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ladyislingering · 11-17-2013, 01:52 AM

When I was posting photos in the "Your Favorite Photographs of Musicians" thread, it occurred to me that I don't think I've ever done a feature on or really discussed my love for the Carpenters.

I find them difficult to listen to unless I'm upset in some way (whether it be from anxiety, panic, or depression, or any other negative emotion brought on by bad memories or just feeling bad about myself) but Karen Carpenter's voice has a dual purpose to me: to help me cry it out, and to tenderly calm me down.

My obsession began when I was 14 years old. I don't discuss the fact that Karen was very ill, not because I'm in denial but because I prefer to remember her as she was (some time passed before I learned that she had been sick - it helped me relate in many ways). Losing her still hurts. I wasn't even a thought in my parents' minds at the time of her death (I was born 6 years later) but the loss does hurt.

A staple of my record collection and of the soundtrack to my life, The Carpenters remain an important duo in my musical choices (quite often).

The following post is in honor of Karen (03/02/1950 - 02/04/1983). She had the voice of an angel. I love her dearly, always.

A few favorites from each beautiful, lushly harmonic (and sometimes pretty cheesy) album -

Selections from Ticket to Ride (1969) -

A pretty cover of the Youngbloods, here with "Get Together"

I love this cover. It gets a lot of hate, but as a lifelong Beatles fan (and a lifelong lover of the Carpenters) I think it's great.

"Ticket to Ride"

Spoiler for not the only Beatles cover in the Carpenters' catalogue:

"Don't Be Afraid"

Spoiler for love is a groovy thing; it knows how to make you sing, and it fills up your life with sunshine and joyyyyy:

Selections from "Close to You" (1970)

(This will be really difficult to choose my favorites - this album is easily my favorite; I had it on vinyl, cassette, CD ... such a huge part of my life.)

Here's a Bobby Darin cover.

"Reason to Believe"

And another Beatles cover.

"Help"

Spoiler for told ya.:

And a Shirelles cover.

I love this ****in' song just as it is. But the way Karen sings it melts my heart.

"Baby, It's You"

Spoiler for can't help myseeeeeeelf.:

I've always loved this song because it's spooky, haunting, and beautiful.

"Crescent Noon"

Spoiler for somewhere, in a fairytale forest....:

Here's Karen kicking ass on drums.

Love these snarky lyrics.

"Mr. Guder" (Live at the Budokan, 1974)

Selections from "Carpenters" (1971)

I actually really hate the harmonica as an instrument. Here's one exception, though.

"Rainy Days and Mondays"

Practically the story of my life right here in this next song. I am this girl.

"Let Me Be the One"

Spoiler for when you need someone to turn to, let me be the one:

Oh, and this one, too!

"Druscilla Penny"

Your family's probably given up on you since you began to follow groups of long-haired rock n' rollers!

Spoiler for Richard on lead vocals!:

Karen on drums here, again. If you know your music, you'll be able to identify all of these songs in this medley! (I'm sitting here absolutely shivering, no joke.)

"Bacharach/David medley"

Spoiler for so freaking groovy!:

Selections from "A Song For You" (1972)

This song rips my heart out. If anyone's reading who will remember me when I'm gone, please, please please please. Please play this at my funeral.

"A Song For You"

This is, in my opinion, one of the best examples of Karen's vocal talent.

"Hurting Each Other"

Spoiler for all my life, I could love only you - all your life, you could love only me:

I can't actually listen to this right now without crying, honestly. Lasted 55 seconds and the tears started flowing. I'm not even sad.

"I Won't Last a Day Without You"

Spoiler for special thanks to the love of my life, for getting me through - I love you so much:

I really need a palate cleanser, though I know there's more ahead, so here's Richard on lead vocals with a cute melody.

"Piano Picker"

Spoiler for while all the other guys were out playin' with their footballs, I was home bangin' on the keys:

Selections from "Now and Then" (1973)

This is a very special Carpenters album, comprised mostly of cover songs. Beautiful ones, at that.

Remember hearing this on Sesame Street? When I heard this cover, I actually cried. Don't worry, they were tears of joy/nostalgia. (I only got 1:23 into it this time before crying.)

"Sing"

Countless nights as a young lady, sobbing away to this song. My eyes are still pretty dry, though! Almost 2 minutes strong. I can do this.

Wait, nope.

Nope.

"I Can't Make Music"

Spoiler for I can't make music, no, I can't make rhyme. No, I can't do anything to take me away this time.:

I can't choose which tunes I like best from this medley so here's the whole damn thing. Again, you best know your shit or you probably won't appreciate this!

"Medley"

Spoiler for really love "Johnny Angel" though omg:

Selections from "Horizon" (1975)

I love this next song because it's so happy. It reminds me of how fortunate I really am, to have my heart taken care of by such a wonderful person.

"Only Yesterday"

I was going to include "Desperado", but I couldn't find it. They did, in fact, cover it, and it was beautiful. At least I have the LP. I'm ok.

But this cover has a delightful video to go along with it! Karen loved Disney and collected Disneyana. This video just makes me smile every time.

"Please Mr. Postman"

Spoiler for Check and see, just one more time for me!:

Here's a Neil Sedaka (who I also really love) cover.

"Solitaire"

Selections from "A Kind of Hush" (1976)

Honestly, this record sort of makes me want to tear my insides out, one by one, because it hurts so much to listen to. I'll be very brief here.

It opens with a super cheesy Herman's Hermits cover.

"A Kind of Hush"

Spoiler for it's almost too cheesy for me.:

I actually love this song so much. I might not make it more than a minute, but it's so pretty and sweet. I've probably sung this to myself a million times in my life. (Just fyi, I lasted 1:38 before I almost cried.)

"Can't Smile Without You"

Spoiler for I feel sad when you're sad.:

This next one was said to be Karen's favorite Carpenters song. It's also been said that it was written for her.

I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world, and fool enough to think that's what I'll find.

"I Need to Be In Love"

Spoiler for I lasted 2:09 this time.:

Selections from "Passage" (1977)

I'd like this played at our wedding. It's the absolute truth. Every bit of it. (1:02 elapsed before the tears came.)

"I Just Fall in Love Again"

This is such a cool cover of Klaatu's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft", complete with a super-weird intro.

Spoiler for and we'd like to make a contact with you....baby.:

Selections from "Made in America" (1981)

I actually have a copy of this on vinyl. It's still sealed. It will remain sealed. This album is actually really painful for me to listen to, because it lacks so much passion. Karen was very ill during this time, and there's something so absent from her voice, it just makes me sad.

So here's my favorite track from the album. It's a cover (no surprise there) of the Marvelettes.

This video makes me happy and sad.

"Beechwood 4-5789"

A couple of tracks that weren't on any of their LPs, but continue to make me cry like a little bitch:

"Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again"

Spoiler for 15 seconds later I had to close the window:

"Little Girl Blue"

Just so we're clear, I'm not crying 'cause I'm sad. I'm crying 'cause I love Karen, and her voice moves me. I haven't heard many of these songs in quite a while, but all of them have deep, personal memories attached to them. In time I hope to get some sort of tattoo to honor Karen (though Marc Bolan is first in the running right now) but for now I'll just let the tears fall and smile, knowing she lived in this world and made so many people so happy with the precious gifts she had to share with us.

11-17-2013, 01:52 AM	#58 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	When I was posting photos in the "Your Favorite Photographs of Musicians" thread, it occurred to me that I don't think I've ever done a feature on or really discussed my love for the Carpenters. I find them difficult to listen to unless I'm upset in some way (whether it be from anxiety, panic, or depression, or any other negative emotion brought on by bad memories or just feeling bad about myself) but Karen Carpenter's voice has a dual purpose to me: to help me cry it out, and to tenderly calm me down. My obsession began when I was 14 years old. I don't discuss the fact that Karen was very ill, not because I'm in denial but because I prefer to remember her as she was (some time passed before I learned that she had been sick - it helped me relate in many ways). Losing her still hurts. I wasn't even a thought in my parents' minds at the time of her death (I was born 6 years later) but the loss does hurt. A staple of my record collection and of the soundtrack to my life, The Carpenters remain an important duo in my musical choices (quite often). The following post is in honor of Karen (03/02/1950 - 02/04/1983). She had the voice of an angel. I love her dearly, always. A few favorites from each beautiful, lushly harmonic (and sometimes pretty cheesy) album - Selections from Ticket to Ride (1969) - A pretty cover of the Youngbloods, here with "Get Together" I love this cover. It gets a lot of hate, but as a lifelong Beatles fan (and a lifelong lover of the Carpenters) I think it's great. "Ticket to Ride" Spoiler for not the only Beatles cover in the Carpenters' catalogue: "Don't Be Afraid" Spoiler for love is a groovy thing; it knows how to make you sing, and it fills up your life with sunshine and joyyyyy: *Selections from "Close to You"* (1970) (This will be really difficult to choose my favorites - this album is easily my favorite; I had it on vinyl, cassette, CD ... such a huge part of my life.) Here's a Bobby Darin cover. "Reason to Believe" And another Beatles cover. "Help" Spoiler** for told ya.: And a Shirelles cover. I love this **in' song just as it is. But the way Karen sings it melts my heart. "Baby, It's You" Spoiler** for can't help myseeeeeeelf.: I've always loved this song because it's spooky, haunting, and beautiful. "Crescent Noon" Spoiler for somewhere, in a fairytale forest....: Here's Karen kicking ass on drums. Love these snarky lyrics. "Mr. Guder" (Live at the Budokan, 1974) *Selections from "Carpenters"* (1971) I actually really hate the harmonica as an instrument. Here's one exception, though. "Rainy Days and Mondays" Practically the story of my life right here in this next song. I am this girl. "Let Me Be the One" Spoiler** for when you need someone to turn to, let me be the one: Oh, and this one, too! "Druscilla Penny" Your family's probably given up on you since you began to follow groups of long-haired rock n' rollers! Spoiler for Richard on lead vocals!: Karen on drums here, again. If you know your music, you'll be able to identify all of these songs in this medley! (I'm sitting here absolutely shivering, no joke.) "Bacharach/David medley" Spoiler for so freaking groovy!: *Selections from "A Song For You"* (1972) This song rips my heart out. If anyone's reading who will remember me when I'm gone, please, please please please. Please play this at my funeral. "A Song For You" This is, in my opinion, one of the best examples of Karen's vocal talent. "Hurting Each Other" Spoiler** for all my life, I could love only you - all your life, you could love only me: I can't actually listen to this right now without crying, honestly. Lasted 55 seconds and the tears started flowing. I'm not even sad. "I Won't Last a Day Without You" Spoiler for special thanks to the love of my life, for getting me through - I love you so much: I really need a palate cleanser, though I know there's more ahead, so here's Richard on lead vocals with a cute melody. "Piano Picker" Spoiler for while all the other guys were out playin' with their footballs, I was home bangin' on the keys: *Selections from "Now and Then"* (1973) This is a very special Carpenters album, comprised mostly of cover songs. Beautiful ones, at that. Remember hearing this on Sesame Street? When I heard this cover, I actually cried. Don't worry, they were tears of joy/nostalgia. (I only got 1:23 into it this time before crying.) "Sing" Countless nights as a young lady, sobbing away to this song. My eyes are still pretty dry, though! Almost 2 minutes strong. I can do this. Wait, nope. Nope. "I Can't Make Music" Spoiler** for I can't make music, no, I can't make rhyme. No, I can't do anything to take me away this time.: I can't choose which tunes I like best from this medley so here's the whole damn thing. Again, you best know your shit or you probably won't appreciate this! "Medley" Spoiler for really love "Johnny Angel" though omg: Selections from "Horizon" (1975) I love this next song because it's so happy. It reminds me of how fortunate I really am, to have my heart taken care of by such a wonderful person. "Only Yesterday" I was going to include "Desperado", but I couldn't find it. They did, in fact, cover it, and it was beautiful. At least I have the LP. I'm ok. But this cover has a delightful video to go along with it! Karen loved Disney and collected Disneyana. This video just makes me smile every time. "Please Mr. Postman" Spoiler for Check and see, just one more time for me!: Here's a Neil Sedaka (who I also really love) cover. "Solitaire" *Selections from "A Kind of Hush"* (1976) Honestly, this record sort of makes me want to tear my insides out, one by one, because it hurts so much to listen to. I'll be very brief here. It opens with a super cheesy Herman's Hermits cover. "A Kind of Hush" Spoiler** for it's almost too cheesy for me.: I actually love this song so much. I might not make it more than a minute, but it's so pretty and sweet. I've probably sung this to myself a million times in my life. (Just fyi, I lasted 1:38 before I almost cried.) "Can't Smile Without You" Spoiler for I feel sad when you're sad.: This next one was said to be Karen's favorite Carpenters song. It's also been said that it was written for her. I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world, and fool enough to think that's what I'll find. "I Need to Be In Love" Spoiler for I lasted 2:09 this time.: *Selections from "Passage"* (1977) I'd like this played at our wedding. It's the absolute truth. Every bit of it. (1:02 elapsed before the tears came.) "I Just Fall in Love Again" This is such a cool cover of Klaatu's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft", complete with a super-weird intro. Spoiler** for and we'd like to make a contact with you....baby.: *Selections from "Made in America"* (1981) I actually have a copy of this on vinyl. It's still sealed. It will remain sealed. This album is actually really painful for me to listen to, because it lacks so much passion. Karen was very ill during this time, and there's something so absent from her voice, it just makes me sad. So here's my favorite track from the album. It's a cover (no surprise there) of the Marvelettes. This video makes me happy and sad. "Beechwood 4-5789" A couple of tracks that weren't on any of their LPs, but continue to make me cry like a little bitch: "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again" Spoiler** for 15 seconds later I had to close the window: "Little Girl Blue" Just so we're clear, I'm not crying 'cause I'm sad. I'm crying 'cause I love Karen, and her voice moves me. I haven't heard many of these songs in quite a while, but all of them have deep, personal memories attached to them. In time I hope to get some sort of tattoo to honor Karen (though Marc Bolan is first in the running right now) but for now I'll just let the tears fall and smile, knowing she lived in this world and made so many people so happy with the precious gifts she had to share with us. __________________ You and I, We were born to die.