Sometimes it can be difficult to hear her and to also watch her because she was such a beautiful and talented woman. You can't help but get emotional especially when you know her story. From starting as a drummer and singer with her brother and his group in college to passing away so young from the damage done to her heart from the eating disorder of anorexia nervosa. There will never be another like her.
True, and they were blowing up at the time she died. She wasn't just anorexic, but bulimic also. Would attend elaborate dinners and eat hardily, to hide her anorexia, then purge which combined is doublely toxic.
FREAKY FACT: KAREN CARPENTER (CARPENTERS) 40th ANNIVERSARY OF HER PASSING AWAY FEB. 4, 1983 > WAS JUST '4 DAYS' FROM BURT BACHARACH PASSING FEB. 8, 2023! REMEMBER > IT WAS BURT'S SONG "CLOSE TO YOU" THAT *LAUNCHED* THE 'CARPENTERS' METEORIC CAREER (1st Song/Mega Hit) & MANY MORE FOLLOWED JUST LIKE THAT > 1 SONG RELEASES = ANOTHER HIT!!
Karen was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. She had such a beautiful, mesmerizing, but deeply melancholic voice that was as effortless as a summer breeze. She was also an exceptionally talented drummer, especially when you take into account very few (if any) women at the time were playing drums. In my humble opinion, she remains the best female vocalist of my lifetime. Honestly, she could sing the phonebook and it would still sound exceptional. RIP Karen, you are sadly missed. We all just wish you saw the same beauty and talent in yourself that the rest of the world saw in you.
I agree, however I would give a honorable mention to Anne Murray as well. She's the only other artist who reminds me of Karen Carpenter vocally. Just my opinion of course. Take care and stay well.
"Melancholic" is the precise descriptive word for her tone. I would put her phrasing & control on par with Patsy Cline. The emotion elicited comes from a deeper understanding of this world, IMHO.
Let's not overlook the genius of Richard Carpenters musical, orchestral and vocal arrangements of this wonderful piece. Even Burt Bacharach was in awe of his work.
Ironically, the family moved from East Haven, Ct to California to provide and support Richard’s gift, since he was a musical child prodigy. Little did they know at that time that their daughter had the God given gift as well. ⭐️⭐️
@@guitarpikchik2710- jealous? According to whom?? If anything, Richard pushed Karen to her potential, and to get out of her “comfort zone”. Not an action that would be characteristic of someone who is “jealous” of the other.
This performance always makes me cry. Knowing what Karen suffered in her life, this just seems like a cry for help. She was pure perfection! RIP Karen.❤️
I like this performance because of the line that starts ". . What I feel has come and gone before . . " because that sounds like resilient Karen. I don't like how some of her fans almost wallow in the tragedy of her death.
As a drummer, singing and playing the drums at the same time is something I never got the hang of. One would over ride the other. Karen made it so natural and did it so well.
Karen made it all seem so easy, so effortless, her singing as well as her drumming. Has anyone ever seen her out of breath? I don´t. It was all pure joy, especially her drumming. The contrast with her struggles in personal life makes it even more heartbreaking that she left us way too early 😢 But she left so many of us such a beautiful legacy! 🫶 Not only our generation, but also the younger generations that are rediscovering The Carpenters´ music. That´s a heartwarming bandage for the heartbreak of losing her so early!❤
Good for you for recognizing her takent in spite if your own preference for hard rock! Her drumming talent was truly off the charts!! She and her brother had a jazz trio that won the Hollywood Battle of the bands when she was just a teenager. I don't think she was even singing at that time and thought of herself as just a drummer. Technically accurate and amazing!
Karen recorded this song lying flat down on pillows on the studio floor. She wanted to get that pure melancholy heartfelt feeling to really come through in her vocals. Karen truly sang from her heart❤ We miss you Karen❤
I knew this would touch you deeply and I was right. Karen's voice can pierce the soul reaching in to let you touch her feelings. Solitaire is another beautiful song from her, and I don't think people appreciate how instrumental in every song Richard was, his structuring of the songs made them timeless. Excellent reaction as usual. 👍🇬🇧
As a man I can say, her voice alone could, and did, cause a man to fall in love with her - _sight unseen._ She's the only music artist whose passing truly upsets me. If I think about it while listening to her sing, my eyes tear up. Most recently, it happened about a week ago.
@@realPenrodPooch +1 I still feel her loss. I would add Olivia Newton-John to your short list,...who coincidentally (maybe not!) was a very close friend of KC's. Also such a beautiful woman and soul, as sad as her passing was it was not the surprise of course at more than twice Karen's tragically young 32. Still, with that long-expected eventuality it was, like with Karen, "no, not HER!!" In her much longer/fuller life and despite major health challenges she was able to accomplish so much in the studio and on and off the stage. My buds, with whom I also enjoyed listening to and playing much harder/edgier music, would tease me for my love of both of these gorgeous ladies' once-in-a-generation (or two or...) music and personas,...but like many with time they've come around to appreciating what magic they missed.
The most beautiful voice in all of music’s history in my opinion! She passed away only a month away from her 33rd birthday on February 4, 1983 from heart failure due to over 10 years of anorexia. If I recall correctly, she was the one who brought eating disorders out into the light. She went in for treatment for it in 1981 and was still doing amazing with her recovery. She had been staying that week with her parents in her childhood home and was getting ready that morning to spend the day with her parents. When her mother thought she was taking too long to get ready, she opened her bedroom door to check in on her and found her on the floor. She was taken to the hospital and the doctors did all they could do, but it wasn’t enough. Her heart had just taken way too much damage over the years. I grew up listening to her with my grandmother who just adored her as did I. So many fond memories with her songs. I just wish she was here today so I could tell her how much her work meant to us. ❤
I was 12 y.o. when I heard her for the first time. Her voice went right into my soul and never left. It took me a week to memorize their name (by repeatingly asking my older brothers and sister: what ´s their name again?) 🙈 but I recognized her voice from the first second, even when it was a new song I had never heard before. It was pure her voice, carried by the music and the harmonies,... Two years later, when I got english class (I´m from Belgium and I speak dutch) I got interested in the lyrics. And I found out that there was a song for every significant event or time in my life. That ´s still the case, and I am 62.
This song always makes me tear up. Even though the lyrics were written by Paul Williams and only sung by Karen, the thought that she never felt worthy or good enough (hence her anorexia) really comes through in this song and it makes me sad again just like when we lost her. So happy to see new generations enjoying her (and Richard) as well.
Thank you for acknowledging the genius of Karen and Richard Carpenter. I was lucky enough to have experienced this music the first time around. She was one in a million!
So beautiful, rare contralto range, gorgeous tones so pure, and emotions, started crying, she was so moving. No female has ever had a sound, like Karen, and never will. I LOVED the little glottal stops, breaks, and neat little things that she did with her voicebox, that were so neat to hear, adding even more emotion.
I cry all the time when I hear Karen sing. As a low singer myself, she was someone I identified with early on in my childhood (born in the late 60’s) She was an icon to me. Still is. She dealt with such emotional pain and that transferred into her singing. That’s why I cry. She sings her pain and joy. Sadly her pain won out. Gone way way too soon.
I learned her mother was very manipulative and she probably had no control but started with bilimic which was her way to control her weight which resulted in her death. I am still upset about this because an amazing and talented singer like Karen should still be with us but health is a delicate subject to manipulate if you deny yourself eating properly. I wish she was still with us with her brother arranging her music together because their music means a lot to thier fans and to me
Love the range of your reactions. Enjoyed the intelligent comments. Have you looked into Linda Ronstadt yet? Linda and Karen are usually top 2 favorites of the 70's. Except Linda had a longer career, into the 2000's, and did a wide range of styles. Country, pop, folk, rock, Motown, mariachi, big band, light opera. Her last album was a foray into cajon. And, just a curve ball, please try Band Maid. They are a hard rock band from Japan. A breath of fresh air in the stale rock genre.
I am 56 years old a hard core rock and metal head but I will drop everything when they come on the radio and even put them on when I have a long drive . Talent is talent . Amazing what that voice does to a person’s insides . It’s beautiful, calming yet a touch of sad.
I am a massive Carpenters fan. This song always has a way to make me tear up. Her voice is simply...divine, beautiful, angelic. The platitudes go on. She was a once in a lifetime voice. You also have to give massive props to Richard for the arrangements he knew exactly how to fit them around Karen's voice. Like many I am deeply saddened by her early, tragic passing.
Not corny. That's part of what is wonderful about music. It can instantly get past all defenses or barriers and goes right to the feelings in your heart. You feel what you feel. Accepting and understanding your feelings is a strength, not a weakness.
There’s an incredible sense of honesty that comes through when Karen sings. A genuineness that is pretty rare. And then there’s the sheer talent. And at the end of the last chorus when she gets to the full stop after the powerful “always gets…” and the the softness and melancholy of the following “me down.” Gives me a chill every time. Always has.
When they started the band little sister was just the drummer, then they got an agent and he heard her sing and he was like "you guys are crazy, she needs to be the lead singer". But she never really liked it, she preferred just being a drummer.
It's really lovely to see how much her voice moves you, Salvo. This was the gift of Carpenters music. Richard's brilliant arrangements and Karen's magnificent voice just transported the listener. It's nearly impossible to hear a Carpenters song and not stop just to let it in.
Not bad vocals for a girl that preferred the drums and to sit up the back on stage. Her voice was like liquid gold, so smooth, mellow and effortlessly controlled. She sang the emotion through each and every song that she performed. It is only fairly recently that people have begun looking back and are now realizing just how really good she could sing. Karen Carpenter and Aretha Franklin were the premier female vocalists of their generation.
Don't ever forget Miss Vera Lynn, Miss Judy Garland, or Miss Jo Stafford. But Miss Karen Carpenter IMO is the greatest female singer of all time. A gift she received from the Holy Spirit.
I believe if she had continued to sing from behind the drum kit where she felt happy and safe she would possibly be alive today. The eating disorder was more and more out of control once she was expected to be the true front person of the group. She felt exposed and her every insecurity felt magnified. Your tears do you credit. She was completely vulnerable during this performance and watching her sing about feelings of depression touches me
You may have a point. But don't let off the fish hook the mistreatment and lack of love, caring, and understanding she did not receive from her mother Agnes.
I dont know if Im the only who feel like when she started to sing, you feel dond belong to 2023 ... your soul belongs to 70s ... Her voices is CAPTIVATY ...
I’m 60 and grew up hearing new songs from the Carpenters regularly on the radio and tv. Now you understand why the world burst into tears when we heard that she had died. We had lost that amazing voice of gold.
The duo is actually "Carpenters", not "The Carpenters". They were signed to A&M Records as "Carpenters" which is the way the name of the duo appears on all of their album covers and on the labels of their vinyl records. It was a mid 60s to mid 70s trend for groups and bands to not use "The" in their name. Karen Carpenter - lead and backing vocals, Richard Carpenter - backing vocals, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, orchestration, Joe Osborn - bass guitar, Hal Blaine - drum, Tommy Morgan - harmonica, Bob Messenger - tenor saxophone.
Roger Nichols and Paul Williams (Smokey and the Bandit) wrote this timeless classic as well as “We’ve only just begun”. Nobody sings it as perfectly as Karen Carpenter.
I grew up in the 70's and have heard this song since my earliest recollection. Karen should still be here. She remains my favorite female vocalist. She left us so much to cherish and it still makes me sad that she was taken way too soon.
This is an extraordinary arrangement and performance. Everything is subordinate yet sustaining to her voice. Each phrase and note is caressed and full of emotion. No stupid wailing and screaming trying to show off the voice. Instead an intimate display of beauty and heartache. Superb work by all.
The best female voice of all time. Unmatched for her tone, warmth and vocal range. As of today, October 5, 2023, Richard Carpenter is working on a new studio album. This album will be her first solo recording since 1987's "Time Out of Mind." Carpenter has been working on the album for several years, and has been searching for a vocalist who can fill the void left by her sister Karen, who died in 1983. In an interview with Billboard in 2022, Carpenter said that the album will have a sound similar to that of the Carpenters, but that it will also be an evolution of his sound. "It's still soft rock, but it's a little more modern," Carpenter said. "There's also a bit of experimentation." Carpenter has not yet announced a release date for the album, but has said that he hopes it will be released in 2024. In addition to his work on the new album, Carpenter is also working on a documentary about the life and career of the Carpenters. The documentary, which is being produced by the company "Greenwich Entertainment", will be released in 2024. Carpenter also continues to tour and give concerts. In 2023, he toured the United States with singer-songwriter Michael Feinstein. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La mejor voz femenina de todos los tiempos. Inigualable por su tono, calidez y rango vocal. A fecha de hoy 5 de Octubre de 2023, Richard Carpenter está trabajando en un nuevo álbum de estudio. Este álbum será su primer trabajo discográfico en solitario desde "Time Out of Mind" de 1987. Carpenter ha estado trabajando en el álbum durante varios años, y ha estado buscando una vocalista que pueda llenar el vacío dejado por su hermana Karen, quien murió en 1983. En una entrevista con el medio "Billboard" en 2022, Carpenter dijo que el álbum tendrá un sonido similar al de los Carpenters, pero que también será una evolución de su sonido. "Todavía es soft rock, pero es un poco más moderno", dijo Carpenter. "También hay un poco de experimentación". Carpenter aún no ha anunciado una fecha de lanzamiento para el álbum, pero ha dicho que espera que salga a la venta en 2024. Además de su trabajo en el nuevo álbum, Carpenter también está trabajando en un documental sobre la vida y la carrera de los Carpenters. El documental, que está siendo producido por la compañía "Greenwich Entertainment", se estrenará en 2024. Carpenter también continúa realizando giras y dando conciertos. En 2023, realizó una gira por los Estados Unidos con el cantante y compositor Michael Feinstein.
I was 14 when the Carpenters released their first big hit ("Close to You") so I literally grew up listening to (and loving) their music. There are NO bad Carpenters' songs. "Rainy Days and Mondays" was never my favorite song by them, but for all the reasons you spoke of, it is still a great song! Karen was a MASTER at evoking emotion when she sang a song--any song! One of my favorites is "Only Yesterday". You might want to react to it! I look forward to seeing more of your reaction videos.
Saw them in concert 4 times!! So very very special. And I also sang tenor or second alto in choir as a girl. She was one of the few singers that i could match.
I enjoy singing all of The Carpenter’s songs along with the C.D.’s in my music collection. I think I have a pretty good voice, but no one will ever match Karen Carpenter’s beautiful voice. It was the epitome of PERFECTION !! 😮
It's such a treat watching younger listeners experience Karen's voice - especially when it's their first time. No matter who they are, their eyes and mouths pop open. One "reactionist" I follow is compelled to look into her camera and say, in disbelief, "her voice!" every time she listens to a Carpenters song. Karen and her brother were highly musically trained and educated - and neither of them needed more than one take to get it right. As you probably know, Karen recorded her vocal for Superstar having heard it only once --and she stood before her microphone singing the lyrics that her brother had scrawled .....on a napkin.... in one take. You mentioned her amazing breath control. "One Love" - an album cut from their tan album - has a remarkably long melodic line for a pop song - and of course she sings part of one line - and then all of the next - in one breath. No need to remind that she was a tiny, 5'2" tall - her lungs weren't enormous, though you'd never know that by listening to her sing. Her brother Richard sings an even longer line - in one breath - in the song "Druscilla Penny."
She was amazing, I was at the Hollywood Bowl the night they were inducted into their Hall of Fame. I had tears in my ears most of their night. Donna Summer performed one of her songs that night; Superstar….AMAZING!. I actually ran into her the next week and she shared the story that she was asked the morning of the event if she would consider doing a solo with Richard. She agreed…It’s on You Tube.
She was the greatest female singer of that era the 1970's and beyond, if she didn't pass away on that fateful day she would have in my opinion won more awards and Rightfully so she and her brother were a great duo and I miss her to this day, R.I.P. karen God bless your beautiful soul.
Everything she sings is beautiful and also heart wrenching at the same time.Its basically almost impossible to listen to her and not feel emotional and get teary eyed
Richard was not just the background singer. He chose what songs they were going to do (wrote part of them) and did all the arranging for the music. When Karen would sing and what instruments would be used were his discissions. Off course He and Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss (owners of A&M the record label they were signed with) also convinced Karen she should come out from behind her drum set and be the face of Carpenters. They all three agreed you could not have a face of the Carpenters if you could not see her singing behind her drums even if that was where she was comfortable. Some think that she went from a dieter to anorexia nervosa when she started leaving her drums.
April 29, 1972 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, GA I was there - wow what a show & I happened to be 21 at the time. What a magical performance. I still get chills listening to their music. peace all
Glad you can't see this old man. 50 years later and she still brings tears to my eyes! SUCH A TALENT! Angelic voice taken way too soon. Richard was a great keyboardist and arranger. One of the best duo's of all time. Tragic story.
Yep. SalvoG, you're so genuine and one of my fav reactors. I love how you are secure enough to allow us to watch how affected you are by a handful of these songs. I remember your "jeremy" reaction. When you are talking to us before the video, it sounds like you're talking to a friend on the phone, as you're coming across this information that is new to you. I love it.
There’s something so satisfying about watching Karen sing while playing drums, especially in this beautiful song. I remember hearing when Karen passed. The world was numb and went in slow motion for a while. 😢
Karen was every rocker's guilty pleasure. Love that she's still playing the drum kit here and their nod to the blues with the harp. Those layered vocals were a trademark Carpenters sound. Even though Richard took the idea from someone else, the Carpenters perfected the sound.
Karen was just a regular person humble, gorgeous, shy. giving. No one will or can replace her. Just special. Karen was an incredible human being who gave herself completely to the people around her. Richard was and is a genius.
Yes Kevin Boney, Karen was a regular person. I heard over years that I have something in common with her, finally looked her up few years ago and was beyond shocked. Greatly honored to say the least!
Great reaction! Listening to music has always been my "therapy," my go-to throughout my life. I remember my dad once seeing my albums (I just dated myself) and saying, "wow, you have such an eclectic taste in music. lol Yes, I had just about everything of my era from Led Zeppelin through Luciano Pavarotti! It all depended on my mood -- what I felt like listening to and/or what I needed to listen to that day. I loved it all.
She had the most expressive voice! I grew up listening to The Carpenters. I remember being so sad and confused when she died. 😥 Anorexia and bulimia weren't really well-understood diseases back then. I so wish she could've lived long enough to realize how very much the whole world loved her just as she was! ❤
This song is so relatable because we’ve all had those slightly down days. I know we always mention how wonderful Karen’s voice was, and of course that’s true, but I was thinking about Richard’s arrangement of the song with the rich harmonies and the instrumentation.
Keep in mind that Karen never wrote the songs. Richard selected them from song writers he came across and rewrote the arrangements around Karen's talent.
![FIRST TIME HEARING Carpenters - [They Long To Be] Close To You](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6pIP61mBP1g/mqdefault.jpg)
Sometimes it can be difficult to hear her and to also watch her because she was such a beautiful and talented woman. You can't help but get emotional especially when you know her story. From starting as a drummer and singer with her brother and his group in college to passing away so young from the damage done to her heart from the eating disorder of anorexia nervosa. There will never be another like her.
Exactly 😢❤
True, and they were blowing up at the time she died. She wasn't just anorexic, but bulimic also. Would attend elaborate dinners and eat hardily, to hide her anorexia, then purge which combined is doublely toxic.
Yes there's no one like Karen. No one comes close.
She was definitely taken from us too soon. Before her, anorexia wasn't a condition most people were aware of.
FREAKY FACT: KAREN CARPENTER (CARPENTERS) 40th ANNIVERSARY OF HER PASSING AWAY FEB. 4, 1983 > WAS JUST '4 DAYS' FROM BURT BACHARACH PASSING FEB. 8, 2023! REMEMBER > IT WAS BURT'S SONG "CLOSE TO YOU" THAT *LAUNCHED* THE 'CARPENTERS' METEORIC CAREER (1st Song/Mega Hit) & MANY MORE FOLLOWED JUST LIKE THAT > 1 SONG RELEASES = ANOTHER HIT!!
The most perfect alto voice, ever. She was such a talent and died way too young.
Technically she's a contralto.
way too young!
True Alto. So rare
Even over 50 years since I first heard this beautiful woman sing this, the tears still come.
Me too!
Same😢❤
Me too
In my humble opinion she is the greatest female vocalist of all time
the warmth is overwhelming.
Agreed
She, Anne Murray and Hellen Reddy all had fantastic voices. Olivia Newton John too.
Me too.😅
I've thought the same for the last 50 years.
Karen was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. She had such a beautiful, mesmerizing, but deeply melancholic voice that was as effortless as a summer breeze. She was also an exceptionally talented drummer, especially when you take into account very few (if any) women at the time were playing drums. In my humble opinion, she remains the best female vocalist of my lifetime. Honestly, she could sing the phonebook and it would still sound exceptional.
RIP Karen, you are sadly missed. We all just wish you saw the same beauty and talent in yourself that the rest of the world saw in you.
I agree, however I would give a honorable mention to Anne Murray as well. She's the only other artist who reminds me of Karen Carpenter vocally. Just my opinion of course. Take care and stay well.
"Melancholic" is the precise descriptive word for her tone. I would put her phrasing & control on par with Patsy Cline. The emotion elicited comes from a deeper understanding of this world, IMHO.
Totally agree!
@@rebeccalipps23 has he listened yet to the wonder that is Patsy? Her voice! It’s just beautiful.
@@donnaholland1625, I don't know. I haven't seen if he has.
Karen’s voice is still the purest most beautiful voice I have ever heard in all my life ♥️
Let's not overlook the genius of Richard Carpenters musical, orchestral and vocal arrangements of this wonderful piece. Even Burt Bacharach was in awe of his work.
Richard was jealous of her stardom. She's the one who was the attraction. Not him.
Ironically, the family moved from East Haven, Ct to California to provide and support Richard’s gift, since he was a musical child prodigy. Little did they know at that time that their daughter had the God given gift as well. ⭐️⭐️
True perfectionist.
@@guitarpikchik2710- jealous? According to whom?? If anything, Richard pushed Karen to her potential, and to get out of her “comfort zone”. Not an action that would be characteristic of someone who is “jealous” of the other.
I not only loved Karen, I loved the group her brother and the other background musicians/singers
She had PERFECT PITCH & a voice that was pure as the fallen snow.
This performance always makes me cry. Knowing what Karen suffered in her life, this just seems like a cry for help. She was pure perfection! RIP Karen.❤️
Nice. Thanks.
I like this performance because of the line that starts ". . What I feel has come and gone before . . " because that sounds like resilient Karen. I don't like how some of her fans almost wallow in the tragedy of her death.
Karen Carpenter's voice was a gift to all of us, and the skillful arrangements her brother wrote just enhanced it even more.
As a drummer, singing and playing the drums at the same time is something I never got the hang of. One would over ride the other. Karen made it so natural and did it so well.
100%!!
Karen made it all seem so easy, so effortless, her singing as well as her drumming. Has anyone ever seen her out of breath? I don´t. It was all pure joy, especially her drumming. The contrast with her struggles in personal life makes it even more heartbreaking that she left us way too early 😢
But she left so many of us such a beautiful legacy! 🫶 Not only our generation, but also the younger generations that are rediscovering The Carpenters´ music.
That´s a heartwarming bandage for the heartbreak of losing her so early!❤
Good for you for recognizing her takent in spite if your own preference for hard rock! Her drumming talent was truly off the charts!! She and her brother had a jazz trio that won the Hollywood Battle of the bands when she was just a teenager. I don't think she was even singing at that time and thought of herself as just a drummer. Technically accurate and amazing!
Karen recorded this song lying flat down on pillows on the studio floor. She wanted to get that pure melancholy heartfelt feeling to really come through in her vocals. Karen truly sang from her heart❤ We miss you Karen❤
I didn't know that! Amazing! Karen , we miss you! 🙏
She was just lovely. RIP KAREN I miss you
I knew this would touch you deeply and I was right. Karen's voice can pierce the soul reaching in to let you touch her feelings. Solitaire is another beautiful song from her, and I don't think people appreciate how instrumental in every song Richard was, his structuring of the songs made them timeless. Excellent reaction as usual. 👍🇬🇧
As a man I can say, her voice alone could, and did, cause a man to fall in love with her - _sight unseen._
She's the only music artist whose passing truly upsets me. If I think about it while listening to her sing, my eyes tear up. Most recently, it happened about a week ago.
@@realPenrodPooch +1 I still feel her loss. I would add Olivia Newton-John to your short list,...who coincidentally (maybe not!) was a very close friend of KC's. Also such a beautiful woman and soul, as sad as her passing was it was not the surprise of course at more than twice Karen's tragically young 32. Still, with that long-expected eventuality it was, like with Karen, "no, not HER!!" In her much longer/fuller life and despite major health challenges she was able to accomplish so much in the studio and on and off the stage. My buds, with whom I also enjoyed listening to and playing much harder/edgier music, would tease me for my love of both of these gorgeous ladies' once-in-a-generation (or two or...) music and personas,...but like many with time they've come around to appreciating what magic they missed.
Well put. I would add an often overlooked one is "(A Place To) Hideaway," I'd put right up there with the more often mentioned classics.
I'd love to see him react to "Solitaire", not many react to it.
I thought he was going to cry 😊
The most beautiful voice in all of music’s history in my opinion! She passed away only a month away from her 33rd birthday on February 4, 1983 from heart failure due to over 10 years of anorexia. If I recall correctly, she was the one who brought eating disorders out into the light. She went in for treatment for it in 1981 and was still doing amazing with her recovery. She had been staying that week with her parents in her childhood home and was getting ready that morning to spend the day with her parents. When her mother thought she was taking too long to get ready, she opened her bedroom door to check in on her and found her on the floor. She was taken to the hospital and the doctors did all they could do, but it wasn’t enough. Her heart had just taken way too much damage over the years. I grew up listening to her with my grandmother who just adored her as did I. So many fond memories with her songs. I just wish she was here today so I could tell her how much her work meant to us. ❤
When I was a teenager and would hear this, it would go straight deeply into my heart. I'm 65 now and it still does that. She gets me every time.
I’m 69 and her singing still gives me the chills
Same here, and I'll be 65 this year.
I was 12 y.o. when I heard her for the first time. Her voice went right into my soul and never left. It took me a week to memorize their name (by repeatingly asking my older brothers and sister: what ´s their name again?) 🙈 but I recognized her voice from the first second, even when it was a new song I had never heard before. It was pure her voice, carried by the music and the harmonies,... Two years later, when I got english class (I´m from Belgium and I speak dutch) I got interested in the lyrics. And I found out that there was a song for every significant event or time in my life.
That ´s still the case, and I am 62.
Yeah….same😭
same, I just turned 43 and I imagine she will always do that to me
Karen's voice is like a great big warm hug. So beautiful.
Beautifully put.
this is the analogy I’ve always used. Her voice surrounds you and wraps you
This song always makes me tear up. Even though the lyrics were written by Paul Williams and only sung by Karen, the thought that she never felt worthy or good enough (hence her anorexia) really comes through in this song and it makes me sad again just like when we lost her. So happy to see new generations enjoying her (and Richard) as well.
PAUL WILLIAMS GENIUS , his version of his song ❤️, love Karen love Paul
Your comments on the beauty of TH-cam, dropping barriers and letting the music speak to you is awesome. I agree 10000%
That voice is ethereal, it’s the sort of voice that stops you dead in whatever you are doing in a moment and makes you listen.
Thank you for acknowledging the genius of Karen and Richard Carpenter. I was lucky enough to have experienced this music the first time around. She was one in a million!
"What I have, they used to call the blues." In the days before depression was recognised. What a line.
So beautiful, rare contralto range, gorgeous tones so pure, and emotions, started crying, she was so moving. No female has ever had a sound, like Karen, and never will. I LOVED the little glottal stops, breaks, and neat little things that she did with her voicebox, that were so neat to hear, adding even more emotion.
I cry all the time when I hear Karen sing. As a low singer myself, she was someone I identified with early on in my childhood (born in the late 60’s) She was an icon to me. Still is. She dealt with such emotional pain and that transferred into her singing. That’s why I cry. She sings her pain and joy. Sadly her pain won out. Gone way way too soon.
I learned her mother was very manipulative and she probably had no control but started with bilimic which was her way to control her weight which resulted in her death. I am still upset about this because an amazing and talented singer like Karen should still be with us but health is a delicate subject to manipulate if you deny yourself eating properly. I wish she was still with us with her brother arranging her music together because their music means a lot to thier fans and to me
The Carpenters are still the Greatest 👍🇬🇧
She was a perfect mezzo soprano and an amazing drummer. She was crazily talented. Just wow.
Wasn’t her voice closer to alto?
Love the range of your reactions. Enjoyed the intelligent comments. Have you looked into Linda Ronstadt yet? Linda and Karen are usually top 2 favorites of the 70's. Except Linda had a longer career, into the 2000's, and did a wide range of styles. Country, pop, folk, rock, Motown, mariachi, big band, light opera. Her last album was a foray into cajon. And, just a curve ball, please try Band Maid. They are a hard rock band from Japan. A breath of fresh air in the stale rock genre.
I am 56 years old a hard core rock and metal head but I will drop everything when they come on the radio and even put them on when I have a long drive . Talent is talent . Amazing what that voice does to a person’s insides . It’s beautiful, calming yet a touch of sad.
I'm a bit older than you but had the awesome 1970s knowing both Karen and Rich and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Brilliant soundtrack of life
I am a massive Carpenters fan. This song always has a way to make me tear up. Her voice is simply...divine, beautiful, angelic. The platitudes go on. She was a once in a lifetime voice. You also have to give massive props to Richard for the arrangements he knew exactly how to fit them around Karen's voice. Like many I am deeply saddened by her early, tragic passing.
Why is it that the most talented amongst us always leave us so soon.
Her beautiful voice still enthralls me, so many years later. One of a kind. I love how the song affected you and brought out some emotions.
Not corny. That's part of what is wonderful about music. It can instantly get past all defenses or barriers and goes right to the feelings in your heart. You feel what you feel. Accepting and understanding your feelings is a strength, not a weakness.
The greatest voice ever, perfect pitch, emotional involvement, and effortlessly playing the drums while singing.
There are many great singers but Karen was unique with a voice of pure gold. So sad that she was taken so young.
There’s an incredible sense of honesty that comes through when Karen sings. A genuineness that is pretty rare. And then there’s the sheer talent. And at the end of the last chorus when she gets to the full stop after the powerful “always gets…” and the the softness and melancholy of the following “me down.”
Gives me a chill every time. Always has.
When they started the band little sister was just the drummer, then they got an agent and he heard her sing and he was like "you guys are crazy, she needs to be the lead singer". But she never really liked it, she preferred just being a drummer.
It's really lovely to see how much her voice moves you, Salvo. This was the gift of Carpenters music. Richard's brilliant arrangements and Karen's magnificent voice just transported the listener. It's nearly impossible to hear a Carpenters song and not stop just to let it in.
Her music does speak to you, I'm 65 and it still speaks to me, best female vocalist ever.
Not bad vocals for a girl that preferred the drums and to sit up the back on stage. Her voice was like liquid gold, so smooth, mellow and effortlessly controlled. She sang the emotion through each and every song that she performed. It is only fairly recently that people have begun looking back and are now realizing just how really good she could sing. Karen Carpenter and Aretha Franklin were the premier female vocalists of their generation.
Have you heard their duet, the Karen & Ella Medley? It´s one of my favorites! 🥰
Don't ever forget Miss Vera Lynn, Miss Judy Garland, or Miss Jo Stafford. But Miss Karen Carpenter IMO is the greatest female singer of all time. A gift she received from the Holy Spirit.
She was happiest behind those LUDWIG'S while singing.WHAT A GIFT.
You just listen to the most beautiful female voice ever!!❤
An undeniably hypnotic voice. The standard of vocal talent that few can even approach. What a premature loss to the contemporary world.
Perfect lyrics meet perfect arrangement, mixing and engineering- meets perfect vocalist.
Karen Carpenter was a rare talent. That voice was flawless. Love that I grew up listening to her. Inspiring. God rest her soul.
I believe if she had continued to sing from behind the drum kit where she felt happy and safe she would possibly be alive today. The eating disorder was more and more out of control once she was expected to be the true front person of the group. She felt exposed and her every insecurity felt magnified. Your tears do you credit. She was completely vulnerable during this performance and watching her sing about feelings of depression touches me
Absolutely agree with this. Plus she was a fantastic drummer.
Totally agree with you
I agree with you 100% on this.
You may have a point. But don't let off the fish hook the mistreatment and lack of love, caring, and understanding she did not receive from her mother Agnes.
It’s not corny, it’s art. Her voice is so emotional every time that it’s difficult to not feel what she’s singing about.
Music is feelings - especially when Karen sang. I've probably heard this song 100 times and it still gets me.
I dont know if Im the only who feel like when she started to sing, you feel dond belong to 2023 ... your soul belongs to 70s ... Her voices is CAPTIVATY ...
I’m 60 and grew up hearing new songs from the Carpenters regularly on the radio and tv. Now you understand why the world burst into tears when we heard that she had died. We had lost that amazing voice of gold.
She really sings the heck out of this one. A couple of other powerful songs by the Carpenters include Hurting Each Other and Goodbye to Love.
"Goodbye to Love" is probably a top-100 of all time. If not, some one is cheating.
The duo is actually "Carpenters", not "The Carpenters". They were signed to A&M Records as "Carpenters" which is the way the name of the duo appears on all of their album covers and on the labels of their vinyl records. It was a mid 60s to mid 70s trend for groups and bands to not use "The" in their name. Karen Carpenter - lead and backing vocals, Richard Carpenter - backing vocals, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, orchestration, Joe Osborn - bass guitar, Hal Blaine - drum, Tommy Morgan - harmonica, Bob Messenger - tenor saxophone.
Why do I always end up crying after listening to Karen….sooo beautiful❤
The voice of a lifetime. You will never hear another Karen Carpenter. ( At least not in this world ) Rest In Peace dear Karen Anne ❤️
Roger Nichols and Paul Williams (Smokey and the Bandit) wrote this timeless classic as well as “We’ve only just begun”. Nobody sings it as perfectly as Karen Carpenter.
I grew up in the 70's and have heard this song since my earliest recollection. Karen should still be here. She remains my favorite female vocalist. She left us so much to cherish and it still makes me sad that she was taken way too soon.
This is an extraordinary arrangement and performance. Everything is subordinate yet sustaining to her voice. Each phrase and note is caressed and full of emotion. No stupid wailing and screaming trying to show off the voice. Instead an intimate display of beauty and heartache. Superb work by all.
The best female voice of all time. Unmatched for her tone, warmth and vocal range.
As of today, October 5, 2023, Richard Carpenter is working on a new studio album. This album will be her first solo recording since 1987's "Time Out of Mind." Carpenter has been working on the album for several years, and has been searching for a vocalist who can fill the void left by her sister Karen, who died in 1983.
In an interview with Billboard in 2022, Carpenter said that the album will have a sound similar to that of the Carpenters, but that it will also be an evolution of his sound. "It's still soft rock, but it's a little more modern," Carpenter said. "There's also a bit of experimentation."
Carpenter has not yet announced a release date for the album, but has said that he hopes it will be released in 2024.
In addition to his work on the new album, Carpenter is also working on a documentary about the life and career of the Carpenters. The documentary, which is being produced by the company "Greenwich Entertainment", will be released in 2024.
Carpenter also continues to tour and give concerts. In 2023, he toured the United States with singer-songwriter Michael Feinstein.
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La mejor voz femenina de todos los tiempos. Inigualable por su tono, calidez y rango vocal.
A fecha de hoy 5 de Octubre de 2023, Richard Carpenter está trabajando en un nuevo álbum de estudio. Este álbum será su primer trabajo discográfico en solitario desde "Time Out of Mind" de 1987. Carpenter ha estado trabajando en el álbum durante varios años, y ha estado buscando una vocalista que pueda llenar el vacío dejado por su hermana Karen, quien murió en 1983.
En una entrevista con el medio "Billboard" en 2022, Carpenter dijo que el álbum tendrá un sonido similar al de los Carpenters, pero que también será una evolución de su sonido. "Todavía es soft rock, pero es un poco más moderno", dijo Carpenter. "También hay un poco de experimentación".
Carpenter aún no ha anunciado una fecha de lanzamiento para el álbum, pero ha dicho que espera que salga a la venta en 2024.
Además de su trabajo en el nuevo álbum, Carpenter también está trabajando en un documental sobre la vida y la carrera de los Carpenters. El documental, que está siendo producido por la compañía "Greenwich Entertainment", se estrenará en 2024.
Carpenter también continúa realizando giras y dando conciertos. En 2023, realizó una gira por los Estados Unidos con el cantante y compositor Michael Feinstein.
I was 14 when the Carpenters released their first big hit ("Close to You") so I literally grew up listening to (and loving) their music. There are NO bad Carpenters' songs. "Rainy Days and Mondays" was never my favorite song by them, but for all the reasons you spoke of, it is still a great song! Karen was a MASTER at evoking emotion when she sang a song--any song! One of my favorites is "Only Yesterday". You might want to react to it! I look forward to seeing more of your reaction videos.
I am about the same age as you. In Junior high school I would see them on TV and I had such a crush on Karen.
Saw them in concert 4 times!! So very very special.
And I also sang tenor or second alto in choir as a girl. She was one of the few singers that i could match.
my favorite Carpenter song...I have heard it hundreds of times..each time my eyes fill with tears...it is A PERFECT SONG sung PERFECTLY....
I enjoy singing all of The Carpenter’s songs along with the C.D.’s in my music collection. I think I have a pretty good voice, but no one will ever match Karen Carpenter’s beautiful voice. It was the epitome of PERFECTION !! 😮
Greatest female voice ever bar none !
And she was playing the drums, while delivering a great vocal performance, which was heartfelt, and beautiful.
My new favorite reaction channel! I’d highly recommend ‘Goodbye to Love’ by the Carpenters. Perfect lyrics, vocals and some amazing electric guitar!
Goodbye to Love. You're welcome.
Her voice is recognized as one of the greatest female voices in modern music. Thanks for your reaction.
It’s sad we lost her beautiful voice. I loved the Carpenters🇦🇺🦘
Knowing her story you can't help but feel for her. And if you've ever dealt with depression, you feel it too.
I stand on this, 10 toes down, beautiful Miss Karen Carpenter has the greatest singing voice in all the world from 1970-Present.
It's such a treat watching younger listeners experience Karen's voice - especially when it's their first time. No matter who they are, their eyes and mouths pop open. One "reactionist" I follow is compelled to look into her camera and say, in disbelief, "her voice!" every time she listens to a Carpenters song. Karen and her brother were highly musically trained and educated - and neither of them needed more than one take to get it right. As you probably know, Karen recorded her vocal for Superstar having heard it only once --and she stood before her microphone singing the lyrics that her brother had scrawled .....on a napkin.... in one take. You mentioned her amazing breath control. "One Love" - an album cut from their tan album - has a remarkably long melodic line for a pop song - and of course she sings part of one line - and then all of the next - in one breath. No need to remind that she was a tiny, 5'2" tall - her lungs weren't enormous, though you'd never know that by listening to her sing. Her brother Richard sings an even longer line - in one breath - in the song "Druscilla Penny."
Thanks for sharing
I love, One Love, written by Richard and John Bettis. I also love, Let Me Be the One; I think it would have been a hit single.
Her voice makes you feel every single emotion of this song. Her voice is so captivating.
She was amazing, I was at the Hollywood Bowl the night they were inducted into their Hall of Fame. I had tears in my ears most of their night. Donna Summer performed one of her songs that night; Superstar….AMAZING!. I actually ran into her the next week and she shared the story that she was asked the morning of the event if she would consider doing a solo with Richard. She agreed…It’s on You Tube.
She was the greatest female singer of that era the 1970's and beyond, if she didn't pass away on that fateful day she would have in my opinion won more awards and Rightfully so she and her brother were a great duo and I miss her to this day, R.I.P. karen God bless your beautiful soul.
Perfection.
Everything she sings is beautiful and also heart wrenching at the same time.Its basically almost impossible to listen to her and not feel emotional and get teary eyed
Her voice cuts clear to my soul. It’s such a beautifully haunting, almost melancholy voice. She was an amazing talent. 💜
What a gorgeous woman and her voice was spectacular.
"Drop any barrier that you have and let the music speak to you." That doesn't corny, that sounds like art.
My heart has been Carpet-bombed by this amazing duo since I was kid.
The Carpeters, we lay carpet.................and also sing!
Richard was not just the background singer. He chose what songs they were going to do (wrote part of them) and did all the arranging for the music. When Karen would sing and what instruments would be used were his discissions. Off course He and Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss (owners of A&M the record label they were signed with) also convinced Karen she should come out from behind her drum set and be the face of Carpenters. They all three agreed you could not have a face of the Carpenters if you could not see her singing behind her drums even if that was where she was comfortable. Some think that she went from a dieter to anorexia nervosa when she started leaving her drums.
Philippines love carpenters!! ❤️
She is amazing--but a perfect orchestion---amazing.
April 29, 1972 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, GA I was there - wow what a show & I happened to be 21 at the time. What a magical performance. I still get chills listening to their music. peace all
Glad you can't see this old man. 50 years later and she still brings tears to my eyes! SUCH A TALENT! Angelic voice taken way too soon. Richard was a great keyboardist and arranger. One of the best duo's of all time. Tragic story.
The most undeniably remarkable musicians of all time,,, in my humble opinion!!!
Anyone can relate to this song because it’s sincere and thats art
I love that you feel emotional to this song. It shows that you have empathy and are kind. You are the only reaction video celebrity that I watch.
Yep. SalvoG, you're so genuine and one of my fav reactors. I love how you are secure enough to allow us to watch how affected you are by a handful of these songs.
I remember your "jeremy" reaction.
When you are talking to us before the video, it sounds like you're talking to a friend on the phone, as you're coming across this information that is new to you. I love it.
There’s something so satisfying about watching Karen sing while playing drums, especially in this beautiful song. I remember hearing when Karen passed. The world was numb and went in slow motion for a while. 😢
Her voice always has that affect on me too.Very melancholy.
How can you not get emotional listening to this
Karen was every rocker's guilty pleasure. Love that she's still playing the drum kit here and their nod to the blues with the harp. Those layered vocals were a trademark Carpenters sound. Even though Richard took the idea from someone else, the Carpenters perfected the sound.
Karen was just a regular person humble, gorgeous, shy. giving. No one will or can replace her. Just special. Karen was an incredible human being who gave herself completely to the people around her. Richard was and is a genius.
Yes Kevin Boney, Karen was a regular person. I heard over years that I have something in common with her, finally looked her up few years ago and was beyond shocked. Greatly honored to say the least!
You should see her play drums. As good a drummer as she is a singer and thats saying something.❤
Great reaction! Listening to music has always been my "therapy," my go-to throughout my life. I remember my dad once seeing my albums (I just dated myself) and saying, "wow, you have such an eclectic taste in music. lol Yes, I had just about everything of my era from Led Zeppelin through Luciano Pavarotti! It all depended on my mood -- what I felt like listening to and/or what I needed to listen to that day. I loved it all.
She had the most expressive voice! I grew up listening to The Carpenters. I remember being so sad and confused when she died. 😥 Anorexia and bulimia weren't really well-understood diseases back then. I so wish she could've lived long enough to realize how very much the whole world loved her just as she was! ❤
Part of the soundtrack of our adolescence. They crossed generational boundaries with their music
The Carpenters are one of the Worlds most Beautiful band to hear in the world! Thank You!!!
so brilliant, brings tears to my eyes, rip dear Karen. We miss you.
Her voice makes Angels stop and listen and Vikings fall in love with her.
One of the greatest voices in history. Gone way too soon..... You are listening with intent. Music and lyrics into the heart.
She did mean it. In all songs. Beautiful person
This song is so relatable because we’ve all had those slightly down days. I know we always mention how wonderful Karen’s voice was, and of course that’s true, but I was thinking about Richard’s arrangement of the song with the rich harmonies and the instrumentation.
Keep in mind that Karen never wrote the songs. Richard selected them from song writers he came across and rewrote the arrangements around Karen's talent.