The Carpenters were pretty much off my favourite songs of the 70's radar. They seemed too sappy! 8-P

Well.... I was wrong and thanks to youtube I can still check them out and I have realized that they were absoultely bloody brilliant! They were also the biggest selling U.S. act of the 70's...

When I was ;isting to these songs it ocurred to me (what most of the world already knew)...that Karen Carpenter was the most supreme vocalist of her generation. Only Steisand could compare to her vocal quality in the 70's ..... and she sounds way better than some of the pretenders today who are more interested in vocal gymnastics.  Just ignore the fashion.  ;D  RIP Karen... :\'(

Anyway.... what was their best song in YOUR opinion. For me, I really liked Superstar and Only Yesterday ... but Yesterday Once More always brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it...so it got my vote.

I also realize that the first one was probably in 1969... but hey, sue me! ;) I posted youtube links ... if you need to be reminded...

Ticket To Ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsgj4xcxXyA&feature=related

Close To You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6inwzOooXRU&feature=related

We've Only Just Begun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__VQX2Xn7tI&feature=related

For All We know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH-xF1A9PS0&feature=related

Rainy Days and Mondays 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPmbT5XC-q0&feature=related

Superstar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmBPQHGxwp4&feature=related

Hurting Each Other
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAg1rglAovs&feature=related

Sing (sing a song)
Yesterday Once More
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5NZI8NmBLA&feature=related

Top of the World
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgnzNCSlfro&feature=related

I Won't Last a Day Without You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51IFkNXhv9A&feature=related

Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig19zPsMP0E

Only Yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQmbHGwMcCo&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div

Please Mr Postman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHfddvbKb4w&feature=related

I like them all, but I am more fond of Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognised Anthem of World Contact Day).

I like them all, but I am more fond of Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognised Anthem of World Contact Day).



Nice choice Philip....that song is way better than it performed on the charts...although it performed better in the UK and Australia than in the U.S.  I think they were unfashionable in the US by then!

My mother was a fan but I didn't like anything except a song called "Goofus".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_M490_vKcY&feature=PlayList&p=5EDE5893749970AC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4

Not the best copy, but I was surprised to even have found it on Youtube.

I heard an interview with Karen's brother years ago. He mentioned about being outside of the US, maybe Mexico or Spain or some other country. He and Karen were eating lunch while listening to a guitar player that was working for the restaurant. The Carpenters were so impressed by the guitar player that he was invited to play on a new album. When 'Goodbye To Love' was released, some fans were upset with the song because it didn't have the same soft sound as previous recordings. One of my favorites...

The Carpenters - Goodbye To Love {1972}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdG-ITxL8ok



Dan

My mother was a fan but I didn't like anything except a song called "Goofus".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_M490_vKcY&feature=PlayList&p=5EDE5893749970AC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4

Not the best copy, but I was surprised to even have found it on Youtube.


Try this...

Carpenters - Goofus

http://www.imeem.com/popmusic12/music/D5IGmWCo/the-carpenters-goofus/



Dan

Thanks for the link and karma.

I love pretty much anything the Carpenters did but if I could only listen to one of their songs for the rest of my life it would be Superstar

Favorite song has to be Superstar.......
{also love Bette Midler's cover of the song....She brings a bit more angst to it ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XkTfOMDINQ&feature=related}
Also like "I Need to Be In Love"...Great vocal...
and how can You not love lyrics like :" I know I ask perfection of A quite imperfect world.....And fool enough to think that's
What I'll find"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTYBaV9b5go&feature=related

And I'm sure Rainy Days and Mondays has comforted more than a few who felt "nothing is really wrong...Feeling Like I don't Belong"..

'Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft' is my favourite.  I like that song both by The Carpenters and it's original version by Klaatu.

Here's some interesting trivia:  Klaatu, who wrote and performed the song originally, took their name from a character in the 1951 film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'.  In the film, Klaatu's surname is Carpenter.

Klaatu were a Canadian band, and in the 2008 remake of 'The Day the Earth Stood Still', Klaatu is portrayed by Keanu Reeves, a Canadian actor

All of this was purely co-incidental LOL

We've Only Just Begun
Superstar
Yesterday Once More
Rainy Days and Mondays

Yes, a lot of their songs are kinda sappy, but they do have a few I like

Rainy Days and Mondays
Merry Christmas, Darling
and the one I voted for...
Hurting Each Other (original by Ruby & The Romantics)

You gotta love the Carpenters!  Karen had such a gorgeous and distinctive voice.

My vote went to "I Won't Last a Day Without You"
but I also love Superstar
I also really like "Bless the Beasts and the Children"

Too many songs I like on the list
I voted for "Close to you"
But liked "Yesterday once more", "Sing", "Superstar", " Top of the world", "We've only just begun", "Sweet Sweet Smile"

Great voice Karen Had, a little sadness in her voice, but beauty as well.

Almost anything...'The Singles 1969-73' is essential listening for anyone!

(With the possible exception of 'Sing'...which I never really got on with!)

I have always been a huge Carpenters fan...in fact, whenever I go to karaoke clubs I always have to sing some of their songs!  :D

Almost all of their songs are wonderful, but if I had to choose one favorite I think it would have to be 'Yesterday Once More' (followed closely by 'Superstar')... :)

I have always been a huge Carpenters fan...in fact, whenever I go to karaoke clubs I always have to sing some of their songs!  :D

Almost all of their songs are wonderful, but if I had to choose one favorite I think it would have to be 'Yesterday Once More' (followed closely by 'Superstar')... :)


Wow...we have similar preferences on this subject!  :)  So...you must have excellent taste then, eh? ;)

Wow...we have similar preferences on this subject!  :)  So...you must have excellent taste then, eh? ;)


I like to think I do!  ;)

And karma to you, Peter!  :)

I picked "other" for "Goodbye To Love," but "Superstar" and "Top Of The World" are cllose behind.

Superstar - followed by all the others  8)

Ahhh The Carpenters! I voted for "Superstar" though it's a little overplayed.

Though I must hand it to "Close To You" for gaining my initial interest.

Another close contender to the top spot is "Won't Last A Day". Great evergreen music!