Post by Rick Henry on Apr 28, 2005 10:39:20 GMT -5
smoothie2 said:
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 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".....
Smoothie very well said. Karen's death is very improtant and obviously will never be in vain. but true there is so much more to Karen. In the 70's she was looked upon as a breath of fresh air. She was a singer who really could sing. She wasn't just another pretty face. Karen was the real thing. She inspired a whole lot of people (both male and female) to want to sing and make music. Carpenters were my earliest inspiration (I went on to make music for about 15 years). Then there was Karen's smile and wholesome image. Karen was regarded as the girl next door. Karen was almost like a national treasure. She was loved that much. She represented hope and optimism in an otherwise dark and hopeless world. I know it sounds like I am deifying Karen - which I am not - I am just recounting how people viewed Karen Carpenter back in the 70's. She was definitely looked upon as a "ray of hope", a "shining light". What a smile and kind disposition she had. All topped with the most beautiful voice you ever heard.
Yes, a big part of Karen's legacy is connected with anorexia. But I think the biggest part of her legacy is how she made people feel when she was alive. When her voice would come on the radio you always felt warm and uplifted inside. Even on the dark songs her voice just had (has) a way of uplifting you. She was a fun person. Just looking at the pictures of her from 1969 up until about 1974 you could always sense a feeling of fun in her personality. And it's that side of Karen that I hope more and more people can again connect with.
I also love "Sweet Sweet Smile". Karen is fun in this performance also. Which I own on the DVD for the TV special "Space Encounters".