequences of eating disorders.
Their first recordings were not successful, and the recording studio that was recording them, dropped them. That's when their 'savior' came in. Herb Alpert of A&M records heard a couple of their songs and said that he felt that they had good potential. Thanks to him, and his ability to see/hear quality when it appears, we had the GREAT performers of The Carpenters.
A Song For You
The Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my love in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
Darlin' can't you please see through me
Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
The Carpenters' "A Song for You" is a powerful ballad that explores the singer's life and experiences, celebrating the love and support of a particular person. The opening lines reveal that the singer has had a varied and rich life, full of travel and creative expression. The use of the phrase "made some bad rhyme" suggests that the singer has made mistakes or has felt that some of their creative work has fallen short of expectations. Over time, the singer has learned to embrace vulnerability and to offer up their love, even when it is being witnessed by a large crowd.
The second verse is an acknowledgement of the subject's history with the singer. While the singer has not always been kind or open, they value the relationship tremendously and are asking for understanding and forgiveness. The line "there's no one more important to me" shows that the singer has come to prioritize this person above all others in their life. The final verse is a declaration of unconditional love, promising to love the individual beyond time and space. The idea of an eternal connection and the memory of being alone together suggest that this song may be a farewell or tribute to someone very important.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so many places in my life and time
I have traveled extensively throughout my life and have experienced different cultures and ways of living.
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
My career as a musician has been full of ups and downs. I've had both successful and unsuccessful moments in my craft.
I've acted out my love in stages
I've expressed my love for someone publicly, as if it were a performance.
With ten thousand people watching
There have been many eyes on me as I've performed my love.
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
Despite previous public displays of love, I am now focused solely on expressing my love to you in private.
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I am aware that you have an idealized version of me in your mind, and I aspire to live up to that image.
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
I have not always been kind to you, but I hope you can understand that my actions were not a reflection of my love for you.
There's no one more important to me
You are the most important person in my life.
Darlin' can't you please see through me
I hope that you can see past my flaws and understand the depth of my love for you.
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You have shared important truths with me and never held anything back.
You came out in front and I was hiding
You were always open and honest with me, while I struggled to do the same.
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
I have improved as a person and I hope my love for you shines through, even if my words fail me.
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
Even if my words fail to express how much I love you, the melody of this song should convey those feelings.
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
My love for you transcends physical boundaries such as space and time.
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
Our romantic relationship is built on a foundation of friendship, which is very important to me.
And when my life is over remember when we were together
Even when I am gone, I hope you will look back on our time together fondly.
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
This moment, with just the two of us together, is the most important thing to me right now.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leon Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markkershey2423
My 87 year old Dad walked in the room while I was listening to this. After hearing 2 notes he said "That's Karen Carpenter". Now THAT is an iconic voice. Anyone from 55 thru 90 would know her voice in an instant. Greatest female singing voice of the last 60 years!!
@AMalijen12
She is the special person in that space and time
@AMalijen12
My heart breaks for her with love and music. Her heart break ๐
@marychrissanares4689
my mom 64 years old when we were listening to the radio and she hear the voice she always say that was "Karen Carpenter"
@marychrissanares4689
If Karen Carpenter did not die she will do more album
@M_marks_th3_spot
Nice. โบ๏ธI'm 38. Been a fan of the Carpenters since I was 6 years old. I too would recognise their sound in an instant. ๐ถ๐The supermarket story I could tell you when a stranger challenged me if I knew the Carpenters song that was playing+the shocked look on her face when she had to buy me a block of chocolate for guessing the song+the music artist!!! ๐๐คฃ๐
@Alanspirit1
Without question Karen had one of the most beautiful voices ever.
@ameliamarquez9997
Indeed
@brenda9410
She truly did.
@bryan9029
Obviously you people haven't listened to Yoko Ono