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.
Johnny Angel
The Carpenters Lyrics
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Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel
You`re an angel to me
Johnny Angel
How I love him
How I tingle
When he passes by
Everytime he says "hello"
Johnny Angel
How I want him
He`s got something
That I can`t resist
But he doesn`t even know
That I exist
I`m in heaven
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it`s gonna be
Other fellows
Call me up for a date
But I just sit and wait
I`d rather concentrate
On Johnny Angel
`Cause I love him
And I pray
That someday he`ll love me
And together we will see
How lovely Heaven will be
And together we will see
How lovely Heaven will be
The Carpenters’ “Johnny Angel” is a love song dedicated to a charming man named Johnny, who is an angel to the singer. The singer expresses her deep admiration and infatuation for Johnny, how she gets tingly and her heart begins to fly every time he greets her. The lyrics clearly depict the singer's desire to be closer to Johnny, to spend time with him, and to earn his love someday. She fervently dreams of being with him and feels the romance in the air every time he is around. Even though other boys express interest in dating her, she waits patiently for Johnny to notice her, as she is in love with him.
The song’s sentimental nature and the allusions to heaven and angels reflects the era of the 60s when such romantic lyrics were popular. It is a swooning and sentimental tune that retains a timeless nostalgic appeal even today.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel
Repetitive statement to emphasize the person's infatuation with Johnny Angel.
You're an angel to me
The person sees Johnny Angel as an ideal partner or savior.
How I love him
The person harbors a strong affection for Johnny Angel.
How I tingle
The sight or thought of Johnny Angel invokes a physical reaction in the person.
When he passes by
The person is aware of Johnny Angel's presence in their vicinity.
Everytime he says "hello"
The person anticipates and cherishes any interaction with Johnny Angel.
My heart begins to fly
The person experiences elation and excitement when interacting with, or even seeing Johnny Angel.
How I want him
The person desires a romantic relationship with Johnny Angel.
He's got something
Johnny Angel possesses a quality that makes him irresistible to the person.
That I can't resist
The person is unable to control how they feel towards Johnny Angel.
But he doesn't even know
Johnny Angel is not aware of the person's feelings for him.
That I exist
Johnny Angel does not acknowledge or reciprocate the person's feelings towards him.
I'm in heaven
The person feels euphoric when thinking of Johnny Angel or when in his presence.
I get carried away
The person's emotions towards Johnny Angel overwhelm them.
I dream of him and me
The person imagines a future with Johnny Angel where they are together romantically.
And how it's gonna be
The person envisions a happy future with Johnny Angel.
Other fellows
Men other than Johnny Angel are interested in the person.
Call me up for a date
These men ask the person out on dates.
But I just sit and wait
The person is uninterested in dating anyone other than Johnny Angel and waits for his affection.
I'd rather concentrate
The person prioritizes their attention and feelings on Johnny Angel.
On Johnny Angel
The person's feelings are completely focused on Johnny Angel.
'Cause I love him
The person's affection for Johnny Angel is intense and unwavering.
And I pray
The person wishes for Johnny Angel's love.
That someday he'll love me
The person yearns for reciprocity from Johnny Angel.
And together we will see
The person hopes to have a happy future with Johnny Angel.
How lovely Heaven will be
The person believes that being with Johnny Angel is equivalent to being in a blissful state or paradise.
And together we will see
Reiteration of the hope for a happy future with Johnny Angel.
How lovely Heaven will be
Reiteration of the belief that being with Johnny Angel is equivalent to being in a blissful state or paradise.
Lyrics © EMILY MUSIC CORP
Written by: LEE JULIEN POCKRISS, LYN DUDDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind