I just love watching people’s first time reaction to her beautiful voice. The reaction is always the same…mild to intense astonishment. Back in the 70’s it was easy to find people who didn’t like her, which was always perplexing to me. They’ve been my favorite for about 45 years. Love you Karen and Richard.
I'm struggling to think of who might compete for this title. I can think of a handful like Aimee Mann or Adele but I think you're correct. None like Karen. ETA I might add Mairead Carlin from Celtic Woman but that's really throwing a wrench in the genre games
@@georgewodicka4839 a good choice, George. But what about Julie Andrews? Or Idina Menzel. Or we could go Elaine Page. All have their talent but there was something about Karen that goes beyond.
@@africanfartingfrog the sadness and sickness of anorexia is that it is UNavoidable to the person suffering, just like a lot of other disorders. Tragic indeed.
After viewing maybe a couple of dozen reactions to this song, you are the only one who noticed the bass, especially that great lick at the beginning. And that’s besides being one of the top three reactions of all I saw. Kudos to you! 👏
Back then, early 70's, I was alll about Zeppelin, Sabbath, a much harder sound, but I always stopped what I was doing to hear Karen sing. She had the most beautiful voice ever recorded, in my opinion.
Better yet, at that time it was possible to hear those music genres, *plus* soul/R&B, on *ONE* radio station. It gave listeners a more well-rounded appreciation of music.
Beautiful song. I loved them the first time I heard them, but, as a 14yo boy who worshipped his older brother, I couldn't admit it. He was into Led Zep, Stones etc. Myself also, I just happened to appreciate the beautiful melody and her voice.
Her voice just reaches right into your soul. Her tone is unmistakable. Her control incredible, particularly over the low registers. Her range was fantastic. And she was a great drummer, too!
50 yrs.> Carpenters still touch Hearts & Souls = Anointed Gift from God. Karen's Solo Album was not released until 1996. Imagine IF she was Supported in her Solo Love Project of 1979/80 & released > while Richard took off all of 1979> No bad marriage = CARPENTERS Together Again = a 2nd METEORIC LAUNCH!
I have been saying this for years. There are millions and millions of singers that we love, singers who touch our hearts, and then there is Karen Carpenter, one of the few that not only touched our hearts so deeply, but went much further, because she touched our soul!!!
Just simply the best; impeccable skills as a vocalist and, one of the best female drummers I've heard--Richard's arrangements are great as well--what a duo they were!
Big Carpenters Fan Here it's Great To See Younger People Getting In To There Music KAREN And JANIS JOPLIN Are My Two favorite Female Singer's Of All Time👍👍✌✌
Yay...finally some Carpenters!!!! Keep doing their music. Karen was amazing. Try Close To You, We've Only Just Begun and Goodbye To Love just to name a few.
Lynn you have a charming way of cutting through the BS and getting right to the heart of the issue and your so right.. if you can’t watch a video with your kids cos of some embarrassing nonsense distracting you from how manufactured and second rate your song and performance is then maybe your in the wrong job and it should be left to real singers and performers like Karen Carpenter or Barbara Streisand or up to date like Adele… 👍🏴
Seems like everyone who listens to Carpenters for the first time utters the same three letter word. WOW! Two very talented people that provided us with some wonderful timeless music. Rest in peace beautiful Karen!
Karen had one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. Her death was so tragic. It always hurts every time I watch her sing, because of what happened to her. It's all just so sad, but if you want to see her happy, watch her play drums. I never knew she was also a great drummer and clearly loved to play the drums more than sing, which I just don't understand, seeing how beautiful her voice was. I get her joy playing the drums though. It was so nice to see her happy. If only she had gotten the help she needed. She'd be 70 today and almost certainly still singing.
Beautiful & powerful indeed. After nearly 50 years of listening to The Carpenters her voice still has the ability to give me goosebumps. Try reacting to Goodbye To Love. This song features a quite extraordinary guitar solo totally different to anything you’ll hear in any of their other songs.
I'm an ESL teacher in Brazil. I give my students the task of singing a song as a pronunciation activity. They have to memorize a song and sing while I evaluate them. In the first term, I choose the group's components and songs. I always choose songs from the '70s and, of course, The Carpenters were always present. They complained at first but after doing it they loved it. Funny thing is that in the second term they choose the song themselves and end up choosing old songs! Karen Carpenter died in 1983 and there will never be another voice like that! Good reaction!
EVERYONE loves Karen. It doesn't matter who you are, young, old, your personal musical preferences. She's flawless. If I believed in heaven I imagine her voice would be the sound we would all hear. ❤💔
The Carpenters were popular when I was in high school. But I was a rocker chick, so I considered them "uncool". Now, I can't believe what a BEAUTIFUL she had! Thank you so much for checking out The Carpenters. And thanks for being so respectful. 💚
There are millions of us who wish Karen had known just how good she was and how much her voice touched us. More than 40 years later and her voice still gives me chills. The best voice ever. Accurate about today's singers and Karen never had or needed autotune.
One of many many big hits from The Carpenters. Karen had a voice like smooth silk. BEAUTIFUL. Song written by legendary musician producer Leon Russell. ♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦 .
Thank you for listening to dear Karen Carpenter's songs. Every high school/college female from the early 1970's (that includes me) completely would go into tears when she would sing this song. The repetition of baby baby baby baby oh baby was reflective of girls trying to "reach" their guitar playing former love, who in the song lyrics is now "unreachable" because of the adoring crowd constantly following him. Karen Carpenter's eating disorder was happening to several people, even in my midst, and she was very much a living, and sadly dying, symbol of our generation. Many many many people grieved and learned from the loss, and chose not to focus on weight loss anymore, thankfully. I am now 65 years old. Karen would be in her early 70's. Sigh
Need to check out "Close to You", "We've Only Just Begun", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Yesterday Once More", and "Ticket to Ride". Karen Carpenter had the best singing voice of anyone I've ever heard.
Being an ageing punk it’s not easy for me to admit my secret guilty pleasure back in late 70’s was my secretive enjoyment of the Carpenters and ABBA…. It’s time to come out and say I loved God save the queen, SOS and Solitaire equally… wow that feels good to admit that after all this time 👀😆
I LOVE THAT YOU LISTENED TO THE CARPENTERS! I was afraid it was so out of your wheelhouse, you would not be interested. Good on you young Daniel. She is amazing. And get this. She thinks she is a better drummer than singer.
Once you listen to her voice it is difficult to get it out of your head. I went to see them in concert in fall 1976 and their performance is still one of my top 5 concerts to attend.
The Carpenters were a brother and sister combo led by the incredible voice of Karen. They a whole bunch of hits. However, Karen suffered from severe eating disorders for which she was hospitalized several times. Finally, it appeared as if she had recovered, having gotten up to a good weight, and resuming their performances. Tragically, due to the damage done to her body during her illness, she shortly thereafter died of a heart attack at a very young age.
In some ways, she died of sadness and the inability to believe she was loved. She was desperately trying to fix the dysphoric image she imagined when looking in the mirror.
This was actually a remake of a weird obscure song called Groupie. So there was no affair, it's all in her imagination. The loneliness and longing is palpable in the arrangement and especially in the lovely Karen's voice. She was one of the great female singers ever, and I'm glad you appreciate that. Definitely check out more Carpenters. So much there to enjoy.
It was not weird, obscure, nor about an imaginary affair. Titled “Groupie (Superstar)”, it was written by Bonnie Bramlett & Leon Russell & released as a single in 1969 by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, who were well known at the time. In just 2 years, it had at least 3 recorded covers, was sung on the “Maddogs” tour, then sung by Bette Midler on the Tonight Show, which is where Richard Carpenter heard it & decided it would be good for the album they were doing. Richard changed the title & some of the lyrics, so it would better fit their clean-cut image. It is about a groupie who went to a concert, fell in love with a rock star, who told her he loved her, had a one night stand & now listens to him on the radio, longing for him to come back "again.” Link to the original, with Bonnie (Bramlett) lead vocals, Rita Coolidge, backing vocals, Eric Clapton, guitar & Leon Russell on piano. ua-cam.com/video/86S6upe_GO0/v-deo.html Additional info; 1) D&B's "Friends" were a rotating group of insanely talented musicians that included various combinations of; Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Rita Coolidge, Duane & Gregg Allman, Bobbie Whitlock, Dave Mason and a host of others. 2) When Delaney & Bonnie released their album in 1972, they used the original 1969 recording on it, which is why some sites mistakenly list theirs as 1972, instead of as the original. 2) Writing credit was later also given to Delaney Bramlett (apparently due to his contract with Bonnie). Rita Coolidge has since said she should have received credit too, saying Leon (her then boyfriend), claimed her idea & work as his own, when writing with Bonnie (which Bonnie didn’t know till Rita’s book).
@@wnsafford1854 The song was weird, obscure and underdeveloped. The Carpenters take was definitely that it was an imaginary affair and they made into a heartbreaking song..
@@wnsafford1854 Thanks for the link. As you say, a very good song by great songwriters, performed by some of the best-known musicians of the time. Have to credit Richard Carpenter's MOR arrangement for making it a hit, but it was by no means obscure.
50 yrs.> Carpenters still touch Hearts & Souls = Anointed Gift from God. Karen's Solo Album was not released until 1996. Imagine IF she was Supported in her Solo Love Project of 1979/80 & released > while Richard took off all of 1979> No bad marriage = CARPENTERS Together Again = a 2nd METEORIC LAUNCH!
"We've Only Just Begun" is iconic, written by the BRILLIANT composer Paul Williams for an insurance commercial if you can believe it. Richard Carpenter loved it and approached Paul about an extended version and the rest is history. Along with "Close to You" the song put the Carpenters on the map. So my suggestions for your next Carpenters journey are "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You"
That guy sure wrote a lot great songs. Just last week I mentioned the movie A Star is Born in a comment on this channel. He wrote Evergreen, which was a favorite of mine off of the album/soundtrack. I'll go hear it again, right now. Edit. I watched the movie scene. It had been years since seeing it. Great song, of course great singing, lovely scene.
@@sheilaswegler4859 I even remember when Paul Williams became a Hollywood darling, guest-starring on Loveboat, Muppet Show, Fantasy Island... prolific lil guy he was, I remember all those appearances with a lot of fondness and humor. He was bright.
Karen Carpenter’s vocals have so much emotion. Her singing always makes me cry. She and brother Richard brightened my childhood in the 70’s. She had an angelic voice. There will never EVER EVER be a singer like Karen.
Karen Carpenter my adolescent crush. One of many. Drummer. Their first hit was a cover of "Ticket to Ride". She was 16-17 years old. PBS airs a great documentary on them from time to time during their pledge drives.
The late great Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote this song. One that I have on a short list of perfect songs. Perfect composition and arrangement. Also a perfect performance by The Carpenters. The drummer on this tune is also played by the beautiful vocalist, Karen Carpenter. She was a gifted master of the ""close mic" style of singing. Almost a whisper. As I said, " Perfect".
As someone who has listened to the Carpenters for 50 years, it's so much fun to see someone, like yourself, discover and enjoy their music for the first time.
I hope that the younger generations will discover the beautiful music from Karen and Richard Carpenter. No one else matched the level of perfect pitch and sound in the music industry. Karen's voice is so soothing and comforting that it is so easy to just keep listening and playing their songs over and over again. Imglad you have been listening and learning what us older people did back in the day! I still play their music 🎶 every week, several days a week!!!
Dozens of brilliant Carpenters songs out there. Studio versions preferred. Consider: We’ve only just begun Sing I won’t last the day without you Yesterday once more This masquerade Crescent noon Hideaway Only yesterday Top of the world One more time Rainy days and Mondays Hurting each other Goodbye to love I’ll never fall in love again. Someday A song for you Road ode
Her vibrato is always at the right times, never over-done, and it is so slow, as to not be consciously noted unless you are deliberately paying attention to it. I mentioned Joan Baez the other day. She has a lovely, born-to-her, natural vibrato, that is not too fast. But you do notice it. It's a beautiful vibrato, but Karen's is quite different. I don't know how much of it is natural, and how much is learned and deliberate. It’s been said that one time Karen was riding in her car with a friend, & started singing a song in a higher range. The friend commented on how beautiful her singing was, and Karen is reported to have responded, “The money’s in the basement”. Meaning, in her chest voice. Richard said at their music school they always wanted her singing in her head voice. Hah. What did they know?
Thank you for this. When I look at you I reconnect with my youth when I was in High School when the Carpenters were still recording not long before Karen passed away and it's so cool to see another music talent who is contributing so much to the world of art.
She was not underrated. She was praised. But 50 years later they both are even more praised. Karen has undeniably the most beautiful voice in the history of recorded music.
@@mikebrown2039 agree they are head shoulders above any big artist ther style of easy listening music at that time was unique. to the rock n roll pop world. they hot a few Grammy s but sold millions.. n millions Tragic loss to the music industry. They are the very best an never hear another duo ever of that standard again.
Brother and sister act! She was a great drummer also! Brother sang harmony ,played keyboards and arranged the music! Sadly died from anorexia nervosa at a young age! One of the great female singers!
Karen Carpenter was an Angel sent to Earth for a short time. She touched everyone who heard her beautiful voice. RIP🙏🏻 This song was written by the great Leon Russell & Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie.
A compilation of clips of cover songs and their hits you should check out one day. Watch "Karen Carpenter - The Drummer" on UA-cam ua-cam.com/video/6dJUnh6N8-U/v-deo.html
The Carpenters are fantastic! Try their song called A Song For You. It is a cover of the original version written and performed by the late, great Leon Russell.
Please listen to "Rainy Days And Mondays" by the Carpenters ( a brother & sister act)...and also their first massive hit "Close To You" - 1970 (written by Burt Bacharach/Hal David).
I loved your analysis and reaction. “Haunting” is the way I always describe this song and performance. Karen’s stellar voice just stays in your head for days and she has such a way of presenting emotion. I’ve heard other artists version of this song and there is only one Karen.
She was a drummer before she was a singer. Go watch some of her drumming videos to see the joy on her face when she played. They forced her out front from behind the drums, where she really wanted to be. But that voice... it was truly one in a million. The quality and expressiveness of her voice - especially the low register - is exceptional. That kind of sound only comes from pain, which no one around her seemed to notice or fully understand. When people are hurting, they search for a way - any way - to feel in control. There was one thing Karen found she had control over. And it killed her in the end.
She was a great drummer and often accompanied herself on the kit as she sang. Many vids of that. Really enjoying your thoughtful reactions! ETA: The great Leon Russell wrote this song along with Bonnie Bramwell of Delaney and Bonnie.
Karen Carpenter was anorexic, weighing only 85 lbs at one point in the mid 70s, because of her extreme eating disorder. She had psychological issues of not being shown loved by her mother, who always favored Richard as the favorite child, and body image issues from being called chubby by critics in the early days. Though she was seemingly doing better in the early 80s, and had gained some weight, she collapsed dead at her parents house one early morning in Feb 1983, her heart finally giving out from years of abuse to her body from the anorexia. She was one of the greatest female singers of all time and you should absolutely go down the Carpenters rabbit hole because their music and her voice is iconic and she is still unmatched even today. There has never been anyone who has matched her voice.
50 yrs.> Carpenters still touch Hearts & Souls = Anointed Gift from God. Karen's Solo Album was not released until 1996. Imagine IF she was Supported in her Solo Love Project of 1979/80 & released > while Richard took off all of 1979> No bad marriage = CARPENTERS Together Again = a 2nd METEORIC LAUNCH!
I bet 50% of the people commenting on here were their mother’s least favourite child. I don’t think that is why she had anorexia she obviously had other underlying issues
I'm warming more and more to your style of Reaction, my friend and I have Subscribed. Just the one pause, doubtless for Copyright purposes and a good analysis and I love the concept of using "Song Facts" which adds another dimension to this 66-year-old Londoners' enjoyment of your video...Well Done...The clearest Female voice and beautifully illustrated on "We've Only Just Begun" and "For All We Know".. My own favourite is the lesser known " THIS MASQUERADE"....Beautiful Song and in my Top 10 Songs of All Time...
I'm old enough to remember when this song was first released by the Carpenters, and I've literally heard it thousands of times. Yet to this day, every time I hear it, I still get goose bumps, and tears in my eyes. That's how you recognize true greatness. Karen was an Angel on Earth, with unrivaled talent.
Im on my late 60s, so remember KC very well on the radio and TV specials. 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 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 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 mesmerizing emotion, perfect pitch and enunciation. Her voice compelled you to listen. She had no professional voice or drum 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". Every female harmony in all of her songs was hers as well, sang, then dubbed into the song by Richard. They were most successful in early/mid1970s when she received 4 Grammys. She was also recognized by 1975 Playboy poll as rock drummer of the year. Check other songs such as 'Superstar'(1971), 'Only Yesterday', 'Hideaway', 'Rainy Days and Mondays', 'I Can Dream Cant I', 'Hurting Each Other', 'Need To Be In Love', 'Goodbye To Love', etc.. She had low self-image, and could never seem to please her mother. She had a few friends including Dionne Warwick. She had serious onset of anorexia in 1975 that continued the rest of her life. Married a guy in 1982 that was broke, not who she thought, and mistreated her. Never knew true love. She died Feb 1983 at 32yo due to complications from anorexia. [Some info contained herein came from documentaries such as, "Only Yesterday"].
The very first thing people say when they hear Karen Carpenter for the first time is...she had such a beautiful voice. "She had an angelic voice." Everytime. Many people consider Karen to have been the greatest female vocalist in the history of recorded music. I've been a fan since 1971. If you're familiar with power ballads, check out "Goodbye to Love". (The Carpenters recorded the first power ballad.) The fuzz guitar solos midway, and at the end, are phenomenal. EDIT: Listen to the official verson from the album. The live version doesn't sound as good.
I just love watching people’s first time reaction to her beautiful voice.
The reaction is always the same…mild to intense astonishment.
Back in the 70’s it was easy to find people who didn’t like her, which was always perplexing to me.
They’ve been my favorite for about 45 years.
Love you Karen and Richard.
The most beautiful female voice in the history of recorded music. Tragic loss.
I'm struggling to think of who might compete for this title. I can think of a handful like Aimee Mann or Adele but I think you're correct. None like Karen. ETA I might add Mairead Carlin from Celtic Woman but that's really throwing a wrench in the genre games
@@emanonfox1709 The only female singer that comes close, to me, is Barbra Streisand in her prime.
@@georgewodicka4839 a good choice, George. But what about Julie Andrews? Or Idina Menzel. Or we could go Elaine Page. All have their talent but there was something about Karen that goes beyond.
all the more tragic because it was completely avoidable. she literally starved herself to death
@@africanfartingfrog the sadness and sickness of anorexia is that it is UNavoidable to the person suffering, just like a lot of other disorders. Tragic indeed.
After viewing maybe a couple of dozen reactions to this song, you are the only one who noticed the bass, especially that great lick at the beginning. And that’s besides being one of the top three reactions of all I saw. Kudos to you! 👏
A perfect voice.
Back then, early 70's, I was alll about Zeppelin, Sabbath, a much harder sound, but I always stopped what I was doing to hear Karen sing. She had the most beautiful voice ever recorded, in my opinion.
Yes! That's what made them stand out.
Exactly.
Better yet, at that time it was possible to hear those music genres, *plus* soul/R&B, on *ONE* radio station. It gave listeners a more well-rounded appreciation of music.
Same here.
Apparently it wasn't cool to be a Carpenters fan back in the 70's...
Here, you have the GOAT female voice!! Even after almost 50 years...I have the chills listening to her!
Beautiful song. I loved them the first time I heard them, but, as a 14yo boy who worshipped his older brother, I couldn't admit it. He was into Led Zep, Stones etc. Myself also, I just happened to appreciate the beautiful melody and her voice.
Her voice just reaches right into your soul. Her tone is unmistakable. Her control incredible, particularly over the low registers. Her range was fantastic. And she was a great drummer, too!
50 yrs.> Carpenters still touch Hearts & Souls = Anointed Gift from God. Karen's Solo Album was not released until 1996. Imagine IF she was Supported in her Solo Love Project of 1979/80 & released > while Richard took off all of 1979> No bad marriage = CARPENTERS Together Again = a 2nd METEORIC LAUNCH!
I have been saying this for years. There are millions and millions of singers that we love, singers who touch our hearts, and then there is Karen Carpenter, one of the few that not only touched our hearts so deeply, but went much further, because she touched our soul!!!
Just simply the best; impeccable skills as a vocalist and, one of the best female drummers I've heard--Richard's arrangements are great as well--what a duo they were!
I heard this on the radio in 1972. Always loved it. Thanks for reacting.
Karen was a fantastic drummer too. Check out her drumming skills.
Drumming was her true passion...
She always considered herself a drummer who sang, not a singer who played drums.
Big Carpenters Fan Here it's Great To See Younger People Getting In To There Music KAREN And JANIS JOPLIN Are My Two favorite Female Singer's Of All Time👍👍✌✌
Yay...finally some Carpenters!!!! Keep doing their music. Karen was amazing. Try Close To You, We've Only Just Begun and Goodbye To Love just to name a few.
Yes this was also remade after the Carpenters by Luther Vandross his version was slow all the way through and a very nice one.
No autotune. No t&a hanging out. No bumping and grinding. Just the lovely Karen Carpenter and her beautiful voice.
Lynn you have a charming way of cutting through the BS and getting right to the heart of the issue and your so right.. if you can’t watch a video with your kids cos of some embarrassing nonsense distracting you from how manufactured and second rate your song and performance is then maybe your in the wrong job and it should be left to real singers and performers like Karen Carpenter or Barbara Streisand or up to date like Adele… 👍🏴
Was just beautiful, wasn’t it? She didn’t need to do that either.. just be her! 😊😊😊❤❤❤
Nothing wrong with any of those things
Seems like everyone who listens to Carpenters for the first time utters the same three letter word. WOW! Two very talented people that provided us with some wonderful timeless music. Rest in peace beautiful Karen!
The voice of an Angel.
R.I.P. Karen Carpenter😪
Karen had one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. Her death was so tragic. It always hurts every time I watch her sing, because of what happened to her. It's all just so sad, but if you want to see her happy, watch her play drums. I never knew she was also a great drummer and clearly loved to play the drums more than sing, which I just don't understand, seeing how beautiful her voice was. I get her joy playing the drums though. It was so nice to see her happy. If only she had gotten the help she needed. She'd be 70 today and almost certainly still singing.
Boy did the comics of the day have a good time when she died. "Eat a pizza" was a common line.
Truly one of the best female voices ever. Great job on the review!!🎶🎵✌
Beautiful & powerful indeed. After nearly 50 years of listening to The Carpenters her voice still has the ability to give me goosebumps. Try reacting to Goodbye To Love. This song features a quite extraordinary guitar solo totally different to anything you’ll hear in any of their other songs.
In the heart of the classic rock era they produced some of the most beautiful music of a generation. Check out 'Rainy Days and Mondays' by them.
One of the most beautiful voices ever.
I'm an ESL teacher in Brazil. I give my students the task of singing a song as a pronunciation activity. They have to memorize a song and sing while I evaluate them. In the first term, I choose the group's components and songs. I always choose songs from the '70s and, of course, The Carpenters were always present. They complained at first but after doing it they loved it. Funny thing is that in the second term they choose the song themselves and end up choosing old songs!
Karen Carpenter died in 1983 and there will never be another voice like that! Good reaction!
EVERYONE loves Karen. It doesn't matter who you are, young, old, your personal musical preferences. She's flawless. If I believed in heaven I imagine her voice would be the sound we would all hear. ❤💔
Great reaction. Thanks for looking back to the 1970s. Karen was amazing. I’m blessed to have seen her in concert in 1976.
Such a beautiful Singer God given talent such a sad tragic tale of her life RIP miss Karen 🙏♥️
She has THE voice!
The Carpenters were popular when I was in high school. But I was a rocker chick, so I considered them "uncool". Now, I can't believe what a BEAUTIFUL she had!
Thank you so much for checking out The Carpenters. And thanks for being so respectful. 💚
Me too! A lot of us felt that, but we always still lived her songs & voice secretly! 😊😊😊❤❤❤
There are millions of us who wish Karen had known just how good she was and how much her voice touched us.
More than 40 years later and her voice still gives me chills.
The best voice ever.
Accurate about today's singers and Karen never had or needed autotune.
One of many many big hits from The Carpenters. Karen had a voice like smooth silk. BEAUTIFUL. Song written by legendary musician producer Leon Russell. ♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
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One of the greatest voices of the twentieth century.All pure fantasy! She was The SUPERSTAR!Sad ending to one of the sweetest souls. Too short a life!
I still miss her.
The song came out in 1971. Listen to Goodby to Love. I think you'll like it a lot!!
Thank you for listening to dear Karen Carpenter's songs. Every high school/college female from the early 1970's (that includes me) completely would go into tears when she would sing this song. The repetition of baby baby baby baby oh baby was reflective of girls trying to "reach" their guitar playing former love, who in the song lyrics is now "unreachable" because of the adoring crowd constantly following him. Karen Carpenter's eating disorder was happening to several people, even in my midst, and she was very much a living, and sadly dying, symbol of our generation. Many many many people grieved and learned from the loss, and chose not to focus on weight loss anymore, thankfully. I am now 65 years old. Karen would be in her early 70's. Sigh
Her voice can give you chills!!
Need to check out "Close to You", "We've Only Just Begun", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "Yesterday Once More", and "Ticket to Ride".
Karen Carpenter had the best singing voice of anyone I've ever heard.
Being an ageing punk it’s not easy for me to admit my secret guilty pleasure back in late 70’s was my secretive enjoyment of the Carpenters and ABBA…. It’s time to come out and say I loved God save the queen, SOS and Solitaire equally… wow that feels good to admit that after all this time 👀😆
Looking ahead on this beautiful autumn day, if you contemplate doing holiday-themed songs, The Carpenters' "Merry Christmas, Darling" is a beauty.
One of the best female singers I've ever heard
Daniel, you should try ‘Goodbye to Love’ IMHO the best carpenters song with a surprising but brilliant ending.
"Make Believe It's Your First Time" and "I Just Fall in Love Again" are two of my favorites.
I LOVE THAT YOU LISTENED TO THE CARPENTERS! I was afraid it was so out of your wheelhouse, you would not be interested. Good on you young Daniel. She is amazing. And get this. She thinks she is a better drummer than singer.
Haunting & absolutely beautiful
Once you listen to her voice it is difficult to get it out of your head. I went to see them in concert in fall 1976 and their performance is still one of my top 5 concerts to attend.
Incredible vocal from Karen Carpenter - she had such a unique voice.
You and I should count ourselves fortunate to have heard Miss Karen Carpenter sing a single note! RIP Angel.
Endless awesome music back in the day. The Carpenters just one more example of it.
Karen's voice was really beautiful.
The most incredible voice. So tragic that she was bullied into doing everything to be skinny. RIP Karen Carpenter. You were one of a kind.
The Carpenters were a brother and sister combo led by the incredible voice of Karen. They a whole bunch of hits. However, Karen suffered from severe eating disorders for which she was hospitalized several times. Finally, it appeared as if she had recovered, having gotten up to a good weight, and resuming their performances. Tragically, due to the damage done to her body during her illness, she shortly thereafter died of a heart attack at a very young age.
In some ways, she died of sadness and the inability to believe she was loved. She was desperately trying to fix the dysphoric image she imagined when looking in the mirror.
@@armadillotoe
Some of that came from her Mother though. 😡
I was in boot camp,it was the only true rumor.
Actually while the brother and sister are indeed "the Carpenters" in the sense of having the same last name,, the group is Carpenters.
@@sharonm6262 Didn't know that. But that still means my usage was correct since "The" was the first word of the sentence. Sometimes we get lucky.
Love Karen Carpenter - Truly one of the Greats - I have a request for a singer who I think even surpasses her and that is Eva Cassidy Fields of Gold
This was actually a remake of a weird obscure song called Groupie. So there was no affair, it's all in her imagination. The loneliness and longing is palpable in the arrangement and especially in the lovely Karen's voice. She was one of the great female singers ever, and I'm glad you appreciate that. Definitely check out more Carpenters. So much there to enjoy.
It was not weird, obscure, nor about an imaginary affair. Titled “Groupie (Superstar)”, it was written by Bonnie Bramlett & Leon Russell & released as a single in 1969 by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, who were well known at the time. In just 2 years, it had at least 3 recorded covers, was sung on the “Maddogs” tour, then sung by Bette Midler on the Tonight Show, which is where Richard Carpenter heard it & decided it would be good for the album they were doing. Richard changed the title & some of the lyrics, so it would better fit their clean-cut image. It is about a groupie who went to a concert, fell in love with a rock star, who told her he loved her, had a one night stand & now listens to him on the radio, longing for him to come back "again.” Link to the original, with Bonnie (Bramlett) lead vocals, Rita Coolidge, backing vocals, Eric Clapton, guitar & Leon Russell on piano. ua-cam.com/video/86S6upe_GO0/v-deo.html
Additional info; 1) D&B's "Friends" were a rotating group of insanely talented musicians that included various combinations of; Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Rita Coolidge, Duane & Gregg Allman, Bobbie Whitlock, Dave Mason and a host of others.
2) When Delaney & Bonnie released their album in 1972, they used the original 1969 recording on it, which is why some sites mistakenly list theirs as 1972, instead of as the original.
2) Writing credit was later also given to Delaney Bramlett (apparently due to his contract with Bonnie). Rita Coolidge has since said she should have received credit too, saying Leon (her then boyfriend), claimed her idea & work as his own, when writing with Bonnie (which Bonnie didn’t know till Rita’s book).
@@wnsafford1854 The song was weird, obscure and underdeveloped. The Carpenters take was definitely that it was an imaginary affair and they made into a heartbreaking song..
@@wnsafford1854 Thanks for the link. As you say, a very good song by great songwriters, performed by some of the best-known musicians of the time. Have to credit Richard Carpenter's MOR arrangement for making it a hit, but it was by no means obscure.
50 yrs.> Carpenters still touch Hearts & Souls = Anointed Gift from God. Karen's Solo Album was not released until 1996. Imagine IF she was Supported in her Solo Love Project of 1979/80 & released > while Richard took off all of 1979> No bad marriage = CARPENTERS Together Again = a 2nd METEORIC LAUNCH!
"We've Only Just Begun" is iconic, written by the BRILLIANT composer Paul Williams for an insurance commercial if you can believe it. Richard Carpenter loved it and approached Paul about an extended version and the rest is history. Along with "Close to You" the song put the Carpenters on the map. So my suggestions for your next Carpenters journey are "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You"
We've Only Just Begun was,written for Crocker Bank in Los Angeles.
@@libation2473 ah a bank, there ya go
That guy sure wrote a lot great songs. Just last week I mentioned the movie A Star is Born in a comment on this channel. He wrote Evergreen, which was a favorite of mine off of the album/soundtrack. I'll go hear it again, right now. Edit. I watched the movie scene. It had been years since seeing it. Great song, of course great singing, lovely scene.
@@sheilaswegler4859 I even remember when Paul Williams became a Hollywood darling, guest-starring on Loveboat, Muppet Show, Fantasy Island... prolific lil guy he was, I remember all those appearances with a lot of fondness and humor. He was bright.
Little Enos.
Karen Carpenter’s vocals have so much emotion. Her singing always makes me cry. She and brother Richard brightened my childhood in the 70’s. She had an angelic voice. There will never EVER EVER be a singer like Karen.
Karen Carpenter my adolescent crush. One of many. Drummer. Their first hit was a cover of "Ticket to Ride". She was 16-17 years old. PBS airs a great documentary on them from time to time during their pledge drives.
She is a superstar in the 70s n up today no one can beat her voice
Her voice is perfect! Her instrument of choice was the drums, and she was amazing.
The late great Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote this song.
One that I have on a short list of perfect songs.
Perfect composition and arrangement.
Also a perfect performance by The Carpenters.
The drummer on this tune is also played by the beautiful vocalist, Karen Carpenter.
She was a gifted master of the ""close mic" style of singing.
Almost a whisper.
As I said, " Perfect".
She had the voice of an angel. Quite the drummer too.
Greatest vocalist of all time. Genuine vocals. That song was recorded on the first take while reading the lyrics off a napkin.
There were only a few Sister Brother acts around that time. Simply beautiful voice. Contralto I think.
Hauntingly beautiful! The only thing I know that best describes this song.
Can you imagine becoming popular when Zeppelin (Best band ever) was what people were listening to. The best female singer ever!
As someone who has listened to the Carpenters for 50 years, it's so much fun to see someone, like yourself, discover and enjoy their music for the first time.
I hope that the younger generations will discover the beautiful music from Karen and Richard Carpenter. No one else matched the level of perfect pitch and sound in the music industry. Karen's voice is so soothing and comforting that it is so easy to just keep listening and playing their songs over and over again. Imglad you have been listening and learning what us older people did back in the day! I still play their music 🎶 every week, several days a week!!!
Beautiful song and beautiful voice.
Dozens of brilliant Carpenters songs out there. Studio versions preferred. Consider:
We’ve only just begun
Sing
I won’t last the day without you
Yesterday once more
This masquerade
Crescent noon
Hideaway
Only yesterday
Top of the world
One more time
Rainy days and Mondays
Hurting each other
Goodbye to love
I’ll never fall in love again.
Someday
A song for you
Road ode
Her vibrato is always at the right times, never over-done, and it is so slow, as to not be consciously noted unless you are deliberately paying attention to it. I mentioned Joan Baez the other day. She has a lovely, born-to-her, natural vibrato, that is not too fast. But you do notice it. It's a beautiful vibrato, but Karen's is quite different. I don't know how much of it is natural, and how much is learned and deliberate. It’s been said that one time Karen was riding in her car with a friend, & started singing a song in a higher range. The friend commented on how beautiful her singing was, and Karen is reported to have responded, “The money’s in the basement”. Meaning, in her chest voice. Richard said at their music school they always wanted her singing in her head voice. Hah. What did they know?
Perfectly said.
Thank you for this. When I look at you I reconnect with my youth when I was in High School when the Carpenters were still recording not long before Karen passed away and it's so cool to see another music talent who is contributing so much to the world of art.
Daniel one of the most underrated artists in the history of muisc
Thrr not mate ther up ther with the very best not heard anyone say a bad word but I get Yr meaning.. Best pop duo of all time!
She was not underrated. She was praised. But 50 years later they both are even more praised. Karen has undeniably the most beautiful voice in the history of recorded music.
When I mean underrated it's kind of misleading.i mean they rarely get mentioned and they are not in the rr hall of fame which is a travesty
@@mikebrown2039 agree they are head shoulders above any big artist ther style of easy listening music at that time was unique. to the rock n roll pop world. they hot a few Grammy s but sold millions.. n millions Tragic loss to the music industry. They are the very best an never hear another duo ever of that standard again.
They have never been underrated. Why is that exact same comment in every comment section of every video. It’s bogus
Brother and sister act! She was a great drummer also! Brother sang harmony ,played keyboards and arranged the music! Sadly died from anorexia nervosa at a young age! One of the great female singers!
If you are just discovering the Carpenters, let me put it this way: "You just struck GOLD"!!!!
Karen Carpenter was an Angel sent to Earth for a short time. She touched everyone who heard her beautiful voice. RIP🙏🏻
This song was written by the great Leon Russell & Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie.
Rainy days and Mondays and Goodbye to love. Try those.
You need to do many more Carpenters reactions. Karen Carpenter is one of the finest female voices of all time. AND she was an amazing drummer!
A compilation of clips of cover songs and their hits you should check out one day.
Watch "Karen Carpenter - The Drummer" on UA-cam
ua-cam.com/video/6dJUnh6N8-U/v-deo.html
The Carpenters are fantastic! Try their song called A Song For You. It is a cover of the original version written and performed by the late, great Leon Russell.
Please listen to "Rainy Days And Mondays" by the Carpenters ( a brother & sister act)...and also their first massive hit "Close To You" - 1970 (written by Burt Bacharach/Hal David).
I was 11 years old when this came out in 1971. Hearing it always takes me back.
I loved your analysis and reaction. “Haunting” is the way I always describe this song and performance. Karen’s stellar voice just stays in your head for days and she has such a way of presenting emotion. I’ve heard other artists version of this song and there is only one Karen.
You can't miss with any of their songs but please react to Only Yesterday next. I saw them in college in 1976 and she never missed a note. Perfection.
I love her voice, it´s just amazing, one of my favorite female singers so far :")
She was a drummer before she was a singer. Go watch some of her drumming videos to see the joy on her face when she played. They forced her out front from behind the drums, where she really wanted to be. But that voice... it was truly one in a million. The quality and expressiveness of her voice - especially the low register - is exceptional. That kind of sound only comes from pain, which no one around her seemed to notice or fully understand. When people are hurting, they search for a way - any way - to feel in control. There was one thing Karen found she had control over. And it killed her in the end.
I had a crush on her when I was in high school, there are few voices that can compare, you need to listen to more of her stuff.
Joe Osborn is the session bassist who played for them. He's one of my favorite musicians of all time. He played on lots of great records.
She was a great drummer and often accompanied herself on the kit as she sang. Many vids of that. Really enjoying your thoughtful reactions!
ETA: The great Leon Russell wrote this song along with Bonnie Bramwell of Delaney and Bonnie.
Leon Russell said that Carpenter's version of his song was his favorite.
"We've Only Just Begun" is a good place to start. Karen Carpenter is my all time favorite female vocalist.
Karen Carpenter was anorexic, weighing only 85 lbs at one point in the mid 70s, because of her extreme eating disorder. She had psychological issues of not being shown loved by her mother, who always favored Richard as the favorite child, and body image issues from being called chubby by critics in the early days. Though she was seemingly doing better in the early 80s, and had gained some weight, she collapsed dead at her parents house one early morning in Feb 1983, her heart finally giving out from years of abuse to her body from the anorexia. She was one of the greatest female singers of all time and you should absolutely go down the Carpenters rabbit hole because their music and her voice is iconic and she is still unmatched even today. There has never been anyone who has matched her voice.
Absolutely agree with everything you say,such a tragic loss to the music world.R.I.P K.C
🙏💔😢🎼🥁🎤
🙏💔😢🎼🎤🥁
50 yrs.> Carpenters still touch Hearts & Souls = Anointed Gift from God. Karen's Solo Album was not released until 1996. Imagine IF she was Supported in her Solo Love Project of 1979/80 & released > while Richard took off all of 1979> No bad marriage = CARPENTERS Together Again = a 2nd METEORIC LAUNCH!
I bet 50% of the people commenting on here were their mother’s least favourite child. I don’t think that is why she had anorexia she obviously had other underlying issues
Karen Carpenter, magic voice- amazing drummer and trumpet player.
Beautiful enough said
This definitely rocked your world.
fair point about "baby baby baby baby"......someone else made that point in an online analysis of this song I read once
She now gives singing lessons to the Angels!
I'm warming more and more to your style of Reaction, my friend and I have Subscribed.
Just the one pause, doubtless for Copyright purposes and a good analysis and I love the concept of using "Song Facts" which adds another dimension to this 66-year-old Londoners' enjoyment of your video...Well Done...The clearest Female voice and beautifully illustrated on "We've Only Just Begun" and "For All We Know"..
My own favourite is the lesser known " THIS MASQUERADE"....Beautiful Song and in my Top 10 Songs of All Time...
Great music from my childhood,reminds me of my Mom and Aunt.
I'm old enough to remember when this song was first released by the Carpenters, and I've literally heard it thousands of times. Yet to this day, every time I hear it, I still get goose bumps, and tears in my eyes. That's how you recognize true greatness. Karen was an Angel on Earth, with unrivaled talent.
Im on my late 60s, so remember KC very well on the radio and TV specials. 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 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 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 mesmerizing emotion, perfect pitch and enunciation. Her voice compelled you to listen. She had no professional voice or drum 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". Every female harmony in all of her songs was hers as well, sang, then dubbed into the song by Richard. They were most successful in early/mid1970s when she received 4 Grammys. She was also recognized by 1975 Playboy poll as rock drummer of the year. Check other songs such as 'Superstar'(1971), 'Only Yesterday', 'Hideaway', 'Rainy Days and Mondays', 'I Can Dream Cant I', 'Hurting Each Other', 'Need To Be In Love', 'Goodbye To Love', etc.. She had low self-image, and could never seem to please her mother. She had a few friends including Dionne Warwick. She had serious onset of anorexia in 1975 that continued the rest of her life. Married a guy in 1982 that was broke, not who she thought, and mistreated her. Never knew true love. She died Feb 1983 at 32yo due to complications from anorexia. [Some info contained herein came from documentaries such as, "Only Yesterday"].
The very first thing people say when they hear Karen Carpenter for the first time is...she had such a beautiful voice. "She had an angelic voice." Everytime. Many people consider Karen to have been the greatest female vocalist in the history of recorded music. I've been a fan since 1971. If you're familiar with power ballads, check out "Goodbye to Love". (The Carpenters recorded the first power ballad.) The fuzz guitar solos midway, and at the end, are phenomenal. EDIT: Listen to the official verson from the album. The live version doesn't sound as good.
Thank you, for sharing! Very mice...
So glad to see your generation appreciate her
Its the modulation that does it, that modulation is like a melancholic ray gun!