The "Chill Factor"

[wisejester7]

What makes the 'chill factor' happen for you?

Is it the vocals, the interpretation of a song, the instrumental passages or musical under pinnings, the words, the arrangements or a combination of factors?

Name the songs that touch you/give you the 'chills' and why.

[makapipi]

Karen's voice in "We've Only Just Begun" at
the beginning part is total perfection purity.

[enigma]

its the marriage of arrangement and voice that often creates the chill factor for me but first and formost by far its Karens beautiful flawles VOICE that really creates the chills she is truely the gifted master when it comes to that there are countless examples but some favorites of mine are

Nowhere Man sweet young Karen
Goodnight Ringo's was great Karens was chilling
Crescent Noon the immagry in the lyrics makes this one all the more chilling
Superstar pure pop perfection
Yesterday Once More nastalgic chills galore
The End Of The World
Only Yesterday love that lower register
Solitaire difficult vocal made easy and chilling
Im Caught Between Goodbye and I Love You
You
Two Sides
When Its Gone karen had the chill factor to the very end

and so many more

[Rick Henry]

For me it's a combination of all aspects in the music. The musicianship is outstanding, the arrangements are inspiring and Karen's voice is just absolutely flawless.

In some songs it's the musicianship that really gives me that "chill factor" - such as in "Goodbye To Love" the guitar solo in the end is just astounding - I can listen to it over and over again.

Then there's "Desperado" - the harmonica opening just sets the mood and Karen sings this song so beautifully. This song has a deep sense of mood and soul - it's a strong song.

There are so many and the reasons are mainly similar to those for "Goodbye To Love" and "Desperado" - others with that "chill factor" are "Solitaire", "Superstar", "Rainy Days And Mondays", "Tryin' To Get That Feeling Again", "Goodbye And I Love You", "I Can't Make Music", "I Just Fall In Love Again", "Two Sides" and for me "Boat To Sail".

[YesterdayOnceMore]

admin said:

For me it's a combination of all aspects in the music. The musicianship is outstanding, the arrangements are inspiring and Karen's voice is just absolutely flawless.

In some songs it's the musicianship that really gives me that "chill factor" - such as in "Goodbye To Love" the guitar solo in the end is just astounding - I can listen to it over and over again.

I agree 100% with Rick - and there are so many songs that have that chill factor - but Rick and Enigma both made statements to the fact that it's the Outstanding musicianship and the inspiring sweetness or whatever emotion she used that made Karen's voice so compelling with her vocals. Richard knew how to make the chill factor evident in the music and Karen carried it out vocally.

I love to hear a wonderful suspension in a song, and Carpenters oftentimes did these great suspended chords, and in parts...not just musically, but vocally. Ah......gets me every time. Chills, PLUS!!!
Tim

[ps11932]

All the songs mentioned and a great many others create a great chill factor, and it can be the vocals, the instrumentation/arrangement, the style and mood, and often, combinations of all. Occasionaly, as in "I Won't Last A Day W/O You", there can be a glimpse of interpretation and application that is very personal. But perhaps the paramount example-"Rainy Days And Mondays" always gave chill effect, from its hit days until now. I can recall on at least one occasion, the DJ playing the ending of the song over, saying what a fine example of outstanding art it was (and is.) Great topic!

[Rick Henry]

ps11932 said:

But perhaps the paramount example-"Rainy Days And Mondays" always gave chill effect, from its hit days until now. I can recall on at least one occasion, the DJ playing the ending of the song over, saying what a fine example of outstanding art it was (and is.) Great topic!

Yes, "Rainy Days And Mondays" certainly is one of the best "chill factor" songs of any song by any artist of all-time. The lyrics, the vocals, the saxophone solo - it's all there. I also like the DJ commenting that it is a what a fine example of outstanding art. I feel that statement describes all Carpenters music. They didn't just create fine pop music - their music was beyond pop - it was "art" in the highest form.

Another one which has the "chill factor" all the way around is "Love Me For What I Am". First you have the lyric which really has quite a bit of meaning - so much meaning it could prompt one to re-evaluate their own life and feelings of what love is and should be. Then there's the fine musicianship - Richard's arrangement here is outstanding, the dark and mournful arrangement gives the song a depth of emotion. Another feature which adds to the "chill factor" in this song is Tony Peluso's smooth as "ice" guitar solo - he did a fantastic job and it's perfectly placed to enhance the emotion and soul of the song. And to top it all off is Karen's pure, soulful and crystal clear vocal delivery.

"I Can't Make Music" also chills right to the bone - it has it all. The song is somewhat understated - but it packs a punch of emotions. Karen's vocal in this one is enough to move the soul.

[wisejester7]

My first "chill factor" song is Little Altar Boy. I find the whole package is what gives me the chills, but I must admit most of the chills come from Karen's voice and the way she was able to interpret a song and convey the emotional aspects that lie within it.

This is what I think of when I hear Karen sing this song:

Karen enters a quiet church. There is a scattering of people in the pews. Candles glow, the smell of their wax is sweet and heavy, giving the air a special warmth. The lighting is dim except toward the front of the church where an altar boys goes about his duties. She watches him as she reflects on her life.

The song begins with a 'choir of angels' softly singing. Karen's "pray for me" is equally soft. Karen voices what is troubling her...I have gone astray // what must I do? //
little altar boy
ask our lord (the dynamics are building... of the choir and Karen )

(now in Strong voice) lift up your voice...strings and harp lend a heavenly/holy musical support to the piece

There are times when Karen carries the tune alone (no backing of choir and very little, if any, instruments) ...using just her voice to convey the idea that she is praying.
As the song progress we are taken through swells and dips ...and swells again. This is an emotional roller coaster.
Karen's deep voice = deep emotion.

"let me hear you pray"...higher note and held out...like sending a prayer on it's way.




My second "chill factor" song is One More Time.

Again, it is Karen that gives me 'chills'. The music is wonderful on it's own merits, though.
The song starts with 'lonely' piano.
k sounds alone desperate...longing to be home with family and friends
one more time .. going away from home / off to work, but wishing she was anywhere else but going far, far away

close the door = close off the world ... images dance by (K's voice crescendos here = strong emotional connection to) ... home where things are slow and easy going

when love was all ... when love was all we had one more time (< > < of K's voice) + oboe echo with harp & piano

[wisejester7]

You have all thought of such wonderful songs!


I know Richard would always comment that he often got the "chill factor", too. I don't know if he ever said which songs got to him the most.

John Bettis, in talking about Karen's voice, said *"Just having her sing things in the room to you was getting to be almost a religious experience."

*taken from the Ray Coleman book The Carpenters The Untold Story

[Rick Henry]

I'm not sure but I believe Richard mentioned "Solitaire", "Superstar" and "Rainy Days And Mondays" as containing that "chill factor".

Really, I think almost all Carpenters songs (for one reason or another) contain that wonderful "chill factor".

[Rick Henry]

In honor of the something old something new idea I decided to bring this topic back up.

I really enjoy contemplating the "chill factor" songs.

To me it seems that the dark and deep songs like "solitaire" and "Superstar" contain about the most powerful of that chill factor. Though, for me even a light song such as "Boat To Sail" has that chill factor. In BTS it's the multi-layered vocals which really sends me that "chill".

[sunnybunny]

Now,the last song that Karen recorded throws a chill down my spine.Rainy Days and Mondays is another one that throws a chill down my spine.

[ps11932]

"Now" is a great choice! Another song that I hadn't heard much when last this excellent topic was up, is "Look To Your Dreams." It combines great and wide-ranging vocals, great instrumentation and arrangement (including interlude) and the root, at least, of an inspirational message. I almost always replay it.

[Rick Henry]

Another great chill factor song is "All Because Of You" from Karen's solo album. Karen sings this with as much soul and feeling as she did in the Carpenters' halcyon days (1970-1975).

"Ordinary Fool" has that chill factor - Karen sings in deep rich tones - a fine recording from 1976.

Enigma mentioned "Nowhere Man" in an earlier post and I must agree - this is one beautiful recording from the very early stages of Karen and Richard's career.

Another early tune with that chill factor is "Eve" - dark and chillingly beautiful.

And of course two of my ultimate favorite chill songs are "Desperado" (as mentioned earlier) and the sublime "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" (which is one of Karen's most powerful vocals of anything she's ever sang - it's right up there with "Solitaire" and "Superstar"). I love that "bloodhound" lyric - really adds a bit of grit to the song.

[enigma]

Its interesting looking at my old list that not much has really changed as far as my song selection I still find all the songs I listed chill factor songs But I do have some additions to make.

Its hard for me to put into words the chill factor for me its a certain emotion its not something that grows on me as I listen to a song it is either present or not present in a song. I usually know if a song has a chill factor from the first time I listen to it

Ironically an unreleased solo song gives me the chill factor and it called Its Really You just love the piano and Karens great vocal work on this one even in its raw unfinised state it still gives me chills.

Someday the lyrics and Karens vocal performance give me chills in this one though Karen was not satisfied with this song vocally I get chills when I listen to it.

Eve such a brilliant vocal by Karen sends chills when I hear it

Road Ode such a powerful performance and arrangement a chilling song in a different way

I Wont Last A Day Without You another chiller

The End Of The World not a cmplete song but haunting vocal all the more emphasised by this songs placement in the Karen Carpenter Story movie.

I Fall in Love Again Ann Murrey does a great job but Karens is more emotional and chilling.

I tend to agree with the choices of Desperado and Now as well