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.
Baby It's You
The Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That touches my heart
It's not the way you kiss
That tears me apart
Many, many nights go by
I sit alone
At home I cry
Over you
Can't help myself
'Cause baby it's you
You should hear what they say about you
They say you've never
Never, never been true
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Doesn't matter what they say
I'm gonna love you any old way
What can I do
When it's true
Don't want nobody
'Cause baby it's you
Many, many, many nights go by
I sit alone
At home I cry
Over you
What can I do
Can't help myself
'Cause baby it's you
In The Carpenters' song "Baby It's You," the singer expresses their deep and intense love for someone who may not be entirely faithful to them. They explain that it's not just the physical actions of the other person, such as their smile or kiss, that makes them feel this way, but rather a deeper emotional connection. Despite hearing rumors that the other person may not have been faithful in the past, the singer cannot help but love them anyway, despite the pain it may cause them.
The lyrics also convey a sense of loneliness and heartbreak, as the singer spends many nights sitting alone at home, crying over their love for this person who may not feel the same way. The repetition of the line "What can I do" emphasizes the feeling of powerlessness and the inability to control their emotions and feelings. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that despite the potential pain and heartbreak that come with loving someone who may not feel the same way, the pull towards that person is too strong to resist.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not the way you smile
Your smile is not what makes me feel your love
That touches my heart
It's another quality of yours that touches my heart
It's not the way you kiss
It's not your kisses that make me feel this way
That tears me apart
Your gestures might inspire me, but not to the extent of breaking me down
Many, many nights go by
I've spent countless sleepless nights thinking about you
I sit alone
I feel lonely in my thoughts
At home I cry
These thoughts sometimes make me cry
Over you
It's all because of the impact you've had on me
What can I do
I'm helpless in terms of controlling my emotions
Can't help myself
I can't help feeling this way for you
'Cause baby it's you
It's all because of the person you are and the love you've shown me
You should hear what they say about you
People around me have been saying negative things about you
They say you've never
They believe that you've never
Never, never been true
Been faithful or trustworthy in your behavior
Oh! Oh! Oh!
This realization is causing me distress
Doesn't matter what they say
It doesn't matter what others say or believe about you
I'm gonna love you any old way
I'll still continue to love you no matter what
When it's true
Because my feelings for you are pure and genuine
Don't want nobody
I'm not interested in anyone else
'Cause baby it's you
It's because of you that I feel this way, and no one else can replace you
Many, many, many nights go by
The feeling of missing you and thinking about you never fades away
I sit alone
I continue to feel lonely in my thoughts
At home I cry
The same thoughts continue to make me cry
Over you
It's still because of the impact you've had on me
What can I do
I'm still helpless in terms of controlling my emotions
Can't help myself
I still can't help feeling this way for you
'Cause baby it's you
It's still all because of the person you are and the love you've shown me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DARRON L. WILLIAMS, SHERREE PATRICE FORD-PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
7Lukibi99Tore7
''Baby It's You'' is a great, great song by the Carpenters. The emotion and sincerity that Karen puts into her performance of this song brings tears to your eyes.
Dylan Payne
well a cover...not by them
RB KTWO
Classic! Touches my heart every time. Incredible vocals...
Russ Mason
When I think about the many, many artists who have come and gone since Karen....perspective comes to me about what my generation witnessed in the person of Ms. Carpenter. Like many young men my age in the 70's, my heart belonged to her! She had a way of connecting the generations with a timeless soul and voice which speaks to me, even today! If there ever was before, or since...a woman with then clarity of instrument, I can not recall her. The Carpenters sound is iconic to this day and can, or will never be, rivaled. This song in particular speaks to range, tone and pitch which was never for one moment in my recollection, challenged. I will miss this performer for my entire life. Richard...we'd love to hear from you again!
tom schmitz
well said russ and i utterly agree...
Лиля Есаян
I think that Agnessa's voice (from ABBA) sounds a bit like Karen's voice. I also miss Karen, so sorry what happened to her! Such a talented lady...
Cimarron Hopper
@Лиля Есаян she is great but she is not Karen
Лиля Есаян
Cimarron Hopper Are you sure? Then who is she?
bernadette garcia
Honestly, when i heard this song, im in total awe! What a beautiful voice, unrivaled.
ana1sninja
I don't think my mother realized she was exposing her 6-year-old to such a sophisticated vocalist at the time.