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.
White Christmas
The Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The orange and palm trees sway
There's never been such a day in Beverly hills l. a.
But it's December the 24th and I'm longing to be up north
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And my all your Christmases be white
These lyrics by The Carpenters's in their version of White Christmas evoke a feeling of nostalgia and longing for the snowy holiday season in contrast to the sunny and warm weather of Los Angeles. The opening lines describe a beautiful day in Beverly Hills with shining sun and swaying palm trees, yet the singer longs to be up north where they are dreaming of a white Christmas like the ones they used to know. The following lines paint a scene of glistening tree tops and the sound of sleigh bells ringing in the snow, highlighting the traditional imagery of a classic winter wonderland Christmas. The final verse is a message of holiday cheer and well-wishes for the listener, urging them to enjoy a merry and bright Christmas with the hope that all their Christmases will be white.
Overall, this interpretation of the song White Christmas speaks to the bittersweet feelings that many people experience during the holiday season. It captures the contrast between the idealized, perfect Christmas of our memories and the way things are in the present, while also offering a message of hope and the possibility for a white Christmas in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is shining; the grass is green
It's a lovely day in California with the sun out and the grass looking lush.
The orange and palm trees sway
The palm trees and orange trees are swaying in the mild breeze.
There's never been such a day in Beverly hills l. a.
This is a beautiful day in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, unlike any other day they've seen.
But it's December the 24th and I'm longing to be up north
Although it's a perfect day in California, the singer misses spending Christmas in the colder North.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
The singer longs for a snowy Christmas like the ones they remember from the past.
Just like the ones I used to know
The singer wants Christmas to be like the ones they remember from their childhood.
Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
The singer recalls a magical winter wonderland where the trees sparkle and children stop to listen to the sound of sleigh bells in the snow.
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
The singer longs to hear the magical sound of sleigh bells jingling in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
The singer continues to dream of a snowy Christmas.
With every Christmas card I write
Each time the singer writes a Christmas card, they hope for a white Christmas.
May your days be merry and bright
The singer wishes everyone a happy and joyful holiday season.
And my all your Christmases be white
The singer hopes that all Christmases to come will be just like the snowy, magical ones of their memories.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dianna M
Her voice was just amazing so relaxing and just the tone was angelic and crystal clear.
2lefrancois lefrancois
il y a un léger voile dans sa voix , très douce , très apaisante , mais ne peut être qualifiée de cristal
IK IK
My mom used to play this album in the car every November - damn I really miss being a kid in Christmas season.
IK IK
Maria Marinucci - I gotta remember to play this album again for 2020
Maria Marinucci
I play this every year as well. It doesn't feel like Christmas without the Carpenters!
Roberto Laguatan
When I hear these songs, my mind goes back to the sweet memories of my childhood
old65rocker
I would go along with that but mine is the 50,s. Big problem we just can't turn the clock back to those better day's YET!!!
Berry Barfield
Yes,this music does it to me every time!!
Candy S
I heard this song while out shopping today and I teared with nostalgia - such a pretty voice to sing this lovely song. Your images are lovely.
Bob Silvestri
Thank you Candy. Hope the shopping went well. Enjoy the nostalgia for awhile.