So true. But didn't Mariah also get a little close to perfection in her heyday? Do you know who also has a great voice, Marilyn MCoo, I think that's her last name, from the Fifth Dimension. Also, CeCe Winans along with her brother, Bebe Winans.
@@sallysage524Karen wasn’t a powerhouse but her gentle singing was divine. Like heaven. Mariah was a powerhouse, so was Whitney and celine. I can even find beauty in voices like Cher and Madonna and Kylie.
Ditto....58 here....everytime, no matter what song it brings tears to my eyes. And What SalvoG said....such relaxing music....to think of what we hear now....is SHOCKING!
😭 58 here. I was a Yootz when I heard this, carpenters along with Anne Murray and Helen Reddy so we're played on the top 40 radio. I was a bit young at the time but damn I sure knew something was going on.
Sal this song was playing on the radio while my parents were taking me to the drive in to see a movie called "THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY". I'LL never forget it cause I'm a Senior now and to see you being able to appreciate this song,the carpenters period,makes me feel so good
To say she has a unique voice is a huge understatement. She has now been dead 40 years and we’ve never heard anyone sound remotely like her a God-given unbelievable talent, and you have so many songs to dive into.
I don't think it's ever intended for anyone to sound like Karen, not even the Carpenter's Tribute Band. God made Karen unique with her own vocal print, just like He made Richard the brain behind the Carpenter's Group.
Karen was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. She had such a pure calming voice. And she was a terrific drummer. That was her passion even more than singing. Sadly we lost her so young. Thankfully we have her legacy left in her music. The Carpenters had so many great songs such as "We've Only Just Begun", "For All We Know", "Rainy Days & Mondays", "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over the World)", "I Need To Be In Love" & so many more.
Dagmar, and I wish these reactors would do so much more. Some of her most beautiful songs were non hits...A place to hide way, One Love, Don't cry for me Argentina and on and on.
Karen was a once in a generation talent. And Richard doesn’t get the notice he deserves, but his talent was astonishing. Their cover of We’ve Only Just Begun was a requirement for any wedding in the 70s
Thanks for noting Richard Carpenter. He was a really fantastic arranger and song producer. IIRC, he was the one who crafted all of their multi-tracked backing vocals with his and Karen’s voices.
When Karen's voice cracks at the early stages of the song when she sings, "we've only just begun to "live" (crack in the voice) makes me melt every. single. time.
Such a gorgeous voice and Richard was such an expert producer he could always make her sound like she was sitting next to you and singing TO YOU. Incredibly intimate sound.
My footsore much younger self in his "cute little suit/tux" can confirm this. A large number of young folks in my neighborhood got married around this time. I was a cute, bespectacled, blonde kid. (think Cousin Oliver). I was in FAR more weddings than I ought to have been. Wish my parents had charged for my services.
"A gentleman named Burt Bacharach?" Only one of the greatest song writers of all time! 😉😉 That said, loved your reaction. There are so many great Carpenter's songs to choose from. Always bittersweet listening to her (great drummer too, in a time when "women didn't do drums!") Her life was so sad, but her songs brought/bring such joy!
Karen's charismatic voice and Richard's composition = magic. I just got into the carpenters a year ago, I'm 32 yo. I love a ton of their songs now! You will too.
You just listened to the great and legendary Karen Carpenter. Also is considered best female drummer ever. She is in the music recording world considered the Voice. To quote the Beatles Paul McCartney "she had "the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive". She has been called "one of the greatest voices of our lifetime" by Elton John. Lets just say...there are the legends and famous female singers....and then there's Karen Carpenter. You can hear Karen’s influence on such singers as Gloria Estefan and Shania Twain. You can hear echoes of Karen in such hits as Madonna‘s “Crazy for You” and Beyoncé‘s “Halo.” But you can’t really say, after all this time, that anyone has replaced Karen Carpenter. They have sold between 150-200 million records.They were the #1 Selling American artist in the 70's. First group to have a guitar solo in a ballad and it is called "Goodbye To Love". Go down the rabbit hole and enjoy Carpenters.
It's distressing how many "singers" get byas a result of studio magic. Karen's voice was so remarkable without autotune. I greatly miss her lovely voice.
As someone born in 1966, The Carpenters were a big part of the soundtrack of my early childhood. Their easy listening style was big with both of my parents who had all of their albums. I remember singing their song “On Top of the World” in my Brownie troop.
I'm 61 and I remember standing up on the swing on a backyard swing set with a friend when I was 7 years old, going very high, and both of us were singing "Top of the World" at the top of our 7 year old lungs. Good times.
Karen had one of the purest, most pitch-perfect voices I've ever heard. She truly was a gift. So many hits! "Solitaire" and "Superstar" are beautiful also. And her version of "Ave Maria" is perfection.
This song was played and sung at so many weddings in the 1970's. She was a very good drummer and didn't start off wanting to be the lead vocalist. I recall, without checking, that it was Richard who really encouraged her to sing. Burt Bacharach / Hal David were quite famous writers during this time period. Thanks for the reaction that really honors her voice.
I grew up in the 1960's and 1970's and the first time I heard Karen Carpenter's voice I fell in love with it…what a voice, bought every album… Loved The Carpenters… never disappointed… simply beautiful classy music…
Just wanted to let you know that yes they always harmonized and Richard actually invented the overdubbing technique where they were their own background singers, it was only them two singing on every song. AMAZING
Karen always referred to Herself as a 'Drummer Who Sings'. She was most comfortable behind Her Trusty Drum Kit. Old and Lucky enough to see 'The Carpenters' Live in Concert TWICE in the Early 70's.
Karen and Richard were very talented. They were one of the first recording artists to use the technique of double background recording. They would record the basic vocals, and then go back and record the harmonies. Karen would use her amazing range talent to do her own background music. Pretty amazing!!
I'm so glad that one of the absolute musical treasures my generation can bequeath to yours is the recorded catalog of The Carpenters. Karen and Richard are yours now too--be blessed, and please continue to take from their music the unmistakable sense of how GOOD life can be because of art like this. The Carpenters will not fail to transport you to "far-off, truer corners of the heart." (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS MR. POSTMAN YESTERDAY ONCE MORE BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE TOP OF THE WORLD I KNOW I NEED TO BE IN LOVE SUPERSTAR FOR ALL WE KNOW THIS MASQUERADE GOODBYE TO LOVE ONE MORE TIME DESPERADO TICKET TO RIDE HELP! SING I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING Both of their Christmas albums NOW If you can look past the dated clothes and hairstyles, you will discover the common humanity the older generation experienced and shared in common with you when they were at a similar age, and that's what makes great music like this TIMELESS.
I'm so glad to see you reacting to The Carpenters. Karen Carpenter had such a beautiful voice, and it's easily one of the best I've ever heard. Many of their songs are considered classics. Songs I highly recommend would be "Rainy Days and Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun", "Top of the World", and "Superstar" to name a few.
Karen Carpenter had a voice of an angel. She could sing the dictionary and make it sound good. She was drummer who happened to sing. The also called her 'one take Karen', she was that good
It really amazes me that so many young people like yourself have no idea who the Carpenters were? This is not a dig but a harmless statement. I am glad that so many UA-camrs are discovering them and appreciating Karen’s Carpenters extraordinary voice. She was one of the best ever and last year marked the 40th anniversary of her passing. Thanks for posting this.
agree, considering they were the biggest U.S.hitmakers of the 1970s and during her lifetime she was seen and recognized as one of the greatest female voices ever.. SHOCKING that they were not in the rock and roll hall of fame! We're they "rock"? no, but was/is Madonna? Donna Summer? (who I both enjoy by the way)..
Karen is the voice. Clearest of all. Im on my late 60s, so remember Carpenters very well on the radio and TV specials. 5'3 KC had a haunting timber in all her songs. Did you know every female harmony in all of her songs was hers as well, sang, then dubbed into the song by Richard ? She began, with her brother Richard, by playing drums. Richard, her brother, was a terrific arranger but KC's voice was discovered by Herb Alpert, A&M Records, in 1969, which began their road to fame. Richard convinced her that her best singing voice was contralto, 'the money is in the basement'. I believe KC's, voice, especially contralto, was the best, beautiful, female voice ever. No auto-tune, stripping, gimmicks, or screaming. Her nickname was 'one take', since she always sang a song once in studio without a single re-take. She sang to you with haunting, mesmerizing emotion, perfect pitch and enunciation. Her voice compelled you to listen. She had no professional voice training. Paul McCartney said she sang Ticket To Ride better than the Beatles, and "she had the most angelic voice I have ever heard". John Lennon told her at an LA restaurant "you have a fabulous voice luv". They were most successful in early/mid1970s when she/they received 4 grammys. She was also recognized by 1975 Playboy poll as rock drummer of the year. Check other songs such as 'Solitaire', 'Only Yesterday', 'Hideaway', 'Rainy Days and Mondays',' 'This Masquerade', 'I Can Dream Cant I'(a big band era song), 'Hurting Each Other', 'All You Get From Love Is A Love Song', 'A Song For You' ,'Superstar', ' I Need To Be In Love', 'We've Only Just Begun',' Goodbye To Love', etc.. She had a few friends including Petula Clark, Olivia Newton John and Dionne Warwick. She had anorexia with a serious onset in 1975 that continued the rest of her life. Married a guy in 1982 that was broke, didn't tell her he had a vasectomy, and mistreated her. Never knew true love. She died Feb 1983 at 32yo due to complications from anorexia. Her solo album was released some years after her death. [Some info contained herein came from documentaries such as, "Only Yesterday"]
I got a little teary-eyed thinking about Burt Bacharach while listening. He recently passed and this was such a beautiful creation of his! I was in kindergarten when this was released. I can open up our piano seat and find the sheet music my oldest sister bought. I like to think that some of my musical styling was based on listening to Ms. Carpenter at such a young age.
Thank you for keeping their music alive. Superstar is my favorite. I wish this could be more private. They are my 3rd cousins. R.I.P. Karen If you are going to watch that song pick the one where they are on Carol Burnett show 1971. You will see Karen play the drums while singing.
Summer of 70 I fell in love for the first time - Brodie Fifer - to this song. I was 13 and she was an angel. She moved to Washington state later that summer. I've learned that she passed away several years ago. Rest is peace, Brodie. I'll always remember you.
The song that put the Carpenters in the heart of the whole World!!!!! My God! I remember as it was yesterday the first time I heard this on the radio!!!!! Memories! 💔
Thank you for listening to these older, best songs ever… and being OPEN to them. This one is well before my time (and outside my favorite genres) but even so, the Carpenters were world class. If you don’t listen, you can miss out by dismissing them as ‘cheesy’, but their songs come from a very honest place, and with Karen’s best-of-planet voice and their pure delivery, they captured everyone’s emotions.
After 40 some years of enjoying The Carpenters' music, I only recently heard this full-length studio version of this song, and was blown away. I've always loved this song, but I fell in love with it all over again.
I'm a little older than you but I also had the same experience as you. Back then, we were able to enjoy all these disparate genres and musical styles with ease. From R&B to soul, pop, blues, rock, hard rock, progressive rock, and metal...we had it all.
@daveford12 wow, amazing. Yes, Motown was huge for me too, but I never got to see their shows. We would catch them on variety tv shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show", which was also the show that introduced us to The Beatles. I remember sitting in my living room watching them with my mother on a Sunday evening. She remarked, "well, you can't hear a word they're singing with all the girls screaming". 🤣 😅 Happy days and good memories! Greetings from Brooklyn NYC!
@@lindazee on the BBC tonight they are showing some programs about Dusty Springfield who helped break Motown in the UK. Really like Brooklyn hopefully will visit NY again next year when I’m officially meant to be retiring 🤣
Wow... been a subscriber here about 6mos and I never thought I'd see a pop music reaction here, let alone the Carpenters which is great! These folks were a hit making machine in the 70s. Bacharach and David were one of the greatest song writing teams in the 60s and 70s. Masters of soft pop (adult contemporary) music. Almost always covered by other singers (song stylists/ interpreters), Burt actually sang one of his songs "This Guy's In Love with You" which was a huge hit for him. Looking forward to more 70s artists, esp the singer songwriters genre. ✌
This song takes me straight back to middle-school sockhops, and dedications from girls to boys in school newspapers. Also, Karen Carpenter's voice and phrasing are so naturally beautiful that it takes a while for the realization to come clear, that you're listening to a once in a generation singing talent. Brother Richard, though he was always considered the secondary member of the duo, was actually responsible for choosing the songs and arrangements, and his ability to harmonize perfectly with Karen just added to how special they were. I've been saying for decades that, if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had had children together, at least one of them would have been born with the most beautiful ever pop singing voice.
My mom Loooooved The Carpenters. I remember being a very little girl listening to her sing along with Karen while she did the dishes after dinner. Thank you for bringing up such warm memories.
Salvo, i love watching the younger generations appreciating the music i grew up listening to. There are so many good and great artists that all people can appreciate. No matter the style.
Just about anything they sang was brilliant - but if you want to really enjoy that amazing voice, check out "This Masquerade." Karen was known best for having an amazingly rich quality to her lower range - and her flawless ability to play drums while singing lead. You'll enjoy getting to know her through their music, especially their earlier years, 1970-1976.
One of the first records I owned when I was discovering pop music. My first three 45s were "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies, "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" by BJ Thomas and this one. Very shortly after that, they set up a phonograph with speakers in the basement for us kids to use. Not sure if that was after the 700th or 701st time I played those records. Lol.
My mother sang this song to me every night at bedtime until I was like 6. Until I got all weird about it. Now, at 54, this song makes me tear up every time I hear it.
Richard was the music arranger for most of their music besides keyboards and harmonies. Karen had one of the purest voices of the 70’s besides playing drums before sadly passing away from anorexia complications. But they made incredible music
Enough viewers have already commented on Karen and her unique voice, and there's no dispute about that (my personal favorite Carpenters song was released posthumously, "Make Believe It's Your First Time"). Instead, I'd like to comment on the composers, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, one of those matches made in heaven, like John Lennon and Paul McCartney, or Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Burt just left this world a couple of weeks ago, as his Midas touch to create amazing-sounding things was requested in heaven. Whatever you see composed by him and Hal, consider it a seal of quality. From the legendary "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (from the "Butch Cassidy" soundtrack) to "Arthur's Theme" with Christopher Cross, through his many hits with the fabulous Dionne Warwick ("I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?") and many, many more, they were absolutely amazing!
Subscribed. Nice to see you reacting to the Carpenters. Karen had a three-octave contralto range. I believe they'd say "The Money was in the Basement" as her vocal range was lower than most female singers. My favorite Carpenter singles were Goodbye to Love, Rainy Days & Mondays, Superstar, and We've Only Just Begun. I also love Karen's voice on their cover of the Eagles' Desperado (on the Horizon album) and their version of Solitaire which is possibly Karen's best vocal. Also, despite the cheeriness of Close to You, many of the Carpenter's song had a melancholy feel to them.
I graduated high school in 1971. The Carpenters were huge for their soft, romantic songs! I saw them live in '73 & they were awesome. Many first wedding dances were danced to their songs. Karen was the main vocalist & her brother was the piano player who sang sometimes. Karen had such a sweet, natural alto voice. She died long before her time. 😢
Karen had a lot of insecurities, and she was much happier behind the drum kit. She was amazingly talented and had no issues singing and drumming at the same time. The record execs forced her to step out to be the "Front Man", as it were, because let's face it she was gorgeous. People also notice her conservative dress, which was her reaction to being called "fat" early on by the record execs. I miss her voice, and it kills me to think of all the music that never was, due to her early passing. RIP.
The thing about this song is that many years can go by, and out of the blue you find yourself singing it. It sticks. I still remember most of the words. Rainy days and Mondays is a great one to react too.
Absolutely need to hear more Carpenters! There are so many great songs, but one that is probably not at the top of everyone’s list but is absolutely beautiful is their cover of “This Masquerade.” You can’t listen to it without feeling it.
More love to the Carpenters especially Miss Karen Carpenter. By the way Burt Bacharach who wrote this was one of the most prolific and well loved songwriters on the last half of the 20th Century. Look him up, and be amazed of all the huge number of top hit songs he wrote and many singers sang. !!! Karen's version of Bacharach's "Close To You" is the quintessential version. Thank you. ~ Peace ....
Karen & Richard would quadruple track their backing vocals... Keep in mind this was long before auto-tune or any kind of pitch correcting technology. They never did second takes. Engineers used to ask Richard if he wanted to listen to a vocal track after recording & before going onto the next, and he would say "Why?". Karen & Richard both had perfect pitch. Being siblings helped though, just as it did with the Beach Boys (Wilson Brothers specifically).
Loved your review of this performance; Karen's voice was so magical. Hope you have the time to review other Carpenters songs like "Superstar" or "We've only just begun." Karen was not only a once-in-a-generation voice, but she was also an incredibly talented drummer and played drums for the group. Richard is also multi-talented musically and did the song arrangements
Karen Carpenter's voice was pure velvet. That's why The Carpenters were so popular. BTW - Richard Carpenter wrote most of their songs. Their tight harmony is in all of their songs.
To hear one of the vibes of the '60s & '70s pull up Burt Bacharach songs. It will have a list of award winning songs. Soft Rock though, not Powerful. It was different than what I usually listened to. But occasionally it had a place on my mood chart. Also, Richard was a genius at arranging. A lot of Burt Bacharach songs were in movies too.
The key to a great voice is not how freaking loud you can sing or how many runs you can do, but purity, clarity and simply understated, when you have a voice like this you don't need to do anything but just sing, effortlessly. Simply put: sublime.
My favorite voice ever....so comforting, so rich...try We've Only Just Begun, Superstar, Rain Days and Mondays...they were hit makers in the 70's ...they were huge....sadly lead singer Karen died of anorexia at only 32 years of age....very shocking but she suffered from it for many years...she was a very accomplished drummer as well
No singer is the WORLD had a voice like Karen Carpenter. Her voice is musical candy for your ears. So glad you've discovered them!
THERAPY FOR THE SOUL..
Karen's voice is like a gentle breeze that hits you at the right time on a beautiful spring day.
Natural.
So true. But didn't Mariah also get a little close to perfection in her heyday?
Do you know who also has a great voice, Marilyn MCoo, I think that's her last name, from the Fifth Dimension. Also, CeCe Winans along with her brother, Bebe Winans.
@@sallysage524Karen wasn’t a powerhouse but her gentle singing was divine. Like heaven. Mariah was a powerhouse, so was Whitney and celine. I can even find beauty in voices like Cher and Madonna and Kylie.
Easily one of the most beautiful female voices of all time.
Good grief, I'm 56 years old and consider myself a tough guy, but Karen Carpenter always brings tears to my eyes. A voice truly given to her by God.
Ditto....58 here....everytime, no matter what song it brings tears to my eyes. And What SalvoG said....such relaxing music....to think of what we hear now....is SHOCKING!
Like wise 61
61 here too. She sings from the soul
61 too and tears too. What a club.
😭 58 here. I was a Yootz when I heard this, carpenters along with Anne Murray and Helen Reddy so we're played on the top 40 radio. I was a bit young at the time but damn I sure knew something was going on.
Sal this song was playing on the radio while my parents were taking me to the drive in to see a movie called "THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY". I'LL never forget it cause I'm a Senior now and to see you being able to appreciate this song,the carpenters period,makes me feel so good
To say she has a unique voice is a huge understatement. She has now been dead 40 years and we’ve never heard anyone sound remotely like her a God-given unbelievable talent, and you have so many songs to dive into.
I don't think it's ever intended for anyone to sound like Karen, not even the Carpenter's Tribute Band. God made Karen unique with her own vocal print, just like He made Richard the brain behind the Carpenter's Group.
I concur..The GOAT!
Rumer is the closest but Karen was truly special ❤
Superstar
@@christopher5585Agree. I’ve found one who is close. Check out 20 year old Tori Holub. Closest I’ve heard to Karen.
No auto tune. She sang almost pitch perfect
Pitch perfect, voice like silk, gone way too soon. Miss you Karen.💖
Karen was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. She had such a pure calming voice. And she was a terrific drummer. That was her passion even more than singing. Sadly we lost her so young. Thankfully we have her legacy left in her music. The Carpenters had so many great songs such as "We've Only Just Begun", "For All We Know", "Rainy Days & Mondays", "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over the World)", "I Need To Be In Love" & so many more.
Some really great music.
Dagmar, and I wish these reactors would do so much more. Some of her most beautiful songs were non hits...A place to hide way, One Love, Don't cry for me Argentina and on and on.
Let me add "This Masquerade" and "A Song For You". Both written by Leon Russell.
And Ordinary Fool
FINALLY!! Someone listened to the album version with the extended ending! Bravo!!
Yes, FINALLY!!
Karen was a once in a generation talent. And Richard doesn’t get the notice he deserves, but his talent was astonishing.
Their cover of We’ve Only Just Begun was a requirement for any wedding in the 70s
Thanks for noting Richard Carpenter. He was a really fantastic arranger and song producer. IIRC, he was the one who crafted all of their multi-tracked backing vocals with his and Karen’s voices.
When Karen's voice cracks at the early stages of the song when she sings, "we've only just begun to "live" (crack in the voice) makes me melt every. single. time.
Such a gorgeous voice and Richard was such an expert producer he could always make her sound like she was sitting next to you and singing TO YOU. Incredibly intimate sound.
My brother graduated high school in 72, We've Only Just Begun was their class song.
My footsore much younger self in his "cute little suit/tux" can confirm this. A large number of young folks in my neighborhood got married around this time. I was a cute, bespectacled, blonde kid. (think Cousin Oliver).
I was in FAR more weddings than I ought to have been.
Wish my parents had charged for my services.
Bacharach is on the Mount Rushmore of songwriters. This isn't even about whether I like his work-his string of hits puts him in a class of his own.
"A gentleman named Burt Bacharach?" Only one of the greatest song writers of all time! 😉😉
That said, loved your reaction. There are so many great Carpenter's songs to choose from.
Always bittersweet listening to her (great drummer too, in a time when "women didn't do drums!")
Her life was so sad, but her songs brought/bring such joy!
Her voice was pure gold. I suggest "Superstar" next and "Rainy Days and Mondays" too.
try the Christmas album, also.
@@whodoesntluvpapasalso Goodbye to Love
That's how an angel sings.
Natural
She’s simply the greatest. I miss her.🧡
"Rainy Days And Mondays" or "Superstar" should definitely be next!
Their song "We've Only Just Begun" was probably played at more wedding receptions, and graduations, than any other song!
Karen's charismatic voice and Richard's composition = magic.
I just got into the carpenters a year ago, I'm 32 yo. I love a ton of their songs now! You will too.
You just listened to the great and legendary Karen Carpenter. Also is considered best female drummer ever. She is in the music recording world considered the Voice. To quote the Beatles Paul McCartney "she had "the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive". She has been called "one of the greatest voices of our lifetime" by Elton John. Lets just say...there are the legends and famous female singers....and then there's Karen Carpenter. You can hear Karen’s influence on such singers as Gloria Estefan and Shania Twain. You can hear echoes of Karen in such hits as Madonna‘s “Crazy for You” and Beyoncé‘s “Halo.” But you can’t really say, after all this time, that anyone has replaced Karen Carpenter. They have sold between 150-200 million records.They were the #1 Selling American artist in the 70's. First group to have a guitar solo in a ballad and it is called "Goodbye To Love". Go down the rabbit hole and enjoy Carpenters.
I also loved Carole King in the 70's as a songwriter. But Karen's voice wins over all.
I believe she is playing the drums in this song. The soft flowing tone of her voice sooths me.
Huge 70's wedding song..
It's distressing how many "singers" get byas a result of studio magic. Karen's voice was so remarkable without autotune. I greatly miss her lovely voice.
The start of the voice from heaven realized to us all...1969. This song was played in MANY weddings and babies 1st parties.
Burt Bacharach was a prolific songwriter - he had tons of hits sung by other singers.
And you could always tell it was a Burt Bacharach song, he had a certain sound.
Burt just passed away at 94.
RIP Karen Carpenter and Burt Bacharach.
GOAT
And he was in Austin Powers!😆
Where have you people been? I have been in love with this woman's voice since the 1970's!!!! Okay, I'm old!!
She’s also the drummer ❤️. And what a voice. I’m a rock guy first but man, you have to love and appreciate Karen Carpenter.
Hal Blaine played drums for the recording.
As someone born in 1966, The Carpenters were a big part of the soundtrack of my early childhood. Their easy listening style was big with both of my parents who had all of their albums. I remember singing their song “On Top of the World” in my Brownie troop.
I'm 61 and I remember standing up on the swing on a backyard swing set with a friend when I was 7 years old, going very high, and both of us were singing "Top of the World" at the top of our 7 year old lungs. Good times.
Karen had one of the purest, most pitch-perfect voices I've ever heard. She truly was a gift. So many hits! "Solitaire" and "Superstar" are beautiful also. And her version of "Ave Maria" is perfection.
Her voice is like honey.
This song was played and sung at so many weddings in the 1970's. She was a very good drummer and didn't start off wanting to be the lead vocalist. I recall, without checking, that it was Richard who really encouraged her to sing. Burt Bacharach / Hal David were quite famous writers during this time period. Thanks for the reaction that really honors her voice.
hers is the voice I project for all lullabies
I grew up in the 1960's and 1970's and the first time I heard Karen Carpenter's voice I fell in love with it…what a voice, bought every album… Loved The Carpenters… never disappointed… simply beautiful classy music…
Just wanted to let you know that yes they always harmonized and Richard actually invented the overdubbing technique where they were their own background singers, it was only them two singing on every song. AMAZING
Karen always referred to Herself as a 'Drummer Who Sings'.
She was most comfortable behind Her Trusty Drum Kit.
Old and Lucky enough to see 'The Carpenters' Live in Concert TWICE in the Early 70's.
Such a pure voice. She was a pretty good drummer too.
I could thumbs-up to most of these coments
On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true
If you want to hear her at her greatest, try "Solitaire". When she finished, even the studio musicians around her were speechless.
I’m 64 and have loved the carpenters forever. I never knew there was an extended version of this song!
Karen and Richard were very talented. They were one of the first recording artists to use the technique of double background recording. They would record the basic vocals, and then go back and record the harmonies. Karen would use her amazing range talent to do her own background music. Pretty amazing!!
I'm so glad that one of the absolute musical treasures my generation can bequeath to yours is the recorded catalog of The Carpenters. Karen and Richard are yours now too--be blessed, and please continue to take from their music the unmistakable sense of how GOOD life can be because of art like this. The Carpenters will not fail to transport you to "far-off, truer corners of the heart."
(THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU
WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN
RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS
MR. POSTMAN
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE
BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE
TOP OF THE WORLD
I KNOW I NEED TO BE IN LOVE
SUPERSTAR
FOR ALL WE KNOW
THIS MASQUERADE
GOODBYE TO LOVE
ONE MORE TIME
DESPERADO
TICKET TO RIDE
HELP!
SING
I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU
TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING
Both of their Christmas albums
NOW
If you can look past the dated clothes and hairstyles, you will discover the common humanity the older generation experienced and shared in common with you when they were at a similar age, and that's what makes great music like this TIMELESS.
Karen was also a great drummer too!
Thank You, Such a Tragedy. I cry every tine I hear her Sing.
I'm so glad to see you reacting to The Carpenters. Karen Carpenter had such a beautiful voice, and it's easily one of the best I've ever heard. Many of their songs are considered classics. Songs I highly recommend would be "Rainy Days and Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun", "Top of the World", and "Superstar" to name a few.
Karen Carpenter had a voice of an angel. She could sing the dictionary and make it sound good. She was drummer who happened to sing. The also called her 'one take Karen', she was that good
It really amazes me that so many young people like yourself have no idea who the Carpenters were? This is not a dig but a harmless statement. I am glad that so many UA-camrs are discovering them and appreciating Karen’s Carpenters extraordinary voice. She was one of the best ever and last year marked the 40th anniversary of her passing. Thanks for posting this.
agree, considering they were the biggest U.S.hitmakers of the 1970s and during her lifetime she was seen and recognized as one of the greatest female voices ever.. SHOCKING that they were not in the rock and roll hall of fame! We're they "rock"? no, but was/is Madonna? Donna Summer? (who I both enjoy by the way)..
We've only Just Begun. Every High School Class Graduating Song in 1976.
It definitely IS FOR EVERYBODY ❤
our generation was looking for peace, that is why we listened to the calming lyrics. Music today makes you want to do bad things
Karen is the voice. Clearest of all. Im on my late 60s, so remember Carpenters very well on the radio and TV specials. 5'3 KC had a haunting timber in all her songs. Did you know every female harmony in all of her songs was hers as well, sang, then dubbed into the song by Richard ? She began, with her brother Richard, by playing drums. Richard, her brother, was a terrific arranger but KC's voice was discovered by Herb Alpert, A&M Records, in 1969, which began their road to fame. Richard convinced her that her best singing voice was contralto, 'the money is in the basement'. I believe KC's, voice, especially contralto, was the best, beautiful, female voice ever. No auto-tune, stripping, gimmicks, or screaming. Her nickname was 'one take', since she always sang a song once in studio without a single re-take. She sang to you with haunting, mesmerizing emotion, perfect pitch and enunciation. Her voice compelled you to listen. She had no professional voice training. Paul McCartney said she sang Ticket To Ride better than the Beatles, and "she had the most angelic voice I have ever heard". John Lennon told her at an LA restaurant "you have a fabulous voice luv". They were most successful in early/mid1970s when she/they received 4 grammys. She was also recognized by 1975 Playboy poll as rock drummer of the year. Check other songs such as 'Solitaire', 'Only Yesterday', 'Hideaway', 'Rainy Days and Mondays',' 'This Masquerade', 'I Can Dream Cant I'(a big band era song), 'Hurting Each Other', 'All You Get From Love Is A Love Song', 'A Song For You' ,'Superstar', ' I Need To Be In Love', 'We've Only Just Begun',' Goodbye To Love', etc.. She had a few friends including Petula Clark, Olivia Newton John and Dionne Warwick. She had anorexia with a serious onset in 1975 that continued the rest of her life. Married a guy in 1982 that was broke, didn't tell her he had a vasectomy, and mistreated her. Never knew true love. She died Feb 1983 at 32yo due to complications from anorexia. Her solo album was released some years after her death. [Some info contained herein came from documentaries such as, "Only Yesterday"]
I got a little teary-eyed thinking about Burt Bacharach while listening. He recently passed and this was such a beautiful creation of his! I was in kindergarten when this was released. I can open up our piano seat and find the sheet music my oldest sister bought. I like to think that some of my musical styling was based on listening to Ms. Carpenter at such a young age.
Thank you for keeping their music alive. Superstar is my favorite. I wish this could be more private. They are my 3rd cousins. R.I.P. Karen If you are going to watch that song pick the one where they are on Carol Burnett show 1971. You will see Karen play the drums while singing.
Summer of 70 I fell in love for the first time - Brodie Fifer - to this song. I was 13 and she was an angel. She moved to Washington state later that summer. I've learned that she passed away several years ago. Rest is peace, Brodie. I'll always remember you.
The song that put the Carpenters in the heart of the whole World!!!!! My God! I remember as it was yesterday the first time I heard this on the radio!!!!! Memories! 💔
most recognisable and unique voice ever. To show just how good they were, they were number one in an era when it was all rock
Thank you for listening to these older, best songs ever… and being OPEN to them. This one is well before my time (and outside my favorite genres) but even so, the Carpenters were world class. If you don’t listen, you can miss out by dismissing them as ‘cheesy’, but their songs come from a very honest place, and with Karen’s best-of-planet voice and their pure delivery, they captured everyone’s emotions.
After 40 some years of enjoying The Carpenters' music, I only recently heard this full-length studio version of this song, and was blown away. I've always loved this song, but I fell in love with it all over again.
In the 70’s my 13 year old ears were blown away by the carpenters at the same time I was getting into Yes, ELP and Deep Purple
Even our young ears knew this was good stuff.
I'm a little older than you but I also had the same experience as you. Back then, we were able to enjoy all these disparate genres and musical styles with ease. From R&B to soul, pop, blues, rock, hard rock, progressive rock, and metal...we had it all.
@@lindazee Motown was my starting block even saw the supremes and the four tops when they toured the uk 😀
@daveford12 wow, amazing. Yes, Motown was huge for me too, but I never got to see their shows. We would catch them on variety tv shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show", which was also the show that introduced us to The Beatles. I remember sitting in my living room watching them with my mother on a Sunday evening. She remarked, "well, you can't hear a word they're singing with all the girls screaming". 🤣 😅 Happy days and good memories! Greetings from Brooklyn NYC!
@@lindazee on the BBC tonight they are showing some programs about Dusty Springfield who helped break Motown in the UK. Really like Brooklyn hopefully will visit NY again next year when I’m officially meant to be retiring 🤣
Rainy Days And Mondays is a Carpenters must!
Beautiful Soul, Beautiful Voice! R.I.P Drummer Girl 💔
Wow... been a subscriber here about 6mos and I never thought I'd see a pop music reaction here, let alone the Carpenters which is great! These folks were a hit making machine in the 70s. Bacharach and David were one of the greatest song writing teams in the 60s and 70s. Masters of soft pop (adult contemporary) music. Almost always covered by other singers (song stylists/ interpreters), Burt actually sang one of his songs "This Guy's In Love with You" which was a huge hit for him. Looking forward to more 70s artists, esp the singer songwriters genre. ✌
The best female vocalist of all time. No argument. Absolute gold.
This song takes me straight back to middle-school sockhops, and dedications from girls to boys in school newspapers. Also, Karen Carpenter's voice and phrasing are so naturally beautiful that it takes a while for the realization to come clear, that you're listening to a once in a generation singing talent. Brother Richard, though he was always considered the secondary member of the duo, was actually responsible for choosing the songs and arrangements, and his ability to harmonize perfectly with Karen just added to how special they were.
I've been saying for decades that, if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had had children together, at least one of them would have been born with the most beautiful ever pop singing voice.
My first favorite group, I was in grade school when this came out. Love the Carpenters, they were special and had so many great songs!
No musicians today can match the magic back then when you had to truly have a gift.
Few have ever sang a song the way this girl could.
My mom Loooooved The Carpenters. I remember being a very little girl listening to her sing along with Karen while she did the dishes after dinner. Thank you for bringing up such warm memories.
everybody loves these two.
Salvo, i love watching the younger generations appreciating the music i grew up listening to. There are so many good and great artists that all people can appreciate. No matter the style.
Just about anything they sang was brilliant - but if you want to really enjoy that amazing voice, check out "This Masquerade." Karen was known best for having an amazingly rich quality to her lower range - and her flawless ability to play drums while singing lead. You'll enjoy getting to know her through their music, especially their earlier years, 1970-1976.
For me, the greatest voice in music history, there is no equal.
One of the first records I owned when I was discovering pop music. My first three 45s were "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies, "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" by BJ Thomas and this one. Very shortly after that, they set up a phonograph with speakers in the basement for us kids to use. Not sure if that was after the 700th or 701st time I played those records. Lol.
I was always impressed living thru and growing up during the era of The Carpenters!
I remember singing and loving this song as a young girl and now at 61 singing it to my only baby grandson.. it has a special place in my heart. ❤
To me she has the greatest voice I have ever heard.her range is incredible and her tone is other worldly.what a talent
Superstar is the song you're looking for! Karen was also an excellent drummer 🥁
My mother sang this song to me every night at bedtime until I was like 6. Until I got all weird about it. Now, at 54, this song makes me tear up every time I hear it.
Richard was the music arranger for most of their music besides keyboards and harmonies. Karen had one of the purest voices of the 70’s besides playing drums before sadly passing away from anorexia complications. But they made incredible music
Enough viewers have already commented on Karen and her unique voice, and there's no dispute about that (my personal favorite Carpenters song was released posthumously, "Make Believe It's Your First Time"). Instead, I'd like to comment on the composers, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, one of those matches made in heaven, like John Lennon and Paul McCartney, or Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Burt just left this world a couple of weeks ago, as his Midas touch to create amazing-sounding things was requested in heaven. Whatever you see composed by him and Hal, consider it a seal of quality. From the legendary "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (from the "Butch Cassidy" soundtrack) to "Arthur's Theme" with Christopher Cross, through his many hits with the fabulous Dionne Warwick ("I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?") and many, many more, they were absolutely amazing!
Subscribed. Nice to see you reacting to the Carpenters. Karen had a three-octave contralto range. I believe they'd say "The Money was in the Basement" as her vocal range was lower than most female singers. My favorite Carpenter singles were Goodbye to Love, Rainy Days & Mondays, Superstar, and We've Only Just Begun. I also love Karen's voice on their cover of the Eagles' Desperado (on the Horizon album) and their version of Solitaire which is possibly Karen's best vocal. Also, despite the cheeriness of Close to You, many of the Carpenter's song had a melancholy feel to them.
Richard was a master arranger, he was also very talented. Karen was smooth as silk.
I graduated high school in 1971. The Carpenters were huge for their soft, romantic songs! I saw them live in '73 & they were awesome. Many first wedding dances were danced to their songs. Karen was the main vocalist & her brother was the piano player who sang sometimes. Karen had such a sweet, natural alto voice. She died long before her time. 😢
"We've Only Just Begun" and "Superstar" are my faves. And, their Christmas album is EPIC!
Karen had a lot of insecurities, and she was much happier behind the drum kit. She was amazingly talented and had no issues singing and drumming at the same time. The record execs forced her to step out to be the "Front Man", as it were, because let's face it she was gorgeous. People also notice her conservative dress, which was her reaction to being called "fat" early on by the record execs. I miss her voice, and it kills me to think of all the music that never was, due to her early passing. RIP.
The thing about this song is that many years can go by, and out of the blue you find yourself singing it. It sticks. I still remember most of the words. Rainy days and Mondays is a great one to react too.
Her voice is vocal brilliance from beginning to end …. Unequqed
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TAKE ON THAT SONG, I THINK SHE GOT ONE OF THE BEST FEMALE VOICES❤
Absolutely need to hear more Carpenters! There are so many great songs, but one that is probably not at the top of everyone’s list but is absolutely beautiful is their cover of “This Masquerade.” You can’t listen to it without feeling it.
More love to the Carpenters especially Miss Karen Carpenter. By the way Burt Bacharach who wrote this was one of the most prolific and well loved songwriters on the last half of the 20th Century. Look him up, and be amazed of all the huge number of top hit songs he wrote and many singers sang. !!! Karen's version of Bacharach's "Close To You" is the quintessential version. Thank you. ~ Peace ....
Karen & Richard would quadruple track their backing vocals... Keep in mind this was long before auto-tune or any kind of pitch correcting technology. They never did second takes. Engineers used to ask Richard if he wanted to listen to a vocal track after recording & before going onto the next, and he would say "Why?". Karen & Richard both had perfect pitch. Being siblings helped though, just as it did with the Beach Boys (Wilson Brothers specifically).
Brings me right back to my childhood…
You should do something live by them. Her voice is as perfect live as it was on recordings.
Loved your review of this performance; Karen's voice was so magical. Hope you have the time to review other Carpenters songs like "Superstar" or "We've only just begun." Karen was not only a once-in-a-generation voice, but she was also an incredibly talented drummer and played drums for the group. Richard is also multi-talented musically and did the song arrangements
The harmonies at the end are like a BLAST of fresh air! Beautiful 🎵
Richard is also playing piano and does the arranging etc
Karen Carpenter's voice was pure velvet. That's why The Carpenters were so popular. BTW - Richard Carpenter wrote most of their songs. Their tight harmony is in all of their songs.
To hear one of the vibes of the '60s & '70s pull up Burt Bacharach songs. It will have a list of award winning songs. Soft Rock though, not Powerful. It was different than what I usually listened to. But occasionally it had a place on my mood chart. Also, Richard was a genius at arranging. A lot of Burt Bacharach songs were in movies too.
The key to a great voice is not how freaking loud you can sing or how many runs you can do, but purity, clarity and simply understated, when you have a voice like this you don't need to do anything but just sing, effortlessly. Simply put: sublime.
My favorite voice ever....so comforting, so rich...try We've Only Just Begun, Superstar, Rain Days and Mondays...they were hit makers in the 70's ...they were huge....sadly lead singer Karen died of anorexia at only 32 years of age....very shocking but she suffered from it for many years...she was a very accomplished drummer as well
A voice so warm and buttery it just melts in your ears