I'm a hard rock type of guy. Led Zeppelin and Van Halen to name a few, but I don't think we'll ever hear another female vocalist who can convey so much emotion in a song like Karen Carpenter. Plus she's a great drummer. The Carpenters talent level was off the charts.
The saddest part about this song is knowing all the millions of fans that truly appreciate her beauty as an artist and as a person and I'm sure Millions would appreciate her as the love of their life if ever they had the opportunity to get to know her. And yet her tragic demise was on her low self-esteem. Truly tragic and yet truly beautiful.
Karen wanted to be known as a drummer who could sing rather than a singer who could drum. She was her happiest at the drums. After being called chubby Karen Carpenter began dieting. When she slimmed down from 145 to 120 lbs., her friends and family praised her weight loss. It was only after her weight continued to plummet, dropping to a skeletal 90 lbs. in the 1970s, that they realized her health was in jeopardy.The singer of The Carpenters, the Grammy-winning group she’d formed with her brother, died on this day, Feb. 4, in 1983, of heart failure related to her years-long struggle with anorexia. She was 32. The duo-having released their first album in 1969-had sold 80 million records and won three Grammy Awards for hits like “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” Her death changed they way we talked about anorexia.
Karen Carpenter and Judith Durham of The Seekers have the most beautiful angelic voices to ever grace this planet. Sadly they are now singing as a duet in heaven. We lost beauty and heaven gained beauty.
I met Richard n Karen in 1978. I loved how she could play the drums n sing at the same time n Richard played piano n keyboard n sang Harmony with herlooked depressed n sick She died 1983 at 32 of anorexia causing heart failure,Their managers told Karen she was gaining too much weight n that put her in depression She suffered around 8 years. Karen didn't like the spotlight. Richard is alive at 76. Another song I love is " Close To You" It was one of their well-known songs. I like your reaction especially being from different generations. Keep the videos coming
Top of The World by The Carpenters was the very first tune I heard as a child that gave me a feeling I couldn't explain, that only music can do and I still feel it now. I was 4 years old and now I'm 56.
Thank you for this. The writer of this song, Paul Williams, said his Mom gave him the inspiration for the title. She would look troubled and he would ask 'Mom, what's the matter?' She'd say, 'You wouldn't understand. I'm just feeling old. Just feeling old.' So she'd talk to herself. So I think that's probably where, 'Talking to myself and feeling old' came from, because she would jabber to herself, and whenever you'd ask her she'd say, 'I'm just feeling old today. I'm not sad, I'm just feeling old.'" When the Carpenters recorded it Williams said "When Karen sang it, the world responded to that emotion. She was so special.”
I was working nights and coming back to the warehouse after what was my lunch, the word came over the radio the Karen Carpenter had passed away. I normally don’t get too emotional at a singers passing but it hit me hard. She was much to young
Ladies, ladies, great Reaction on Carpenters. I enjoy hearing your thoughts, interpretations & takes on their music. Please React to their, "Hideaway" released c1971. An absolutely beautiful rendition you will never forget! 😎
This lady’s voice helped me so much that after I retired the first thing I had to do was go and visit her mausoleum to thank her and pay my respects in person. That was in June and simply amazing ❤
I love that you're doing another reaction to a Carpenters song. Rainy Days and Mondays is one of their best, As a kid in the 1970's, I grew up with the Carpenters music. In my school chorus, I sang The Carpenters "Top Of The World" so I have very special memories of that song. While I can mention so many female singers that I enjoy, Karen Carpenter is my all-time favorite female singer. Karen had the sweetest, naturally beautiful, angelic female singing voice I've ever heard. I was heartbroken when I heard the news, back in 1983, that Karen passed away at the extremely young age of 32. She is very much missed. The Carpenters music has remained a part of my life and always will be. The Carpenters are definitely one of the greatest duos of all-time. Richard would write the songs and create the musical arrangements specifically in mind for Karen to sing. It turned out to be one of pop music's greatest, magical combinations. Some other wonderful Carpenters songs for you to react to are "We've Only Just Begun", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Top Of The World", "Yesterday Once More" and "Superstar", "For All We Know", and "Hurting Each Other".
Karen Carpenter’s voice was gold, so very talented but she was a very depressed woman and you can tell it by her voice, it’s like she has a tear in her voice
Karen's contralto is full of warmth, and the emotion just oozed from her. I have listened to this 100's and 100's of times since I first bought the 45 in 9th grade. Richard was a genius at the arrangements and how to best showcase her voice. The sax and harmonica do me in every time. If you listen to the backing vocals, it sounds like a choir. Richard would double Karen's voice on the lead and then layer Karen's and his own for the harmonies. Thanks for this.
How many female singers sound this good WITH OUT AUTO TONE ,AND PLAY THE DRUMS AT THE SAME TIME LOL Now thats 70s talent for ya, This is why i dont RESPECT TODAYS SINGERS AT ALL
Another beautiful talent gone too soon. Her lyrics and music have touched the hearts of millions and will continue to do so for many many years to come ❤️
My parents knew Karen and Richard in the late 70's and early 80's. They even attended Karen's funeral. My folks always talk about how nice and accommodating they both were, including how nice their parents were.
One of my all time favorite Carpenter songs. This one goes right to the core. Yeah Karen was an incredible drummer. It is what she preferred to do... didn't really want to stand out front. I've always felt so bad for Richard having to survive losing his sister and musical partner. What a hole left in his heart. Thank you. ❤☮🙏
I read more than once that this was the very first take in the studio. Karen nailed it so beautifully that the producer said it was perfect and no more takes were needed. Google it and you'll find out that this is true. Amazing. Nothing but love for Karen. I read, and might have seen - but not sure, that there was a banner over the stage at her funeral with a quote of something she said. "Forget the World, just give me Jesus." With all the sorrow she endured through her life I can only say...God bless you Karen Carpenter. May You Rest in Peace - to awaken on that glorious day!
Nailed it again ladies! Her deep contralto voice is very unique. Such talent to be able to sing and play the drums like that. If you want to see her very happy, check out her live drum solos. She was an EXCELLENT drummer and loved being behind them. Always had a non stop smile. Producers wanted her out front. Good job ladies.
I adore the late Karen Carpenter. She was mega talented. Those were some photos of her looking sad at the beginning of the video. I think they partly used those photos because of the song she was singing. There are also many photos of her smiling. She had an effervescent personality. It’s fun to see her in interviews. She could be really funny.
The pure honesty of the lyrics with Karen's introspective vocals are a magical combination. Nothing's really wrong, feeling like I don't belong... yep, that's the blues.
I said it before but I will say it again: Karen Carpenter and Barbra Streisand are the only two artists I'm personally aware of that can sing so beautiful at a whisper and with such a beautiful vibrato. It is truly a difficult and rare ability.
For those who didn't know, later on in her career, the people around her, not sure it was her brother, manager, others who were with her, she started standing front and center because everyone just wanted to see her up close and not behind her drums (though she was a superb drummer, of course). I was one of those also. Karen Carpenter...loved by all who ever had the privilege of seeing her and hearing her...and yes, I was one of them! God bless you 🙏 Karen!!
Her brother Richard was the one mainly involved in giving the Carpenters that Carpenters sound. When he would think of his music that his group would sing, he had Karen's voice in mind. Thank you very much for doing another Carpenters song. They were different than other groups at that time. Not only was it very common in the 70s for a woman to drum; and not only was it that she could drum and sing at the same time, but to be able to be the LEAD SINGER and drum at the same time. That was rare for men groups too. Thank you, thank you.😊🙏 I hope you will react to their SUPERSTAR video - Karen's style was just right for the kind of music they sang: thanks to her brother Richard who also was on the keyboards on almost all of their songs.
You are correct about Richard creating the sound. If you notice the Carpenters sound has “slow jazz” influence. Before Richard & Karen became “The Carpenters” he led a jazz trio. As for “Superstar” the songwriters didn’t like the Carpenters version of it. Richard re-did the arrangements to better suit Karen’s voice & Carpenters sound which upset the writers who had done their own arrangement (They were an “opening act” band). Luther Vandross’ cover was geared more towards Richard’s arrangement than the original arrangement.
Thank you for the great reaction! Rainy Days and Mondays is one of the saddest songs ever released. Paul Williams wrote a song that was beautiful and melancholy, but Karen's heartbreaking voice takes it to a whole different level.
Not to mention her brother Richard's arrangements, harmonies and piano playing. They would not have been so good without each other. Try Mr Postman or Top Of The World next for some more upbeat songs.
Ladies, your reaction from two generations of family is enlightening and endearing. You are intelligent, articulate, and beautiful women. Visiting your channel is time well spent!
I was 7 when this was played on the radio constantly and my older sisters had the 45 record. This is tied with "Goodbye To Love" that came out a year later, for #1 on my list of favorite Carpenter's songs. Make sure you react to their Christmas Portrait as Christmas nears. It is pretty much the main holiday music I listen to every year!
Karen is my other fave singer next to Olivia. She and Olivia Newton-John were very close friends. In her bio, Olivia talks of her and how she felt her presence whenever she was on stage and how she still missed Karen so much after all the years.
Great Reaction and the perfect time to pause. I bought my first record,in London,in 1960 and if there is a better Female Singer then I have not heard of her. Fantastic.
Karen's voice is truly easy listening-- it soothes and calms my mood after a long day at chores and errands, after emotional interactions, after the distressing evening news.
One of my favorite Carpenters songs, and that says much, because they are in the middle of my age/wheelhouse. They came around when I was in what we would call middle school, these days, and just beginning to love music beyond what my parents had listened to. I've said for decades that, if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had ever had a child together, the child might have had the world's most perfect pop singing voice. Karen was a heckuva a musician, as well, being a highly accomplished drummer. And, yes, she and Richard harmonized together beautifully.
Karen was a fabulous drummer as well. Her voice was like hot chocolate, and just wonderful. Please react to 'I Need To Be In Love', which Richard wrote for her. It was a beautiful song that described Karen's very sad love life.
First song my first wife ever did at karaoke. By the time she finished all eyes were on her and all talking has ceased. It became a Thursday night routine fir us at The Blue Moose.
I an early teenager when she sang this song and it makes me sad for a different reason than many people describe. It seems like then the world was full of hope. Yes, there were days when nothing really seems to fit but you knew it would come are to sunny weather and you would feel good again. Now though, it seems like everything is getting worse and worse. Two different tribes, war, climate change, our growing lack of freedom. I wish I could go back to when Karen was still with us.
Karen possessed a 3-octave contralto voice range. Made her voice so full and rich, combined with her pitch perfect and tone quality - just an angelic voice, unmistakable. Frank Sinatra once said that she was the only female singer he would pay to see in concert. There are a lot of extremely good, talented female singers, the list would be so long. But Karen's voice was so pleasing to the ears.
Yep, this is a phenomenally good song, and one of the Carpenters very best .. Great choice to react to ! .. They have many more gems you need to get to .. "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Hurting Each Other", and "Yesterday Once More" are some of my faves, but you really can't go wrong with them.
I was fortunate enough to see The Carpenters in the late 70's at a little civic center in Fitchburg Mass, awesome show, and maybe no one would remember but comedian George Gobel was the opening act, anyway, love the channel...
Not only unusual playing the drums and to sing but to do a live performance be pitch perfect singing a ballad and playing the drums hearing every word clearly.
Karen was quoted as saying, "The money is in the basement." Knowing that her lower register was unique. She also could go up to mid soprano on their version of Ave Maria. If you don't have their Christmas Portrait CD you are missing out. The best Christmas CD.
What strikes me is the sincerity and depth of emotion that are not only emblematic of that era but is different from the slickly packaged performances of today. That era, I think, is the first where singers escaped their emotionally buttoned-up parents and let their hair down.
The story goes as I seem to remember on one of John Lennon's lost weekends that used to start on Thursdays he bumped into Karen carpenter coming out of a club and recognised her and said oh hello you've got areally beautiful voice love,which ,she recognising him made her light up.
Since the time this song first played on the radio. Karen's been the LOVE of my life. Kinda sad? I just last night ordered a Karen Carpenter T-shirt! Will wear it with a happy heart.
In addition to perfect pitch, she had a 3-octave range. In spite of all her vocal talents, her real love was drumming. In case you'd like to check this out also, the following (Karen Carpenter Drum Solo - 1976 First Television Special) really shows off her talent as a drummer. Then if you copy and paste just up to the hyphen, you get her on another TV special.
Excellent reaction. Karen's voice always reaches and touches my soul. She is the only one that has that effect on me. I can't explain it, and that's with all her songs. John Bettis, who co-wrote 36 of the Carpenter's hits, was asked, "What did Karen sound like when you first heard her?" He said, "She sounded just like you hear her today, and she was just 16, and she did it without working on it. She was blessed with that God-given voice at birth." Amazing. Karen also had a 3 1/2 octave range in her singing. When she sings Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, on the Perry Como Show, she really gets way down.
Love this song! Karen Carpenter is such an amazing singer. The Carpenters made so many great songs. Song was popular my senior year in high school (71 to 72). So long ago. Haha. Karen's voice is so beautiful! Her story has such a sad ending.
Hi there I was John from England I just want to say you are very beautiful and also The Carpenters singers to be honest absolutely brilliant I wish known Karen Carpenter because you know what she was such a beautiful person I want to let you in till there was you might not know in the 70s Karen Carpenter was in a restaurant with I think her manager and John Lennon was in the restaurant to well actually she was coming into the restaurant a John Lennon was leaving the restaurant john turned to Karen Carpenter said you're a great singer and she couldn't hardly believe that she actually spoke to John Lennon and enjoy the music absolutely amazing woman god bless you Karen Carpenter
Karen is a gifted drummer. She prefers singing behind drums not only because she loves the drums but because they “hide” her. Sadly, in her mind, Karen had “body issue problems”. This caused her to have an eating disorder. At the time almost no one had ever heard of something called an “eating disorder” let alone knew what caused it or how to treat it. It wasn’t until Karen’s death that the illness “anorexic nervosa” became known. Later research came up with “bulimia”, and other types of eating disorders. At the time the song came out, 1971, Karen’s medically prescribed diet had dropped her weight to 120 lbs. Unfortunately she saw how she looked in a dress at a concert, panicked & dropped the diet in favor of more “extreme” methods typical of someone with an eating disorder. By the mid-70s she was about 90-95 lbs & not looking good. She even started getting fan mail from people wanting to know what was wrong. As crazy as it sounds, people today are getting help because Karen’s death put a face to the issue & created research, treatments & clinics for that treatment & research. Karen’s death has apparently saved lives.
Karen had a broad range but her contralto voice - I read she referred to it as her “basement voice” - was what Richard had in mind as he sought, or wrote, songs for her to sing. And all the layers of background vocals on their music were performed by Karen & Richard themselves.
I'm a hard rock type of guy. Led Zeppelin and Van Halen to name a few, but I don't think we'll ever hear another female vocalist who can convey so much emotion in a song like Karen Carpenter. Plus she's a great drummer. The Carpenters talent level was off the charts.
Not to mention, she is actually playing the drums.
Voted best drummer
Simply the best female singer I've ever heard period! Just saying
What doesn't get me down is listening to Karen's voice. Hearing her is like listening to an old friend. The Carpenter's music is timeless.
That is a great statement,so true.
@@johnhedtke7571 Thanks John
The saddest part about this song is knowing all the millions of fans that truly appreciate her beauty as an artist and as a person and I'm sure Millions would appreciate her as the love of their life if ever they had the opportunity to get to know her.
And yet her tragic demise was on her low self-esteem. Truly tragic and yet truly beautiful.
If she was still alive, she would get standing ovations, and know how much people love her.
What a waste.
She can do no wrong. So sad that she suffered so long and we lost her way too soon
Karens voice is so hauntingly beautiful and once in a lifetime and she’s a fabulous drummer. Richards composition is stunning. ❤❤
Karen wanted to be known as a drummer who could sing rather than a singer who could drum. She was her happiest at the drums. After being called chubby Karen Carpenter began dieting. When she slimmed down from 145 to 120 lbs., her friends and family praised her weight loss. It was only after her weight continued to plummet, dropping to a skeletal 90 lbs. in the 1970s, that they realized her health was in jeopardy.The singer of The Carpenters, the Grammy-winning group she’d formed with her brother, died on this day, Feb. 4, in 1983, of heart failure related to her years-long struggle with anorexia. She was 32. The duo-having released their first album in 1969-had sold 80 million records and won three Grammy Awards for hits like “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” Her death changed they way we talked about anorexia.
I was 10, when I first heard Karen. At 10, I fell in love for the first time. I was heartbroken when she died.
Karen Carpenter had the voice of an angel. May God Bless her.
Greatest female vocalist of all time. 'Nuff said. We miss you Karen "Angel" Carpenter
The magic of Karen Carpenter ❤
Karen Carpenter and Judith Durham of The Seekers have the most beautiful angelic voices to ever grace this planet. Sadly they are now singing as a duet in heaven. We lost beauty and heaven gained beauty.
Wonderful choice and Annie Haslam of 1970's Group: Renaissance was not too far behind these angelic singers.
What an amazing voice! She was absolutely one of a kind. A shame we lost her at such a young age.
Karen was also a fabulous drummer; in fact she described herself as a drummer who can sing.
I met Richard n Karen in 1978. I loved how she could play the drums n sing at the same time n Richard played piano n keyboard n sang Harmony with herlooked depressed n sick She died 1983 at 32 of anorexia causing heart failure,Their managers told Karen she was
gaining too much weight n that put her in depression She suffered around 8 years. Karen didn't like the spotlight. Richard is alive at 76. Another song I love is " Close To You" It was one of their well-known songs. I like your reaction especially being from different generations. Keep the videos coming
Top of The World by The Carpenters was the very first tune I heard as a child that gave me a feeling I couldn't explain, that only music can do and I still feel it now. I was 4 years old and now I'm 56.
Karen Carpenter and Judith Durham, two of the very best voices.
Yes Karen Judith and Linda Ronstadt, three of the most perfect voices ever created
None of you know how absolutely difficult it is to drum and sing in parallel. Superb musicianship.
Add the superb level of flawless perfection Karen performed with, it's otherworldly. What a Gift!
Yes I do, I cannot play drums or sing and she does both brilliant.
She plays the drums too😊
Perhaps the most beautiful voice that ever sang a tune.
Thank you for this. The writer of this song, Paul Williams, said his Mom gave him the inspiration for the title. She would look troubled and he would ask 'Mom, what's the matter?' She'd say, 'You wouldn't understand. I'm just feeling old. Just feeling old.' So she'd talk to herself. So I think that's probably where, 'Talking to myself and feeling old' came from, because she would jabber to herself, and whenever you'd ask her she'd say, 'I'm just feeling old today. I'm not sad, I'm just feeling old.'" When the Carpenters recorded it Williams said "When Karen sang it, the world responded to that emotion. She was so special.”
I was working nights and coming back to the warehouse after what was my lunch, the word came over the radio the Karen Carpenter had passed away. I normally don’t get too emotional at a singers passing but it hit me hard. She was much to young
Ladies, ladies, great Reaction on Carpenters. I enjoy hearing your thoughts, interpretations & takes on their music.
Please React to their, "Hideaway" released c1971. An absolutely beautiful rendition you will never forget! 😎
They were justly proud of that song. One 🎶 listen transports you to a beautiful place you didn't know existed.
This lady’s voice helped me so much that after I retired the first thing I had to do was go and visit her mausoleum to thank her and pay my respects in person. That was in June and simply amazing ❤
I was not a huge Carpenters fan... but there can be no doubt that she had a most incredible voice.
I love that you're doing another reaction to a Carpenters song. Rainy Days and Mondays is one of their best, As a kid in the 1970's, I grew up with the Carpenters music. In my school chorus, I sang The Carpenters "Top Of The World" so I have very special memories of that song. While I can mention so many female singers that I enjoy, Karen Carpenter is my all-time favorite female singer. Karen had the sweetest, naturally beautiful, angelic female singing voice I've ever heard. I was heartbroken when I heard the news, back in 1983, that Karen passed away at the extremely young age of 32. She is very much missed. The Carpenters music has remained a part of my life and always will be. The Carpenters are definitely one of the greatest duos of all-time. Richard would write the songs and create the musical arrangements specifically in mind for Karen to sing. It turned out to be one of pop music's greatest, magical combinations. Some other wonderful Carpenters songs for you to react to are "We've Only Just Begun", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Top Of The World", "Yesterday Once More" and "Superstar", "For All We Know", and "Hurting Each Other".
Karen Carpenter’s voice was gold, so very talented but she was a very depressed woman and you can tell it by her voice, it’s like she has a tear in her voice
Karen's contralto is full of warmth, and the emotion just oozed from her. I have listened to this 100's and 100's of times since I first bought the 45 in 9th grade. Richard was a genius at the arrangements and how to best showcase her voice. The sax and harmonica do me in every time. If you listen to the backing vocals, it sounds like a choir. Richard would double Karen's voice on the lead and then layer Karen's and his own for the harmonies. Thanks for this.
How many female singers sound this good WITH OUT AUTO TONE ,AND PLAY THE DRUMS AT THE SAME TIME LOL Now thats 70s talent for ya, This is why i dont RESPECT TODAYS SINGERS AT ALL
Karne's voice, "just wonderful".
Another beautiful talent gone too soon. Her lyrics and music have touched the hearts of millions and will continue to do so for many many years to come ❤️
One of the great voices!
My parents knew Karen and Richard in the late 70's and early 80's. They even attended Karen's funeral. My folks always talk about how nice and accommodating they both were, including how nice their parents were.
One of my all time favorite Carpenter songs. This one goes right to the core. Yeah Karen was an incredible drummer. It is what she preferred to do... didn't really want to stand out front. I've always felt so bad for Richard having to survive losing his sister and musical partner. What a hole left in his heart. Thank you. ❤☮🙏
I read more than once that this was the very first take in the studio. Karen nailed it so beautifully that the producer said it was perfect and no more takes were needed. Google it and you'll find out that this is true. Amazing. Nothing but love for Karen. I read, and might have seen - but not sure, that there was a banner over the stage at her funeral with a quote of something she said. "Forget the World, just give me Jesus." With all the sorrow she endured through her life I can only say...God bless you Karen Carpenter. May You Rest in Peace - to awaken on that glorious day!
Nailed it again ladies! Her deep contralto voice is very unique.
Such talent to be able to sing and play the drums like that. If you want to see her very happy, check out her live drum solos. She was an EXCELLENT drummer and loved being behind them. Always had a non stop smile. Producers wanted her out front.
Good job ladies.
I adore the late Karen Carpenter. She was mega talented. Those were some photos of her looking sad at the beginning of the video. I think they partly used those photos because of the song she was singing. There are also many photos of her smiling. She had an effervescent personality. It’s fun to see her in interviews. She could be really funny.
Her "quality" is called perfection.
KAREN CARPENTER -- Masterful vocalist! Masterful drummer! Y'all MUST check out a couple of videos of her AMAZING drumming skills! Pure awesomeness!
The pure honesty of the lyrics with Karen's introspective vocals are a magical combination. Nothing's really wrong, feeling like I don't belong... yep, that's the blues.
Pure talent never auto tune pitch correct her
I said it before but I will say it again: Karen Carpenter and Barbra Streisand are the only two artists I'm personally aware of that can sing so beautiful at a whisper and with such a beautiful vibrato. It is truly a difficult and rare ability.
For those who didn't know, later on in her career, the people around her, not sure it was her brother, manager, others who were with her, she started standing front and center because everyone just wanted to see her up close and not behind her drums (though she was a superb drummer, of course). I was one of those also. Karen Carpenter...loved by all who ever had the privilege of seeing her and hearing her...and yes, I was one of them! God bless you 🙏 Karen!!
Her brother Richard was the one mainly involved in giving the Carpenters that Carpenters sound. When he would think of his music that his group would sing, he had Karen's voice in mind. Thank you very much for doing another Carpenters song. They were different than other groups at that time. Not only was it very common in the 70s for a woman to drum; and not only was it that she could drum and sing at the same time, but to be able to be the LEAD SINGER and drum at the same time. That was rare for men groups too. Thank you, thank you.😊🙏 I hope you will react to their SUPERSTAR video - Karen's style was just right for the kind of music they sang: thanks to her brother Richard who also was on the keyboards on almost all of their songs.
You are correct about Richard creating the sound. If you notice the Carpenters sound has “slow jazz” influence. Before Richard & Karen became “The Carpenters” he led a jazz trio.
As for “Superstar” the songwriters didn’t like the Carpenters version of it. Richard re-did the arrangements to better suit Karen’s voice & Carpenters sound which upset the writers who had done their own arrangement (They were an “opening act” band). Luther Vandross’ cover was geared more towards Richard’s arrangement than the original arrangement.
agreed on the lower register - no one can sing so effortlessly low or high...just the best natural singing voice ever!
Thank you for the great reaction! Rainy Days and Mondays is one of the saddest songs ever released. Paul Williams wrote a song that was beautiful and melancholy, but Karen's heartbreaking voice takes it to a whole different level.
Karen Carpenter > The most beautiful female singing voice I’ve ever heard 🎤🎶👏🏽💕
Portland Oregon USA 🇺🇸
What a treasure she was.
She was known as one take Karen. She was incredibly talented and hit the song in one take. She considered herself a drummer that could sing.
Carpenters were Awesome everything they did was fantastic
Not to mention her brother Richard's arrangements, harmonies and piano playing. They would not have been so good without each other. Try Mr Postman or Top Of The World next for some more upbeat songs.
Ladies, your reaction from two generations of family is enlightening and endearing. You are intelligent, articulate, and beautiful women. Visiting your channel is time well spent!
She was an Angel on Earth.
I was 7 when this was played on the radio constantly and my older sisters had the 45 record. This is tied with "Goodbye To Love" that came out a year later, for #1 on my list of favorite Carpenter's songs. Make sure you react to their Christmas Portrait as Christmas nears. It is pretty much the main holiday music I listen to every year!
And on top of the phenomenal vocals and her pure voice is , she plays the drums to which is usually the metronome of most songs.
Karen is my other fave singer next to Olivia. She and Olivia Newton-John were very close friends. In her bio, Olivia talks of her and how she felt her presence whenever she was on stage and how she still missed Karen so much after all the years.
Which Bio was this?
@@bruschmidt9943 her autobiography Don't Stop Believin'
Karen Carpenter has the most beautiful voice.
No me canso de escuchar a los Carpenter. Me alegran el alma y me traen muchos recuerdos. Saludos desde Chile.
Great Reaction and the perfect time to pause.
I bought my first record,in London,in 1960 and if there is a better Female Singer then I have not heard of her. Fantastic.
Karen's voice is truly easy listening-- it soothes and calms my mood after a long day at chores and errands, after emotional interactions, after the distressing evening news.
One of my favorite Carpenters songs, and that says much, because they are in the middle of my age/wheelhouse. They came around when I was in what we would call middle school, these days, and just beginning to love music beyond what my parents had listened to. I've said for decades that, if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had ever had a child together, the child might have had the world's most perfect pop singing voice. Karen was a heckuva a musician, as well, being a highly accomplished drummer. And, yes, she and Richard harmonized together beautifully.
This is what perfection sounds like, just beautiful.
Karen was a fabulous drummer as well. Her voice was like hot chocolate, and just wonderful. Please react to 'I Need To Be In Love', which Richard wrote for her. It was a beautiful song that described Karen's very sad love life.
She would have been 73 now and I know that voice would have been just as beautiful today.
It is said that the record company or someone said about her voice - "the money is in the basement". Her lower register is what made her special.
She herself said it
First song my first wife ever did at karaoke. By the time she finished all eyes were on her and all talking has ceased. It became a Thursday night routine fir us at The Blue Moose.
I an early teenager when she sang this song and it makes me sad for a different reason than many people describe. It seems like then the world was full of hope. Yes, there were days when nothing really seems to fit but you knew it would come are to sunny weather and you would feel good again. Now though, it seems like everything is getting worse and worse. Two different tribes, war, climate change, our growing lack of freedom. I wish I could go back to when Karen was still with us.
Karen possessed a 3-octave contralto voice range. Made her voice so full and rich, combined with her pitch perfect and tone quality - just an angelic voice, unmistakable. Frank Sinatra once said that she was the only female singer he would pay to see in concert. There are a lot of extremely good, talented female singers, the list would be so long. But Karen's voice was so pleasing to the ears.
Yep, this is a phenomenally good song, and one of the Carpenters very best .. Great choice to react to ! .. They have many more gems you need to get to .. "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Hurting Each Other", and "Yesterday Once More" are some of my faves, but you really can't go wrong with them.
Love Her, a fan from the very first note. Miss Her so much!
Your picks are right up my alley! ❤️❤️❤️ The Carpenters!
I was fortunate enough to see The Carpenters in the late 70's at a little civic center in Fitchburg Mass, awesome show, and maybe no one would remember but comedian George Gobel was the opening act, anyway, love the channel...
Not only unusual playing the drums and to sing but to do a live performance be pitch perfect singing a ballad and playing the drums hearing every word clearly.
Karen was quoted as saying, "The money is in the basement." Knowing that her lower register was unique. She also could go up to mid soprano on their version of Ave Maria. If you don't have their Christmas Portrait CD you are missing out. The best Christmas CD.
What strikes me is the sincerity and depth of emotion that are not only emblematic of that era but is different from the slickly packaged performances of today. That era, I think, is the first where singers escaped their emotionally buttoned-up parents and let their hair down.
The story goes as I seem to remember on one of John Lennon's lost weekends that used to start on Thursdays he bumped into Karen carpenter coming out of a club and recognised her and said oh hello you've got areally beautiful voice love,which ,she recognising him made her light up.
Man, when you know her story, this rips your heart out.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON ONE OF MY FAVORITE FEMALE SINGERS❤
Since the time this song first played on the radio. Karen's been the LOVE of my life. Kinda sad? I just last night ordered a Karen Carpenter T-shirt! Will wear it with a happy heart.
that voice
And she playas the drums 😮❤❤❤
The writer of the song was Paul Williams who grew to 5,1" so his scars of life contributed to the emotion of his songs
In addition to perfect pitch, she had a 3-octave range.
In spite of all her vocal talents, her real love was drumming. In case you'd like to check this out also, the following (Karen Carpenter Drum Solo - 1976 First Television Special) really shows off her talent as a drummer. Then if you copy and paste just up to the hyphen, you get her on another TV special.
Karen has the ability to sing to your soul, and it hears with perfect clarity. Great reaction.
Excellent reaction.
Karen's voice always reaches and touches my soul. She is the only one that has that effect on me. I can't explain it, and that's with all her songs. John Bettis, who co-wrote 36 of the Carpenter's hits, was asked, "What did Karen sound like when you first heard her?" He said, "She sounded just like you hear her today, and she was just 16, and she did it without working on it. She was blessed with that God-given voice at birth." Amazing.
Karen also had a 3 1/2 octave range in her singing. When she sings Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, on the Perry Como Show, she really gets way down.
Very beautiful song ❤❤
Love this song! Karen Carpenter is such an amazing singer. The Carpenters made so many great songs. Song was popular my senior year in high school (71 to 72). So long ago. Haha. Karen's voice is so beautiful! Her story has such a sad ending.
Karen has been on top of many polls to have the most beautiful voice of all time.
I could not agree more and I bought my first record in 1960 :)
Hi there I was John from England I just want to say you are very beautiful and also The Carpenters singers to be honest absolutely brilliant I wish known Karen Carpenter because you know what she was such a beautiful person I want to let you in till there was you might not know in the 70s Karen Carpenter was in a restaurant with I think her manager and John Lennon was in the restaurant to well actually she was coming into the restaurant a John Lennon was leaving the restaurant john turned to Karen Carpenter said you're a great singer and she couldn't hardly believe that she actually spoke to John Lennon and enjoy the music absolutely amazing woman god bless you Karen Carpenter
Beautiful voice, I feel so sad whenever I hear her voice though. Such a talent lost way too early
She had a three-octave contralto vocal range.
Lots great music 🎶 reactors on you tube must say you two are the best mother and daughter combined together work really well ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you Raymond! That's so nice!
Karen is a gifted drummer. She prefers singing behind drums not only because she loves the drums but because they “hide” her.
Sadly, in her mind, Karen had “body issue problems”. This caused her to have an eating disorder. At the time almost no one had ever heard of something called an “eating disorder” let alone knew what caused it or how to treat it. It wasn’t until Karen’s death that the illness “anorexic nervosa” became known. Later research came up with “bulimia”, and other types of eating disorders.
At the time the song came out, 1971, Karen’s medically prescribed diet had dropped her weight to 120 lbs. Unfortunately she saw how she looked in a dress at a concert, panicked & dropped the diet in favor of more “extreme” methods typical of someone with an eating disorder. By the mid-70s she was about 90-95 lbs & not looking good. She even started getting fan mail from people wanting to know what was wrong.
As crazy as it sounds, people today are getting help because Karen’s death put a face to the issue & created research, treatments & clinics for that treatment & research. Karen’s death has apparently saved lives.
Really lovely song, great choice 👌
Great reaction Great song 👍
It rained here this past Monday and I was humming this song. lol It's great.
Richard was great artist in own right
One of the best and underatted vocalist
Karen had a broad range but her contralto voice - I read she referred to it as her “basement voice” - was what Richard had in mind as he sought, or wrote, songs for her to sing. And all the layers of background vocals on their music were performed by Karen & Richard themselves.