She has a voice that make grown men cry. An exquisite and unique voice that was silenced by her struggles with anorexia and bulimia. She , at the end of the day, didn't realize how much her fans loved her and were devastated when she died at the age of 32 in 1983, thank you for your honest and heartfelt reaction
For me, still not completely over it. It's just the age we live in now, or as Don Henley put it, "how can love survive in such a GRACELESS AGE?" We need her voice of purity, love and caring now, more than ever, here in 2024.
@DanCanReact You have no idea. For so many of us, most who never knew her but through her music, it was like a sucker punch to the stomach! The circumstances made it all the more heart rendering. This gorgeous, generationally talented woman would look in a mirror and not see the same person we all saw. So she essentially starved her heart to death. How can it be? How could she not see? If only I was there to tell her the joy and beauty she gave, and still gives, to this broken world.. 💔 It truly truly breaks my heart. You young people, thank you for caring, keeping her voice and memory alive. But you will never fully understand the effect she had on so many if us. Sigh. 7:34
No person, certainly no singer, has had this type of spiritual effect on my soul thru their art. It is almost too hard to put into words. Damn you, English language.... ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
"Full-body chills" and "tearing up" are what we felt back in the 70s when these songs first came out. Karen had one of the best voices in all of popular musicl
I love your reaction. Something happened with me when I saw you react to this great song...I can't say anymore...Thank you for the beautiful words about Karen.
Great reaction to a legendary duo Carpenters and the best voice (Karen Carpenter) I have ever experienced. Plus she is recognized as the top female drummer in the music circles. Karen Carpenter became established as one of the rare classic voices that will extend to all times. They as a duo tore up the Billboard charts in the 70's. Karen was also a kind, caring, down to earth person. The journey is a great one to go on. Every song IMHO is fantastic. Next song to listen to would be there first of many hits "Close To You".
Yep! Was hearing from my father that she came out on top over John Bonham at the time, who is a legendary drummer. So sad how things ended for her. She would have risen to even further heights if she were alive...
Now I am tearing up, listening to all these reaction channels who are blown away by this woman and her voice. So vindicating because back in early 70s, most young guys dismissed their music as cheesy, even sissy (or worse). I did nit and was actually bullied because of my love for this amazing woman. You guys were so f'ing wrong and had no idea of what good music was. Neither apparently did Roling Stone. How WRONG you all were. SO WRONG.
@@DanCanReact Some of my favorite CARPENTERS songs/recordings are: RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE NOW CLOSE TO YOU FOR ALL WE KNOW TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING PLEASE MR. POSTMAN I NEED TO BE IN LOVE GOODBYE TO LOVE I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING The quintessential Carpenters song, which also because their signature tune, is WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN. A cherished personal Christmas tradition I have observed yearly in the past is listening to both of THE CARPENTERS' Christmas albums while cooking the holiday meal.
Sir Paul McCartney said Karen Carpenter had the greatest female voice ever recorded. I concur, totally. The day Karen died, I was a young wife and mom. My mom called me in tears. She said, “How can we live in a world without Karen Carpenter’s voice?” I wish we could all, collectively, tell Karen how much we all loved her. RIP Karen Carpenter, 1950-1983
Although undoubtedly Paul knew she had a wonderful voice, the first Beatle to recognise her and her voice and say to Karen herself, in front of Richard, was John Lennon who said to her girl you have a superb voice, you'll be a big star....
The first time in the A&M studios recording, they had to stop continuously because people would barge in to ask who that singer was. Her voice captured the studio, and she captured the world
just the best female voice ever. so many songs and only karen can deliver words like this. great reaction :D enjoyed that. love seeing young folk picking up on music from earlier periods. cheers.
Paul Williams wrote the lyrics for this song. The opening line in the song he got from his mother who was living with him at the time. One morning she was a bit mopey and he asked her what's wrong and she said, "oh, you wouldn't understand, just feeling old", and then she would talk to herself a bit. That's where he got, Talkin to myself and feeling old. The song is basically about those days everybody has where they're just not themselves and feeling a little blue, not because anything is actually wrong per say, just a little melancholy. That was the inspiation for the line, "what I've got they use to call the blues, nothin is really wrong, feeling like I don't belong", and "what I feel has come and gone before, no need to talk it out, we know what's it's all about." I think it's what makes the song so relatable because it is talking about the kind of days that nearly everyone has had and that they come and go.
Thanks for sharing the message behind the lyrics! I thought it was more about the struggle with depression and how nothing makes the one affected by it happy. But rainy days and mondays come and go so that makes more sense!
@@DanCanReact I think the way the song is composed, not to mention Karen’s haunting rendition with her magnificent voice, I can completely understand how a lot of people can interpret the song that way. There are a few clues throughout the lyrics, but the way Karen sings it from the position of being in the midst of one of those days, it’s easy to miss them. Karen could make you feel anything she wanted with just her singing voice.
Thanks for the honest and heartfelt reaction! Not sure how much you learned about this group in your research, but Karen and Richard Carpenter were a brother/sister duo who were active as the "Carpenters" from 1969 - 1983. In addition to their 12 top 10 singles, they were the number one selling group of the 1970s. Karen arguably had the most beautiful voice in pop music history. She was a contralto with a 3 octave range, and her tone and timbre, particularly in her lower register was simply gorgeous. She was also a terrific drummer, who had no problem singing and drumming at the same time. Richard was a musical genius in his own right, a piano/keyboard prodigy who arranged all of their music and also wrote and produced many of their songs (Karen did not write any of their songs, in spite of how well they mirrored much of her own melancholy). Sadly, Karen passed away in 1983 at the very young age of 32 due to complications from Anorexia Nervosa, a little known condition at the time. In addition to all of the hit singles, their entire catalog is deep with incredible songs to react to for years to come.
Wow! She was only 32 when she passed? I saw photos of her and assumed that she passed from Anorexia later on into her life... That's terrible. She was taken too soon. Thanks for sharing and watching John!
Thank you for your heartfelt reaction. Those of us older folks remember this as a song we heard on the radio when we were very young. Now, I really hear it, and how incredibly beautiful it is, the arrangement, the voice, just perfection. I get teary eyed as well when I hear Karen sing. This is the kind of music that just never gets old. I'm not very religious, but I would like to believe that Karen knows that so many people still love to listen to her even half a century after these recordings were made.
I in fact did, just didn't have much to comment about it, this was a rather mellow song, so what shined the most for me was the passion of Karen's voice.
I'm 63 years old... grew up listening to The Carpenters...and to this DAY, Karen's voice still gives me chill bumps. A reviewer with Rolling Stone magazine once said, "Karen's voice is like the sound of a lover whispering in your ear...". I find no flaw with this.
That's awesome, thank you so much for your subscription! And you're right. Not only was she a fantastic drummer, but she had such a beautiful voice. May she rest in peace.
Karen struggled with anorexia, depression and finding love....... and a lot of her songs reflect that.....she was a precious soul and like all of us was seeking love in her life.....I hope and pray she is at peace now
One thing about watching these reaction channels is that I see that I took this great music for granted when I was growing up with it. I loved Karen, and had many of her albums, but seeing young people react to her voice so strongly reminds me to appreciate it more myself all these years later.😊
Your reaction to Richard and Karen Carpenter really blew me away. I was a young boy when I heard them. I learned how to play piano because off them. They changed my life
The Carpenters take me back to being a little girl…The Carpenters we’re always playing on the car radio…the kitchen radio while i was eating my Cheerios before heading to the bus stop…what a velvety and sweet voice this lovely woman had. That God she and her and Richard’s music will live on for generations far younger than I to enjoy and appreciate.
One thing about the internet that's really special is that it archives music like this and makes it more accessible. I wouldn't have ever heard of Karen if it weren't for UA-cam, and I'm grateful it happened.
Karen , was literally like no one else . When she sings it’s like Christmas Morning! Mom and dad had the Carpenters play like ,ALL the time . Great reaction ! Best of luck subscribed ! Best of luck from Texas !
Sometimes it can be difficult to listen to their songs, especially for those of us who grew up listening to them and know their story, especially Karen's. This song and video and always makes me choked up, seeing her and how beautiful she was. When she passed away, it wasn't just a loss to music, but it was a personal loss. Even if you don't react to them, please keep listening to them for your own enjoyment.
Dude, this video is one of the best reaction videos. In addition to your gut reaction being so pure, the visuals of the swirling imagery behind you really emphasizes the dreaminess ofKaren‘s voice 😮again video.
Ha! I'm glad someone has finally pointed out my background choice. I really enjoy using abstract, colorful, lava lamp-esque backgrounds because they really fit with music from this time period. I plan to listen to a lot more older music, so that is fitting with the aesthetic. Thanks for tuning in man!
@@DanCanReact Plus many of the best harmonies come from sibling vocal groups because their vocal chords can have (almost) the same tonal characteristics.
“Goodbye to Love” is one you should check out. It has a great fuzz tone guitar solo by the late great Tony Peluso in the middle and then again at the end that is well worth checking out.
6 decades ago Karen Carpenter's voice mesmerized me just like it did you, you'll cry some more when you listen to more of the catalog of The Carpenters. Sadly, someone made a comment about her looking chubby near the beginning of their public career that caused her to continually try to maintain weight, leading to anorexia nervosa - a mental illness very little studied at that time in the early 70s, so her disease wasn't able to be properly treated. If you look at their videos you can track it by her appearance. Her heart gave out in 1983 because of the damage of a decade of anorexia. The disease got major attention in the wake of her passing, so there are better treatment regimens now.
Wow, it's crazy how one comment can ruin someone's self esteem... That's so unnecessary to point out. I'm glad to hear that. My first introduction to anorexia was through a UA-camr named Eugenia Cooney. It's really a sad disease, cause you can't do anything to help the person yourself, they need to want help...
@@DanCanReactYou are right, they need to want to help themselves. Spot on, BUT.. how can it be Richard and others visibly saw what was happening but did essentially not intervene? I'm not mad at Richard, just saying I do not understand. Also, how can you help a person who looks in a mirror and totally sees something ugly or not worthy? The opposite of what we all saw. It is just mind-boggling. Now, in the words of the Bee Gees, I will just say, "How can you mend a broken heart? How can you stop the world from falling down?"😢❤
Olivia Newton John..another hit maker and close friend of Karen said her low range perfect pitch 3 octave was where the money was…and her pitch was just that..❤
Love seeing people hearing these songs for the first time. I was very young (I could only have been about 8/9) when I first heard Karen's voice coming from a neighbours speakers and while I couldn't relate to those songs of love, and lost love, I knew I needed to hear that voice more. Sadly Karen had already died by the time I was born in '86. I wasn't a particular cool kid listening to Carpenters growing up, but the older I got the more I connected with the music and Karen's story. I'm 37 now, I've listened to every track countless times and her voice still gives me goosebumps, and brings me to tears. Sidenote: Many of those that mocked me for listening to Carpenters growing up now very much appreciate them themselves.
There was an expression once commonly used - Blue Monday - which meant exactly what you had implied, the weekend was over and it was back to the grind on Monday. Hence, 'rainy days and Mondays,' two very common causes of the blues that everyone can relate to.
Once an angel fell from heaven. Though she was called home far too quickly she left us all with an amazing gift. Because of her, we know what angels sound like.
Loved their music both of them incredibly talented. Tragic loss. Stan Rogers Canadian folk singer died the same year at the same young age. Two of the most amazing voices on the planet. Nice to see someone who hasn't heard the Carpenters react to them.
@@DanCanReact They were nothing like each other but if you've never heard Stan Rogers and like Canadian folk music you might want to check him out. Two of my favorites. Also died too young.. the first part is talking ua-cam.com/video/fT-aEcPgkuA/v-deo.html
For me Mondays represent the day you return to the outside world, a place you don’t fit in. Everyone is happy and thriving and you feel stuck and in darkness. Rainy days are a reflection of that sadness, the crying and tears. This song is magnificent.
The musical catalog of the Carpenters is vast and varied. Karen started as the drummer for one of their earlier groups, but as a vocalist, she was superb and they wanted her to come out from behind the drums to sing. She was not comfortable and always considered herself "a drummer who sang." With Karen's vocals and her brother Richard's musical genius as pianist/songwriter/producer and arranger, they were one of the most popular duo's of the 70's.Karen's discomfort with her physical image led to anorexia, which she battled for many years until her heart gave out in 1983 at age 32. I was a HUGE fan and saw them live many times in the 70's. Any song you choose to react to of theirs is going to blow you away. I look forward to more Carpenters from you. Many come close to Karen's voice, but never duplicated. She was just a unique, one-of-a-kind voice.
I still can't fathom how young she was when she passed. That's so incredibly heartbreaking, especially considering how she was beloved by so many people for her talent. Such a shame.
Her nickname in the studio was "One Take Karen" as she would need only one take to record. Her last song, "Now", was done in one take. It was supposed to be a scratch recording for the rest of the band, it was only her and Richard (piano) in the studio. She wanted to redo it, but Richard saw that she didn't look well and said "it's fine, this is just a scratch." A little while later she passed.
She is an amazing drummer. There's a great clip from some old TV show where she drums in a song called "Strike Up the Band." You'll love it I know I do. I just found your video channel. I think you have an enthusiastic joy when you find something you want to share, and i find it heartening. Don't be ashamed to cry dude. It's what makes us human. and I loved your take on Hey Jude, I'll keep listening if you keep making them. Cheers!
So lucky to have met them numerous times...she was a great drummer....AND all of the voices you hear in this lip-synced version are from the studio release; Karen and Richard did ALL backup vocals! The song was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols; a great writing team (also "We've Only Just Begun.")
That's an accurate description of me, I WOULD love and appreciate her as she was. She was a beautiful woman with gorgeous talents, what is there not to like 😅
Karen was and still is the best female voice, in my opinion. I recall renting a video documentary on the Carpenters in the Army in the 1980s and got tested, but I didn't care. She left this earth way too early.
There's a video of Karen playing the drums. You see the smile on her face and the look of pure contentment. The Carpenters were my first concert in 1972, I was 12 and Karen was amazing. This is when she was able to play the drums more often during the show. Jim Croce was supposed to open the show, but he had laryngitis. He was killed in a plane crash shortly after the concert. He's an amazing singer/songwriter.
Kaysee here ... I love that a new generation of people are being introduced to the Carpenters, especially with these "reaction" videos. I grew up listening to them and have continued listening to them to this day. Karen definitely had the voice of an angel and we lost her too soon. I'd love for you to react to "Yesterday Once More"... my favourite Carpenters song.
lol. Yes, “Monday morning blues” was a common American cultural reference in the 70s. The weekend was over, back to work sort of thing. Since 1971 this song has the same affect on everyone. It changes the room. There are many scientific biological studies that show what “tones” do to the emotions. The song is in G major. Her range starts in G 4. No female sings in that register today . So low so controlled. Her voice physically disturbs the nerve system. Beautifully !
I love hearing all these facts from my viewers, I'm surprised there aren't any women who can hit that register today. But that makes me love Karen all the more!
@@DanCanReact Oh man they are rare. Although they differ from Karen, Toni Braxton and Anita Baker are mentioned in the rare female vocalist category. Chaka Khan Is another one although her natural register is much higher. Check out her verse one on “Everlasting Love” and compare it to verse two. Mind blowing range. Karen cared little about sky high range because it wasn’t here bread and butter. But she is the absolute queen of the low, rich, beautiful octave tone range!
Dan, I love your soulful earnest reaction to the extraordinary artist known as Karen Carpenter. Her brilliant musician brother Richard Carpenter created the duo's masterful arrangements. They were the top selling musical act of the 1970's. "Rainy Days and Mondays" is a timeless ballad written by Roger Nichols (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics).
Bob Messenger was on the saxophone for this song but mostly played bass for them. It was said he was extremely talented and could play about anything. He unfortunately passed away not long ago. Not sure if many of the original band are still alive today.
50 years... and she still gives me goose bumps...
The smoothest,clearest most angelic voice of all time and she was a fabulous drummer too.
Looking forward to seeing more of her drum performances =D
@@DanCanReact Check out her drum solos and showcases here on UA-cam (the ones where she's not singing).
She had a miraculously crystal clear sweetness in her voice and struck all of us every time she sang.
I agree 🥰
Such a sad life for an exquisite voice. Their whole catalog is genius.
I'm looking forward to hearing more!
She has a voice that make grown men cry. An exquisite and unique voice that was silenced by her struggles with anorexia and bulimia. She , at the end of the day, didn't realize how much her fans loved her and were devastated when she died at the age of 32 in 1983, thank you for your honest and heartfelt reaction
You're welcome Samuel, and thanks for watching my video 🥰
She kills me over and over again. I remember the day she passed like it was yesterday. I never got over it.
I can't imagine what it would feel like for fans to hear about that news. Truly heartbreaking, anorexia needs to be taken seriously.
For me, still not completely over it. It's just the age we live in now, or as Don Henley put it, "how can love survive in such a GRACELESS AGE?" We need her voice of purity, love and caring now, more than ever, here in 2024.
@DanCanReact You have no idea. For so many of us, most who never knew her but through her music, it was like a sucker punch to the stomach! The circumstances made it all the more heart rendering. This gorgeous, generationally talented woman would look in a mirror and not see the same person we all saw. So she essentially starved her heart to death. How can it be? How could she not see? If only I was there to tell her the joy and beauty she gave, and still gives, to this broken world.. 💔 It truly truly breaks my heart. You young people, thank you for caring, keeping her voice and memory alive. But you will never fully understand the effect she had on so many if us. Sigh. 7:34
No person, certainly no singer, has had this type of spiritual effect on my soul thru their art. It is almost too hard to put into words. Damn you, English language.... ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
"Full-body chills" and "tearing up" are what we felt back in the 70s when these songs first came out. Karen had one of the best voices in all of popular musicl
Glad you could relate!
I love your reaction. Something happened with me when I saw you react to this great song...I can't say anymore...Thank you for the beautiful words about Karen.
Great reaction to a legendary duo Carpenters and the best voice (Karen Carpenter) I have ever experienced. Plus she is recognized as the top female drummer in the music circles. Karen Carpenter became established as one of the rare classic voices that will extend to all times. They as a duo tore up the Billboard charts in the 70's. Karen was also a kind, caring, down to earth person. The journey is a great one to go on. Every song IMHO is fantastic. Next song to listen to would be there first of many hits "Close To You".
Yep! Was hearing from my father that she came out on top over John Bonham at the time, who is a legendary drummer. So sad how things ended for her. She would have risen to even further heights if she were alive...
@@DanCanReactHey do all of her music!! You'll be very popular!🎉🎉🎉
Yes she was so beautiful, very shy....married on a whim to a bastard that just wanted her money!!
“I got the Monday blues,” says the worker coming off the weekend fun. It’s an expression. Monday blues.
@@DanCanReacthey saw her in 74!
What a beautiful reaction. Karen was the master technician of heartbreak. Her singing touches pretty much everyone who listens.
Glad you enjoyed. Yeah, I was instantly drawn in by her singing from the beginning. So much so that I didn't notice her playing the drums 😅
She was an award-winning jazz drummer before her gorgeous singing voice was discovered by her brother Richard.
Love watching people hearing her voice for the first time
Now I am tearing up, listening to all these reaction channels who are blown away by this woman and her voice. So vindicating because back in early 70s, most young guys dismissed their music as cheesy, even sissy (or worse). I did nit and was actually bullied because of my love for this amazing woman. You guys were so f'ing wrong and had no idea of what good music was. Neither apparently did Roling Stone. How WRONG you all were. SO WRONG.
In fact, screw Rolling Stone for their effete criticism of music that puts rock to shame (for the most part). Long live Carpenters and their music!
Love getting comments from people who enjoy my reactions!!
That's surprising, she's a talent!
one of the greatest voices in the history of music! great song! ♥
You're right, she has a beautiful voice ♥
She makes me cry every time, no other singer does that.
I don't blame you, but since it's easy to make me tear up, this is probably going to happen more often if I listen to her music 😂
I get goosebumps every time I hear her sing.
@@DanCanReact Some of my favorite CARPENTERS songs/recordings are:
RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS
WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN
BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE
NOW
CLOSE TO YOU
FOR ALL WE KNOW
TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING
PLEASE MR. POSTMAN
I NEED TO BE IN LOVE
GOODBYE TO LOVE
I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING
The quintessential Carpenters song, which also because their signature tune, is WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN.
A cherished personal Christmas tradition I have observed yearly in the past is listening to both of THE CARPENTERS' Christmas albums while cooking the holiday meal.
And Richard Carpenter was a musical genius. He arranged all of their music and wrote many of their songs.
They are both so talented!
I was about 24 when I heard that she had died. I'm not ashamed to say I cried. Such a voice! Such a treasure.
No shame in saying that. I would feel the same...
I was 28 and I cried too Michael.
Sir Paul McCartney said Karen Carpenter had the greatest female voice ever recorded. I concur, totally. The day Karen died, I was a young wife and mom. My mom called me in tears. She said, “How can we live in a world without Karen Carpenter’s voice?” I wish we could all, collectively, tell Karen how much we all loved her. RIP Karen Carpenter, 1950-1983
RIP 🙏
Although undoubtedly Paul knew she had a wonderful voice, the first Beatle to recognise her and her voice and say to Karen herself, in front of Richard, was John Lennon who said to her girl you have a superb voice, you'll be a big star....
They song “Close To You” won a Grammy over high heavy Beatles, Jackson 5 and Simon & Garfunkel. Also on same night: Best New Artist over Elton John.
How right he was @@paulcollins7185
@@paulcollins7185 also NONE of the Beatles had what can be called amazing voices, even Paul McCartney said that
The first time in the A&M studios recording, they had to stop continuously because people would barge in to ask who that singer was. Her voice captured the studio, and she captured the world
That's fascinating! I don't blame them 😝
just the best female voice ever. so many songs and only karen can deliver words like this. great reaction :D enjoyed that. love seeing young folk picking up on music from earlier periods. cheers.
Glad you enjoyed, thanks for tuning in!
Paul Williams wrote the lyrics for this song. The opening line in the song he got from his mother who was living with him at the time. One morning she was a bit mopey and he asked her what's wrong and she said, "oh, you wouldn't understand, just feeling old", and then she would talk to herself a bit. That's where he got, Talkin to myself and feeling old.
The song is basically about those days everybody has where they're just not themselves and feeling a little blue, not because anything is actually wrong per say, just a little melancholy. That was the inspiation for the line, "what I've got they use to call the blues, nothin is really wrong, feeling like I don't belong", and "what I feel has come and gone before, no need to talk it out, we know what's it's all about."
I think it's what makes the song so relatable because it is talking about the kind of days that nearly everyone has had and that they come and go.
Thanks for sharing the message behind the lyrics! I thought it was more about the struggle with depression and how nothing makes the one affected by it happy. But rainy days and mondays come and go so that makes more sense!
@@DanCanReact I think the way the song is composed, not to mention Karen’s haunting rendition with her magnificent voice, I can completely understand how a lot of people can interpret the song that way. There are a few clues throughout the lyrics, but the way Karen sings it from the position of being in the midst of one of those days, it’s easy to miss them. Karen could make you feel anything she wanted with just her singing voice.
She didn't think she was beautiful. She died from starving herself . What a wonderful voice.
Yeah, and it baffles me that a gorgeous woman like her would feel so poorly about herself. So tragic.
She died from heart failure... due to malnutrition. To be technical.
Thanks for the honest and heartfelt reaction! Not sure how much you learned about this group in your research, but Karen and Richard Carpenter were a brother/sister duo who were active as the "Carpenters" from 1969 - 1983. In addition to their 12 top 10 singles, they were the number one selling group of the 1970s. Karen arguably had the most beautiful voice in pop music history. She was a contralto with a 3 octave range, and her tone and timbre, particularly in her lower register was simply gorgeous. She was also a terrific drummer, who had no problem singing and drumming at the same time.
Richard was a musical genius in his own right, a piano/keyboard prodigy who arranged all of their music and also wrote and produced many of their songs (Karen did not write any of their songs, in spite of how well they mirrored much of her own melancholy). Sadly, Karen passed away in 1983 at the very young age of 32 due to complications from Anorexia Nervosa, a little known condition at the time. In addition to all of the hit singles, their entire catalog is deep with incredible songs to react to for years to come.
Wow! She was only 32 when she passed? I saw photos of her and assumed that she passed from Anorexia later on into her life... That's terrible. She was taken too soon. Thanks for sharing and watching John!
Thank you for your heartfelt reaction. Those of us older folks remember this as a song we heard on the radio when we were very young. Now, I really hear it, and how incredibly beautiful it is, the arrangement, the voice, just perfection. I get teary eyed as well when I hear Karen sing. This is the kind of music that just never gets old. I'm not very religious, but I would like to believe that Karen knows that so many people still love to listen to her even half a century after these recordings were made.
I truly hope that if there is an afterlife, that she could feel the appreciation everyone has for her music, me included!
loved your reaction
Thanks for tuning in Frank!
Karen Carpenter the greatest female vocalist ever ! EVER !! Her voice was flawless and effortless
An amazingly gifted vocalist. One of the best ever, in the world.
She's my favorite thus far of the people I've reacted to on the channel. She's such a gem, and we can't forget Richard for his AMAZING arrangements!!
Dude never even noticed she was playing the drums.
I in fact did, just didn't have much to comment about it, this was a rather mellow song, so what shined the most for me was the passion of Karen's voice.
@@DanCanReactYeah. You can always catch one of many drum solos videos and see her real passion.
I'm 63 years old... grew up listening to The Carpenters...and to this DAY, Karen's voice still gives me chill bumps. A reviewer with Rolling Stone magazine once said, "Karen's voice is like the sound of a lover whispering in your ear...". I find no flaw with this.
An accurate way to describe her beautiful voice 😊
Same here...and we're the same age.
Great reaction! You have a new subscriber! Karen’s voice is sheer perfection- so glad we have this wonderful legacy to keep her memory alive
That's awesome, thank you so much for your subscription! And you're right. Not only was she a fantastic drummer, but she had such a beautiful voice. May she rest in peace.
Now 73 and still love The Carpenters. From New Zealand, December 2024.
How could anyone ever get tired of Karen's voice, she's so lovely 🥰
The song still hits me just like it did when it came out. Incredibly powerful, and yes , never a dry eye after hearing it.
Such an emotional song, it's normal to tear up!
Karen struggled with anorexia, depression and finding love....... and a lot of her songs reflect that.....she was a precious soul and like all of us was seeking love in her life.....I hope and pray she is at peace now
I really hope so too.
One thing about watching these reaction channels is that I see that I took this great music for granted when I was growing up with it. I loved Karen, and had many of her albums, but seeing young people react to her voice so strongly reminds me to appreciate it more myself all these years later.😊
You're so right! I'm glad I was able to remind you of that, we often take the things around us for granted, but there is so much beauty in this world!
Your reaction to Richard and Karen Carpenter really blew me away. I was a young boy when I heard them. I learned how to play piano because off them. They changed my life
I love hearing that people enjoy my reactions. Thanks for the heartfelt comment 🥰
The Carpenters take me back to being a little girl…The Carpenters we’re always playing on the car radio…the kitchen radio while i was eating my Cheerios before heading to the bus stop…what a velvety and sweet voice this lovely woman had. That God she and her and Richard’s music will live on for generations far younger than I to enjoy and appreciate.
Thank God I meant to say 🙂
One thing about the internet that's really special is that it archives music like this and makes it more accessible. I wouldn't have ever heard of Karen if it weren't for UA-cam, and I'm grateful it happened.
Greatest female in singer history I approve this message from a Mexican like me I just cried I got flash backs why she had to die she was so beautiful
So sad that she passed away, but we have fantastic music like this to look back on to remember her!!
Karen , was literally like no one else . When she sings it’s like Christmas Morning! Mom and dad had the Carpenters play like ,ALL the time . Great reaction ! Best of luck subscribed ! Best of luck from Texas !
Thanks for subbing, and I agree, her voice is so captivating 🥰
Still cry everytime I hear this. I'm 65 it is so moving.
There isn't an age required to feel such passionate singing 🥰
Sometimes it can be difficult to listen to their songs, especially for those of us who grew up listening to them and know their story, especially Karen's. This song and video and always makes me choked up, seeing her and how beautiful she was. When she passed away, it wasn't just a loss to music, but it was a personal loss. Even if you don't react to them, please keep listening to them for your own enjoyment.
I definitely will at least re-listen to them around Christmas time and give my honest reaction to their Christmas album. That'll be a fun time!
Dude, this video is one of the best reaction videos. In addition to your gut reaction being so pure, the visuals of the swirling imagery behind you really emphasizes the dreaminess ofKaren‘s voice 😮again video.
Ha! I'm glad someone has finally pointed out my background choice. I really enjoy using abstract, colorful, lava lamp-esque backgrounds because they really fit with music from this time period. I plan to listen to a lot more older music, so that is fitting with the aesthetic. Thanks for tuning in man!
She had such an incredible voice. Their albums were layered, so they sang backup for themselves.
I'm still amazed that those backing vocals were just them. That's insane 😱
Rainy Days and Monday's was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, who did other songs for the Carpenters
The harmonies were Karen and Richard layering their vocals on top of each other in the recording.
Yeah, someone else mentioned this. That's crazy!
@@DanCanReact Plus many of the best harmonies come from sibling vocal groups because their vocal chords can have (almost) the same tonal characteristics.
“Goodbye to Love” is one you should check out. It has a great fuzz tone guitar solo by the late great Tony Peluso in the middle and then again at the end that is well worth checking out.
6 decades ago Karen Carpenter's voice mesmerized me just like it did you, you'll cry some more when you listen to more of the catalog of The Carpenters.
Sadly, someone made a comment about her looking chubby near the beginning of their public career that caused her to continually try to maintain weight, leading to anorexia nervosa - a mental illness very little studied at that time in the early 70s, so her disease wasn't able to be properly treated. If you look at their videos you can track it by her appearance. Her heart gave out in 1983 because of the damage of a decade of anorexia. The disease got major attention in the wake of her passing, so there are better treatment regimens now.
Wow, it's crazy how one comment can ruin someone's self esteem... That's so unnecessary to point out. I'm glad to hear that. My first introduction to anorexia was through a UA-camr named Eugenia Cooney. It's really a sad disease, cause you can't do anything to help the person yourself, they need to want help...
Oh, crap, now I am crying again in August 2024. Thank you my music soulmate, for those words. And blessings to you!
@@DanCanReactYou are right, they need to want to help themselves. Spot on, BUT.. how can it be Richard and others visibly saw what was happening but did essentially not intervene? I'm not mad at Richard, just saying I do not understand. Also, how can you help a person who looks in a mirror and totally sees something ugly or not worthy? The opposite of what we all saw. It is just mind-boggling. Now, in the words of the Bee Gees, I will just say, "How can you mend a broken heart? How can you stop the world from falling down?"😢❤
Rain from falling down?
She was the Voice of the Heart
💗
Olivia Newton John..another hit maker and close friend of Karen said her low range perfect pitch 3 octave was where the money was…and her pitch was just that..❤
She had perfect pitch and was on top of charts back in the 70's
And was named one of the best drummers of her time! This was around the same time as someone like John Bonham, which says a lot!
Your reaction is great. The Carpenters were awesome. Karen was a once in lifetime artist.😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤
You're so right!
Great reaction! I am many years old and I loved this song since it came out. Greetings from Tandil, Argentina! 🇦🇷🤗
Greetings! And thank you for tuning in!
I Love her music so much, just beautiful
The Carpenters are timeless.
Love seeing people hearing these songs for the first time. I was very young (I could only have been about 8/9) when I first heard Karen's voice coming from a neighbours speakers and while I couldn't relate to those songs of love, and lost love, I knew I needed to hear that voice more. Sadly Karen had already died by the time I was born in '86. I wasn't a particular cool kid listening to Carpenters growing up, but the older I got the more I connected with the music and Karen's story. I'm 37 now, I've listened to every track countless times and her voice still gives me goosebumps, and brings me to tears.
Sidenote: Many of those that mocked me for listening to Carpenters growing up now very much appreciate them themselves.
Those who make fun of you for that have no taste! Thanks for watching Andrew 😆
Karen - the voice of an angel ❤
❤❤
Karen sings so remarkably while playing the drums ❤!❤❤...Wow how she maintains pitch perfect too❤!
I agree Sue, she was such a talent and an angel. May she rest in peace 🙏
Karen the GOAT!!❤❤❤
I'm surprised I haven't heard of her until now!
We miss you, Karen. RIP 🙏
RIP 🙏
There was an expression once commonly used - Blue Monday - which meant exactly what you had implied, the weekend was over and it was back to the grind on Monday. Hence, 'rainy days and Mondays,' two very common causes of the blues that everyone can relate to.
I was right then! Thanks for filling me in 😁
Once an angel fell from heaven. Though she was called home far too quickly she left us all with an amazing gift. Because of her, we know what angels sound like.
Such a beautiful way to describe Karen! Love it 😁
I think Mondays symbolize getting back to the work grind where you can't always relax and be yourself..
Yeah... Thought so too.
You need to check out their version of "A Song for You". Studio version.
Solitaire & Yesterday One More (studio audio versions) are awesome songs by Carpenters...the top selling group of the 1970's!
She had such a lovely and heavenly voice.
I agree Phil 😊
So so loved, yet so so sad how she struggled to love herself. RIP Karen 🌟
Appreciate you watching a couple of my videos, thanks!!
Love your reaction. Great to see the younger generation enjoying this angel. Check out “Superstar” and “Solitaire” next. You’ll be equally amazed.
Love your comment! Thanks for watching Jack and I'll be sure to take note of your suggestions! I have so much to react to moving forward 😅
Personally, Solitaire is my most favorite Carpenter’s song.
Sub'ed!!!!! You are awesome.
Really appreciate that 😁
👍A beautiful performance. 🖖❤
Beautiful is an understatement, this is a masterpiece! 🥰
Loved their music both of them incredibly talented. Tragic loss. Stan Rogers Canadian folk singer died the same year at the same young age. Two of the most amazing voices on the planet. Nice to see someone who hasn't heard the Carpenters react to them.
Wow... I haven't heard of this artist. Sad to hear a fellow Canadian passed at such a young age..
@@DanCanReact They were nothing like each other but if you've never heard Stan Rogers and like Canadian folk music you might want to check him out.
Two of my favorites. Also died too young.. the first part is talking
ua-cam.com/video/fT-aEcPgkuA/v-deo.html
They song “Close To You” won a Grammy over high heavy Beatles, Jackson 5 and Simon & Garfunkel. Also on same night: Best New Artist over Elton John.
Wow, that's some tough competition to beat, that's awesome!
"Rainy days and Mondays" was a saying of her mother.
This was one of their first huge hits. Now you should listen to the last song she ever recorded - "Now"
I'll keep note of that, thanks for mentioning it!
For me Mondays represent the day you return to the outside world, a place you don’t fit in. Everyone is happy and thriving and you feel stuck and in darkness. Rainy days are a reflection of that sadness, the crying and tears. This song is magnificent.
I agree, good interpretation 😊
The musical catalog of the Carpenters is vast and varied. Karen started as the drummer for one of their earlier groups, but as a vocalist, she was superb and they wanted her to come out from behind the drums to sing. She was not comfortable and always considered herself "a drummer who sang." With Karen's vocals and her brother Richard's musical genius as pianist/songwriter/producer and arranger, they were one of the most popular duo's of the 70's.Karen's discomfort with her physical image led to anorexia, which she battled for many years until her heart gave out in 1983 at age 32. I was a HUGE fan and saw them live many times in the 70's. Any song you choose to react to of theirs is going to blow you away. I look forward to more Carpenters from you. Many come close to Karen's voice, but never duplicated. She was just a unique, one-of-a-kind voice.
I still can't fathom how young she was when she passed. That's so incredibly heartbreaking, especially considering how she was beloved by so many people for her talent. Such a shame.
Most people worked Monday thru Friday back in the day and Mondays were the dreaded return to the grind of work
Yeah, I thought that's what it was about. Thanks for confirming that 😁
This is such a great song, one of my favorites. So much brilliance in it, and so relatable.
Totally agree!
Her nickname in the studio was "One Take Karen" as she would need only one take to record. Her last song, "Now", was done in one take. It was supposed to be a scratch recording for the rest of the band, it was only her and Richard (piano) in the studio. She wanted to redo it, but Richard saw that she didn't look well and said "it's fine, this is just a scratch." A little while later she passed.
Wow, I wish I could do things in one take, that's very admirable! And wow, that's so sad to hear...
I was a very small child when Karen died. I always loved their music.
Yeah, may she rest in peace...
U need to.dive down that rabbit hole they will amaze u
I certainly will!
Last chorus she really belts it out making me wonder how much she kept in reserve we never heard
Yeah, I would have loved for her to have made even more music, it's so tragic that it can't be the case.
She is an amazing drummer. There's a great clip from some old TV show where she drums in a song called "Strike Up the Band." You'll love it I know I do.
I just found your video channel. I think you have an enthusiastic joy when you find something you want to share, and i find it heartening. Don't be ashamed to cry dude. It's what makes us human. and I loved your take on Hey Jude, I'll keep listening if you keep making them. Cheers!
What a lovely comment! Thanks for tuning in, and I look forward to seeing your comments on future videos! Thanks 😁
Love your reactions to the Carpenters songs! Great to listen to these again after all these years. . .
Hey, and I love that you're tuning in to watch them!
It doesn't rain a lot in California! Paul Williams wrote that song. California spoiled him with its beautiful weather.
"Goodbye To Love", "Superstar" and We've Only Just Begun" by them next please!
I love seeing someone hearing Karen for the first time! You really have to listen to more of their stuff.
For sure, will do more in the coming videos.
So lucky to have met them numerous times...she was a great drummer....AND all of the voices you hear in this lip-synced version are from the studio release; Karen and Richard did ALL backup vocals! The song was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols; a great writing team (also "We've Only Just Begun.")
Wow you got to meet them!! That must have been amazing? Was she as kind as she seems?
Absolutely!@@DanCanReact
Dan we all tear up everytime we hear Karen sing anything. Facts.
I don't blame you, her singing and passion is so touching.
What a voice and drummer! Thanks
Yeah, Karen is a gem!
❤ Karen is my favorite singer of all-time. I loved your reaction. I just subscribed. 😊
Thanks so much Susan!
Karen was truly an ANGEL that God shared with the world for a few short years! RIP with God Ms. Karen!
An angel she was 😪
Can't help but think you are one guy that would have genuinely loved and appreciated her as she was..
That's an accurate description of me, I WOULD love and appreciate her as she was. She was a beautiful woman with gorgeous talents, what is there not to like 😅
You NOT once commented on her playing the drums which is rare for a lead singer to do. Even more rare to see a woman do it.
Yep, I was focused on her beautiful voice! My bad 😝
Karen was and still is the best female voice, in my opinion.
I recall renting a video documentary on the Carpenters in the Army in the 1980s and got tested, but I didn't care.
She left this earth way too early.
Thanks for your service! And you're right. It's such a shame.
Hi dude, what a beautiful reaction ❤.
Try the following Carpenters songs:
1. Sing
2. Solitaire
3. Only Yesterday
Make Believe it’s Your First Time.
There's a video of Karen playing the drums. You see the smile on her face and the look of pure contentment. The Carpenters were my first concert in 1972, I was 12 and Karen was amazing. This is when she was able to play the drums more often during the show. Jim Croce was supposed to open the show, but he had laryngitis. He was killed in a plane crash shortly after the concert. He's an amazing singer/songwriter.
Look up the video of her drum solo!
The drum solo for this song?
Kaysee here ... I love that a new generation of people are being introduced to the Carpenters, especially with these "reaction" videos. I grew up listening to them and have continued listening to them to this day. Karen definitely had the voice of an angel and we lost her too soon. I'd love for you to react to "Yesterday Once More"... my favourite Carpenters song.
I'm glad I was introduced to her as well! Thanks for tuning in and giving me a suggestion 😁
lol. Yes, “Monday morning blues” was a common American cultural reference in the 70s. The weekend was over, back to work sort of thing.
Since 1971 this song has the same affect on everyone. It changes the room.
There are many scientific biological studies that show what “tones” do to the emotions.
The song is in G major.
Her range starts in G 4.
No female sings in that register today .
So low so controlled.
Her voice physically disturbs the nerve system.
Beautifully !
I love hearing all these facts from my viewers, I'm surprised there aren't any women who can hit that register today. But that makes me love Karen all the more!
@@DanCanReact
Oh man they are rare. Although they differ from Karen, Toni Braxton and Anita Baker are mentioned in the rare female vocalist category.
Chaka Khan Is another one although her natural register is much higher.
Check out her verse one on “Everlasting Love” and compare it to verse two. Mind blowing range.
Karen cared little about sky high range because it wasn’t here bread and butter. But she is the absolute queen of the low, rich, beautiful octave tone range!
Dan, I love your soulful earnest reaction to the extraordinary artist known as Karen Carpenter. Her brilliant musician brother Richard Carpenter created the duo's masterful arrangements. They were the top selling musical act of the 1970's. "Rainy Days and Mondays" is a timeless ballad written by Roger Nichols (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics).
And I love your lovely comment! Thanks for filling me in on the creation of this song, it's much appreciated.
Thank you for your reaction to this Carpenters song. Please also react to their song, "Superstar" - thank you. Peace.
Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate the suggestion :D
I 2nd this!
YES! Superstar was going to be my suggestion. ❤
Bob Messenger was on the saxophone for this song but mostly played bass for them. It was said he was extremely talented and could play about anything. He unfortunately passed away not long ago. Not sure if many of the original band are still alive today.
That's sad to hear.. May he rest in peace.
No going back now, You're hooked!
Ha! 😝
Such a great review! I recommend their song, "We've Only Just Begun" next.
My thanks for the recommendation and for watching Tracey 😁
Wonderful song.