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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 31, 2007 10:42:19 GMT -5
What are some of your favorite parts of Carpenters/Karen lyrics and why?
Not the whole lyric - but just one part of a lyric that always sticks with you...
Here are a few of my favorites:
I'm a California label from the top of my head - from "Boat To Sail" - I've always liked this one because it's one I've always been able to relate to. To me that particular line gives me a sense of being young and sunny.
You're gonna ruin this poor girl from out of town - from "Guess I Just Lost My Head" - I like this line quite a bit because Karen is directly referring to herself in a playful sort of way. It paints a scenario of this girl from out of town having a good time and enjoying the new guy she's met. At this point in time Karen was that girl from out of town, when she recorded the song she was the California girl in New York with a bunch of guys from the East Coast recording her album). I've just always felt this song was a good fit for Karen and she seemed to relate to it quite well.
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Post by Ming on Mar 31, 2007 11:31:03 GMT -5
I like 'Look to your dreams, Don't they still seem worthwhile? Don't they still seem in style, Aren't you glad they're still there?' of 'Look to your dreams'. Ming
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Post by wisejester7 on Mar 31, 2007 12:42:33 GMT -5
That bunch of guys also used 'rougher' language which Karen found abrasive. It's not that she had never heard it ... its just that with JB's band members the blue language flowed freer. Also they didn't take the Carpenters 'image' as taboo to mess with. One of the fellas drew mustaches on Karen and Richard pictures and Karen got on him about it. All in all, I think both sides hit it off rather well after compromising and good natured teasing took place. That's what I get out of "ruin this poor ..." when I think of this particular tune.
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Post by wisejester7 on Mar 31, 2007 12:48:00 GMT -5
I like 'Look to your dreams, Don't they still seem worthwhile? Don't they still seem in style, Aren't you glad they're still there?' of 'Look to your dreams'. Ming Eternal hope offered in a tough world ... our dreams.
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Post by wisejester7 on Mar 31, 2007 12:57:58 GMT -5
This is a fun topic. I can think of tons of favorite moments.
Here are 2 that came to mind upon reading this the first time:
On "Two sides" ... the last "Goodbye" that Karen sings. It sounds like she has finally had enough and is leaving.
In "Desperado" when Karen is singing "you're losing all your highs and lows, ain't it funny how the feeling goes ...away". She sings strongly up until she approaches the word "away". It is there that she lets her voice soften as if it is going 'away'.
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 31, 2007 14:21:56 GMT -5
This is a fun topic. I can think of tons of favorite moments. Here are 2 that came to mind upon reading this the first time: On "Two sides" ... the last "Goodbye" that Karen sings. It sounds like she has finally had enough and is leaving. In "Desperado" when Karen is singing "you're losing all your highs and lows, ain't it funny how the feeling goes ...away". She sings strongly up until she approaches the word "away". It is there that she lets her voice soften as if it is going 'away'. I love both "Two Sides" and "Desperado" both great tunes. And as for lyrics "Two Sides" is one of my favorites.
I am particularly moved by the lyrics and right from the very beginning the message is shaped with the words: Well, there's two sides, to every situation Yes, there's two sides, two interpretations
There is so much truth in those words and a philosophy which has always intrigued me - there truly are different sides to every situation and to every single thing that has ever been said and/or done in history on this earth. "Two Sides" has quite a prfound message. And it's wonderfully sung by Karen. I also love that "Goodbye" at the end.
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Post by beaner on Mar 31, 2007 19:21:14 GMT -5
I have to say one of the favorite parts of a song for me was in "Baby It's You" when she sings "NEVER, NEVER been true....".
Always liked that whole song but especially that part!
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 1, 2007 9:17:55 GMT -5
Another one of my lyrical favorites is from the song "B'wana She No Home", the part where Karen says, "I don't care if you drive my 350 honey. Don't let 'em still my chrome".
First I like that part of the song musically as there's a bit of a revving up in the guitar parts. Though, I am particularly in tune to this part of the lyric as shortly after "Passage" was released (six months or so) I got my first car. It was a big gas guzzling muscle car with a powerful V8 engine and lots of shining chrome. "B'wana She No Home" was one of the first songs I played in that car - just for the lyric; "I don't care if you drive my 350 honey. Don't let 'em still my chrome".
Nowadays I drive a more fuel efficient car - the times they have-a changed.
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Post by enigma on Apr 1, 2007 12:27:35 GMT -5
some of these songs'lyric may have been mentioned but here sre some of my favs Rising on the shore the ocean came Walks along the waves of velveteen From Maybe Its You This one just conjures up a walk alone the beach and I do not live near the ocean so when I do get the opportunity to walk alon an ocean beach its a real treat and so peaceful I am reminded of this when I hear this line. If we to on much longer, if my doubts grow any stronger, then I may have to let you go, if only to survive. Give me a reason, why should I stay here. I’ve tried so hard just to keep love alive. From Im Caught Between Goodbye And I Love You This lyric just hits me where I live I feel the pain of the autor the delema he or she or even Karen might have faced in that situation kind of a tear jerker for me as is the whole song I’ll save my pennies for a rainy day. But where can I buy another you? From A Place To Hidaway I completely understand why this lyric really attracted Richard to this song it is so cool and unique I totally love it. Where's the word for the sadness Where's the poetry in the pain Where's the color in the stain where the tears fallen It's gone, it's just gone. From When its Gone Its Gone Another one that hits me where I live and another tear jerker again I feel the emotions conveyed in this lyric and the whole song. Oh it's a dirty old shame that all you get from love is a love song It's gotcha layin up nights waiting for the music to start. It's such a dirty old shame when you got to take the blame for a love song. Because the best love song is writing with a broken heart. From All You Get From Love Is A Love Song Another cool lyric I like the way some writers can convey a message in a new and unique way. Its like wow I never thought of saying it that way. Well, there's two sides to every conversation But with you babe, that's no consolation Silence is golden, let me put you on hold Danglin' on your love line, baby, it's growin' old From Two Sides this lyric is the one that sticks out for me in this wonderful song especially the danglin on your loveline part so true and so well put. There are more but I will stop there for now
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 1, 2007 21:36:42 GMT -5
Some very good choices Enigma... I also love the lyric in "Maybe It's You" - I feel it's one of John Bettis' finest lyrics.
Another lyric which I've always enjoyed and related to is - Laughter never came so easily There's a freedom here that's new to me From the song "Happy". I always enjoyed this particular lyric in that everytime I heard Karen singing it I could imagine her laughing and enjoying her life. This was something I have always held very close to my heart - is that's it's important to enjoy life.
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makapipi
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Post by makapipi on Apr 15, 2007 0:34:34 GMT -5
I like that one part near end of song "Slow Dance", "someone like youuuuu hoowwww baaabaayyy" i think that may be one her sexiest singing especially the part "howww baaabayyy"
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 16, 2007 14:26:28 GMT -5
::)Verry Coool...Rick! Love reading back through this thread. Great input (or is it output?).>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>> ****** The part of a lyrick I've thought of is from We've Only J. Begun AFTER THE RATHER BOLD CHORUS OF "sharin' horizons that are new to us...." There is then back to the quieter part: which I like: "and when the evenin' comes, we smile, so much of life ahead, we find a place where's there's room to grow..."
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 16, 2007 15:05:11 GMT -5
???I think Karen is singing with Ella with the medley they sing different tunes, but I like when Karen sings some low notes from "Someone to Watch Over Me" and she sings, "I hope he'll be, someone to watch over me," I love the whole medley with Ella because each song is such a classic all on its' own, as well as the tunes she sings with Como. With Como, I like her on : "And yes, I know how lonely life can be, the shadows follow me, and the nights won't set me free," ;D>>>>>><<<<<< I love the whole song of RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS....but I like the very first part: "talkin' to myself and feelin' old, sometimes I'd like to quit, nuthin' ever seems to fit..." those words and the music with it, they just seem "to fit"....the feelings we all have from time to time....s
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makapipi
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Post by makapipi on Sept 18, 2007 0:56:45 GMT -5
???I think Karen is singing with Ella with the medley they sing different tunes, but I like when Karen sings some low notes from "Someone to Watch Over Me" and she sings, "I hope he'll be, someone to watch over me," I love the whole medley with Ella because each song is such a classic all on its' own, as well as the tunes she sings with Como. With Como, I like her on : "And yes, I know how lonely life can be, the shadows follow me, and the nights won't set me free," Yes I like that part too, it sounds like she sang that part in one breath and such a unique tone.
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Post by smoothie2 on Sept 20, 2007 19:51:20 GMT -5
There are just so many wonderful songs put out by R. and K. and it's so easy to see and hear their success..and yet they surely would not have been Near as successful, had it not been for Karen. Just don't think she truly saw just how much her fans loved her. In the song Please Mr. Postman, I love it when they sing..."deliver the letter, the sooner the better" only it comes across as "letta" and "betta" I'd like to add also, that when they are at Disneyland and singing this is my fave video and especially when Karen gives the camera "the eye" the way she does when she's on the elephant ride. She's having a blast with the whole experience.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 25, 2007 13:15:15 GMT -5
It's gonna take the strength of this woman to keep fightin' for the lovin' of her man.... I always thought that lyric from Strength of a Woman was fun. I also really am a fan of Two Sides - such a beautiful song - I espeically liked the beginning lyric...."Dreamin' - I'm only dreamin', or....am I really lying here with you? I also love the lyric in The Uninvited Guest She's the Uninvited Guest who lives in our house - she's the other woman.... So many others. I'll have to do some intense lyric listening. Thanks for the thread rejuvination, Rick. Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 26, 2007 10:27:39 GMT -5
I also really am a fan of Two Sides - such a beautiful song - I espeically liked the beginning lyric...."Dreamin' - I'm only dreamin', or....am I really lying here with you? Hey Tim in mentioning "Two Sides" you quoted the lyrics for "I Just Fall In Love Again"... both are fabulous songs from "Passage"... one of my ultimately favorite albums by Carpenters. "Two Sides" though is one of Carpenters' strongest lyrics... of course this lyric (and music) was written by Scott E. Davis. Another one of those songs written from a male perspective and rearranged a bit to fit Karen's female view. "Well, there's two sides, to every situation Yes, there's two sides, two interpretations A laugh is a cry, hello means goodbye You're sayin' somethin' baby, I don't wanna buy... Another great lyric or shall I say another favorite part of a lyric (for me) is in "Sweet Sweet Smile" (I just love this song as it is)... "You're always in my heart From early in the mornin' til it's dark I gotta see your sweet sweet smile everyday..."This lyric makes me think of wakin' up in the mornin' with the sunshine in my eyes and seein' the one I love with the beautiful countryside starin' at us from just outside the window. I always envisioned Karen Carpenter's smile every time I'd hear these opening lines. Back then I had no idea of the torture Karen was living through (some of it sadly was self-imposed). My question... did Karen always have that sweet sweet smile on her face? I guess we know the answer.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Sept 26, 2007 10:44:51 GMT -5
;D ;D ;D ;D How about that - I certainly did - good catch, Rick! Okay, let me change that to: I'm a real fan of "I Just Fall in Love Again." (How funny that I got those confused....just goes to show you what too much on your mind will do)! Duh!! Thanks for catching that, Rick! I do love Two Sides, as well - and I suppose since they're on the same album, one title ran into another. I'm a big fan of the bridge... "Well I don't know how to say it, cause I never thought I could. God knows, I've tried so many times." I think the music is absolutely gorgeous right there, and Karen sings it so nicely in duet with herself. Both are outstanding tunes. Tim ;D ;D ;D ;D
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