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.
Maybe It
The Carpenters Lyrics
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Maybe it's me
Maybe it's just the constant rhythm of the sea
Maybe it's just that I've never been
The kind who can pass a lucky penny by
Maybe it's wise
Maybe it's not
Isn't it nice to talk about the special way
That you smile whenever I'm around
Rising on the shore
The ocean came
Walks along the waves of velveteen
His only thought
Was love for me
Couldn't we stay?
Or must we go
Couldn't we stay?
And watch the splashing rock we throw
Only a fool would want to leave this paradise
That I find whenever you're around
Only a fool
Isn't it nice to talk about the special way
That you smile whenever I'm around
Rising on the shore
The ocean's King
Walks along the waves of velveteen
His only thought
Was love for me
Couldn't we stay?
Or must you go
Couldn't we stay?
And watch the splashing rocks we throw
Only a fool would want to leave the paradise
That I find whenever you're around
Only a fool
Only a fool
The lyrics of "Maybe It's You" by The Carpenters describe a feeling of uncertainty and wonder about the nature of a romantic relationship. The singer is pondering whether the positive changes in their life are due to their own growth or the presence of their significant other, represented by the constant rhythm of the sea. They acknowledge the possibility that their newfound happiness could be fleeting or misguided, but ultimately express a desire to stay in this idyllic paradise with their loved one.
The theme of the song revolves around the idea of love as a transformative force - it has the power to change a person's outlook on life and bring them joy. The repetition of the phrase "maybe it's you" suggests that the singer is hesitant to take full credit for their own growth and recognizes the importance of their partner's influence.
The second half of the song shifts to a more concrete and sensory description of the environment, as the singer imagines a moment by the ocean with their love. The imagery of walking on velveteen waves and throwing rocks is meant to evoke feelings of childlike wonder and playfulness, emphasizing the idea that love can bring out the best in people.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe it's you
It could be that you are the reason for my happiness
Maybe it's me
It could be that I am the reason for my happiness
Maybe it's just the constant rhythm of the sea
It could be that the constant sound of the sea is the reason for my happiness
Maybe it's just that I've never been
It could be that I have never been lucky enough to have someone like you in my life
The kind who can pass a lucky penny by
I cannot ignore even the slightest chance of good luck
Maybe it's wise
It could be considered wise to have you by my side
Maybe it's not
It could be possible that having you by my side is not wise
Maybe it's you who brought the caring I'd forgot
It could be that you are the one who reminded me to care and be compassionate
Isn't it nice to talk about the special way
It's a pleasant feeling to talk about the unique way in which you make me feel
That you smile whenever I'm around
Your smile is one of the things that makes me the happiest when I am with you
Rising on the shore
As I stand on the beach and watch the waves,
The ocean came
The ocean arrives at the shore
Walks along the waves of velveteen
I walk along the soft, smooth waves
His only thought
All I can think about
Was love for me
Is my love for you
Couldn't we stay?
Is there any chance that we can stay here a little longer?
Or must we go
Do we have to leave this beautiful place?
And watch the splashing rock we throw
Can we stay and play with the rocks in the ocean together?
Only a fool would want to leave this paradise
I would be a fool to leave this perfect moment of joy and happiness with you
That I find whenever you're around
The paradise that I experience is all because you are with me
Only a fool
A fool is the only one who would not want to cherish and stay in this moment with you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD LYNN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stallownedstallion825
Only real Carpenter fans get this one.
Its top 5 of their massive catalogue.
@tinydancer62
It always has been for me, since the first time I heard it when I was 8 years old.
@glambertLL
Wow what a great comment - I enjoyed reading it very much and can TOTALLY RELATE! Couldn't agree with you more ❤
@gregorygordon8747
This whole album is one of the greatest of all time. The Carpenters were greatest of all time
@bruschmidt9943
I concur on both counts 👍
@Jimmy_Decent
todd edwards - wishing i were home
@hankdatank09
I was searching for this comment
@Steven_Valencia
@@hankdatank09 same! 💯
@bacone-
@@davidsheriff9274what do you mean? richard blatantly stole what?
@russmason3915
I can still recall my battery powered cassette player and the headphones I wore out listening to the Carpenters for an entire decade and how, as we came around the corner on coast highway 1 in California, this song began to play and I saw for the first time in my life, the Pacific Ocean. The memory is indelible to my heart and mind and I honor this thread with my recall of what Maybe it's You has meant to my generation. Today's artists and their auto-tuners could never rival the rich alto tone which this lovely human being shared with us for so many years. I can name every tune they ever recorded within five notes and for my lifetime, the Carpenters....and this song, will be carved into the corners of my heart.