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.
B'wana She No Home
The Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like to be here alone
You just answer the door and feed the deer
And fight the telephone
Got to learn these words and I know you will
Or I'll send you right back to Guayaquil
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
Got to peel your eyes for the heat, my dear
You got to froth and foam
Got to send away the mad puppeteer
Who seems to think this is home
I want you to speak the English right
I want you to smile and be polite
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
I don't care if you drive my three fifty, honey
Don't let them steal my chrome
I don't care if you spend all my money, honey
Long as you leave me alone
I just want you to try and remember one thing
If somebody knocks or the telephone rings
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
Say b'wana she no home
The lyrics to The Carpenters' song "B'wana She No Home" are a humorous take on the frustrations of living with a person who doesn't understand the boundaries of privacy. The song's narrator instructs her friend to feed the deer and fight off unwanted phone calls and visitors while she's away, but most importantly, to make everyone believe that "b'wana" (the boss) is not home. The use of the Swahili word "b'wana" adds to the comical nature of the song, as it implies a sense of exoticism and authority that the singer clearly enjoys flaunting.
The lyrics also touch on themes of cultural and linguistic differences, as the singer demands that her friend learn proper English and present a polite and smiling demeanor. She even threatens to send her back to Guayaquil (a city in Ecuador) if she doesn't comply. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the power dynamics between Americans and Latin Americans, and the ways in which linguistic and cultural differences can be used to dominate and control.
Overall, the lyrics to "B'wana She No Home" are playful and satirical, poking fun at the absurdities and frustrations of suburban life. However, they also touch on deeper issues of power and identity, making the song both humorous and thought-provoking.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you ever invite your boyfriend here
I prefer to be alone, so please do not bring your boyfriend over
I like to be here alone
I prefer solitude and do not want company
You just answer the door and feed the deer
Your only responsibilities are to answer the door and feed the deer
And fight the telephone
If the telephone rings, you need to answer it and deal with any issues that arise
Got to learn these words and I know you will
You need to learn and obey my rules, or else you will be sent back to your hometown Guayaquil
Or I'll send you right back to Guayaquil
If you do not obey me, you will be sent back to your hometown Guayaquil
Say b'wana she no home
If someone comes to the door or calls, pretend that I am not home
Got to peel your eyes for the heat, my dear
You need to be vigilant for any danger or trouble that may arise
You got to froth and foam
You need to be attentive and focused
Got to send away the mad puppeteer
If someone strange shows up, you need to get rid of them promptly
Who seems to think this is home
They seem to believe that they are welcome here, which is not the case
I want you to speak the English right
You need to speak English properly
I want you to smile and be polite
You need to be courteous and amiable
I don't care if you drive my three fifty, honey
You can drive my car if you want, but I do not care either way
Don't let them steal my chrome
Do not allow anyone to steal any of my possessions, especially my car's chrome
I don't care if you spend all my money, honey
You can spend all my money if you want, but I do not care either way
Long as you leave me alone
As long as you do not bother me, that is fine
I just want you to try and remember one thing
Please just remember this one rule
If somebody knocks or the telephone rings
If someone comes to the door or calls, pretend that I am not home
Contributed by Carter G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.