Apparently Karen did this in one take and didn't think much of it. It is brilliance. Listening to this remastered version the more impressed I am with Richard's orchestration. All the little orchestra swells....all the different instruments at different points all accentuate Karen's singing. Richard once said in an interview that he and Karen were put on this planet to make music together. I totally believe that. I think Richard tried to do some projects with other singers but the chemistry he and Karen had was very special. This song gets to me every time I hear it. We are all only here for a little while in the greater scheme of things and the music of the Carpenters is a reminder of the beauty life has. It has nothing to do with the corporate media machine and has everything to do with the soul and talent of a brother and sister. It is something real.
Very possibly the FINEST female voice.....ever to be recorded....the pitch...delivery....sonority....the feel and the EMOTION behind each note....as a professional recording musician and pianist.....i have NOT heard anything come close in my 48 years...may she always be at peace.
@@jeffreymiller9808 I feel the same way. I can listen to this song a million quadrillion times and it still hits me right in the heart. Absolutely beautiful vocals and interpretation of this song.
Yes. Totally agree! This and everything she sings still and always will grab me and not let go! I can't say that about ANYONE else.Such a special person to.Miss her like I knew her.John Bettis said Karen closed her eyes and went to a place inside of all of us.
I'm 71 years old now. Karen and I were born in the same year, 1950. I suppose there are some men my age that weren't secretly in love with Karen Carpenter: but I'd wager they're few. Like the leading comment of Deborah Riegel says, "Karen touched our souls, she gave us chills".
Karen wasn’t really a very pretty girl, but her sultry voice did touch souls. I do wish that she would have been put on an antidepressant to try to help her. Such a sad sad life.
Yes.She was so pretty especially in 76 to 78.I saw an interview where they asked if she received engagement rings in the mail.She said yes and they kept them cause they didn't want to hurt ppl.Her mom said we return them but if they send them again we keep them because we don't want to hurt anyone.Karen looked shocked when she heard what her Mom said. I thought that was really sweet to care not to hurt ppl.Karen was my oldest brothers age and one of my sisters is 1yr younger. I was only 7 yrs old but fascinated with everything Karen sang,spoke and did.Sis played The Carpenters albums and we would talk about how great they were.52 years later we still talk about how much we love Karen and Richard.Both of us still watching them on dvd and listening to their music.
I was 15 when 'Close To You' was released, and I was instantly smitten. I still own most of their original recordings on vinyl, and while I well remember the taunts of many of my school friends for my uncool taste in music, I did notice how they would all go quiet when Karen started to sing.
This is probably one of her lesser played hits yet for me one of her best ever performances .. flawless emotional delivery .. a masterclass in singing ... and if you're not convinced try to sing along to it ... impossible !
Emotionally, it is impossible... if you even THINK you've ever been there in your heart. And her brother wraps it up with a bow on the piano his last closing notes. Yes... impossible...
Without a doubt, the finest pure voice of any female artist ever. There may be some with a stronger voice or greater range but hers was simply perfect.
This song just fits her so perfectly, even though she was famous and loved by many, she had to have felt like this. Breaks my heart everytime I listen to it.
Absolutely beautiful!! 2020 is so full of hate and chaos. Music is my escape, mostly from the 70’s. And Karen’s voice is so soothing. Carpenters music has saved me many times. Amazing that decades later, I can still get so moved. She just sang with so much love. Thanks for saving me again karen💜💜💜 I know you can see how much you are truly loved and missed!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Karen Carpenter and Olivia Newton-John both close friends in life . Both with voices like Angels . I adored both . Loved the Carpenters music growing up as a grade school kid in the 70s . Music was always on AM radio. No FM til the start of the 80s. Olivia and the Carpenters were played often . My mom had the Carpenters albums . Today I have them. I was in my Senior year of Highschool when I came home to find out she died at just Age 32. I was so heartbroken. Then Olivia last year after a very long battle with cancer. Now they are with the Angels . Miss you Karen & Olivia . Gone but never forgotten 😔🥲🕊🕊🌺🌺✝️✝️🌸💐
Ghosted,at 73 yrs old,over 4 yes ago....him,running everywhere( away from himself?).... I cannot hear this song without cry in ng.....Rest in Peace, Beautiful Soul!....
@@6CAT736 Phil Cody listned to all 90 versions of the artists that recorded SOLITAIRE one day, and he said Karen's was the best....hers was the benchmark and no one could come close to her interpretation....
and with your eyes closed in a silent room and you get the full effect of THAT voice and how she used it...the ultimate female crooner, the ultimate singer who sang TO YOU NOT AT YOU......
The Carpenters' musical arrangements has always been consistently "Immaculately clean and Crystal-clear!" Absolutely breathtaking more so through headphones. Icing on the cake is Richard's in/out background harmonies superbly meshing with Karen's angelic vocals! I'm very sure, there will never be another Bro-Sis tandem talent as such...
Thank you for posting this, Ron. And thanks to Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody for composing the song. A very interesting and thoughtful selection of pictures. One of my Carpenters favourites. 👍
“Be still sad heart and cease repining, behind the clouds the sun is shining; thy fate is the common fate of all; into each life some rain must fall-some days must be dark and dreary.”
Love the Carpenters, this is just one of many cool ass tunes. R.I.P. KAREN . And Richard, she will never be forgotten. Thanx to you and your family for blessing me and the world for the music. Love it! God Bless.
un visage et une voix d'ange, envoutante rempli de chaleur et qui au fil du temps ne perdra jamais de son charme. tirer sa révérence bien malgré elle, a 32 ans le monde de la chanson se jour la a perdu une grande voix, et qui maintenant céleste pour l’éternité. une étoile brillera a jamais dans le ciel, et cette étoile s'appelle KAREN .
Such a sad and tragic loss to the world. Karen & Richard continue to bless us with their profound and talented music. R.I.P. Karen. You're now an angel . Please sing for the heavens and hug my dad for me.
It must have been cool to a lot of people. Supposedly the Carpenters were the best selling American musical act of the 70's (whether that was stateside or internationally I don't know). I read that they sold out 3 weeks of concerts in Japan within an hour of the tickets going on sale.
There was a man A lonely man Who lost his love Through his indifference A heart that cared That went unshared Until it died Within his silence And solitaire's the only game in town And every road that takes him Takes him down And by himself it's easy to pretend He'll never love again And keeping to himself he plays the game Without her love It always ends the same While life goes on around him everywhere He's playing solitaire A little hope Goes up in smoke Just how it goes Goes without saying There was a man A lonely man Who would command The hand he's playing And solitaire's the only game in town And every road that takes him Takes him down And by himself it's easy to pretend He'll never love again And keeping to himself he plays the game Without her love It always ends the same While life goes on around him everywhere He's playing solitaire And solitaire's the only game in town And every road that takes him Takes him down While life goes on around him everywhere He's playing solitaire
The orchestration to this, woven into the song, with her beautiful voice, especially at the very end, reflects incredible production. Did Richard Carpenter produce this track? It is so lush!
Of all their music, and I love all of it, this song just hits me every time I listen to it. As I remember, Karen didnt care for this song for some reason, but she recorded it in one take!! just a beautiful song.
It’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. If Karen were still around...she’d be as popular now as she was then. Her voice has that star quality. It’s amazing 😊
@@apabloisforever yeah she has such an amazing talent, and not just as a singer. Her voice has such beauty and it was so emotive. We lost an irreplaceable talent when she left us. Rumer is the closest we've come to a singer with her emotive quality.
Plus Goodbye to Love mirrored her life, too. Many men were in love with her and would have to date, even marry her. Instead she walked down the aisle with a gold digging bankrupt creep who just wanted her money.
The world will never have another Karen Carpenter.
My dad was a huge Carpenters fan. When I hear these songs I remember him. Rest in peace, Daddy.
Same ❤
My sister loved the Carpenters but sadly she died of Throat Cancer and anytime I hear the Carpenters my eyes well up.
One of Neil Sedaka’s best compositions. What more can be said about the Carpenters that hasn’t been already. RIP, Karen.
Apparently Karen did this in one take and didn't think much of it. It is brilliance. Listening to this remastered version the more impressed I am with Richard's orchestration. All the little orchestra swells....all the different instruments at different points all accentuate Karen's singing. Richard once said in an interview that he and Karen were put on this planet to make music together. I totally believe that. I think Richard tried to do some projects with other singers but the chemistry he and Karen had was very special. This song gets to me every time I hear it. We are all only here for a little while in the greater scheme of things and the music of the Carpenters is a reminder of the beauty life has. It has nothing to do with the corporate media machine and has everything to do with the soul and talent of a brother and sister. It is something real.
I genuinely don't believe I'm ever going to hear a better vocalist than this astonishing lady .
Thank you Karen
Very possibly the FINEST female voice.....ever to be recorded....the pitch...delivery....sonority....the feel and the EMOTION behind each note....as a professional recording musician and pianist.....i have NOT heard anything come close in my 48 years...may she always be at peace.
Apart from Dusty.
I have said may times. Elvis is the greatest voice for a man, Karen is for a woman.
I have NO DOUBT about it.
@@josephm2521 Matt Monroe has a richer tone than Elvis in my opinion.
She could belt out that sound live, she was the real deal.
Her voice is just so pure
Heart reaching vocals
Liquid gold. NO ONE comes close to Karens Liquid Gold super wonderful voice.
I love the way she hits those amazing low notes, then swoops back up to hit the higher notes. A truly one of a kind voice Karen had.
absolutly!!
David S. it's why she was such an amazing contralto
Tears, incredible audio pitch...........................impossible for me not to get emotional whenever I hear that Angelic voice.
@@jeffreymiller9808 I feel the same way. I can listen to this song a million quadrillion times and it still hits me right in the heart. Absolutely beautiful vocals and interpretation of this song.
Wow, yes, I was just thinking the same thing.
And every road that takes him
takes him
down
This song touches my soul and Karen's voice gives me chills. There will never be another with such a voice as hers, sent from heaven...
Amen!! Love and Miss you Karen.
Agreed ❤ I'm trying to do the impossible please go look at my Facebook jarid scott cook
She taught the Angel's to sing. Gone way too soon.
W O W . EARTH : PLANET HEART. 🌎🧚♀️🧚♂️💖🦋🌳🌷🌈👏👏👏
Yes. Totally agree! This and everything she sings still and always will grab me and not let go! I can't say that about ANYONE else.Such a special person to.Miss her like I knew her.John Bettis said Karen closed her eyes and went to a place inside of all of us.
I'm 71 years old now. Karen and I were born in the same year, 1950. I suppose there are some men my age that weren't secretly in love with Karen Carpenter: but I'd wager they're few. Like the leading comment of Deborah Riegel says, "Karen touched our souls, she gave us chills".
Im born at '84, Im in love with her voice, and iam a women
Karen wasn’t really a very pretty girl, but her sultry voice did touch souls. I do wish that she would have been put on an antidepressant to try to help her. Such a sad sad life.
Yes.She was so pretty especially in 76 to 78.I saw an interview where they asked if she received engagement rings in the mail.She said yes and they kept them cause they didn't want to hurt ppl.Her mom said we return them but if they send them again we keep them because we don't want to hurt anyone.Karen looked shocked when she heard what her Mom said. I thought that was really sweet to care not to hurt ppl.Karen was my oldest brothers age and one of my sisters is 1yr younger. I was only 7 yrs old but fascinated with everything Karen sang,spoke and did.Sis played The Carpenters albums and we would talk about how great they were.52 years later we still talk about how much we love Karen and Richard.Both of us still watching them on dvd and listening to their music.
I was 15 when 'Close To You' was released, and I was instantly smitten. I still own most of their original recordings on vinyl, and while I well remember the taunts of many of my school friends for my uncool taste in music, I did notice how they would all go quiet when Karen started to sing.
Probably, I know Karen was too busy to actually be in a relationship because of the Success of the band
This is probably one of her lesser played hits yet for me one of her best ever performances .. flawless emotional delivery .. a masterclass in singing ... and if you're not convinced try to sing along to it ... impossible !
I agree - except with the "impossible". It's not that hard and the required range isn't as big as it may seem.
@@ralphschon1100 poetic license my friend I didnt mean it literally !
Emotionally, it is impossible... if you even THINK you've ever been there in your heart. And her brother wraps it up with a bow on the piano his last closing notes. Yes... impossible...
I have to try though!
Very well spoken. Amen.
Without any doubts, the most beautiful voice I've ever heard.
theaguad thanks for commenting
absolutely agree..
Greatest female vocalist of all time in my humble opinion … and such a loss to us all
without question.
Me too! Still can't get enough! Nobody better! Karen is the only one I can listen to all day long.
The Carpenters - a mainstay of '70's pop radio too easily taken for granted - but upon closer listening unveils one of the greatest voices in history.
well put.
and all the more amazing is how they managed to do this without the types of electronic-aided equipment enjoyed by today's artists.
Couldn't agree more!!
Yes! Unbelievable voice!!
EVERYTHING about this song is perfect. Instrumentation, tone, those harmonies and of course that platinum voice.
There will never be another girl who has such unique vocal range and interpreted this song with such depth. Thanks May The Lord give you rest
Karen claimed to be a Christian (as far as I know). If so, she is with the Lord now and forever.
Without a doubt, the finest pure voice of any female artist ever. There may be some with a stronger voice or greater range but hers was simply perfect.
Bingo! You are CORRECT!
Flawless perfection is the definition of beautiful Karen Carpenter's voice.
One of the most beautiful ballads on this planet! Karen was so talented and she looked so nice! So sad she died so young!
This song just fits her so perfectly, even though she was famous and loved by many, she had to have felt like this. Breaks my heart everytime I listen to it.
The most beautiful song written. I´m cry every time when listen this celestial song. Pure and fantastic, The Carpenter´s.
Absolutely beautiful!! 2020 is so full of hate and chaos. Music is my escape, mostly from the 70’s. And Karen’s voice is so soothing. Carpenters music has saved me many times. Amazing that decades later, I can still get so moved. She just sang with so much love. Thanks for saving me again karen💜💜💜
I know you can see how much you are truly loved and missed!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
The low notes make my tears stream,and gives me peace, thank you karen and RIP.
THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG SUNG BY A TALENTED LADY WITH A BEAUTIFUL VOICE.
Such a great pity that no video recording exists of Karen and Richard performing this wonderful song.
Am I the only one that fall in love with Karen, just by listening each of her songs?
Every time ...
Karen Carpenter and Olivia Newton-John both close friends in life . Both with voices like Angels . I adored both . Loved the Carpenters music growing up as a grade school kid in the 70s . Music was always on AM radio. No FM til the start of the 80s. Olivia and the Carpenters were played often . My mom had the Carpenters albums . Today I have them. I was in my Senior year of Highschool when I came home to find out she died at just Age 32. I was so heartbroken. Then Olivia last year after a very long battle with cancer. Now they are with the Angels . Miss you Karen & Olivia . Gone but never forgotten 😔🥲🕊🕊🌺🌺✝️✝️🌸💐
Ghosted,at 73 yrs old,over 4 yes ago....him,running everywhere( away from himself?).... I cannot hear this song without cry in ng.....Rest in Peace, Beautiful Soul!....
Without crying. Exacly. Every single time.
That final "solitaire" in her lower register...OMG!
LINDO MARAVILHOSO ESPLÊNDIDO.NÃO EXISTE UM ADJETIVO PARA DEFINIR KAREM CARPENTER.MARCOU UMA GERAÇÃO.PERFEITA.EU TI AMO ESTÁ VOZ.
Incomparable - always! What a fantastic musical legacy she gave to the world !!
Astounding talent.
Chills...
Holy Crap. So beautiful...
Thanks for your comment Brett Yes great sound quality arrangements and of course Karen sounds beautiful on this great song written by Neil Sedaka.
@@6CAT736 Phil Cody listned to all 90 versions of the artists that recorded SOLITAIRE one day, and he said Karen's was the best....hers was the benchmark and no one could come close to her interpretation....
one of the most beautiful songs ever made. i miss her talent....truly one of kind blended brother and sister voice. simply lovely....
Always makes me cry
Oh that voice!! It still moves me.
This is one of those ``must have headphones on`` songs. Perfect sound. One of my top 10 recordings of all time..... :) Thanks for posting this!
Lisa C. glad you like it thanks for commenting Lisa
Oh wow, you are SO right about that!! Just to pick up the subtleties of it. One of my favorites!
and with your eyes closed in a silent room and you get the full effect of THAT voice and how she used it...the ultimate female crooner, the ultimate singer who sang TO YOU NOT AT YOU......
Couldn't agree more
The Carpenters' musical arrangements has always been consistently "Immaculately clean and Crystal-clear!" Absolutely breathtaking more so through headphones.
Icing on the cake is Richard's in/out background harmonies superbly meshing with Karen's angelic vocals!
I'm very sure, there will never be another Bro-Sis tandem talent as such...
Her at her very best 😊
Karen Carpenter la mejor cantante de todos los tiempos.
Thank you for posting this, Ron. And thanks to Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody for composing the song.
A very interesting and thoughtful selection of pictures.
One of my Carpenters favourites. 👍
“Be still sad heart and cease repining, behind the clouds the sun is shining; thy fate is the common fate of all; into each life some rain must fall-some days must be dark and dreary.”
Oh Karen, U are simply marvelous. May U Rest In Peace ✌️😇😇😇😇❤️❤️🌹🌹
this is such a beautiful piece..... sung so beautifully ,as always.
Love the Carpenters, this is just one of many cool ass tunes. R.I.P. KAREN . And Richard, she will never be forgotten. Thanx to you and your family for blessing me and the world for the music. Love it! God Bless.
Richard is not dead
un visage et une voix d'ange, envoutante rempli de chaleur et qui au fil du temps ne perdra jamais de son charme. tirer sa révérence bien malgré elle, a 32 ans le monde de la chanson se jour la a perdu une grande voix, et qui maintenant céleste pour l’éternité. une étoile brillera a jamais dans le ciel, et cette étoile s'appelle KAREN .
Ladys and gentlemen.. i give you the sound of .. sunset 😍
Perfection ......
Maravilhosa
Pure;strong and deep
Such a sad and tragic loss to the world. Karen & Richard continue to bless us with their profound and talented music. R.I.P. Karen. You're now an angel . Please sing for the heavens and hug my dad for me.
I'm speechless!
thanks for your comment!
This song saddens me but I love to listen to Karen's angelic voice!
The picture of her walking down the road is as if she is walking to heaven
1:59 just in case anyone missed it!
Would have loved to listen to a Karen Carpenter duet with Andrea Bocelli.Both given God given voices.
I love this song...
Esplêndida música, linda voz 😭
Absolutely speechless............
*sniff* I’M NOT CRYING YOU ARE 😭
Tenho 57anos e desde de criança que gosto dessa música
Loved them as a kid,...even though it was NOT cool,...still love the music today.
It must have been cool to a lot of people. Supposedly the Carpenters were the best selling American musical act of the 70's (whether that was stateside or internationally I don't know). I read that they sold out 3 weeks of concerts in Japan within an hour of the tickets going on sale.
Sou homem feito e antigo, mas essa moça, essa voz, ,me😮az chorar feito criança. Deus cuide dela
I absolutely love this song
thanks for your comment and i dont think anyone did this song better than the Carpenters.
Musica de Neil Sekata imortalizada na magnífica voz de Karen Carpenter. Saudades da melhor década em termos de musica.
Driving through the west of Ireland on rainy day...and the comes on the radio.
To see her beautiful face and singing this song is beyond beautiful!
There was a man
A lonely man
Who lost his love
Through his indifference
A heart that cared
That went unshared
Until it died
Within his silence
And solitaire's the only game in town
And every road that takes him
Takes him down
And by himself it's easy to pretend
He'll never love again
And keeping to himself he plays the game
Without her love
It always ends the same
While life goes on around him everywhere
He's playing solitaire
A little hope
Goes up in smoke
Just how it goes
Goes without saying
There was a man
A lonely man
Who would command
The hand he's playing
And solitaire's the only game in town
And every road that takes him
Takes him down
And by himself it's easy to pretend
He'll never love again
And keeping to himself he plays the game
Without her love
It always ends the same
While life goes on around him everywhere
He's playing solitaire
And solitaire's the only game in town
And every road that takes him
Takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He's playing solitaire
One of my favorites by The Carpenters.
The orchestration to this, woven into the song, with her beautiful voice, especially at the very end, reflects incredible production. Did Richard Carpenter produce this track? It is so lush!
Of all their music, and I love all of it, this song just hits me every time I listen to it. As I remember, Karen didnt care for this song for some reason, but she recorded it in one take!! just a beautiful song.
Yes, Richard arranged and produced their music.
Richard produced this.
Such a talent and yet so misunderstood.
Interpretação simplesmente perfeita na esplêndida voz da inigualável Karen Carpenters.
I'm 43 and my heart is in this since as long as I can listen 💔💔
Wonderful
Utwór perełka czas nie zmógł.
What can you say.....it's Karen Carpenter truly Amazing.....gone way too soon.....
Not their biggest or most popular song, but one of their best.
Just beautiful! ❤
Incredible.
Added your clip to my playlist. thanks for putting this up on youtube. Great quality audio.
Mark Dickenson yes I agree 100%
Carpenters Beutifull music 👍👍👍👍👍
Best version of this song ever recorded. Even better than Bette Midler's
talvez já tenha ouvido essa belíssima música alguma vez -mas só agora sei o quanto me apaixonei por ela!
Well done video-I had not seen a few of these as well.
this is very strong!!!!...wow
✨ Angel ✨🌹🌹🌹✨
A VOICE OF AN ANGEL
karen you were so beautifull no female today can touch your voice and looks hope you found solitare
"Without her love it always ends the same." Aaww!!♥️
I'll never understand why Karen hated this song. It's a wonderful song and her version is amazing.
It’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. If Karen were still around...she’d be as popular now as she was then. Her voice has that star quality. It’s amazing 😊
@@apabloisforever yeah she has such an amazing talent, and not just as a singer. Her voice has such beauty and it was so emotive. We lost an irreplaceable talent when she left us. Rumer is the closest we've come to a singer with her emotive quality.
Maybe it's the meaning behind the song. I know she was too busy to be in a relationship, and she probably had to turn down some men because of it.
A lovely song
Sublime.
Quanta saudades essa música me traz.....
Debes seguir viviendo esas realidades
Que dicsao meu Deus perfeito cada palavra que ela pronúncia que é uma dádiva que ela recebeu
Wow!
carpenters anos dourado da musica 1970 dupla de irmãos cantores e banda ao vivo espetacular adoro muito.....nota maxima.
Extremely beautiful voice - a voice to love deeply.
Such a tragedy the day you were taken away from us!😢
OMG!!
One of the sad songs 😭
Sad thing is this song is so closely related to her own life, as well as 'superstar'...
Plus Goodbye to Love mirrored her life, too. Many men were in love with her and would have to date, even marry her. Instead she walked down the aisle with a gold digging bankrupt creep who just wanted her money.
Wow, I found this song here and I'm so happy.
I still miss them.