Karen was amazing. Pitch perfect & clear (w/o auto tune.) Beautiful, rich tone. 3-octave range. Incredible breath control. Impeccable diction. Seamless transition between her upper & lower registers. And she makes you FEEL every word!! Check out “Goodbye to Love” - where they introduced the world to the “power ballad”
This song is from 1971. I loved The Carpenters when I was a kid. Karen was a true alto, a rarity in popular music. Her voice was just so rich and deep. And she was an AMAZING drummer!
Karen Carpenter will always have a special place in my heart. There are so many talented artists and amazing songs in this world, but Karen's voice and songs just hit my soul differently. When I hear one, I am instantly brought back to a time in life when the world seemed innocent, full of hope and love. As always, I loved your reaction. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face.
Her voice is legendary, as are Richard’s arrangements. Karen was a reluctant singer- she wanted to just play drums, but there was no denying her talent. I’ve heard said that she would sit and knock out a song perfectly in one take. Glad you enjoy them. This song, Yesterday Once More, and Goodbye to Love are some of my favorites.
I agree. Karen was more comfortable singing behind the drums. She was very self-conscious of her appearance when they had her sing out in front of the group. Did that switch have anything thing to do with her anorexia?
@@CC-Wulf nope....they were kids when they were offered to Wreaking Crew founder Hal Blaine to produce then but he was way too busy playing on over 35,000 recording as the most recorded artist ever....he played the drums on most all of your favorite songs....he played the drums on all the Carpenters sessions...not Karen.....during the first session with their mother from hell in attendance...Hal suggested that Karen sing in a lower register.....her mother pops off and say "Well that's just the way she sings".....they took a break and when they came back she started singing lower and rest is history.....
Karen Carpenter had an amazing voice. Brings a tear to the eye. Especially if you know her sad story. RIP Karen Carpenter. The song was originally released in 1971.
Karen's voice is immaculate. Singing and playing the drums! Her brother Richard harmonizes and arranges the music. Such a talented group that is starting to be recognized by a younger generation. That makes me happy. One of their best is: "I Won't Last A Day Without You." Check it out.
Karen is untouchable, in a class of one. There is Karen Carpenter and then there is everyone else. I always felt that not only is her voice a masterpiece, she was a beautiful woman. The number 1 selling american group of the 70's is Carpenters. They tore up the charts like nobody else.
There are only two background singers featured in this performance - it's just Karen and Richard. They were known for having lush, harmony-laden backing vocals that they sang, themselves.
It WAS a certified hit, one of their biggest. The baking vocals are done by herself and her brother Richard (seen here on keyboards). They multi-tracked their vocals up to 12 times each to produce what became their signature sound.
Karen and Richard WERE the background singers. After they recorded their songs Richard would drag Karen back into the studio to sing the background over and over again. Then he would layer them until they were perfect. If not, he would pull her back in to record more harmonies until he found that magical "Carpenter" sounds
This was released in 1971. It hit #2 on the Hot 100 chart and #1 on Easy Listening. Great song and as I always do, I was singing along. As someone with a low alto voice, I love singing Karen's songs. One of my favorite all time singers. She was gone too soon, for sure. She passed away my Senior year of High School in 1983.
The best voice ever. If you haven't done it before, please react to The Carpenters "SUPERSTAR" (original video). They are brother and sister in this band (brother Richard on the piano. Karen on vocals and is also an incredible drummer). ❤❤
Thanks for doing this reaction video. Her brother Richard composed all of their music and it's their voices singing the Harmony's. In the 70's they sold 125 million records. (That was huge for the time) More than any other artist's in that decade. It's been said that Karen Carpenter has one of the best voice of all time. She was an angel who was taken from us too soon. Her death left everyone stunned and shocked and opened a whole new look at eating disorders. She had everything, except her own autonomy. Sad ending to one of the best voices I have ever heard. When her voice came on, no matter where you were, you knew it was Karen Carpenter. A true American Treasure!
Very very unique reactor you are. reacting topless. Makes you the only reactor to do this on the You Tube network. Also hair is Dope! Your energy and expressions are refreshing!!! Just wanna let you know that, Little brother. Thanks for diving in my generation of music: the 60's & 70's. The golden and beginning age of music where next music was created like Rock n' Roll. Soul music. Heavy Rock music. Folk music. Funk music. Glit-Rock music. Progressive Rock music. Music that generations that follow would sample. Enjoy the Carpenters! This group was the epitome of soft rock and ballads. Karen Carpenter has an angelic voice and plays the drums and her brother writes most of the music and does back up vocals along with four other members of the band. Enjoy!!!!
Enjoyed your reaction. There was often a sadness to her singing but such a joy when she was behind a drum kit. Glad you liked this. Karen and Richard both were extremely talented! Karen's story is a very sad one. Lost her and her heavenly voice way too soon. Hope you delve deeper into Carpenters timeless music! RIP KAREN.
The Carpenters have a lot of great tunes. You have heard my fav already (Superstar) so I'll suggest two of their biggest hits. 'We've Only Just Begun' and '(They Long To Be) Close To You'. Cheers.
Thank you Shirtless Wonder for embracing and loving our beloved Karen Carpenter. It's people like you who will introduce her to the next generation so they can experience her great talent. Maybe for your next Carpenter's song check out Yesterday Once More.
She definitely went through it. Struggles with anorexia are what ultimately led to her early death. So sad. So talented. When I was a kid I used to sing along with her and play on my “air” drums. I wanted to be her. Such a huge talent.
I think this is live. They called her one take Karen, she could literally record in one take and sounded that good live. So lovely this song. It's a top 10 for me at this point.
Karen Carpenter had a phenomenal voice. So sad it was cut so short! You should try Neil Diamond. Two of my favorites are Cracklin' Rosie or Solitary Man.
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 "We've Only Just Begun", "(They Long To Be) Close To You", "For All We Know", "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.
So glad you loved this. I grew up listening to The Carpenters. There was always a sadness about Karen. She was so talented but had Anorexia most of her adult life. So this song makes me sad. Great reaction. 😊👍🏾
Since you enjoy harmonica, listen to their version of Desperado. It's just as smooth and the harmonica makes the song. As other have suggested, Goodbye to Love, is another great choice and one with a surprising addition - surprising to Carpenters fans when it came out in 1972 but it grew on everyone! Always enjoy your reactions!! Keep up the good work! 👍
You are on to something now. My two favorite groups are Bee Gees and Carpenters. The background I believe are layered voices of her and her brother Richard.
This song was very personal for her. She suffered and died from Anorexia. She hated what she looked like and starved herself to death. She never knew how much her fans loved her and remember her even 40 yrs later.
Awesome reaction thanks . Dude no one ever talks about this. This is where the magic comes from !!! The back up singers is their own voice. It’s her !!!harmonizing with her self. They use her and her brothers own voice to harmonize. That’s why it sounds so good it is all themselves you’re hearing their own voice Together, no one ever talks about this listen to it you can hear it. You can hear her voice in the background harmonizing when she sings that’s the magic.
Had the good fortune to meet them several times...have some lovely notes from Karen too. Karen and brother Richard did ALL the backing vocals (multitrack overdubbing) on all their album vocals, while Richard was the arranger/keyboardist. This was a 1971 release from the self-titled album "Carpenters" (the "tan album")
The harmonica comes back on the song Desperado and Leave Yesterday Behind. All background vocal harmonies are only done by Karen and Richard (even when the videos show band members singing along) except for a handful of their songs where they are joined by other singers or choirs or in one case, a children’s chorus. Karen and Richard would overdub their voices singing multiple parts such that the solos seemed to have a large group of singers singing backup where it was mostly just the voices of the duo. That was one of their trademarks that contributed to their “sound”. ❤
I saw Karen Carpenter sing and drum in 1972.Karen died form complications from anorexia in 1983 --she was almost 33 .One of the greatest voices of all time .
Shon, got to say Karen Carpenter is in my top 5 favorite female singers of all time The others are Thalia Corrine Bailey Rae Dolly Parton Minnie Riperton Highly recommend any song by any of these.
Heh heh I like how you say they are not recognized enough, that's why there first hit was 1970 and owned the 70's along with the Bee Gee's everyone recognized them, and it's nice that they are being re-recognized. If haven't yet u need to react to "Close to you" it was there first great and #1 hit
I’ve spent most of my life in Cascadia, otherwise known as the Pacific Northwest. I wouldn’t say I love the rain, but I love what it does for us and I’m 100% willing to tolerate it in exchange for the best summers in North America.
Shon!? Want to hear their #2 hit ? LIVE!!?? True that!! Ed Sullivan show. Carpenters we’ve only just begun! This show is credited for the Beatles,Elvis,and so many others! And anyone who gets privileged to be on his show, becomes a superstar
She had such a gift. One on a trillion.
Take note that Karen the lead singer is also playing the drums. Drums were her first love.
Quite possibly the greatest female vocalist in the history of recorded music.
Sadly, left us way too soon.
Peace ❤
She sings that well WHILE PLAYING THE DRUMS!!!
The "background singers" are actually Karen and Richard's own vocals stacked to get that unique harmony.
Yes! I'm glad you mentioned that.
she's playing the drums and singing. she's considered a top ten drummer to this day.
Karen was amazing.
Pitch perfect & clear (w/o auto tune.)
Beautiful, rich tone.
3-octave range.
Incredible breath control.
Impeccable diction.
Seamless transition between her upper & lower registers.
And she makes you FEEL every word!!
Check out “Goodbye to Love” - where they introduced the world to the “power ballad”
This song is from 1971. I loved The Carpenters when I was a kid. Karen was a true alto, a rarity in popular music. Her voice was just so rich and deep. And she was an AMAZING drummer!
Karen's voice was a gift from god!
She set the standard! 😃❤️
Karen Carpenter will always have a special place in my heart. There are so many talented artists and amazing songs in this world, but Karen's voice and songs just hit my soul differently. When I hear one, I am instantly brought back to a time in life when the world seemed innocent, full of hope and love. As always, I loved your reaction. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face.
Her voice is legendary, as are Richard’s arrangements. Karen was a reluctant singer- she wanted to just play drums, but there was no denying her talent. I’ve heard said that she would sit and knock out a song perfectly in one take. Glad you enjoy them. This song, Yesterday Once More, and Goodbye to Love are some of my favorites.
I agree. Karen was more comfortable singing behind the drums. She was very self-conscious of her appearance when they had her sing out in front of the group. Did that switch have anything thing to do with her anorexia?
@@CC-Wulf nope....they were kids when they were offered to Wreaking Crew founder Hal Blaine to produce then but he was way too busy playing on over 35,000 recording as the most recorded artist ever....he played the drums on most all of your favorite songs....he played the drums on all the Carpenters sessions...not Karen.....during the first session with their mother from hell in attendance...Hal suggested that Karen sing in a lower register.....her mother pops off and say "Well that's just the way she sings".....they took a break and when they came back she started singing lower and rest is history.....
I’d add Superstar to that list, but I don’t think they had a bad song in their whole career.
Karen Carpenter had an amazing voice. Brings a tear to the eye. Especially if you know her sad story. RIP Karen Carpenter. The song was originally released in 1971.
Karen's voice is immaculate.
Singing and playing the drums!
Her brother Richard harmonizes and arranges the music.
Such a talented group that is starting to be recognized by a younger generation.
That makes me happy.
One of their best is: "I Won't Last A Day Without You."
Check it out.
Karen is untouchable, in a class of one. There is Karen Carpenter and then there is everyone else. I always felt that not only is her voice a masterpiece, she was a beautiful woman. The number 1 selling american group of the 70's is Carpenters. They tore up the charts like nobody else.
Listen to how long she says “dowwwwn” in the chorus, and how subtly she controls and varies it as it fades.
There are only two background singers featured in this performance - it's just Karen and Richard. They were known for having lush, harmony-laden backing vocals that they sang, themselves.
It WAS a certified hit, one of their biggest. The baking vocals are done by herself and her brother Richard (seen here on keyboards). They multi-tracked their vocals up to 12 times each to produce what became their signature sound.
She was something else.. a voice like no other (and she was an excellent drummer too)!!! Thanks for a great reaction, and a nice memory too!
Karen and Richard WERE the background singers. After they recorded their songs Richard would drag Karen back into the studio to sing the background over and over again. Then he would layer them until they were perfect. If not, he would pull her back in to record more harmonies until he found that magical "Carpenter" sounds
I can’t believe you didn’t notice that she was playing the drums while singing!
Sadly, Karen passed away in 1983. She had such a beautiful voice; and with her brother Richard, recorded some GREAT music. RIP, Karen.
Her brother Richard did all these arrangements, and they are smooth as silk sunshine candy!
Best female vocalist of all time bro, good reaction!!
Her voice is unlike any other strong and melancholy at the same time! She was so steady and they had to be perfectionists to make sounds this good!
Such a beautiful soul… She was taken from this world before we could see her true potential……
This was released in 1971. It hit #2 on the Hot 100 chart and #1 on Easy Listening. Great song and as I always do, I was singing along. As someone with a low alto voice, I love singing Karen's songs. One of my favorite all time singers. She was gone too soon, for sure. She passed away my Senior year of High School in 1983.
Remember it well.
carpenters music is always so smooth.
The best voice ever. If you haven't done it before, please react to The Carpenters "SUPERSTAR" (original video).
They are brother and sister in this band (brother Richard on the piano. Karen on vocals and is also an incredible drummer). ❤❤
Oh yes, one of my absolute favorites!
Thanks for doing this reaction video. Her brother Richard composed all of their music and it's their voices singing the Harmony's. In the 70's they sold 125 million records. (That was huge for the time) More than any other artist's in that decade. It's been said that Karen Carpenter has one of the best voice of all time. She was an angel who was taken from us too soon. Her death left everyone stunned and shocked and opened a whole new look at eating disorders. She had everything, except her own autonomy. Sad ending to one of the best voices I have ever heard. When her voice came on, no matter where you were, you knew it was Karen Carpenter. A true American Treasure!
Her "Superstar" is my favorite from Karen.
You're so enthusiastic and upbeat in your reactions. Love it. Karen's voice was the definition of perfection.
Very very unique reactor you are. reacting topless. Makes you the only reactor to do this on the You Tube network. Also hair is Dope! Your energy and expressions are refreshing!!! Just wanna let you know that, Little brother. Thanks for diving in my generation of music: the 60's & 70's. The golden and beginning age of music where next music was created like Rock n' Roll. Soul music. Heavy Rock music. Folk music. Funk music. Glit-Rock music. Progressive Rock music. Music that generations that follow would sample. Enjoy the Carpenters! This group was the epitome of soft rock and ballads. Karen Carpenter has an angelic voice and plays the drums and her brother writes most of the music and does back up vocals along with four other members of the band. Enjoy!!!!
An absolutely pure voice. The Carepenters are remembered for it.
Enjoyed your reaction. There was often a sadness to her singing but such a joy when she was behind a drum kit. Glad you liked this. Karen and Richard both were extremely talented! Karen's story is a very sad one. Lost her and her heavenly voice way too soon. Hope you delve deeper into Carpenters timeless music! RIP KAREN.
The Carpenters have a lot of great tunes. You have heard my fav already (Superstar) so I'll suggest two of their biggest hits. 'We've Only Just Begun' and '(They Long To Be) Close To You'. Cheers.
❤❤❤
Love CLOSE TO YOU.
Thank you Shirtless Wonder for embracing and loving our beloved Karen Carpenter. It's people like you who will introduce her to the next generation so they can experience her great talent. Maybe for your next Carpenter's song check out Yesterday Once More.
Karen did her own background harmonies, not a chorus.
I miss the carpenters. Their music was so soothing. So sad that she died.
I love your reactions so much - and especially to my beloved Carpenters - this was the soundtrack of my childhood
i saw an interview with her brother Richard and he even said that they called her "one take Karen". pretty amazing.
This song came out in 1971, my friend :-)
That is actually Karen and Richard doing the background vocals.
React to The Carpenters "This Masquerade"' You will fall in love with it. Simply the best.
I've enjoyed this WONDERFUL SONG for over 40 years. So glad you are now enjoying it too!
She definitely went through it. Struggles with anorexia are what ultimately led to her early death. So sad. So talented. When I was a kid I used to sing along with her and play on my “air” drums. I wanted to be her. Such a huge talent.
Perfect song.
I think this is live. They called her one take Karen, she could literally record in one take and sounded that good live. So lovely this song. It's a top 10 for me at this point.
Actually, it was dubbed from the studio version.
Sweetheart the song came out in 1971
Karen Carpenter had a phenomenal voice. So sad it was cut so short!
You should try Neil Diamond. Two of my favorites are Cracklin' Rosie or Solitary Man.
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 "We've Only Just Begun", "(They Long To Be) Close To You", "For All We Know", "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.
So glad you loved this. I grew up listening to The Carpenters. There was always a sadness about Karen. She was so talented but had Anorexia most of her adult life. So this song makes me sad. Great reaction. 😊👍🏾
They were very famous for a long stretch way back when but her story was such a very sad one. RIP Karen Carpenter
Lol. I was just gonna say....now u gotta listen to it uninterrupted. Another GREAT song by them! Love ur reactions!🙌
Since you enjoy harmonica, listen to their version of Desperado. It's just as smooth and the harmonica makes the song.
As other have suggested, Goodbye to Love, is another great choice and one with a surprising addition - surprising to Carpenters fans when it came out in 1972 but it grew on everyone!
Always enjoy your reactions!! Keep up the good work! 👍
The background singers are Karen and Richard Carpenter. They dubbed their own vocals
The GOAT!!
Shon, please do much more of the no. 1 Karen Carpenter!!
Thanks!❤❤love your reactions. If you like harmonicas ...Darrell Mansfield is the very best!!!!
Always beautiful
Karen Carpenter is the GOAT of singers.
Check out We've Only Just Begun.
She had an Angelic voice and check out her other hits. Everything she sang was perfection.
Karen tops my list of female singers 🎵🎶💚
I love Karen! SUPERSTAR NEXT! NEXT FLEETWOOD MAC GOLD DUST WOMAN! STEVIES VOICE ❤❤❤❤
I remember when she died. She was on the front cover of People magazine and they were trying to shed light on anorexia. Very sad, great voice.
That's when we were just learning about anorexia and bulimia, yes very sad and a great loss for the world
You are on to something now. My two favorite groups are Bee Gees and Carpenters. The background I believe are layered voices of her and her brother Richard.
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by the Hollies is fantastic and has the harmonica
This song was very personal for her. She suffered and died from Anorexia. She hated what she looked like and starved herself to death. She never knew how much her fans loved her and remember her even 40 yrs later.
She allows her voice to crack for emphasis. Amazing and she is an accomplished drummer also.
Nice reaction, man. Enjoyed it…
Awesome reaction thanks . Dude no one ever talks about this. This is where the magic comes from !!! The back up singers is their own voice. It’s her !!!harmonizing with her self. They use her and her brothers own voice to harmonize. That’s why it sounds so good it is all themselves you’re hearing their own voice Together, no one ever talks about this listen to it you can hear it. You can hear her voice in the background harmonizing when she sings that’s the magic.
♥ I suggest their song - *This Masquerade*
Love this reaction! A couple of other Carpenters songs you might like: “Superstar” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.”
WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN....! SO BEAUTIFUL!
I was just a baby when this came out. My older sisters had this on 45's. What a voice Karen Carpenter had...
To continue the Mondayitis vibes, check out the Bangles (who you've reacted to before) song "Manic Monday". Massive hit in the 80s!
Had the good fortune to meet them several times...have some lovely notes from Karen too. Karen and brother Richard did ALL the backing vocals (multitrack overdubbing) on all their album vocals, while Richard was the arranger/keyboardist. This was a 1971 release from the self-titled album "Carpenters" (the "tan album")
Carpenters: A Song for You
Should be stated that she is one of best drummers of the 70’s..and doesn’t miss a beat while singing.PERFECTLY..
Superstar is, my favorite.
The harmonica comes back on the song Desperado and Leave Yesterday Behind.
All background vocal harmonies are only done by Karen and Richard (even when the videos show band members singing along) except for a handful of their songs where they are joined by other singers or choirs or in one case, a children’s chorus. Karen and Richard would overdub their voices singing multiple parts such that the solos seemed to have a large group of singers singing backup where it was mostly just the voices of the duo. That was one of their trademarks that contributed to their “sound”. ❤
I saw Karen Carpenter sing and drum in 1972.Karen died form complications from anorexia in 1983 --she was almost 33 .One of the greatest voices of all time .
Shon, got to say Karen Carpenter is in my top 5 favorite female singers of all time
The others are
Thalia
Corrine Bailey Rae
Dolly Parton
Minnie Riperton
Highly recommend any song by any of these.
And they’re performing this live..Paul Williams wrote this song and carpenters delivered it perfectly..like always
Rain and thunder Storms i do not like at all. PTSD Trigger. Awesome reaction. She sang like an angel. Love to you from the one and only Memphis Tn.
Love your reactions. Sooooo authentic. Welcome to a lot of great music.
Heh heh I like how you say they are not recognized enough, that's why there first hit was 1970 and owned the 70's along with the Bee Gee's everyone recognized them, and it's nice that they are being re-recognized. If haven't yet u need to react to "Close to you" it was there first great and #1 hit
Early 70s, I grew up with The Carpenters ❤
Oh my goodness. Thank you. She is one of the best.😂
The Carpenters Superstar Shon , next!
Angelic voice. 😢❤
A plus plus! Watch one where she plays drums and sings !
I’ve spent most of my life in Cascadia, otherwise known as the Pacific Northwest. I wouldn’t say I love the rain, but I love what it does for us and I’m 100% willing to tolerate it in exchange for the best summers in North America.
AWSOMENESS!! A drummer to boot!
Shon!? Want to hear their #2 hit ? LIVE!!?? True that!! Ed Sullivan show. Carpenters we’ve only just begun! This show is credited for the Beatles,Elvis,and so many others! And anyone who gets privileged to be on his show, becomes a superstar
I was 20 in 1971 and I instantly fell in love with Karen.
Most of the background vocals were Karen and her brother layered in.... Just perfect!!!!!
Love, love them! Nice reaction video 👍
DUDE CHECK OUT HER DRUM SOLO
What a lovely voice
I mentioned Corrine Bailey Rae do Trouble Sleeping, guaranteed that you would love this song.
This song is from 1971, not 1980.
I thought cello was your favorite instrument? Harmonica is great, too. Also, Blues Traveller has a lot of harmonica. You may enjoy that band.
“Run-Around”. 🔥🔥🔥 The lead singer, John Popper, plays a mean harmonica.