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.
Super Star
The Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I fell in love with you before the second show
Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear
But you're not really here, it's just the radio
Don't you remember, you told me you loved me baby?
You said you'd be coming back this way again baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
Loneliness is such a sad affair
And I can hardly wait to be with you again
What to say to make you come again?
Come back to me again and play your sad guitar
Don't you remember, you told me you loved me baby?
You said you'd be coming back this way again baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
I love you, I really do
Don't you remember, you told me you loved me baby?
You said you'd be coming back this way again baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
I love you, I really do
The Carpenters song "Superstar" is sung from the perspective of a lovelorn fan, who has fallen in love with a guitarist they saw perform on the radio. The first two lines of the song set the scene, revealing that the singer fell in love with the guitarist "long ago" and "oh, so far away." From here, the singer reminisces about the concert, recalling how sweet and clear the guitarist's sound was. However, the singer is painfully aware that the guitarist is not really there – they are just listening to the radio.
Throughout the song, the singer repeatedly asks the guitarist to come back to them. They remind them that they said they loved them and promised to return. The line "I can hardly wait to be with you again" underscores the singer's desire to be with the guitarist in person. The final verse wonders what the singer can say to convince the guitarist to come back and play their "sad guitar." Overall, the song uses vivid imagery and heart-wrenching emotion to explore the pain of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Long ago, and, oh, so far away
It's been a long time since we first met and you're so far away from me now.
I fell in love with you before the second show
I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, even before your second performance.
Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear
Your guitar playing is so beautiful and melodious.
But you're not really here, it's just the radio
Even though I can hear your music, you're not physically present with me, it's just the radio playing your music.
Don't you remember, you told me you loved me baby?
Do you not recall telling me that you love me?
You said you'd be coming back this way again baby
You promised to come back to me again.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
I desperately want you back, my love.
I love you, I really do
I truly love you with all my heart.
Loneliness is such a sad affair
Being alone is a depressing and sorrowful experience.
And I can hardly wait to be with you again
I cannot contain my excitement and eagerness to be with you once more.
What to say to make you come again?
What can I say or do to bring you back to me?
Come back to me again and play your sad guitar
Please come back to me and play your soulful guitar once more.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Reservoir One Music, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: LEON RUSSELL, BONNIE BRAMLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BruceLee-zd9bw
Karen Carpenter was, one of, if not the finest female artists of all time.
She had control, tone, feel and a presence.
No electronic aids of autotune back then, just pure natural talent.
Her vocals are so distinctive, and stand alone from anyone else before or after.
She was a living legend, but she just did not know it.
One of the sadest stories ever.
R.I.P Karen
🙏🙏🙏
@TNR-lover
41 years since Karen died. February 4th 1983. After all this time she still remains one of the greatest. Her voice was one in a million and she will never be forgotten.
@davidharris8444
God wanted his angel back to sing in Heaven.
@stephaniemartin-ward4578
She described herself as a "drummer who could sing." She was so much more.
@CarmenMalave-ho8hm
A song that you close your eyes and sing along,👍🤗😀
@travharrell1713
You misspelled one in a trillion trillion.
@SagaciousBoothe
You misspelled one in infinity plus one 😂@@travharrell1713
@anthonydavis4829
This is the voice that greets you when you get to Heaven. It was only on loan to us
@paanne1013
That is what I would expect. 😇
@allantetreault5312
Very well said sir. I believe that wholeheartedly.
@moniquelindholm1381
I love this 💜