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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 25, 2005 2:41:18 GMT -5
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Post by Moe on Apr 25, 2005 2:58:24 GMT -5
I think people cry when they hear her voice because it was just so beautiful and now it is gone. We have a lot of beautiful memories of Karen's voice, but the person behind the voice is no longer with us.
I love Karen's voice so much, but am saddened that their isn't going to be any new songs. All of the songs that could have been... Very much with mixed emotions.
my thoughts...
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Post by Carps1000 on Apr 25, 2005 3:12:16 GMT -5
??# I still cant get over Karens death & never will even 22 years later. I often wonder how things would be today had she lived & what other songs the Cs would have sung/that voice would be soooo deep & richer now. I get mad at the pointless waste of a precious gem that was used abused & then ruined (A&M & a few others have a lot to answer for ..my opinion only) 22 years ago Rick but I will remember it like Yesterday Once More. I still cannot believe we are talking about things that happened 22 yrs ago but when you listen to the songs again they still sound so fresh & NON dated. Ages ago I watched a programme where the Late Great Dusty Springfield was guest & they were talkin about various topics & the subject got around to Karen & Dusty said that if Karen was looking down on us all now she'd probably be smiling broadly ( Only Yesterday Was No 1 in the UK album charts & Karen C Story was airing on the TV & it was a genuine Carpenterscomeback year) ...That made me cry... Ken Carps1000
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Post by beaner on Apr 25, 2005 5:22:26 GMT -5
This has made me think and yes, I do have mixed emotions also. I must purposely avoid talking about Karen's illness and death because it makes me feel uncomfortable when someone else does. I am always talking about the Carpenters or Karen in particular to other people. I mention their songs, seeing them in concert, my project Carpenterville, and so much more but when I hear someone say things like, "that's a shame, what happened to her" or "such a waste". That kind of makes me sad and upset. Although it's true, it just sounds like they are being mean to her or something. Sounds strange I know but just makes me avoid talking about those moments anyway.
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Post by enigma on Apr 25, 2005 5:27:51 GMT -5
The thing about being sad about Karens passing besides the obvious is for me one word...irreplaceable. Karen was unique the combination of the drummer, the singer, the personality the entire package has yet to be duplicated no one has come to fill the void left by Karen thats what probably hurts the most for me. I miss all Karen brought to the table when she was alive it was so much more than her voice it was the entire package. There is some sadness that Karen did not achieve all she wanted on this earth but that is not unique to Karen alot of people do not achieve all they want to do in their lifetimes. No I do not know Karen on a personal level I just miss the music and personality she shared with me over the years I truely could not imagine Richards pain its obviously more intense than mine Karen being his sister and all. While I do not miss Karen in the same way I miss her nonetheless. Also I feel somewhat robbed of the great music that was to come had Karen won her battle with anorexia. I agree it is comforting that Karen helped so many in her death but I am sure she would have done that had she lived and this does not make me any less sad or make me miss Karen any less. In short there was only one Karen and a void was left when she died thats what makes it sad for me. I think everyone in here understands why is hard to get over Karens death even after all these years she touched us all like no other artist thats why we talk about her and morn her so many years after her death. As for keeping memories of Karen possative I am with you all the way there and for the most part I do enjoy what Karen gave me her music and videos still make me happy but there are times the reality of her not being here sets in thankfully its no very often.   |
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Post by cam83 on Apr 25, 2005 13:45:12 GMT -5
Karen Carpenter...a rare beauty in the midst of a garden full of beautiful flowers...but her gentleness and uniqueness make her noticed and admired by those around her...even to this day...in the garden of life...  There are many times I rejoice when I hear THAT voice. Such a purity and innocence in some ways. Such a presence of sound. Unique. Her own style. When I feel sad about her, it is because I realize she is really gone. And I feel sad at how she truly suffered from her anorexia, as it consumed her and she was trying to fight it, even that year in New York for 9 months. And I feel sad for all the hidden sadness that came out during her therapy and how she needed her family's love...and how she cried in front of them, and how rare it would have been for her to show her emotion in front of them, as they were not a touchy showy kind of family. But by her crying, she exposed it, her truest emotion and that has got to take a lot of courage. Good for you Karen! And probably a lot was exposed during that time of therapy for Karen to willingly share and expose herself to her doctor, of how she felt, her self esteem, her problems, her family involvement, her goals, her dreams. Even though Karen had a lot around that loved her to death, she had to learn to love herself, and I think that is where the problem lay all those years. She couldn't really begin to accept to love herself the way she was made, the way she looked etc. I think in the end, she was learning to stand up more for herself in other ways, and one way was by eating. To care for herself. As for people saying about her after death, "Poor girl" or "Such a tragedy" they are not being mean, as they are sorry that she had to die in such a fashion. Nothing more need be said. Many, many people knew that she had a one in a million kind of voice, and that is where part of the tragedy lies. She had so much more to sing, so much more to do, a family of her own... To not talk about her battle with anorexia, in my own opinion, means her death was in vain. And I won't let her death be in vain. She saved, thru the media exposure, many countless lives. Yes, there are still lots of anorexia/bulimia sufferers today, but I don't think that will totally go away and until society starts to change body image etc and all the garbage they feed youngsters about being thin, and looking good etc. It's about a person's soul, the kindness within that counts, not how they look on the outside. I miss Karen but what a wonderful human being she was. Beloved and missed and remembered by all. My thoughts, Cameron |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 26, 2005 1:01:00 GMT -5
Karen Carpenter...a rare beauty in the midst of a garden full of beautiful flowers...but her gentleness and uniqueness make her noticed and admired by those around her...even to this day...in the garden of life... My thoughts, Cameron Wow beautifully put Cam. You truly possess the gift of word. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 26, 2005 6:24:51 GMT -5
 Interesting topic, Rick. I, too, have mixed emotions - and as I have posted before, I have cried when listening to Karen singing. The thing is, my tears (specifically over her singing) came mostly when I listened to VOTH for the first time. The song Sailin' On The Tide really got me - the lyrics spoke so much to me..and of course, NOW just had me sitting in a puddle of my own salt tears. It was then that I accepted that Karen was gone! GONE! It was awful to accept, but I think that's when it happened for me. My tears now come from happy memories. When I saw the display at the Carpenters Center, I had tears in my eyes, remembering all of the happiness that listening to Carpenters brought (brings) me. I don't shed tears any longer because I'm sad at hearing Karen sing. Tears only come when remembering a particularly happy occassion, relating the voice to a memory - and as has been stated - knowing there will be no more songs from her. THAT truly saddens me. But remembering Karen does NOT sadden me at all. Karen was a beautiful person, and had an irreplaceable, non-replicable voice. There is no sadness in remembering her, for me. There is happiness in remembering that lovely woman. She was so genuine - and she fought a hard, difficult, almost impossible battle. She did not die in vain - annorexia is now widely discussed, and physicians recognize it for what it is, and stop trying to shove it under the table. Karen's brave battle with it brought this nasty disease to the forefront. We have her to thank for that. I am never saddened by the fact that Karen's singing and her songs are sometimes sad. I am only saddened that she will not be able to make any more beautiful songs for us to listen to and admire and smile to. She is a bright shining star in my life, even though she is no longer on earth. I keep her in my heart, and listen to that golden voice every single day, as I have for the past 30 years. Hope this helps you sort some things out, my friend. Best to you, Tim @@
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 26, 2005 10:18:59 GMT -5
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Post by PvtScotty on Apr 26, 2005 23:57:05 GMT -5
Rick,
No, you're not the only one. In my Carpenters "heyday" (from '89 - '97), I couldn't accept that she was gone, either. I met Richard and Mary, Agnes, made the "pilgrimage" to Forest Lawn (and Wienerschnizel's afterwards), and had a very hard time with it. I still can't listen to "Look To Your Dreams" without getting a lump in my throat.
I am not a psychologist by any means, but I think that this is common. As I know I've mentioned before here, I am also an ABBA fan (sweaty, obsessed, and proud of it!!! Fellow ABBA fans will know what I'm talking about here!), and on one of our forums, someone posted a thread with the title, "What happens when one of them dies?" I try to avoid even thinking about it, but it will happen sooner or later, as 3 of the ex members are 60+ and the fourth (Agnetha) is 55 as of 5 April. I don't know what I will feel when it happens. I imagine I will cry (yes, men cry too) and feel a tremendous sense of loss, even though I don't know any of them personally. I wasn't a Carpenters fan in '83, so I can only imagine what all of you "diehards" felt at the time.
Good topic, Rick. Thank you for your welcome to the forum...
Scott
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Mariah Andrews
CERTIFIED SILVER MEMBER
29/Lesbian M2F TS/Nevada. Longtime Carpenters Fan.
Posts: 49
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Post by Mariah Andrews on Apr 27, 2005 0:10:25 GMT -5
Imagine if you know a kid whose never heard of the Carpenters but suddenly started to like them and he or she wonders, "Will I ever meet Karen Carpenter?" or "When will she ever perform in concert again?" What would you tell the poor child?
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Post by PvtScotty on Apr 27, 2005 0:33:20 GMT -5
What would I tell a child fan of (the) Carpenters? Depending on the age, I'd tell them she has gone to Heaven...
Scott
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rmjoots
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Post by rmjoots on Apr 27, 2005 20:20:45 GMT -5
Imagine if you know a kid whose never heard of the Carpenters but suddenly started to like them and he or she wonders, "Will I ever meet Karen Carpenter?" or "When will she ever perform in concert again?" What would you tell the poor child? Man, this happened to me. I was 14 at Christmas when I heard Karen's voice for the first time. It really struck me and before hearing Karen, I had never been interested in music and singers. But this voice was fantastic and my young mind was thinking "Whoever has this voice, I like her. I could follow this one!" But that was only for a few days before I finally asked my mom who this voice belonged to. Down came my hopes when my mother instantly said "She was Karen Carpenter, but she died a few years ago". I've had to live with this sad fact the whole time I've loved her. (I can actually remember what I was doing Feb. 4. 1983 , although it wasn't related to her at all, as I was 6 yrs old. But not only do I have a memory of that day, my own name appeared in the newspaper the day Karen died. Weird huh?) |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 27, 2005 22:14:46 GMT -5
Man, this happened to me. I was 14 at Christmas when I heard Karen's voice for the first time. It really struck me and before hearing Karen, I had never been interested in music and singers. But this voice was fantastic and my young mind was thinking "Whoever has this voice, I like her. I could follow this one!" But that was only for a few days before I finally asked my mom who this voice belonged to. Down came my hopes when my mother instantly said "She was Karen Carpenter, but she died a few years ago". I've had to live with this sad fact the whole time I've loved her. (I can actually remember what I was doing Feb. 4. 1983 , although it wasn't related to her at all, as I was 6 yrs old. But not only do I have a memory of that day, my own name appeared in the newspaper the day Karen died. Weird huh?) Wow rmjoots that's totally interesting. Why was your name in the newspaper? Today I made a little breakthrough. I listened to "A Kind Of Hush" and this time I did not skip "I Need To Be In Love". This is the first time in well over ayear since I listened to the song all the way through. I forgot what a beautiful song it is. The arrangement is amazing and truly one of Karen's best vocals. |
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rmjoots
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Post by rmjoots on Apr 27, 2005 23:51:52 GMT -5
Well, its not really that interesting.
My name was in the paper on Feb. 4th, 1983 because my newspaper would do a feature picture/focus on newborns that were born called "Introducing Someone New" . My youngest baby brother was chosen for that day's focus and in the news article, it mentions my whole family by name, so my name appears with my age (6) in it. And right above the little article is the date... Feb. 4th, 1983. I can never stop looking at that date when I see the newspaper clipping to this day.
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rmjoots
NEW TO THE FAMILY
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Post by rmjoots on Apr 27, 2005 23:55:15 GMT -5
Oh yeah, and the very next day, my own Grandfather died, Feb. 5. 1983, so I sure have lots of stuff that happened during that time. I still have to find out whether my Grandpa's funeral was the same day as Karen's. I am not sure. So whenver the anniversary comes around, I miss 2 people. q$
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Mariah Andrews
CERTIFIED SILVER MEMBER
29/Lesbian M2F TS/Nevada. Longtime Carpenters Fan.
Posts: 49
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Post by Mariah Andrews on Apr 28, 2005 0:39:08 GMT -5
Man, this happened to me. I was 14 at Christmas when I heard Karen's voice for the first time. It really struck me and before hearing Karen, I had never been interested in music and singers. But this voice was fantastic and my young mind was thinking "Whoever has this voice, I like her. I could follow this one!" But that was only for a few days before I finally asked my mom who this voice belonged to. Down came my hopes when my mother instantly said "She was Karen Carpenter, but she died a few years ago". I've had to live with this sad fact the whole time I've loved her. (I can actually remember what I was doing Feb. 4. 1983 , although it wasn't related to her at all, as I was 6 yrs old. But not only do I have a memory of that day, my own name appeared in the newspaper the day Karen died. Weird huh?) In my book, "Awakening From Broken Dreams", the lead character, a transgender kid named Richie names himself Karen when he transitioned from male to female, inspired by the Carpenters. Considering that Richie Dawson was born in 1991 and discovered the Carpenters music (actually began paying attention to it) around the age of ten, being 2001. He was sad to learn that Karen had died eight years before his own birth. Richie used to dream about meeting her and seeing a Carpenters concert, but how he cried and how his little heart was broken. Richie was thirteen when he found out, when he got his first computer and went online typing the name "Karen Carpenter", circa 2004. I feel your pain. It was like finding out that Santa Claus died centuries ago when I was about four or five. |
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Post by smoothie2 on Apr 28, 2005 0:39:58 GMT -5
 This is an interesting thread..first of all Dave, I'm sorry that you are going through a greiving period now since you lost your mom..... death is just another phase of life as I believe..but that doesn't make things any easier. I agree with all that's been said..in that people miss Karen and they miss the Carpenters as a very unique and talented duo. I also have the same mixed emotions..as far as someone remembering or knowing Karen only because she had anorexia and she opened the door for many who suffer with that. I really miss her. People should learn to listen and come to know the Karen we know, the great person she was, and not just associate her with those darker songs, or anorexia. Gee, she was so much much more! I love that song "Sweet Sweet Smile"...and the video clip of Karen singing that on the road.ode site. The way she just is such a natural..the way she moves and looks into the camera as well as the way she connects with the audience by clapping and wanting them to join in on clapping. She truly puts all her best out there. It's bittersweet. "and when I'm all strung out, you're the only one who can straighten me out, I gotta see your sweet sweet smile every day"..... I am also sorry rmjoots about you losing your grandfather around the same time Karen passed.
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