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.
California Dreamin'
The Carpenters Lyrics
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All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
Got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
Preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
Knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin'
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
On a winter's day
If I didn't tell her
If I didn't tell her
I could leave today
I could leave today
California dreamin'
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
California dreaming'
On such a winter's day
California dreaming'
On such a winter's day
The Carpenters song, "California Dreamin'" starts off by describing the fall season when all the leaves are brown and the sky is grey. The lyrics paint a picture of someone out for a walk on a winter's day, dreaming of the warmth and comfort of Los Angeles. The dreamer imagines being safe and warm in LA, free from the cold and dreary winter day, hence the desire to be "California dreamin'."
As the song continues, the singer stops at a church and pretends to pray, allowing the preacher to think that he's a religious man, when in actuality, he's just seeking refuge from the cold. The dreamer continues to fantasize about leaving his current situation and heading to California, the land of sunshine and warm weather. However, he hesitates to make the move, as he may not want to leave someone important behind.
The song seeks to capture the universal desire for a better life and the freedom to pursue our dreams. Regardless of our current situation, we all have hopes and aspirations that drive us to search for something better. Through the lyrics of the song, The Carpenters provide a message of hope and the promise of better days to come.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown
The trees have shed their foliage and the leaves are now withered and brown in color
And the sky is grey
The sky is a pale shade of gray, indicating that the day is cold and gloomy
I've been for a walk
I took a stroll outside to get some fresh air and clear my mind
On a winter's day
The day I went for the walk was during the winter season
I'd be safe and warm
I would feel comforted and protected from the cold weather if I were in Los Angeles
If I was in L.A.
The location I am referring to is Los Angeles, which has warmer weather compared to where I currently am
California dreamin'
I am daydreaming about being in California where the sunshine is abundant and the weather is warm
Stopped into a church
I happened to come across a church and decided to go inside
I passed along the way
This church was located on the path that I was walking on
Well, I got down on my knees
In the church, I knelt down as a sign of reverence and prayer
And I pretend to pray
Although I was kneeling down, I wasn't actually praying or seeking religious guidance
You know the preacher likes the cold
The religious leader in the church seems to enjoy the colder weather
He knows I'm gonna stay
The preacher knows that I am not leaving the cold weather anytime soon
If I didn't tell her
The 'her' in question is not specified, but if I did not tell her about my California dreams, she would not know how I am feeling
I could leave today
If I had the opportunity, I would leave my current location and head to California right now
California dreaming'
I am still daydreaming about being in California and escaping the cold, dreary weather
On such a winter's day
All of these thoughts and feelings are occurring on a single winter day, which is the reason for my melancholy mood
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN EDMUND ANDREW PHILLIPS, MICHELLE GILLIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Gary C.
Her life was not in vain. One of the best vocalists of our time, she brought a lot of joy to the world!
mstrunn
Hard to believe that beautiful voice was only 17 years old, she had only started singing @ 16, amazing.
ol jack burton
She was at her healthiest and happiest then, a drummer that sang in her brother's band before all that fame and criticism...
Cynthia Corcoran
We began to sing in the womb.
Steve V
What a terrific and rare song, I'll never hear a voice better than hers.
pink eskimo
Luv this version! Her vocals were Silky Smooth 🎵🎤🎶
Kristin Britt
Have never heard this before.......It really shows Karens vocal range....you never hear her sing that high....what an amazing voice
kboyzrock
What an amazing talent Karen was, even at this young age you just knew she was headed for stardom, what a voice! She was one in a million!
Timliu92
What. A. Voice. That is all I can say. The rich, warm timbre, coupled by that signature exquisite smooth phrasing of hers - simply brilliant. Truly, she is a constant reminder to me, as a learning singer, that singing is about making music and not about being able to vocalise the loudest or the highest.
Dakhaos ou812
Being a metalhead pur sang, I still find myself listening to this amazing voice of this little Multi- talented lady.I love her drumming, but most of all the depth in her lower voice..what a great sound