If I had to choose my favorite singing voice of all time… it would be Karen Carpenter! Growing up as a kid, me & my cousin would always watch “The Karen Carpenter Story”! It’s a movie made in 1989 about her life! ❤ She was amazing & it’s SO sad that she died so young! 😢 She has one of the most iconic voices of all time & they have a TON of other amazing songs!! ❤️ Close to you, Top of the World & We’ve Only Just Begun are just a few…
Guys! Guys! You’re listening to arguably the greatest voice of all time. But her brother Richard Carpenter is no slouch. Richard is a brilliant composer an absolute genius. he is the one that arranged all the music. The Carpenters are a brother sister duo.
Yes, I agree. She is one of the best singers ever. She was one of my favorites growing up, both of them of course! I saw them in concert, and I actually have her autograph somewhere in my memorabilia from my younger days. The world did lose an amazing talent so soon!! So sad for her brother to have to live alone without that talent and sister and support beside him. But I am aware that he is an amazing talent and has gone on to do wonderful things in the music industry!!
I wish her death brought more awareness & stopped the stigma of addiction. I am so happy you got the jolt you needed & pray those suffering find that jolt today. Thank you for sharing - you helped me today!
They are called the Carpenters because that is their last name. Once of the biggest rabbit holes you can get into. Frank Sinatra once said that Karen Carpenter is the only person he would pay to see.
Such a terrible loss when Karen passed. Anorexia wasn't really known like it is now. Her death from complications due to it was the first most of us had ever heard of it.
THANK YOU!!!! Most people still think she died of Anorexia. Included ALOT commenting here. She was 110 lbs when she died. The heaviest she had been in 20 years. Her main problem was laxative abuse. That takes it's toll on the heart.
I work in the pharmaceutical field and I think that her death had a pretty strong effect on the availability of ipecac. In the 70s and 80s, eating disorders were rampant. I suffered from one myself at the time. Her body was already weak from starvation but ipecac, which makes you vomit, has a strong effect on the heartjust all on its own. Her heart couldn’t take it. she also badly abused laxatives which doesn’t really take the calories out of your food, but what it does is dehydrate you and strip you of any electrolytes that you might have had from what you did eat. ❤❤
That's her brother- they tried multiple interventions to no avail. They had their own TV show and she was such a big star that when she died it raised awareness for eating disorders in young girls and young women and brought this out the closet
Richard Carpenter ( Playing Piano) and Karen Carpenter are Brother and Sister. They began their musical careers in the 1960's. Richard was lost without Karen for a long time after she passed away. She was one of my favorite female singers.
Love The Carpenters! Karens voice is so angelic! And I agree with Don! I love rainy days! Especially when it's thundering and lightning! Prob one of the only reasons I'm able to live in Oregon! 😆
Karen Carpenter is the best female singer of all time. No auto tune, no computer enhancement, just the best talent of all time. Modern day reviews revealed that she was more on tune live than in studio, which was phenomenal.
Really? What about? Barbra Streisand? Linda Ronstadt? Bette Midler? Ann Wilson? Grace Slick! Aretha Franklin? Diana Ross? Lena Horne? Billie Holiday? Diana Ross? Dolly Parton? Patsy Cline? Dinah Shore? Doris Day? Ella Fitzgerald? And so many more??? Three words Is all it takes to not be mocked by a dick like me;) In My Opinion!! Because that’s all it is, your opinion!!
Ella Fitzgerald, whom Karen greatly admired - and asked to sing with her - which they did - it’s here on TH-cam, though Ella is quite frail at that time. For Ella, no autotune, no computer enhancement, perfect pitch and otherworldly creativity - and technical expertise.
Karen was the drummer and (obviously) lead singer. Richard, her older brother, played the keys, sang backup/harmony, and wrote their smooth arrangements. They were hugely popular in the 70's with their soft rock at a time when classic rock was massive. "We've Only Just Begun" was a standard at weddings (including mine) and "Close to You", written by the legendary Burt Bacharach, got massive radio play in the late 60's/early 70's. So tragic to lose that rich, velvety voice way too soon!!
What's that story when Playboy Magazine published their list of best drummers and Karen was higher on the list than John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. He wasn't happy. lol.
@@kens32052 that's a trip! I've never heard that story! Karen was absolutely a great drummer but....better than Bonzo???! That's just nuts. I'm sure Bonham was doing a slow burn over that.
@@Cosmo-Kramer absolutely! Even John Lennon at a chance meeting said to her to the effect, you have a lovely voice, love. She told her friend I can't believe he said that
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee What a grossly uninformed opinion. One has nothing to do with the other. And Richard Carpenter has stated they both he and Karen had very good relative pitch. So not even perfect pitch.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Have you any idea how obnoxious this sounds? Look, I majored in music, but would NEVER suggest that education makes my opinions on music superior to anyone else's. I only state it here so you know I don't need to be educated by you. And, by the way, the curriculum you cite is not universal across all conservatories, universities, colleges, etc. Going on about what takes place in the classroom for music majors is only a lever you're attempting to use to convince others you're a superior judge of music. BS. Karen was blessed with a level of talent few have seen before or will ever see again. Everyone has different tastes. You've stated she's bland. Leave it at that. These attempts to convince others she is bland just because you have a background in music education is just silly.
@@michaelasay8587 I'm so sorry bro! My Mother died at the hands of a pretty prestigious medical center in Minnesota. For me, I was pretty much a novice hanging around places like that and whatever trust I may have had at a fairly local level was destroyed for good. You can't unforget something so awful. I hope you are getting along good bro, life is too short as it is.
Karen Carpenter always referred to herself as "a drummer who could sing." It took quite a bit of coaxing to persuade her to come out from behind the drums. Richard Carpenter, Karen's older brother, was a genius with musical arrangements. He was a child prodigy on the piano and could sing as well. Karen had a unique and pure voice. It was so sad when she passed...such a talent, lost to something that many knew very little about at the time. She had seemed to be beginning to recover, but her organs had taken too much strain and she had a heart attack. Richard continued with his music and also did many arrangements for other artist. He continues to put out work that honors Karen and the legacy of the Carpenter's. There is usually a program each year, on the PBS channels, featuring the Carpenter's and their music.
Despite her perfect pitch and gorgeous voice, Karen Carpenter died age only 32 years old from complications caused by her anorexia which stressed her heart. While her death sparked a lot of increased treatment and awareness of eating disorders and body dysmorphia, we would much rather have had her alive and well, still singing to us. RIP.
To me, Karen has one of the most beautifully unique voices of the era. You hear her sing and know immediately that's Karen. Beautiful soul taken from us way too early. And yes, she was an amazing drummer. Homie playing the piano is her brother, Richard. Karen's eating disorder started when they became famous. As I heard it, a reporter called her "Richard's chubby sister" as a catalyst to her negative body image. Yes, I'm sure that the issues were deeper than just one idiots comment but it sure didn't help. She battled anorexia and bulimia for years. Richard also had his own demons with narcotics and they both had really turned the corner and were getting better when she past from heart failure due to long term damage from the stress and malnutrition from her eating disorder. If you want to check out happier tunes they cover Mr. Postman. Also there's Top of the World, We've Only Just Begun, and my favorite, Close to You.
I read a while back that a TV producer told her she was fat on TV and needed to lose weight. Also heard that growing up her parents favored her brother who was the golden child and extremely talented, but were critical of her. Don't know how much truth there is in that, but if true it would explain the roots of her insecurity and how a remark about her weight by someone in the industry would have such a strong effect on her.
That's her brother, Richard Carpenter, playing piano. He is the arranger and band leader. This song was written by Paul Williams, a prolific songwriter for himself as well as other artists back in the day. You should google his interview where he gives back story of this song. It's a great story.
The Carpenters were a brother and sister vocal group - Richard as keyboards arranger harmony vocals and Karen on lead vocals and drums. They were significant hitmakers of classic contemporary pop music in the 1970s.
I was 10 when this was released in April '71, Karen was 21. I didn't know a lot, but knew she was greatest singer without being told. Her breath control, tone, honesty & phrasing has yet to be matched, all while effortlessly playing the drums!
This song was written by Paul Williams. He wrote this song, we've only just begun, and the Grammy award winning song Evergreen by Barbara Streisand. He wrote the song about his mother who passed away and how he would go visit her grave.👍🏼he says "funny but it seems I always wind up here with you". That's a powerful lyric when you know it's about him visiting his mother.
NO ONE has come along yet who's voice even closely resembles her sound. Truly one of a kind. Unique. Cherish the recordings we have that will keep her with us forever.❤
Playing the drums was what she really wanted to do more than sing. Thankfully for all of us that she sang her heart out. Their album Love Songs is beautiful and their Christmas music is fantastic, too.
She was a very shy person. She would have preferred playing the drums to singing, but her brother Richard persuaded her to sing. And I'm glad he did. I grew up with this music and still love listening and singing to it .😊
From what I remember the record company insisted that she lose weight and had she and Richard on the road performing constantly.. They were both badly treated. And I still , after all these years, can’t listen to Karen without tearing up. What a beautiful, incredibly talented , gentle soul.
The Carpenters are just the two...Richard & Karen, brother and sister. The others are just musicians. She left us too soon. Her life was so sad & too short.
First and foremost Ms Karen Carpenter was a hell of a drummer Her older brother Richard is a very talented musician & composer Together with her incredible singing they couldn’t miss. She passed way to early but we were given a gift through her talent
Karen and Richard Carpenter are the Carpenters. The other guys and band members for live shows. When Karen died, so many of us had broken hearts. There are great videos of "Karen Carpenter-drummer" that are amazing.
So many of their songs are lyrically so sad, but her voice is such a warm hug, that it makes you happy anyway. Another sad song of theirs, Goodbye to Love, is often considered the first power ballad, as it includes near the end a famous fuzz guitar solo. It really ticked off a number of their fans in the Easy Listening camp, as they were not keen on electronic instruments that sounded electronic (electric piano and guitar were fine, so long as they sounded close to acoustic instruments).
Always polled in the top 10 of Female Voices of all time, because of her natural tonal quality, the purity in her voice has no tricks, to me the no 1 female voice of all time, lets not forget Richard & his brilliant arrangements.
When younger I live in a Pub, with smaller buildings surrounding the main larger one My friend and I, both Tomboys found a way on to the main Roof by jumping from one to the other.We sat on the main Roof singing'I' m on the Top of the World, looking down on Creation' a big hit in the UK. Thanks Karen.💛🌹And Mr.Postman.Huge Hit.
What an angelic voice, such a talent! Why did she not love herself and do that to her body ,to herself? A horrible illness, a horrible ending for someone who could have bestowed sooo much more good music for us all for so many more years ...RIP ❤️🙏🎵
In the seventies, Karen was ranked as the #5 drummer in the world...Jon Bonham from Zeppelin was ranked #6... he was pissed. Back then, before computers, when someone wanted to rank musicians, they would bring in experts, and they would pole other experts... for commercial reasons, they moved Karen from the drums and just had her sing... lots of people think that contributed to her demise. Sad. Great reaction.
Karen and Richard Carpenter..The Carpenters..brother and sister. There will never be another singer like Karen. She passed away from complications from Anorexia Nervosa, an eating disorder that was little known at the time. She had the voice of an angel. Richard did all the musical arrangements, played the piano and sang harmony with her. Karen played the drums and considered herself a drummer who happened to sing. Check out the movie,The Karen Carpenter Story. It gives you a lot of background on them, especially Karen. What a beautiful person she was and her music and voice still stands the test of time, and always will. R.I.P., beautiful lady❤
Karen Carpenter had the best singing voice of the 70's. So smooth, so beautiful, so perfect! All of us young men in the 70's fell in love with Karen's voice.
Well this is going to make me cry. I remember watching a documentary right after she passed & feeling the heartbreak of her life. 💔 That’s her brother.
She had the most beautiful voice. And unfortunately, she passed away far too young from complications of anorexia. The Carpenters here are brother and sister.
Karen never wanted to be the lead singer, she plays the drums because that’s the instrument she wanted to play. It falls into play with her anorexia. She wanted to be behind the scenes, not upfront. But because of her gorgeous voice that is where she was put against her will, and you can hear the reason why. Check out her biography it will explain more than what I can explain here.
A reviewer from Rolling Stone magazine once said, "Karen Carpenter's voice is like the sound of a lover whispering in your ear." Karen and Richard Carpenter are brother and sister.
She had a tested and proven perfect pitch voice! She could walk in grab the music, open her mouth and just sing. Listen to We’ve only just begun. The lyrics of that song really hit your soul! She had literally millions of madly devoted fans who loved her, yet she hated herself, couldn’t believe anyone could love her. So crippling sad.
Fun fact, cowritten by Paul Williams who was in Smokey and The Band. He's about 5ft nothing, played little Enis. Great movie. The first one that is. Also wrote more Carpenters songs. Try "Superstar ". It's friggin awesome. Al Greene did a version too.
Karen Carpenter called herself “a drummer who sings”. She was one of the best drummers/percussionist of her era!! The man on piano is Karen’s big brother Richard!
This video always makes me cry. Not only was Karen amazing, but she was my mothers' (who died at 42) favorite artist. And I second the others who say to listen to more of their music. So this was so fitting for me that you released this on Mother's Day.
So, you just turned 44 yesterday, happy birthday! But, when this song came out in 1971, I was a junior in high school, which means I'm 70 as I'm watching this video. Talking to myself and feeling old, no $h1t Sherlock! The Carpenters were brother and sister. Karen, and her amazing voice, were a tragic loss. I loved their music. Good to see they still can touch hearts today as they did back when I didn't feel old. 😉
Karen and Richard were sister and brother--The Carpenters. She died in 1983 at age 33 from anorexia at their parent's home. Her voice was angelic. I think you're right, BP--she wanted to find someone to cuddle with. Beautiful song!!
My grandma’s house is a few blocks away from The Carpenter’s parent’s home where they grew up. Duo. Brother and sister. They use to have the best Christmas lights house to go look and see. Played their Christmas music. When she passed the house had lights but it was way scaled back. To the point it was hauntingly sad. - The song to check out specifically to change how you see their music. Check out “Yesterday Once More.” The premise is really cool.
Richard Carpenter is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. And I remember watching an old school rapper on the Tonight Show talking about how he had fallen down the Carpenters rabbit hole and how it changed everything he knew about music.
Someone very close to me had a very serious ED (thankfully now in recovery) and the best way I can describe her struggle was to say that she constantly punished herself because she thought she didn't deserve or was worthy of happiness in her life. Food was the way she dished out that punishment and it was like suicide, but by the slowest, most painful way imaginable. Heartbreaking to see. RIP Karen.
![Carpenters - Rainy Days and Mondays [REACTION!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z_ZOHlxp_PQ/mqdefault.jpg)
They are brother & sister. She was not only a great singer but a drummer!!
Karen and Richard (piano) are siblings. This is without a doubt the best female pop voice ever….. we lost her way too soon.
Amazing drummer also
@@mstewart109 yes she was!
BP they were brother/ sister
Don- Grace Slick???
@@mstewart109 Ann Wilson????
If I had to choose my favorite singing voice of all time… it would be Karen Carpenter! Growing up as a kid, me & my cousin would always watch “The Karen Carpenter Story”! It’s a movie made in 1989 about her life! ❤ She was amazing & it’s SO sad that she died so young! 😢 She has one of the most iconic voices of all time & they have a TON of other amazing songs!! ❤️ Close to you, Top of the World & We’ve Only Just Begun are just a few…
No need Autotone, no screaming, no whistle notes etc. Nobody could replace Karen. Her voice is angelic.
And these guys don't even know her...crazy
@@michaelasay8587 i don’t even live in America and I love the Carpenters lol
The voice of an angel is the only way to describe Karen Carpenter😢
@@michaelasay8587 They must have lived in a cave their entire lives.
Check out Tori Holub's covers of The Carpenters. Karen has been cloned!!!!
The Carpenters. The quintessential soft rock band. Maybe the greatest of all time. She died in 1980 from anorexia
Damn, that's sad
Karen had one of the most beautiful, angelic voices. Her brother is a musical genius and a great piano player. RIP Karen.❤❤
She died in 1983
@@Lovejazz01 probably confused her with Natalie Wood
1983. But for me the greatest voice of all time. GOAT.
Guys! Guys! You’re listening to arguably the greatest voice of all time. But her brother Richard Carpenter is no slouch. Richard is a brilliant composer an absolute genius. he is the one that arranged all the music. The Carpenters are a brother sister duo.
💯 couldn’t agree more
He actually had a half decent voice as well. Not as good as Karen's but still quite good
@@badplay156 yes. He had a good voice.
The thing with Richard is he did a lot of arranging for the Wrecking Crew. The legendary session players in LA
THANK YOU 🙏 I wanted to pull the hair out of my head !
For me, still the best female voice till this day. RIP.
You should check out Angelina Jordan. She has a fantastic story and voice. She knew what she wanted to do pretty much from birth.
Totally
Just look how much we all loved her....why couldn't she see, what we see. 😢
Abso-fucking-lutely. It's not close.
Yes, I agree. She is one of the best singers ever. She was one of my favorites growing up, both of them of course! I saw them in concert, and I actually have her autograph somewhere in my memorabilia from my younger days. The world did lose an amazing talent so soon!! So sad for her brother to have to live alone without that talent and sister and support beside him. But I am aware that he is an amazing talent and has gone on to do wonderful things in the music industry!!
As a teenager I suffered from Anorexia. After she passed it was the jolt I needed to convince me to change my destructive pattern.
We are glad that you are still fighting the fight.
I wish her death brought more awareness & stopped the stigma of addiction. I am so happy you got the jolt you needed & pray those suffering find that jolt today. Thank you for sharing - you helped me today!
I'm so happy you made it to the other side. Be happy.
They are called the Carpenters because that is their last name. Once of the biggest rabbit holes you can get into. Frank Sinatra once said that Karen Carpenter is the only person he would pay to see.
Wow!
Just Carpenters...no "the"
Such a terrible loss when Karen passed. Anorexia wasn't really known like it is now. Her death from complications due to it was the first most of us had ever heard of it.
And even worse, she had been recovering but her heart had too much damage
THANK YOU!!!! Most people still think she died of Anorexia. Included ALOT commenting here. She was 110 lbs when she died. The heaviest she had been in 20 years. Her main problem was laxative abuse. That takes it's toll on the heart.
My mom played thier record my whole life. I ❤️ them
@@nielgregory108 yes exactly. A tragedy of epic proportions
I work in the pharmaceutical field and I think that her death had a pretty strong effect on the availability of ipecac. In the 70s and 80s, eating disorders were rampant. I suffered from one myself at the time. Her body was already weak from starvation but ipecac, which makes you vomit, has a strong effect on the heartjust all on its own. Her heart couldn’t take it.
she also badly abused laxatives which doesn’t really take the calories out of your food, but what it does is dehydrate you and strip you of any electrolytes that you might have had from what you did eat. ❤❤
That's her brother- they tried multiple interventions to no avail. They had their own TV show and she was such a big star that when she died it raised awareness for eating disorders in young girls and young women and brought this out the closet
Yes, it did. And yes, we lost her far too soon……
Was one intervention constantly touring and not giving her a break? Yeah, Richard's hands are not clean in any of it.
@@TrailerReadsRichard was dependent on Quaaludes at the time. He’s said he blames himself….
@@TrailerReads You weren't there and have to rely on Hollywood.
Richard Carpenter ( Playing Piano) and Karen Carpenter are Brother and Sister. They began their musical careers in the 1960's. Richard was lost without Karen for a long time after she passed away. She was one of my favorite female singers.
They called her “one take Karen” - no auto tune, no pitch correction, just pure God given talent. RIP Karen.
Tragic. Some people too talented for this world....
Love The Carpenters! Karens voice is so angelic! And I agree with Don! I love rainy days! Especially when it's thundering and lightning! Prob one of the only reasons I'm able to live in Oregon! 😆
Karen Carpenter is the best female singer of all time.
No auto tune, no computer enhancement, just the best talent of all time.
Modern day reviews revealed that she was more on tune live than in studio, which was phenomenal.
I’d put Linda Ronstadt up there with her, too.
Really? What about?
Barbra Streisand?
Linda Ronstadt?
Bette Midler?
Ann Wilson?
Grace Slick!
Aretha Franklin?
Diana Ross?
Lena Horne?
Billie Holiday?
Diana Ross?
Dolly Parton?
Patsy Cline?
Dinah Shore?
Doris Day?
Ella Fitzgerald?
And so many more???
Three words Is all it takes to not be mocked by a dick like me;)
In My Opinion!! Because that’s all it is, your opinion!!
Ella Fitzgerald, whom Karen greatly admired - and asked to sing with her - which they did - it’s here on TH-cam, though Ella is quite frail at that time. For Ella, no autotune, no computer enhancement, perfect pitch and otherworldly creativity - and technical expertise.
Voice of an Angel. May she rest in peace.
Brother and sister. "One take Karen" was a super talent. Such a tragedy. RIP.
Karen was the drummer and (obviously) lead singer. Richard, her older brother, played the keys, sang backup/harmony, and wrote their smooth arrangements. They were hugely popular in the 70's with their soft rock at a time when classic rock was massive. "We've Only Just Begun" was a standard at weddings (including mine) and "Close to You", written by the legendary Burt Bacharach, got massive radio play in the late 60's/early 70's. So tragic to lose that rich, velvety voice way too soon!!
Burt said the money was in the bottom register that Karen could access.
Don’t forget “On the Top of the World” 🔥🔥
"Superstar" is my all-time favorite.
What's that story when Playboy Magazine published their list of best drummers and Karen was higher on the list than John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. He wasn't happy. lol.
@@kens32052 that's a trip! I've never heard that story! Karen was absolutely a great drummer but....better than Bonzo???! That's just nuts. I'm sure Bonham was doing a slow burn over that.
Superstar is a must reaction.
Yes, also This Masquerade.
My all time favorite Carpenter song. The melody is simply beautiful.
John Lennon walked up to her and said, "you have a fabulous voice love"
@chicotime69 that she had the perfect voice
@chicotime69 Her point was self-evident. To anyone with half a brain, that is.
She considered herself more than a drummer than a vocalist. She suffered from major self esteem issues which haunted her most of her life
@@samueltabo3390 She may have considered herself that, but she was a far better vocalist.
@@Cosmo-Kramer absolutely! Even John Lennon at a chance meeting said to her to the effect, you have a lovely voice, love. She told her friend I can't believe he said that
She was a highly talented drummer--rated as one of the very best rock drummers in mid 1970's.
Karen Carpenter had such a rich, silky smooth voice. So beautiful. Such a shame she didn’t feel as loved and beautiful as she was. ❤
Karen Carpenter had unbelieveable PERFECT pitch.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee You got to be a troll to make such a ridiculous statement.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Cut the B.S. Anyone that calls Karen Carpenter's singing bland gets no respect or credibility from me.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee What a grossly uninformed opinion. One has nothing to do with the other. And Richard Carpenter has stated they both he and Karen had very good relative pitch. So not even perfect pitch.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Have you any idea how obnoxious this sounds? Look, I majored in music, but would NEVER suggest that education makes my opinions on music superior to anyone else's. I only state it here so you know I don't need to be educated by you. And, by the way, the curriculum you cite is not universal across all conservatories, universities, colleges, etc. Going on about what takes place in the classroom for music majors is only a lever you're attempting to use to convince others you're a superior judge of music. BS. Karen was blessed with a level of talent few have seen before or will ever see again. Everyone has different tastes. You've stated she's bland. Leave it at that. These attempts to convince others she is bland just because you have a background in music education is just silly.
As a vocalist asked to sing for events, Karen Carpenter's "We've Only Just Begun" may go down in history as the most requested Wedding song ever!
Yep my sister sang that at weddings ..she had the voice of Karen Carpenter and didn't do much with it, then died at 38, hospital's fault.
@@michaelasay8587 I'm so sorry bro! My Mother died at the hands of a pretty prestigious medical center in Minnesota.
For me, I was pretty much a novice hanging around places like that and whatever trust I may have had at a fairly local level was destroyed for good. You can't unforget something so awful.
I hope you are getting along good bro, life is too short as it is.
And all from a bank commercial
Karen Carpenter always referred to herself as "a drummer who could sing." It took quite a bit of coaxing to persuade her to come out from behind the drums. Richard Carpenter, Karen's older brother, was a genius with musical arrangements. He was a child prodigy on the piano and could sing as well.
Karen had a unique and pure voice. It was so sad when she passed...such a talent, lost to something that many knew very little about at the time. She had seemed to be beginning to recover, but her organs had taken too much strain and she had a heart attack. Richard continued with his music and also did many arrangements for other artist. He continues to put out work that honors Karen and the legacy of the Carpenter's. There is usually a program each year, on the PBS channels, featuring the Carpenter's and their music.
Her voice is simply amazing.❤
Despite her perfect pitch and gorgeous voice, Karen Carpenter died age only 32 years old from complications caused by her anorexia which stressed her heart. While her death sparked a lot of increased treatment and awareness of eating disorders and body dysmorphia, we would much rather have had her alive and well, still singing to us. RIP.
To me, Karen has one of the most beautifully unique voices of the era. You hear her sing and know immediately that's Karen. Beautiful soul taken from us way too early. And yes, she was an amazing drummer. Homie playing the piano is her brother, Richard. Karen's eating disorder started when they became famous. As I heard it, a reporter called her "Richard's chubby sister" as a catalyst to her negative body image. Yes, I'm sure that the issues were deeper than just one idiots comment but it sure didn't help. She battled anorexia and bulimia for years. Richard also had his own demons with narcotics and they both had really turned the corner and were getting better when she past from heart failure due to long term damage from the stress and malnutrition from her eating disorder. If you want to check out happier tunes they cover Mr. Postman. Also there's Top of the World, We've Only Just Begun, and my favorite, Close to You.
Her heart was damaged by laxative abuse.
I read a while back that a TV producer told her she was fat on TV and needed to lose weight. Also heard that growing up her parents favored her brother who was the golden child and extremely talented, but were critical of her. Don't know how much truth there is in that, but if true it would explain the roots of her insecurity and how a remark about her weight by someone in the industry would have such a strong effect on her.
Brother and sister. Karen passed in 1983. He's 77 years old and still singing.
The very best female singer of all time.
That's her brother, Richard Carpenter, playing piano. He is the arranger and band leader. This song was written by Paul Williams, a prolific songwriter for himself as well as other artists back in the day. You should google his interview where he gives back story of this song. It's a great story.
My all time favorite Female Vocalists! You can't go wrong with anything by the Carpenters!!!
The smoothest female voice ever.
Please continue reacting to The Carpenters, so many amazing songs.
The Carpenters were a brother and sister vocal group - Richard as keyboards arranger harmony vocals and Karen on lead vocals and drums. They were significant hitmakers of classic contemporary pop music in the 1970s.
The Carpentrrs were the top selling American act of the 70’s…
I was 10 when this was released in April '71, Karen was 21. I didn't know a lot, but knew she was greatest singer without being told. Her breath control, tone, honesty & phrasing has yet to be matched, all while effortlessly playing the drums!
She is pure talent
This song was written by Paul Williams. He wrote this song, we've only just begun, and the Grammy award winning song Evergreen by Barbara Streisand. He wrote the song about his mother who passed away and how he would go visit her grave.👍🏼he says "funny but it seems I always wind up here with you". That's a powerful lyric when you know it's about him visiting his mother.
Thank you for sharing that story.
Don't be depressed. Enjoy the great voice of Karen and the harmony with her brother ❤
Carpenters Merry Christmas Darling is a favorite every year.
Amazed that you are just now discovering the team of brother and sister Richard and Karen Carpenter... You will want to hear more and more
NO ONE has come along yet who's voice even closely resembles her sound. Truly one of a kind. Unique. Cherish the recordings we have that will keep her with us forever.❤
Losing her was crushing. So tragic. Absolutely respect her.
Karen Carpenter was the most beautiful voice ever. Her brother harmonized well.
She had the best voice ever. Gone too soon.
Playing the drums was what she really wanted to do more than sing. Thankfully for all of us that she sang her heart out. Their album Love Songs is beautiful and their Christmas music is fantastic, too.
She was the purest most effortless voice ever. Do more
Carpenters one of the biggest bands in 70's
OMG They were on the radio all the time early 70's. Wonderful memories!!!!!!!
The siren of sadness that is Karen Carpenter in the very best way. No one grabs your heart like Karen. The feel good sorrow.
Melancholic magic 🥹🤍🏴
Not all their songs are sad. One of the most simple uplifting songs they did was sung by many of us as children in school. It's called "Sing".
Awesome! Someone remembered.
Also believe that Sing was just so wonderful!
She was a very shy person. She would have preferred playing the drums to singing, but her brother Richard persuaded her to sing. And I'm glad he did. I grew up with this music and still love listening and singing to it .😊
From what I remember the record company insisted that she lose weight and had she and Richard on the road performing constantly.. They were both badly treated. And I still , after all these years, can’t listen to Karen without tearing up. What a beautiful, incredibly talented , gentle soul.
The Carpenters are just the two...Richard & Karen, brother and sister. The others are just musicians. She left us too soon. Her life was so sad & too short.
First and foremost Ms Karen Carpenter was a hell of a drummer
Her older brother Richard is a very talented musician & composer
Together with her incredible singing they couldn’t miss. She passed way to early but we were given a gift through her talent
❤ still love all their music…..her voice is magic! ❤
She had the voice of an angel. They have many hits, 2 I can think of off the top of my head is Superstar, We've only just Begun and oh, Close to You
Thank you thank you thank you thank you another one for a Happy mother's Day thank you so much I appreciate it❤❤❤❤❤❤
Karen and Richard Carpenter are the Carpenters. The other guys and band members for live shows. When Karen died, so many of us had broken hearts. There are great videos of "Karen Carpenter-drummer" that are amazing.
Brother & sister...so many great songs. Karen had "perfect pitch". Beautiful voice...
Sad soul
So many of their songs are lyrically so sad, but her voice is such a warm hug, that it makes you happy anyway.
Another sad song of theirs, Goodbye to Love, is often considered the first power ballad, as it includes near the end a famous fuzz guitar solo. It really ticked off a number of their fans in the Easy Listening camp, as they were not keen on electronic instruments that sounded electronic (electric piano and guitar were fine, so long as they sounded close to acoustic instruments).
Gotta listen to We’ve only just begun! Was my senior class song!
Brother and sister
Always polled in the top 10 of Female Voices of all time, because of her natural tonal quality, the purity in her voice has no tricks, to me the no 1 female voice of all time, lets not forget Richard & his brilliant arrangements.
When younger I live in a Pub, with smaller buildings surrounding the main larger one
My friend and I, both Tomboys found a way on to the main Roof by jumping from one to the other.We sat on the main Roof singing'I' m on the Top of the World, looking down on Creation' a big hit in the UK.
Thanks Karen.💛🌹And Mr.Postman.Huge Hit.
Technically, this is a very difficult song to sing. But she nails it perfectly, without autotune, while playing the drums. Pretty crazy.
RIP What a singer she was
She was called "one take Karen". Perfect on the first try. The best voice I've ever heard. RIP❤❤❤
Karen & Richard are brother & sister...Karen had a once in a lifetime voice. May she RIP 🙏 🕊🌹 She died at 32 from complications due to her anorexia 😪
What an angelic voice, such a talent! Why did she not love herself and do that to her body ,to herself? A horrible illness, a horrible ending for someone who could have bestowed sooo much more good music for us all for so many more years ...RIP ❤️🙏🎵
In the seventies, Karen was ranked as the #5 drummer in the world...Jon Bonham from Zeppelin was ranked #6... he was pissed. Back then, before computers, when someone wanted to rank musicians, they would bring in experts, and they would pole other experts... for commercial reasons, they moved Karen from the drums and just had her sing... lots of people think that contributed to her demise. Sad. Great reaction.
She was not only an amazing singer and drummer. She had a great sense of humour check out her 1976 first television special it's really fun.
Had We've Only Just Begun sung at my wedding. Loved this group growing up. Such a sad loss of a beautiful lady!
Karen and Richard Carpenter..The Carpenters..brother and sister. There will never be another singer like Karen. She passed away from complications from Anorexia Nervosa, an eating disorder that was little known at the time. She had the voice of an angel. Richard did all the musical arrangements, played the piano and sang harmony with her. Karen played the drums and considered herself a drummer who happened to sing. Check out the movie,The Karen Carpenter Story. It gives you a lot of background on them, especially Karen. What a beautiful person she was and her music and voice still stands the test of time, and always will. R.I.P., beautiful lady❤
You damn right there my friend she can sing
I believe she was voted top drummer of the 70’s
Popularity.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Yep. Voted better than John Bonham and others.
Sort of like the sham that is the Rock & Roll Hall of Shame
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Agreed. I love me some Karen but see all too many people thinking she's on par with session drummers and a great many R&R drummers.
Karen Carpenter had the best singing voice of the 70's. So smooth, so beautiful, so perfect! All of us young men in the 70's fell in love with Karen's voice.
She had perfect pitch and tone. That is her brother that played the piano and dings with her. Beautiful voice and gone too soon! RIP Karen
I still have all of their LPs. Karen's voice was very moving.
Well this is going to make me cry. I remember watching a documentary right after she passed & feeling the heartbreak of her life. 💔
That’s her brother.
She had the most beautiful voice. And unfortunately, she passed away far too young from complications of anorexia. The Carpenters here are brother and sister.
I'm almost 30 yrs older than you two, and it's times like this, it really shows. I can hardly listen to their music because it makes me so sad.
Karen never wanted to be the lead singer, she plays the drums because that’s the instrument she wanted to play. It falls into play with her anorexia. She wanted to be behind the scenes, not upfront. But because of her gorgeous voice that is where she was put against her will, and you can hear the reason why. Check out her biography it will explain more than what I can explain here.
My favorite female vocalist. Tops
A reviewer from Rolling Stone magazine once said, "Karen Carpenter's voice is like the sound of a lover whispering in your ear." Karen and Richard Carpenter are brother and sister.
WOW! You have hit the TOP 2 WOMEN of the 70's today!! Linda Rondstat AND Karen Carpenter!! These two women are the BEST of the BEST!! ❤🎉
They have lots of hits. My favorite song by them is...For All We Know. One of their most beautiful songs.
She had a tested and proven perfect pitch voice! She could walk in grab the music, open her mouth and just sing. Listen to We’ve only just begun. The lyrics of that song really hit your soul! She had literally millions of madly devoted fans who loved her, yet she hated herself, couldn’t believe anyone could love her. So crippling sad.
Fun fact, cowritten by Paul Williams who was in Smokey and The Band. He's about 5ft nothing, played little Enis. Great movie. The first one that is. Also wrote more Carpenters songs. Try "Superstar ". It's friggin awesome. Al Greene did a version too.
He wrote this song. Not co-wrote
@@RyneMurray23 Roger S. Nichols was the other copywriter. According to song facts.
I saw The Carpenters in concert in the early 70s. As a teen, it was so great to see a woman drummer. And her voice was so wonderful!
I believe that Bob Messenger on Saxophone. RIP Karen and Bob. 💚🤙🏼
Karen and her Brother Richard were a top duo group of the 70s, with several big hit songs.
Karen Carpenter is an icon! Her and her brother were so awesome. She was gone too soon. Love your reactions!
Karen Carpenter called herself “a drummer who sings”.
She was one of the best drummers/percussionist of her era!!
The man on piano is Karen’s big brother Richard!
This video always makes me cry. Not only was Karen amazing, but she was my mothers' (who died at 42) favorite artist. And I second the others who say to listen to more of their music. So this was so fitting for me that you released this on Mother's Day.
So, you just turned 44 yesterday, happy birthday! But, when this song came out in 1971, I was a junior in high school, which means I'm 70 as I'm watching this video. Talking to myself and feeling old, no $h1t Sherlock! The Carpenters were brother and sister. Karen, and her amazing voice, were a tragic loss. I loved their music. Good to see they still can touch hearts today as they did back when I didn't feel old. 😉
Karen and Richard were sister and brother--The Carpenters. She died in 1983 at age 33 from anorexia at their parent's home. Her voice was angelic. I think you're right, BP--she wanted to find someone to cuddle with. Beautiful song!!
My grandma’s house is a few blocks away from The Carpenter’s parent’s home where they grew up. Duo. Brother and sister. They use to have the best Christmas lights house to go look and see. Played their Christmas music. When she passed the house had lights but it was way scaled back. To the point it was hauntingly sad. - The song to check out specifically to change how you see their music. Check out “Yesterday Once More.” The premise is really cool.
Richard Carpenter is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. And I remember watching an old school rapper on the Tonight Show talking about how he had fallen down the Carpenters rabbit hole and how it changed everything he knew about music.
Someone very close to me had a very serious ED (thankfully now in recovery) and the best way I can describe her struggle was to say that she constantly punished herself because she thought she didn't deserve or was worthy of happiness in her life. Food was the way she dished out that punishment and it was like suicide, but by the slowest, most painful way imaginable. Heartbreaking to see. RIP Karen.