Carpenters and The Music You Grew Up With

[GoodOldDreams]

It seems that the music you grew up with in your formative years (around your early to late teens) tends to become and remain among your personal favorites due to greater familiarity and "connection" than, say, music that was prominent or popular during an era much earlier or later. This may seem obvious to some people, who may wax nostalgic for the days of growing up with their peer groups and contemporaries; however, I have met a few people who would much prefer music of a different era or place (for example, classical, international/ethnic, etc.) which was introduced to them by their parents, teachers, friends or someone else influential or found by way of their own musical explorations.

There are many members on this forum who grew up with the music of the Carpenters on the radio or on their parents' (or their own) records and tapes. I wonder if this is generally true for most of you out there? Do you tend to gravitate more toward the music during your years growing up?

[ps11932]

I'd say that in my case it is generally true. I started listening to music about the time when Carpenters were making the scene big and they, of course, remain my favorite. When I listen to music on the radio now, it is usually when there is a focus on the stuff from the early 70's, as opposed to "oldies" (say, from the 50's) or the music even from the late 70's on- though of course there is outstanding material from both of these eras. (After all, Carpenters really built on a foundation laid earlier.) Though I've developped appreciation for many for many forms of music, from classical to hip-hop, my original exposure- especially Carpenters- will always rate first.

[Dave]

You hit the nail on the head, at least for me. I was 15 in 1970, and had decided that being a deejay was for me. It was also concurrent with my early attempts at romantic relationships, an experience which went as well as driving a stick shift without a clutch! For some strange reason, the subjects of the songs released after "Superstar" seemed to relate, and it seemed as though my experiences were being mirrored in their songs.
But after 1975, my road went a different direction, and I never got on the radio. By the time February 4, 1983 came around, the Carpenters were but a distant memory, only heard at Christmastime, relegated to the "oldies" bin, having been swamped by the disco tide. I remember hearing "Goodbye to Love" as a pizza-faced 16 year old, and musing "She never thought of me..." as I sat downstairs in my radio room. Yeah, like that's ever gonna happen (say it like Shrek would)!
Yes, they were mile markers at the other end of my road, so long ago and far away now.
35 years later, it's still nice to revisit the beginnings every now and then.
Thanks for the memory jog.

[Rick Henry]

Excellent topic. Thank you for posting it GoodOldDreams. I definitely want to weigh in on this one. Though, I will cpme back tomorrow as I want to give this some thought and make a good post thoroughly depicting my ideas on this topic.

I will say that I am an avid fan of music from yesteryear to the current day. I have several current day favorites. I will add more tomorrow.

[smoothie2]

;DSurely totally agree with you on this ...
yes, I grew up with the C's along with many other superb artists of the time. My radio stays mostly
tuned in on an "oldies" station, which mostly means soft rock
from 60's and 70's.
After the 70's and on up until the present, I have to say there was also some great music that has come about here and there,
Elton John, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, all were popular
through the early years, and even today.
More current singers I like, Jewel, Sarah MacLachlin (sp?)
Brad Paisley, Vince Gill and others still.
BUT I can't stay interested very long if I have a station that plays
stuff other than what I grew up with....
It just seems music is so far removed in most cases than
what it was when the C's were in full swing.
;D
The main reason I must say that I love those older songs, is
because they are SO VERY TIED IN WITH ALL THESE MEMORIES
AND EVENTS which were going on when
a certain song came out.
My first crush (Close to You, and one of my first records was a
gift I received in 7th grade Christmas school party...Partridge Family's album "Shopping Bag" which has the song "It's One of Those Nights..("Yes Love)on it.
first date= "I Honestly Love You" and "Spinning Wheel"
..........
soooooo...I am sure I have
put some of you to sleep (perhaps myself almost) by
now...anyway, mostly I'm a "70's" girl...
And yes, I just love to recall some of those times..
at least a thousand light yrs. in the past!

[enigma]

good question! Well I grew up with the Carpenters though it was not in my "formative teen years" and I find that I gravetate towards music of that period perhaps as a way to revisit my childhood and I also tend to be more fond of some 80s music which was played during my teens. But for me if the music is good I will always like it and listen to it as well as revisit it from time to time. So even though the 70s are my preferred decade I find great music from all points in my life up to today. I guess I find less and less modern music appealing but there are still gems out there I love about as much as the music I grew up with and the music of my formative years. In the Case of the Carpenters as well as some others its a different and more complex story. Hope that makes sense to y'all.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

A great topic, GoodOldDreams. (I'd use an acronym for you, but then you become GOD, and that won't work), so.....

I had my first rock band by 8th grade, and we did things like "Gloria" and Monkeys/Beatles/Iron Butterfly tunes. Most of it was okay.

Chicago was HUGE when I was in High School, as were The Fifth Dimension, Mama's and Papa's and in my Junior Year, Carpenters. It was all over for me at that time - I'd found the group I loved. Yes, I still listened to and performed these other groups' music - The Grass Roots - Gary Lewis and the Playboys - The Association and many, many more. They all had wonderful tunes, and like Katt said, many are tied with memories. My first steady girl and I enjoyed the Beatles tune "Hey Jude." But, my serious high school sweetheart and I got together just as "We"ve Only Just Begun" hit the charts, and it was always considered "our song" after that.

However, my earlier influences are really what made me the Carpenters fan I am today. I grew up listening to the MacGuire Sisters/The Lennon Sisters/The Ink Spots/Four Brothers/Glenn Miller and Orchestra/Peggy Lee/Frank Sinatra/Artie Shaw/Benny Goodman/Tommy Dorsey/and all those great singers that accompanied them in 3 and 4 part HARMONY. I think that's why I'm such a harmony freak. I love great vocal harmonies. My dad loved it too, and he had an outstanding collection of LPs. My mother also sang when in high school, and beyond, and she, too, just adored music. My paternal grandfather sang opera in New York when they first arrived from Sicily. So, music came naturally to me, and rather than have the TV on in the evenings, for my folks, it was records. And that was my preference, as well. Of course, MY FOLKS LOVED CARPENTERS music,too....I'd find my mom listening to one of my Carpenters LPs rather than her own stuff when I arrived home in the afternoons from school. They both thought the Carpenters (and they gave good credit to the Beatles, too) were pioneers, and that they were wonderful for what needed to be heard in American music at that time. Bravo on them for having the good ears, and the good sense to know excellent music. I remember my father bringing me an LP of a new group he'd heard doing an old standard tune "Deep Purple." The new group only had one LP that I know of - it was Nino Tempo and April Stevens. Boy, they really had their own take on this old standard tune, but I did love it - he knew my taste in tu nes.

Of course, Billy Joel caught my ear early on, as well. When I first "paid attention" to a Billy Joel song, I thought he was a "soul" singer, and The Entertainer was his first tune. It was simply that The Entertainer" was his first "air-time" tune here in Springfeild. We were pretty behind the times. So began my love affair with his stuff. Getting the opportunity to learn the songs to be able to play them in clubs was helpful to me, and made me enjoy the music even more. Yes, Olivia Newton-John went over well in supper clubs and night clubs, too. Especially "I Honestly Love You." That was a favorite.

I think i was influenced greatly regarding my musical enjoyment way before I was a teen. It was actually when I was a teen that I began to make my own decisions and memories regarding the music I loved. There were certainly some excellent artists during my teen years, though. But Karen and Rich, and of course, Billy stole the "spotlight" in my opinion.

Thanks for this super topic!
Tim

[Rick Henry]

I'm not your typical Carpenters fan in the music that I generally like. You will see what I mean as you read on.

First let me start out by saying I am a music addict. If there was a Music Anonymous (MA), I'm sure my family would intervene and have me join MA.

My music addiction began in 1972 when I purchased the "A Song For You" album. After that I ended up with a collection of 7,500 albums by 1996. I didn't get into cassettes as much but I did end up with a collection of 900 cassettes. Now in the CD era I have something like 3,500 discs to date and growing by an average of 130 discs per year - which is down from an average of about 500 disc per year five years ago.

My earliest music influences were the Kingston Trio, Donovan, Peter, Paul and Mary and Trini Lopez - these were the artists my dad listened to. From my mom I was exposed to girl group types like Martha and the Vandellas, The Toys, Lesley Gore, Lulu and Petula Clark.

I was ten years old in 1970. So music as sophisticated as "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun" had not yet entered my life. I was listening to the Partridge Family. And again in 1970 we were primarily listening to father's music which at that point was Three Dog Night, Allman Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Grand Funk Railroad. As you see from early on I have had a strong introduction to classic rock. Classic rock is primarily my favorite type of music.

Finally in late 1971 I began to come into my own as far as developing music tastes. A childhood friend played "Bless The Beasts And Children" from me (which at that point was only on the b-side of the singles "Superstar")> I immediately fell in love with the song. Shortly after that mom and dad purchased the "Close To You" album on 8-track tape. Quickly that became the most listened to 8-track in the collection. My sister also came to really love it. In 1972 I bought the album "A Song For You" and all the other Carpenters albums out at that time - which were "Carpenters" and "Ticket To Ride". The Carpenters were my first favorite group. This was who I identified with musically. It was the rich harmonies and passionate bold music. But most of all it was Karen's voice. She had an abundance of personality in her voice. For some reason Karen pierced right through my soul and captured the creative side of my music ear.

Although I bought a few albums from 1972 to 1974, it wasn't until early 1975 that I began to really tune into the radio and start buying record albums regularly. I was fifteen years old at this point. It began with "Please Mr. Postman" - this was such a fantastic song. It was so well liked, even by people who normally didn't like the Carpenters. I bough the single. Then came "Only Yesterday" and I bought that single also.

1975 is when it all erupted. That's when I decided I wanted to be a singer and songwriter. I began listening to all types of music - mainly top 40 - because that's what I heard on the radio.

These are the songs that were my favorites in 1975 (it's a lengthy list):

America - Sister Golden Hair
David Bowie - Young Americans
Carpenters - Please Mr. Postman
Carpenters - Only Yesterday
Carpenters - Solitaire
Paul Davis - Ride 'Em Cowboy * see note below on Paul Davis
John Denver - Calypso
Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue
Eagles - One Of These Nights
Earth Wind and Fire - Shining Star
Fleetwood Mac - Over My head
Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye
Jigsaw - Sky High
Elton John - Pinball Wizard
Elton John - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom (my favorite of Elton's songs)
Sammy Johns - Chevy Van
Carole King - Nightengale
Paul McCartney and Wings - Listen To What The Man Said
Michael Martin Murphey - Wildfire
O'Jays - I Love Music
Pilot - Magic
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Queen - Killer Queen
Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug
Shirley and Company - Shame, Shame, Shame
Silver Convention - Fly Robin Fly
Carly Simon - Waterfall
Paul Simon - 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Supertramp - Bloody Well Right (huge favorite in 1975)
Sweet - Fox On The Run (another huge favorite in 1975)
Sweet - Action
Tavares - It Only Takes A Minute

All these songs are still major favorites of mine to this day. For some reason the music in 1975 has left an impression on me.

Notes on 1975...
Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" was such a huge favorite for me that I continued to listen to that song on a regular basis for the next fifteen years. I feel the song defines the sound of popular music in 1975.

"Horizon" was my first mega favorite album and to this day remains my favorite of all Carpenters albums.

Paul Davis I feel is somewhat underrated. He's had a few great hits including the classics "I Go Crazy" and "cool Night". He also reached #40 in 1980 with "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" - which in my mind should have went top ten. My favorite song by Paul Davis is 1976's "Superstar" (not the same song as Carpenters). If you haven't heard it you should listen to it. I put it in the category of "perfect pop tunes".


My next momumental year of music and formative years of music appreiciation is 1979. In 1979 I went from top 40 to more obscure music. I stopped listening to the radio all together. I listened to my record albums at home and in my car would play only my home made cassette compilations. I came to discover "new wave" music in 1979. This happened when I was visiting my favorite music store in the city of Orange, California called Licorice Pizza. I had been a regular there for two years at this point. This particular afternoon in 1979 they were playing this trippy sounding male vocal electronic somewhat robotic dance beat album. I asked who it was they said it was Gary Numan. I bought that album that night. A few weeks later he had a huge hit with the song "Cars". That opened up a whole new world of music for me. All of a sudden I was buying all types of new wave music. To this day new wave remains one of my all-time favorite genres of music. Along with new wave I also liked a good amount of pop-country music.

Here are some of my favorite songs of 1979 (again a lengthy list - NW follows the new wave songs, and CW for country songs):

Arpeggio - Love and Desire
B-52's - Rock Lobster (I used to dance to this song in my bedroom in 1979) (NW)
Blondie - One Way Or Another (most played song on Newport Beach in California in summer of '79) (NW)
Blondie - Dreamin' (NW)
Cars - Let's Go
Eric Clapton - Promises ( a year earlier "Lay Down Sally" was a big favorite)
Commodores - Sail On
Eagles - Heartache Tonight
Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring me Down (my favorite ELO song)
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
Peter Frampton - I Can't Stand It No More
Crystal Gayle - Half The Way ( I loved Crystal so much I ended up buying around 15 of her albums) (CW)
Sammy Hagar - Dock Of The Bay (huge favorite of all-time)
Hall and Oates - Wait For Me (another huge favorite)
George Harrison - Blow Away
Engelburt Humperdinck - This Moment In Time ( a big easy listening favorite)
Billy Joel - Honesty
Billy Joel - Big Shot ( at this point in time Billy Joel was one of my top five favorites)
Journey - Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
Kinks - (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman (NW)
Kraftwerk - The Robots (NW)
Led Zeppelin - All My Love
Led Zeppelin - Hot Dog
Little River Band - Lady
Lnene Lovich Lucky Number (NW)
Lene Lovich - Home (NW)
Cheryl Lynn - Star Love
M - Pop Muzik (an all-time favorite) (NW)
Paul McCartney - Arrow Through Me
Gary Numan - Cars (remains a favorite to this day) (NW)
Parker and Penny - Hallelujah ( a great feel good song by Steve and Eydie recorded under the name Parker and Penny)
Dolly Parton - Sweet Summer Lovin' (my favorite Dolly song) (CW)
Police - Roxanne (NW)
Police - Message In A bottle (this song made the Police one of my big favorites) (NW)
Suzi Quatro - I've Never Been In Love (NW)
Suzi Quatro - She's In Love With You (NW)
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (my favorite Queen song)
Queen - Bicycle Race
Eddie Rabbitt - Suspicions (CW)
Records - Starry Eyes (NW) (huge favorite)
Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'
Kenny Rogers - Coward Of The County (CW)
Diana Ross - The Boss
Roxy Music - Dance Away (NW)
Roxy Music - My Little Girl (NW)
Sniff N The Tears- Driver's Seat ( my favorite song of 1979) (NW)
Squeeze - I Think I'm Go Go (NW)
Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood
Styx - Suite Madame Blue
Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
Donna Summer - Sunset people
Donna Summer - Dim All The Lights
Supertramp - Take The Long Way Home
Talking Heads - Take me To The River (NW)
Toto - 99
Toto - Georgy Porgy
Jennifer Warnes - I Know A Heartache When I See One (CW)
Bob Welch - Precious Love

Notes on 1979:
A lot of songs recorded in 1979 end up being my favorite by most of my favorite artists.
Donna Summer has went on to become my second favorite female vocalist of all-time.
Favorite albums of 1979:
Shot Through The Heart - Jennfier Warnes
Breakfast In America - Supertramp
Eve - Alan Parsons Project
Argy Bargy - Squeeze
In Through The Out Door - Led Zeppelin
Statless - Lene Lovich
Flying Doesn't Help - Anthony Moore
Manisfesto - Roxy Music

A few more tidbits in 1979:
I remember hearing Bob Dylan recorded a Christian album which had the song "Gotta Serve Somebody" - I remembered loving his song "Tangled Up In Blue" in 1975 so I tried listening to "Gotta Serve..." but I just did not like it at all and decided not to buy it. Now many years later it ends up being one of my ultimate favorites.

I also remember thinking in 1979. If only Carpenters would do something upbeat and danceable with strong guitars like Blondie or Donna Summer - that would be a huge hit. Little did I know that's exactly what Karen was doing at that very point in time - unfortunately the solo album was shelved not to be relased until 1996 - way too late.

Many people have said the 70's is the worst era for music. I have to disagree strongly with that comment. The 70's I feel is one of the very best eras of music.

My favorites of the 70's are:

BeeGees
Carpenters
Chicago
John Denver
Neil Diamond
Eagles
Earth Wind and Fire
Elton John
Led Zeppelin
Paul McCartney
Pink Floyd
Queen
Roxy Music
Steely Dan
Donna Summer
Stevie Wonder

The 80's came around and I like several artists favorites being Adrian Belew, Kate Bush, the Cars, Juice Newton, Sade, Depeche Mode, U2, Tom Petty, Eurythmics, Lene Lovich, Cyndi lauper, Billy Idol, Lipps Inc and k.d. lang.

The early part of the 90's I distanced myself from music. I didn't buy much and I certainly did not like a lot of what was popular like Guns N Roses or Poison. But I did like Jeff Buckley, Joe Henry, King Crimson, Moby and the Wallflowers.

In the current decade I have continued to seek new favorites. I've always been into creative pop-rock arrangements. In the current day I still have several favorites as follows:
Coldplay (my favorite of the past six years)
Norah Jones
Diana Krall
Adrian Belew (he's been a favorite in every decade since the 80's)
Jack Johnson
John Mayer
Cousteau (now named Moreau)

In 1996 I came to find an interest in Christian alternatve rock. Favorites include:
Tree63
Dc Talk
Jars Of Clay
Poor Old Lu
Miss Angie
Audi Adrenaline
Massivivid
PFR
The Lads

And of course I must make mention of the Beatles they have been a constant favorite from way back - also Moody Blues and War.

As you see my music tastes are varied and yes some of my all-time favorites are from my formative years between 1975-1979, Though I have many favorites from the 80's, 90's and 00's. But than again that may be because I am a music addict and I regularly seek out now artists to discover and listen to. One thing that remains a constant in all my favorites is good strong pop hooks. My newest find is an intersting band named We Are Scientists.

[GoodOldDreams]

yesterdayoncemore said:

A great topic, GoodOldDreams. (I'd use an acronym for you, but then you become GOD, and that won't work), so.....

I had my first rock band by 8th grade, and we did things like "Gloria" and Monkeys/Beatles/Iron Butterfly tunes. Most of it was okay.

Chicago was HUGE when I was in High School, as were The Fifth Dimension, Mama's and Papa's and in my Junior Year, Carpenters. It was all over for me at that time - I'd found the group I loved. Yes, I still listened to and performed these other groups' music - The Grass Roots - Gary Lewis and the Playboys - The Association and many, many more. They all had wonderful tunes, and like Katt said, many are tied with memories. My first steady girl and I enjoyed the Beatles tune "Hey Jude." But, my serious high school sweetheart and I got together just as "We"ve Only Just Begun" hit the charts, and it was always considered "our song" after that.

However, my earlier influences are really what made me the Carpenters fan I am today. I grew up listening to the MacGuire Sisters/The Lennon Sisters/The Ink Spots/Four Brothers/Glenn Miller and Orchestra/Peggy Lee/Frank Sinatra/Artie Shaw/Benny Goodman/Tommy Dorsey/and all those great singers that accompanied them in 3 and 4 part HARMONY. I think that's why I'm such a harmony freak. I love great vocal harmonies. My dad loved it too, and he had an outstanding collection of LPs. My mother also sang when in high school, and beyond, and she, too, just adored music. My paternal grandfather sang opera in New York when they first arrived from Sicily. So, music came naturally to me, and rather than have the TV on in the evenings, for my folks, it was records. And that was my preference, as well. Of course, MY FOLKS LOVED CARPENTERS music,too....I'd find my mom listening to one of my Carpenters LPs rather than her own stuff when I arrived home in the afternoons from school. They both thought the Carpenters (and they gave good credit to the Beatles, too) were pioneers, and that they were wonderful for what needed to be heard in American music at that time. Bravo on them for having the good ears, and the good sense to know excellent music. I remember my father bringing me an LP of a new group he'd heard doing an old standard tune "Deep Purple." The new group only had one LP that I know of - it was Nino Tempo and April Stevens. Boy, they really had their own take on this old standard tune, but I did love it - he knew my taste in tu nes.

Of course, Billy Joel caught my ear early on, as well. When I first "paid attention" to a Billy Joel song, I thought he was a "soul" singer, and The Entertainer was his first tune. It was simply that The Entertainer" was his first "air-time" tune here in Springfeild. We were pretty behind the times. So began my love affair with his stuff. Getting the opportunity to learn the songs to be able to play them in clubs was helpful to me, and made me enjoy the music even more. Yes, Olivia Newton-John went over well in supper clubs and night clubs, too. Especially "I Honestly Love You." That was a favorite.

I think i was influenced greatly regarding my musical enjoyment way before I was a teen. It was actually when I was a teen that I began to make my own decisions and memories regarding the music I loved. There were certainly some excellent artists during my teen years, though. But Karen and Rich, and of course, Billy stole the "spotlight" in my opinion.

Thanks for this super topic!
Tim

Hi Tim,

That acronym works for me, L.O.L.!

I was exposed to much of the same music as you were on Top 40 radio stations. I liked many of the recording artists you mentioned: the jazzy sounds of Chicago, the fantastic harmonies of the Fifth Dimension and the edgy lyrics of Billy Joel.

My family was not particularly into music when I was growing up, but when I heard the Carpenters' "Close to You" for the first time on the radio, I was spellbound and got my younger sister interested in their music also. I bought the album even before our family had a record player in the house, so we had to walk several miles to our main library's listening room to enjoy it, which was well worth the effort. Their music was so wonderful that I was motivated to save enough money from my paper route to buy a record player and then soon later a piano. It probably shocked the salesmen at the department store and the piano dealership when I walked in to make these major purchases in my early teens with my sister without an accompanying adult, money order in hand. In retrospect, it is amazing what a profound impact Karen and Richard had on me early on to inspire me to do these things!

[GoodOldDreams]

smoothie2 said:

;DSurely totally agree with you on this ...
yes, I grew up with the C's along with many other superb artists of the time. My radio stays mostly
tuned in on an "oldies" station, which mostly means soft rock
from 60's and 70's.
After the 70's and on up until the present, I have to say there was also some great music that has come about here and there,
Elton John, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, all were popular
through the early years, and even today.
More current singers I like, Jewel, Sarah MacLachlin (sp?)
Brad Paisley, Vince Gill and others still.
BUT I can't stay interested very long if I have a station that plays
stuff other than what I grew up with....
It just seems music is so far removed in most cases than
what it was when the C's were in full swing.
;D
The main reason I must say that I love those older songs, is
because they are SO VERY TIED IN WITH ALL THESE MEMORIES
AND EVENTS which were going on when
a certain song came out.
My first crush (Close to You, and one of my first records was a
gift I received in 7th grade Christmas school party...Partridge Family's album "Shopping Bag" which has the song "It's One of Those Nights..("Yes Love)on it.
first date= "I Honestly Love You" and "Spinning Wheel"
..........
soooooo...I am sure I have
put some of you to sleep (perhaps myself almost) by
now...anyway, mostly I'm a "70's" girl...
And yes, I just love to recall some of those times..
at least a thousand light yrs. in the past!

Hi Kathy,

I still have my "Greatest Hits" record albums and tapes of Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and the Eagles, among others. Although my record player still works, I am listening primarily digitally now. However, I don't think I ever really want to part with the original vinyls.

I agree that our association of memories and events with songs can enhance the listening experience. There are many visual elements in the neighborhood where I grew up that increases my fondness for certain songs: the blue-gray sky and mountains that remind me of the the cover of "Close to You" and the freeway flyer-over ramp curving toward the setting sun "...when evening comes..."

[GoodOldDreams]

enigma said:

good question! Well I grew up with the Carpenters though it was not in my "formative teen years" and I find that I gravetate towards music of that period perhaps as a way to revisit my childhood and I also tend to be more fond of some 80s music which was played during my teens. But for me if the music is good I will always like it and listen to it as well as revisit it from time to time. So even though the 70s are my preferred decade I find great music from all points in my life up to today. I guess I find less and less modern music appealing but there are still gems out there I love about as much as the music I grew up with and the music of my formative years. In the Case of the Carpenters as well as some others its a different and more complex story. Hope that makes sense to y'all.

http://

img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/RickHenry/karen1975.jpg

[/IMG] [/quote]

Hi enigma,

How is it different and more complex for you? Do tell!

[GoodOldDreams]

Hi Rick,

You are virtually a walking encyclopedia in music! It's great that you are "In tune" with evolution of music over the past several decades, as I sometimes find it hard to keep up with the music trends.

Growing up in a diverse locality, I enjoyed much of the 1970's "Philly Soul" sounds and various groups such as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the Stylistics, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Bread, Carly Simon, Don McLean, England Dan & John Ford-Coley, Seals & Crofts, Janis Ian, Helen Reddy and Roberta Flack. Toward the end of the decade, I turned to the eclectic works of George Benson, Bob James, Michael Franks, Hiroshima, Nicolette Larson, Ricki Lee Jones, Heart, Doobie Brothers and Billy Joel. In the 1980's Luther Vandross was a big draw, and my guilty pleasure was Madonna, who became somewhat of an acquired-taste once I got past the helium-voice to the danceable rhythms and the more reflective, bluesy numbers she did later as she kept re-inventing herself. The last decade and a half has been spotty, but I like Seal, Paul Hardcastle and Andrea Bocelli.

Joining this forum has been instrumental in reminding me how talented, versatile and astounding the Carpenters were, reaffirming my high regards for their work!

[YesterdayOnceMore]

admin said:

I'm not your typical Carpenters fan in the music that I generally like. You will see what I mean as you read on.

First let me start out by saying I am a music addict. If there was a Music Anonymous (MA), I'm sure my family would intervene and have me join MA.

My music addiction began in 1972 when I purchased the "A Song For You" album. After that I ended up with a collection of 7,500 albums by 1996. I didn't get into cassettes as much but I did end up with a collection of 900 cassettes. Now in the CD era I have something like 3,500 discs to date and growing by an average of 130 discs per year - which is down from an average of about 500 disc per year five years ago.

My earliest music influences were the Kingston Trio, Donovan, Peter, Paul and Mary and Trini Lopez - these were the artists my dad listened to. From my mom I was exposed to girl group types like Martha and the Vandellas, The Toys, Lesley Gore, Lulu and Petula Clark.

I was ten years old in 1970. So music as sophisticated as "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun" had not yet entered my life. I was listening to the Partridge Family. And again in 1970 we were primarily listening to father's music which at that point was Three Dog Night, Allman Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Grand Funk Railroad. As you see from early on I have had a strong introduction to classic rock. Classic rock is primarily my favorite type of music.

Finally in late 1971 I began to come into my own as far as developing music tastes. A childhood friend played "Bless The Beasts And Children" from me (which at that point was only on the b-side of the singles "Superstar")> I immediately fell in love with the song. Shortly after that mom and dad purchased the "Close To You" album on 8-track tape. Quickly that became the most listened to 8-track in the collection. My sister also came to really love it. In 1972 I bought the album "A Song For You" and all the other Carpenters albums out at that time - which were "Carpenters" and "Ticket To Ride". The Carpenters were my first favorite group. This was who I identified with musically. It was the rich harmonies and passionate bold music. But most of all it was Karen's voice. She had an abundance of personality in her voice. For some reason Karen pierced right through my soul and captured the creative side of my music ear.

Although I bought a few albums from 1972 to 1974, it wasn't until early 1975 that I began to really tune into the radio and start buying record albums regularly. I was fifteen years old at this point. It began with "Please Mr. Postman" - this was such a fantastic song. It was so well liked, even by people who normally didn't like the Carpenters. I bough the single. Then came "Only Yesterday" and I bought that single also.

1975 is when it all erupted. That's when I decided I wanted to be a singer and songwriter. I began listening to all types of music - mainly top 40 - because that's what I heard on the radio.

These are the songs that were my favorites in 1975 (it's a lengthy list):

America - Sister Golden Hair
David Bowie - Young Americans
Carpenters - Please Mr. Postman
Carpenters - Only Yesterday
Carpenters - Solitaire
Paul Davis - Ride 'Em Cowboy * see note below on Paul Davis
John Denver - Calypso
Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue
Eagles - One Of These Nights
Earth Wind and Fire - Shining Star
Fleetwood Mac - Over My head
Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye
Jigsaw - Sky High
Elton John - Pinball Wizard
Elton John - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom (my favorite of Elton's songs)
Sammy Johns - Chevy Van
Carole King - Nightengale
Paul McCartney and Wings - Listen To What The Man Said
Michael Martin Murphey - Wildfire
O'Jays - I Love Music
Pilot - Magic
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Queen - Killer Queen
Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug
Shirley and Company - Shame, Shame, Shame
Silver Convention - Fly Robin Fly
Carly Simon - Waterfall
Paul Simon - 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Supertramp - Bloody Well Right (huge favorite in 1975)
Sweet - Fox On The Run (another huge favorite in 1975)
Sweet - Action
Tavares - It Only Takes A Minute

All these songs are still major favorites of mine to this day. For some reason the music in 1975 has left an impression on me.

Notes on 1975...
Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" was such a huge favorite for me that I continued to listen to that song on a regular basis for the next fifteen years. I feel the song defines the sound of popular music in 1975.

"Horizon" was my first mega favorite album and to this day remains my favorite of all Carpenters albums.

Paul Davis I feel is somewhat underrated. He's had a few great hits including the classics "I Go Crazy" and "cool Night". He also reached #40 in 1980 with "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" - which in my mind should have went top ten. My favorite song by Paul Davis is 1976's "Superstar" (not the same song as Carpenters). If you haven't heard it you should listen to it. I put it in the category of "perfect pop tunes".


My next momumental year of music and formative years of music appreiciation is 1979. In 1979 I went from top 40 to more obscure music. I stopped listening to the radio all together. I listened to my record albums at home and in my car would play only my home made cassette compilations. I came to discover "new wave" music in 1979. This happened when I was visiting my favorite music store in the city of Orange, California called Licorice Pizza. I had been a regular there for two years at this point. This particular afternoon in 1979 they were playing this trippy sounding male vocal electronic somewhat robotic dance beat album. I asked who it was they said it was Gary Numan. I bought that album that night. A few weeks later he had a huge hit with the song "Cars". That opened up a whole new world of music for me. All of a sudden I was buying all types of new wave music. To this day new wave remains one of my all-time favorite genres of music. Along with new wave I also liked a good amount of pop-country music.

Here are some of my favorite songs of 1979 (again a lengthy list - NW follows the new wave songs, and CW for country songs):

Arpeggio - Love and Desire
B-52's - Rock Lobster (I used to dance to this song in my bedroom in 1979) (NW)
Blondie - One Way Or Another (most played song on Newport Beach in California in summer of '79) (NW)
Blondie - Dreamin' (NW)
Cars - Let's Go
Eric Clapton - Promises ( a year earlier "Lay Down Sally" was a big favorite)
Commodores - Sail On
Eagles - Heartache Tonight
Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring me Down (my favorite ELO song)
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
Peter Frampton - I Can't Stand It No More
Crystal Gayle - Half The Way ( I loved Crystal so much I ended up buying around 15 of her albums) (CW)
Sammy Hagar - Dock Of The Bay (huge favorite of all-time)
Hall and Oates - Wait For Me (another huge favorite)
George Harrison - Blow Away
Engelburt Humperdinck - This Moment In Time ( a big easy listening favorite)
Billy Joel - Honesty
Billy Joel - Big Shot ( at this point in time Billy Joel was one of my top five favorites)
Journey - Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
Kinks - (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman (NW)
Kraftwerk - The Robots (NW)
Led Zeppelin - All My Love
Led Zeppelin - Hot Dog
Little River Band - Lady
Lnene Lovich Lucky Number (NW)
Lene Lovich - Home (NW)
Cheryl Lynn - Star Love
M - Pop Muzik (an all-time favorite) (NW)
Paul McCartney - Arrow Through Me
Gary Numan - Cars (remains a favorite to this day) (NW)
Parker and Penny - Hallelujah ( a great feel good song by Steve and Eydie recorded under the name Parker and Penny)
Dolly Parton - Sweet Summer Lovin' (my favorite Dolly song) (CW)
Police - Roxanne (NW)
Police - Message In A bottle (this song made the Police one of my big favorites) (NW)
Suzi Quatro - I've Never Been In Love (NW)
Suzi Quatro - She's In Love With You (NW)
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (my favorite Queen song)
Queen - Bicycle Race
Eddie Rabbitt - Suspicions (CW)
Records - Starry Eyes (NW) (huge favorite)
Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'
Kenny Rogers - Coward Of The County (CW)
Diana Ross - The Boss
Roxy Music - Dance Away (NW)
Roxy Music - My Little Girl (NW)
Sniff N The Tears- Driver's Seat ( my favorite song of 1979) (NW)
Squeeze - I Think I'm Go Go (NW)
Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood
Styx - Suite Madame Blue
Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
Donna Summer - Sunset people
Donna Summer - Dim All The Lights
Supertramp - Take The Long Way Home
Talking Heads - Take me To The River (NW)
Toto - 99
Toto - Georgy Porgy
Jennifer Warnes - I Know A Heartache When I See One (CW)
Bob Welch - Precious Love

Notes on 1979:
A lot of songs recorded in 1979 end up being my favorite by most of my favorite artists.
Donna Summer has went on to become my second favorite female vocalist of all-time.
Favorite albums of 1979:
Shot Through The Heart - Jennfier Warnes
Breakfast In America - Supertramp
Eve - Alan Parsons Project
Argy Bargy - Squeeze
In Through The Out Door - Led Zeppelin
Statless - Lene Lovich
Flying Doesn't Help - Anthony Moore
Manisfesto - Roxy Music

A few more tidbits in 1979:
I remember hearing Bob Dylan recorded a Christian album which had the song "Gotta Serve Somebody" - I remembered loving his song "Tangled Up In Blue" in 1975 so I tried listening to "Gotta Serve..." but I just did not like it at all and decided not to buy it. Now many years later it ends up being one of my ultimate favorites.

I also remember thinking in 1979. If only Carpenters would do something upbeat and danceable with strong guitars like Blondie or Donna Summer - that would be a huge hit. Little did I know that's exactly what Karen was doing at that very point in time - unfortunately the solo album was shelved not to be relased until 1996 - way too late.

Many people have said the 70's is the worst era for music. I have to disagree strongly with that comment. The 70's I feel is one of the very best eras of music.

My favorites of the 70's are:

BeeGees
Carpenters
Chicago
John Denver
Neil Diamond
Eagles
Earth Wind and Fire
Elton John
Led Zeppelin
Paul McCartney
Pink Floyd
Queen
Roxy Music
Steely Dan
Donna Summer
Stevie Wonder

The 80's came around and I like several artists favorites being Adrian Belew, Kate Bush, the Cars, Juice Newton, Sade, Depeche Mode, U2, Tom Petty, Eurythmics, Lene Lovich, Cyndi lauper, Billy Idol, Lipps Inc and k.d. lang.

The early part of the 90's I distanced myself from music. I didn't buy much and I certainly did not like a lot of what was popular like Guns N Roses or Poison. But I did like Jeff Buckley, Joe Henry, King Crimson, Moby and the Wallflowers.

In the current decade I have continued to seek new favorites. I've always been into creative pop-rock arrangements. In the current day I still have several favorites as follows:
Coldplay (my favorite of the past six years)
Norah Jones
Diana Krall
Adrian Belew (he's been a favorite in every decade since the 80's)
Jack Johnson
John Mayer
Cousteau (now named Moreau)

In 1996 I came to find an interest in Christian alternatve rock. Favorites include:
Tree63
Dc Talk
Jars Of Clay
Poor Old Lu
Miss Angie
Audi Adrenaline
Massivivid
PFR
The Lads

And of course I must make mention of the Beatles they have been a constant favorite from way back - also Moody Blues and War.

As you see my music tastes are varied and yes some of my all-time favorites are from my formative years between 1975-1979, Though I have many favorites from the 80's, 90's and 00's. But than again that may be because I am a music addict and I regularly seek out now artists to discover and listen to. One thing that remains a constant in all my favorites is good strong pop hooks. My newest find is an intersting band named We Are Scientists.

Rick, you bring up some names I had not thought of in forever - I, too, thought Elton's Philidelphia Freedom was an awesome tune....and some of the other folks you mentioned caught my ear, as well - Pink Floyd (though not until the 90's did I really have an appreciation for them) - Sammy Hagar, John Cougar Mellencamp - Eagles - Hall & Oates, Fleetwood Mac - Three Dog Night - Gloria Estephan - Paul Simon - oh, so many.

Loved your post - and I have to agree with G.O.D., in that you are an absolutely walking musical encyclopedia! Your knowledge (and your music collection) is truly amazing.
Tim

[makapip]

Wow, Rick you could start your radio station. It would be great to hear all
those songs every week.

[Rick Henry]

makapip said:

Wow, Rick you could start your radio station. It would be great to hear all
those songs every week.

Makapip, that's probably true. My music collection extends even further than what I listed in the previous post.

Here's a few more examples of my music obsession:

I loved the seventies so much that I made it a goal to acquire every song that made the top 40 from January 1, 1970 to December 31, 1979. Believe it or not I accomplished that feat. I own every top 40 hit made in the 70's whether it's on vinyl or CD - I have it.

I also own many of the original recordings of songs Carpenters rerecorded. A few examples: "Please Mr. Postman" and "Beechwood 4-5789" by Marvelettes, "Calling Occupants..." by Klaatu (I ended up buying every album Klaatu recorded), "There's A Kind Of Hush" by New Vaudeville Band and also by Herman's Hermits, "Supertar" by Rita Coolidge and also Leon Russell's recording of the song, "Dancing In The Streets" by Martha and the Vandellas, "Close To You" by Richard Chamberlain, "Desperado" by Eagles, also by Linda Ronstadt, "This Masquerade" and "A ong For You" by Leon Russell, "it's Going To Take Sometime" by Carole King, and so on.

Crazy I am...

[enigma]

[/quote]

Hi enigma,

How is it different and more complex for you? Do tell!

[/quote]

Hi Good Old Dreams

Nice anacronym BTW as Tim pointed out. Sorry to be late replying here hope this does not get lost in the thread.

I love all music and have amassed a huge collection that can rival Ricks. The difference is my collection is almost all comercial stuff ie artists that are popular with the masses very little of my collection is unknown or undiscovered Gems.

The reason I said it was more complex with some artists is due to the emotions involved I will use the Carpenters and more specifically Karen to try to explain further but some other artists have the same complexity. For me its just a matter of separating the fact that I do not know Karen and the fact that I have read and seen so much of Karen via the collection of works I have of the Carpenters (interviews bios any video and recorded material I can find.) I feel I "know" Karen yet I really do not know her at all I never even had the opportunity to see her in person. I have an emotional attachment to Karen dispite the fact she is in reality a stranger. Thats what makes it a little complex. I am using Karen as an example because this is a Carpenters forum but what I said can be applied to other artists that I love above all in my massive music collection John Lennon is right up there with Karen as well as a few others. This explanation does not tell the whole story as emotions are difficult to put into wrds but it gives you an idea of why it is complex at least I hope it does.

[Dave]

Since we have the "Bob" and "Sam" formats, could the "Rick" format be far behind?
Really, with all of the Top 40 songs recorded just between 1970 and 1980, you should never hear a repeat for at least a week!
Rick, you're amazing. I was supposed to be the big-time AM radio DJ, but Harry Chapin's "WOLD" changed my mind.
What I would up doing instead has taken me places I never imagined, so I'd say that I'm doing what I was supposed to do.
But did I miss it, or did you leave "Attitude Dancing" off your 1975 list?

[Rick Henry]

Enigma - I think I know what you mean about being more "complex". I'm that way with Karen also. It's like you know her because her voice is so intimate. I have that same feeling with other artists also. But only a hand full.

Dave - the Carly Simon song I mentioned from 1975 is "Waterfall". I do, though, own "Attitude Dancing" as it was a top 40 hit in 1975 - but for some reason that song never became a favorite of mine. I always liked "Waterfall" much more. I felt that it should have reached much higher than #78.