I'm pushing 60 years old and heard this voice for the first time in the early 70s, and still to this day, she has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. Thanks for your reaction.
Even the pop music on the radio was infinitely better than the trash of the last few decades. Rock very quickly went demonic, perhaps even from it's inception, despite the innocent appearance.
Karen was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. She had such a pure calming voice. And she was a terrific drummer. That was her passion even more than singing. Sadly we lost her so young. Thankfully we have her legacy left in her music. The Carpenters had so many great songs such as "Rainy Days & Mondays", "(They Long To Be) Close To You", "For All We Know", "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over the World)", "I Need To Be In Love" & so many more.
There are other Karen's out there. Will they by discovered, get production support, song writing, background vocals and instruments like Karen had. Sadly, probably not.
The absolute greatest female singing voice of my lifetime. And I listen to all the others. When that perfect pitch 3.5 octave voice sings, she grabs your heart and then your soul. Brother Richard was a genius with picking the songs and doing the arrangements. Best American duo/group of the 70s per the experts.❤❤❤
If you have any doubts about Karen being the greatest female contralto vocalist of all times, please listen to several of the acapella recordings floating around You Tube these days. Also note there was no auto tune and microphones were rudimentary in the 70’s-just her perfect pitch voice. Karen had incredible breath control (you can’t even see her taking breaths), natural note stretching, and no voice training. She was God’s gift of vocal perfection.
The song started as a commercial for a bank looking for young couples as customers starting married life. Richard heard it and knew what to do. This was THE song at weddings in the 70's.
Karen Carpenter is unbelievable. Even after all these years (53 yrs), I'm still moved when I hear her sing. I bought their Close To You album back in 1971. After listening to whole album, my two favorite songs are: "Mr. Guder" "Love Is Surrender" The live performance of "Mr. Guder" should be watched because Karen looks so happy on the drums. Especially during the drum solo. When I hear Karen Carpenter sing, automatically I'm in 1971 again. Thanks Ashley, for reacting to "We've Only Just Begun". Just in case any of your subscribers that haven't heard Karen Carpenter sing. I'm sure they'll feel like I do.
Me too! Mr. Guder is one of my top picks, always. That and The Bacharach/David Medley. I need to share the work of Harvey Stig. The channel is his name. He’s on a mission to save and restore Carpenters videos. He’s been at it a year and OMG what he’s done. But, the 1973 Tonight Show he restored is his masterpiece. That has the live Mr. Guder performance with more. It’s on the Johnny Carson channel. Linked below. Enjoy! Be amazed! It’s now like it aired yesterday (once more), pardon the pun. Joe th-cam.com/video/uA0A7O9xTgU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ow_26hlYxf3cSIiM
Superstar (later remade by Luther Vandross), Close to You, Goodbye to Love, Masquerade, Rainy Days and Mondays, Top of the World, Only Yesterday are some of Carpenters other big hits.
You can't argue that this is one of their signature songs from the start but there a so many other beautiful Carpenter songs, Rainy Days and Monday's, Yesterday Once More, Goodbye to love, Solitaire and Karen's very last song before she passed away, Now.
Karen had the best voice I have heard since 1974. There is no other voice that comes close to making you feel, like she is singing directly to you. Karen had something in her voice, that always reached deep into our souls, as us "old guys" will tell you. She left us way to early.
A timeless pitch perfect soothing voice. So natural and effortless. She could sing any genre of music easily - blues, jazz, country, pop, etc. Do not forget. She was a world class drummer while singing. ❤
This was the #1 wedding song for many years. Karen started playing the drums in her senior in high school & almost overnight became one the best drummers
Once they released this song, you couldn't find a wedding or reception where this song wasn't played. I have a tape of my wedding and they are playing this song. And to think it was originally a bank commercial. Karen is also an awesome drummer/percussionist.
Loved your reaction Ashley. My wife and I love the Carpenters. And this song in particular. It came out on August 21, 1970 and we just got married on August 16th in the chapel of the college we were attending. The words of the song gave so much meaning to us. We immediately bought there album Close to You which this song is on. We even got a chance to see them live a couple of years later. It was amazing! And Karen could really play the drums. We also play this song on our anniversary every year. Thanks for your reaction and heartfelt comments. Best wishes!❤
This song was released in 1970 and I got married in January 1971, so of course I had to have this song sung at my wedding. So did about a million other brides! :)
This song just gave me the chills... for about the 1000th time. It's an emotional trip. Karen and her brother Richard created something that will never be copied. They both deserve credit. Karen's voice is one of the greats in history... and Richard's arranging and involvement in the harmonies is historic. Thank you Carpenters.
What a beautiful reaction from you, Ashley. ❤ You can't go wrong with The Carpenters. Stick your thumb in, and you're going to pull out another plum. I guarantee it! 😊
LOL... I love how you're breathless at 3:30 when she sings "So much of Life ahead, we'll find a place where there's room to grow..." 😊 It's one of my favorite moments in the song too! 😄
This Song was originally a Commercial Jingle (Written by Paul Williams, a very prolific songwriter) . Richard Carpenter brought it to his sister Karen and the rest is Rock History.
I was just a kid when this was out and I assure you, I had the same reaction!! The 70s and 80s had not only great Artists, but the songwriting and production were the best. But ultimately what you are reacting to is the spirit of quality, amazing music!! Check out some "Heatwave" sometime. Their stuff will touch u. Nerdy British guy was the keyboard player and songwriter in the band. He was also the writer of Thriller and tons more. Enjoy!!
Okay, I had to subscribe! I love that you react to ALL genres of music and these older songs that I grew up listening to. Music today cant touch these songs! ❤️
This song was written by Paul Williams for a bank commercial for the Crocker Bank (no longer Crocker) in California. Apparently, it was a written as a wedding commericail, but Rickard heard the commercial and immediately wanted to record it. The rest is history : )
She was told to actually sing in a higher pitch, but refused saying the audience is with a lower female voice. She was right. Never wanted to be a singer, but because of the contract, her brother convinced her to. She already had an all female band with a lead singer (not her) she was the lead drummer. This song was our graduation song back in the 70s.
true, even though she actually had a 4 octave range. Of course it's also what one does in those octaves.. Master vocalist (not just a singer) and storyteller was she. Ultimate vocalist who sang TO the listener NOT at them...@@SFPhilo
It's hard to top this one, but, imho, "Hurting Each Other" (a remake of a 1965 song that was done by many artists--kind of like "Superstar," which The Carpenters also did) comes pretty close!
I heard that Frank Sinatra was quoted saying that Karen was the only ticket that he would buy to see her sing. John Lennon also approached her and told her she had a magnificent voice.
Great reaction, Ash!! If you are interested there is a channel here on YT, just a few doors down the hall from yours, in which the guy analyzes vocals from prominent singers. The channel is called Wings of Pegasus and he proves in one of his videos that Karen is even more pitch perfect live than in the recorded version of a song! RIP to a beautiful soul.
This was written by Paul Williams (not of The Temptations), that was for an Insurance Company. It was also used in 1990 when All My Children celebrated it's 20th Anniversry. It also got them a Grammy Award for best Pop Performance by A Duo or Group. In the 1990's a Tribute Album was released called If I Were A Carpenter where Grunge groups did their versions of Carpenters songs. In the UK a TV Special took place where The Carpenters Music was performed but there was a mistake, they did "Please Mr. Postman" but it was covered by The Marvellettes. She was also close Friends with Olivia Newton-John (RIP).
🙏🏽❤️ my mother loved her. She would play her on the way to school in the car, and I would yell at my mom to change the channel now I listen to her almost every day.🙏🏽❤️
Arguably the most perfect female voice.... but her daily struggles to be what she perceived to be perfect, took her away from us way too young. Saw them in concert in Duluth, MN in about 1975.
From a 56yo black man & veteran. Still bring a tear. I was a child, mom listened to 70s music when I heard The Carpenters. Tragic death.
Karen Carpenter passed away in 1983 at 32 years old. Richard Carpenter is still alive and well at 77 years old.
I'm pushing 60 years old and heard this voice for the first time in the early 70s, and still to this day, she has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. Thanks for your reaction.
I totally agree. I have heard hundreds, maybe thousands of voices in my lifetime and NOBODY had more of a phenomenal voice hen Karen Anne Carpenter
absolutely agree....
Imagine how much greatness was left to be created by Karen Carpenter. Taken far too soon. Far too soon.
Straight up AM radio music of the 1970's. Warms the heart. 👍👍👌👌
Pierces bone and marrow
🙌
Missing these days.....born in 1970....i think ive lived through the best music....honestly....and I appreciate it...
Even the pop music on the radio was infinitely better than the trash of the last few decades. Rock very quickly went demonic, perhaps even from it's inception, despite the innocent appearance.
Yes. Bring back Herb Albert and the Taiwana band.
Karen had a beautiful , haunting, in the best way, voice. There will never be another. R.I.P
Karen was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. She had such a pure calming voice. And she was a terrific drummer. That was her passion even more than singing. Sadly we lost her so young. Thankfully we have her legacy left in her music. The Carpenters had so many great songs such as "Rainy Days & Mondays", "(They Long To Be) Close To You", "For All We Know", "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over the World)", "I Need To Be In Love" & so many more.
There are other Karen's out there. Will they by discovered, get production support, song writing, background vocals and instruments like Karen had. Sadly, probably not.
The absolute greatest female singing voice of my lifetime. And I listen to all the others. When that perfect pitch 3.5 octave voice sings, she grabs your heart and then your soul. Brother Richard was a genius with picking the songs and doing the arrangements. Best American duo/group of the 70s per the experts.❤❤❤
If you have any doubts about Karen being the greatest female contralto vocalist of all times, please listen to several of the acapella recordings floating around You Tube these days. Also note there was no auto tune and microphones were rudimentary in the 70’s-just her perfect pitch voice. Karen had incredible breath control (you can’t even see her taking breaths), natural note stretching, and no voice training. She was God’s gift of vocal perfection.
@@carolynadams9537 Some of the best microphones ever made were produced in the 70's....
@@jeffrubinelectronics Thanks for the info. Any idea why modern ones are not as good?
Im a 58 yr old metal head and this still sounds amazing as it did back when it was new. Never heard another voice like hers.
The song started as a commercial for a bank looking for young couples as customers starting married life. Richard heard it and knew what to do. This was THE song at weddings in the 70's.
Such a beautiful song great Harmony and Karen Carpenter's voice is just lovely
Karen Carpenter is unbelievable.
Even after all these years (53 yrs), I'm still moved when I hear her sing. I bought their Close To You album back in 1971. After listening to whole album, my two favorite songs are:
"Mr. Guder"
"Love Is Surrender"
The live performance of "Mr. Guder" should be watched because Karen looks so happy on the drums. Especially during the drum solo.
When I hear Karen Carpenter sing, automatically I'm in 1971 again.
Thanks Ashley, for reacting to "We've Only Just Begun". Just in case any of your subscribers that haven't heard Karen Carpenter sing. I'm sure they'll feel like I do.
Me too! Mr. Guder is one of my top picks, always. That and The Bacharach/David Medley. I need to share the work of Harvey Stig. The channel is his name. He’s on a mission to save and restore Carpenters videos. He’s been at it a year and OMG what he’s done. But, the 1973 Tonight Show he restored is his masterpiece. That has the live Mr. Guder performance with more. It’s on the Johnny Carson channel. Linked below. Enjoy! Be amazed! It’s now like it aired yesterday (once more), pardon the pun.
Joe
th-cam.com/video/uA0A7O9xTgU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ow_26hlYxf3cSIiM
Superstar (later remade by Luther Vandross), Close to You, Goodbye to Love, Masquerade, Rainy Days and Mondays, Top of the World, Only Yesterday are some of Carpenters other big hits.
Just superb harmonies, today's music just can't live with tunes like this !❤
Raised on blues and soul The Carpenters opened up a whole new world for me Karen was something else it genuinely saddened me when she passed away
You can't argue that this is one of their signature songs from the start but there a so many other beautiful Carpenter songs, Rainy Days and Monday's, Yesterday Once More, Goodbye to love, Solitaire and Karen's very last song before she passed away, Now.
Awwww, Ashley...that reaction was beautiful! 😊...I had to blink my tears away. You smiled the whole time. That's what The Carpenters make you feel.
beautiful song
Karen had the best voice I have heard since 1974. There is no other voice that comes close to making you feel, like she is singing directly to you. Karen had something in her voice, that always reached deep into our souls, as us "old guys" will tell you. She left us way to early.
A timeless pitch perfect soothing voice. So natural and effortless. She could sing any genre of music easily - blues, jazz, country, pop, etc. Do not forget. She was a world class drummer while singing. ❤
This was one of the most go to 'Wedding songs' in the 70's. I think it's easy to see why.
Everything you play you can't miss most of us. We still play it all on our devices. Thank you
This was the #1 wedding song for many years.
Karen started playing the drums in her senior in high school & almost overnight became one the best drummers
The Carpenters song you’re looking for is Superstar, I promise 😉
I loved the Carpenters! I could listen to her sweet voice all day! Her voice could never be duplicated!
Absolutely gorgeous harmony! And that iconic lovely voice of Karen!
STILL gives me goosebumps after all of these years.......AWSUM love jam
This is so beautiful. Touching reaction from you, Ashley.
Great job reacting to this Ashley!
Love this song, just beautiful
Love the Carpenters. Thanks for reacting Ashley! 🎉
Once they released this song, you couldn't find a wedding or reception where this song wasn't played. I have a tape of my wedding and they are playing this song. And to think it was originally a bank commercial. Karen is also an awesome drummer/percussionist.
So great to see you finding the best music....
I loved how she made her voice high and low. What master skill!
1979, 6th grade graduation. Memories ❤
The harmonies are so touching and have the same effect on me decades after first hearing it.
Loved your reaction Ashley. My wife and I love the Carpenters. And this song in particular. It came out on August 21, 1970 and we just got married on August 16th in the chapel of the college we were attending. The words of the song gave so much meaning to us. We immediately bought there album Close to You which this song is on. We even got a chance to see them live a couple of years later. It was amazing! And Karen could really play the drums. We also play this song on our anniversary every year. Thanks for your reaction and heartfelt comments. Best wishes!❤
Our Karen. Gifted, Shy, Fragile.
Godspeed for voice that won't ever come again.
nice reaction very good choice
Best female voice ever.
Karen Carpenter and Whitney Houston. 2 of the finest female voices taken from us much too soon.
Inocence is beatiful and makes one feel happy.
"And when the evening comes... We smile.
Som much of life ahead."
👌🏼👴🏼
This song was released in 1970 and I got married in January 1971, so of course I had to have this song sung at my wedding. So did about a million other brides! :)
This song just gave me the chills... for about the 1000th time. It's an emotional trip. Karen and her brother Richard created something that will never be copied. They both deserve credit. Karen's voice is one of the greats in history... and Richard's arranging and involvement in the harmonies is historic. Thank you Carpenters.
Very nicely done. I like your review. This one is my favorite by a long shot. Those harmonies..........
The most beautiful voice. Hypnotic
Great reaction, Ashley. Love the delight on your face.
What a beautiful reaction from you, Ashley. ❤
You can't go wrong with The Carpenters. Stick your thumb in, and you're going to pull out another plum. I guarantee it! 😊
Beautiful
The greatest female voice of all time period ❤❤❤R.I.P. Karen we will always love you ❤❤❤❤
You groove like I do. Your precious and dead on for The Carpenters. They are magic and she is the Wizard.
Such a special lady
I remember watching their TV show in the 70's Karen had such a wonderful and beautiful voice . I was and still am a big fan!
I LOVE how much you appreciate this!!! EXCELLENT reaction!!!
Not only an incredible voice, she's a very good drummer too!
She was The Voice!!!!!!!!
You were a pleasure to watch.😊
The chorus is surprisingly funky.
LOL... I love how you're breathless at 3:30 when she sings "So much of Life ahead, we'll find a place where there's room to grow..." 😊 It's one of my favorite moments in the song too! 😄
The song fill with Hope and promise.
No auto tune here, pure vocal talent in all of them - Karen is one of the very top famale voices ive ever heard, like an agel butter smooth
This Song was originally a Commercial Jingle (Written by Paul Williams, a very prolific songwriter) . Richard Carpenter brought it to his sister Karen and the rest is Rock History.
awesome.... too strong and deep to compare to new songs...no words
That is what harmonization is supposed to sound like!
You are a roll Ash!!
The background is beautifully sung by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Karen was only 19 when she recorded this. Rest in glory Karen Carpenter.
I was just a kid when this was out and I assure you, I had the same reaction!! The 70s and 80s had not only great Artists, but the songwriting and production were the best. But ultimately what you are reacting to is the spirit of quality, amazing music!! Check out some "Heatwave" sometime. Their stuff will touch u. Nerdy British guy was the keyboard player and songwriter in the band. He was also the writer of Thriller and tons more. Enjoy!!
Cada musica conta uma história, mas a voz dela falava ao coração...
hahaha. her reactions. she knows the song and her voice is incomparable in today's artist or music.
The song started out as a jingle for Crocker Bank...
She had a gift and chose to share it with us. Thank you. Such a beautiful voice.
THE BEST!
Okay, I had to subscribe! I love that you react to ALL genres of music and these older songs that I grew up listening to. Music today cant touch these songs! ❤️
This song was written by Paul Williams for a bank commercial for the Crocker Bank (no longer Crocker) in California. Apparently, it was a written as a wedding commericail, but Rickard heard the commercial and immediately wanted to record it. The rest is history : )
Love the 70s check out Player singing "Baby come back" you will love it
Have a blessed day
She was told to actually sing in a higher pitch, but refused saying the audience is with a lower female voice. She was right.
Never wanted to be a singer, but because of the contract, her brother convinced her to.
She already had an all female band with a lead singer (not her) she was the lead drummer.
This song was our graduation song back in the 70s.
"The money is in the basement" is what KC or Richard said.
true, even though she actually had a 4 octave range. Of course it's also what one does in those octaves.. Master vocalist (not just a singer) and storyteller was she. Ultimate vocalist who sang TO the listener NOT at them...@@SFPhilo
I like all of her songs but specially Rainy days and Mondays and Superstar
This song got a lot of play time at weddings.
Ashley, your reaction to the legendary Carpenters is priceless.
I was thinking the same thing. The look on her face when that voice begins. Classic.
It's hard to top this one, but, imho, "Hurting Each Other" (a remake of a 1965 song that was done by many artists--kind of like "Superstar," which The Carpenters also did) comes pretty close!
Top of the world
The Carpenters also remind me of The Fifth Dimension.
That song is timeless and magical, no matter old it is. I enjoyed your reaction to it, Ashley.
I heard that Frank Sinatra was quoted saying that Karen was the only ticket that he would buy to see her sing. John Lennon also approached her and told her she had a magnificent voice.
Paul McCartney also said her voice was amazing
Which of course it was
Grew up listening to the Carpenters and still get chills listening to this!
High school sweethearts used often to get married soon after graduation and so they were beginning new lives in more ways.
Great reaction, Ash!! If you are interested there is a channel here on YT, just a few doors down the hall from yours, in which the guy analyzes vocals from prominent singers. The channel is called Wings of Pegasus and he proves in one of his videos that Karen is even more pitch perfect live than in the recorded version of a song! RIP to a beautiful soul.
This was written by Paul Williams (not of The Temptations), that was for an Insurance Company. It was also used in 1990 when All My Children celebrated it's 20th Anniversry. It also got them a Grammy Award for best Pop Performance by A Duo or Group. In the 1990's a Tribute Album was released called If I Were A Carpenter where Grunge groups did their versions of Carpenters songs. In the UK a TV Special took place where The Carpenters Music was performed but there was a mistake, they did "Please Mr. Postman" but it was covered by The Marvellettes. She was also close Friends with Olivia Newton-John (RIP).
We sung this at my 6th grade graduation
omgeee I would be in tears as a parent listening to kids sing this 😩
Hi Ms. Ashley, U know that she is describing a Wedding.. Ms. Karen is just Great.. ♠Mr.G..
More Carpenters !Please do SING and FOR ALL WE KNOW !next
It’s amazing the song was taken from a Crocker Bank commercial.
If you haven't done it, I would enjoy your reaction to close to you. I really enjoy your perspective on these videos.
Great wedding song!
🙏🏽❤️ my mother loved her. She would play her on the way to school in the car, and I would yell at my mom to change the channel now I listen to her almost every day.🙏🏽❤️
Even if this 3 months ago, I'm so glad that you evaluated this one. I have a crush on you I'm sorry, from the Philippines yooohh.,.
This song was sung at my high school graduation ceremony in June 1972.
Superb and sublime. Why don't musicians do it like this anymore?
They can't. Karen Carpenter was one in a million. Nobody like that exists.
This makes me so nostalgic for my childhood. It doesn't get better than The Carpenters ❤
Arguably the most perfect female voice.... but her daily struggles to be what she perceived to be perfect, took her away from us way too young. Saw them in concert in Duluth, MN in about 1975.
Karen had the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. She will not be surpassed,
Played at every, EVERY wedding in 70s and 80s