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Post by ps11932 on Apr 12, 2007 16:22:01 GMT -5
During a recent post at the 2007 log, Rick commented that he had heard "We've Only Just Begun" a number of times (putting inot the lead on the log) and that it was The Carpenters signature song. Made me think of how musicians as diverse in legacy, time and type as Handel and B.J. Thomas, for all the work done, are so often associated for one work or collection ("Messiah", "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", respectively.) Maybe because one piece is clearly superior to other outstanding stuff they did- or maybe that one was just at the right time and got the publicity. Any way, if anyone had ever asked me what The Carpenters signature song was, my immediate answer would have been "Close To You." Two questions: just how would you all characterize or define a "signaturre song" in a general sense, and what is The Carpenters signature song? Or can there be more than one?
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 12, 2007 20:49:07 GMT -5
 Generally an artist has only one signature song - though many defining tunes.
In many cases I feel the "right time, right place" scenario is often the reason for a song becoming an artists signature song.
A signature song could as be one which the artist has a personal connection with. Such as Carly Simon's "You're So Vain".
A signature song is not always the best song by an artist. case in point "Bette Davis Eyes" is Kim Carnes' signature song - good as the song is, it's far from being her best work.
Carpenters' signature song has always been "We've Only Just Begun". This song became the wedding song of 1971 and the graduation song of that same year. As the decades have passed the song is still used in wedding and occasionally (not to often at all though) for a graduation song. Beyond that the song has touched many people with it's view of optimism and growth for the future. (on the other hand many people have called the song lame and cardboard fluff - just adding this in to give the other side of the coin a chance to be viewed). I myself love this song and feel it's one of the Carpenters' best. As for being their best work - that's hard to say as Carpenters have many outstanding works. Though WOJB certainly stands with Carpenters' best such as, "Superstar", "Solitaire", "Rainy Days And Mondays", "This Masquerade", "Only Yesterday", "Goodbye To Love" and others. |
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Post by wisejester7 on Apr 13, 2007 7:07:03 GMT -5
To add to what Rick said, the Carpenters themselves latched onto 'We've Only Just Begun'. They used it to close their concerts and Karen even used the 1st 6 notes for her doorbell chimes in her condo.
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 13, 2007 9:37:53 GMT -5
To add to what Rick said, the Carpenters themselves latched onto 'We've Only Just Begun'. They used it to close their concerts and Karen even used the 1st 6 notes for her doorbell chimes in her condo. Yes, this is true... this also added to the song being recognized as their signature. |
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Post by ps11932 on Apr 13, 2007 17:44:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the perspectives and info. As usual, I learn much from listening to the seasoned musicians here. So there is just one signature song- one for which the person or group is most known. It may not be the best work. It may be one with which there is a personal association of some sort. Circumstances and perceptions can be unpredictable, so I reckon that an artist may not know what will become their signature (though once a certain song has been established as the signature, it would be scarcely displaced.) Perhaps there are cases when an artist has as their signature a song that they would rather not have in that role- but since the song is so recognized, the artist or group makes the best of it.
I suppose that each of us is an artist in a sense, our lives our body of work. There may come a moment- and we won't know it's coming, when our action or reaction will forever shape the way we are seen and ultimately remembered by our associates (and perhaps beyond.) While we can't totally control how we will be known, we can have a constant focus on being true to our hearts, acting in a way that we know is right. What a better testimonial it would be to have as a signature love, joy, kindness, patience and forgiveness rather than jealousy, rage or selfishness.
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Post by wisejester7 on Apr 14, 2007 11:13:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the perspectives and info. As usual, I learn much from listening to the seasoned musicians here. So there is just one signature song- one for which the person or group is most known. It may not be the best work. It may be one with which there is a personal association of some sort. Circumstances and perceptions can be unpredictable, so I reckon that an artist may not know what will become their signature (though once a certain song has been established as the signature, it would be scarcely displaced.) Perhaps there are cases when an artist has as their signature a song that they would rather not have in that role- but since the song is so recognized, the artist or group makes the best of it. I suppose that each of us is an artist in a sense, our lives our body of work. There may come a moment- and we won't know it's coming, when our action or reaction will forever shape the way we are seen and ultimately remembered by our associates (and perhaps beyond.) While we can't totally control how we will be known, we can have a constant focus on being true to our hearts, acting in a way that we know is right. What a better testimonial it would be to have as a signature love, joy, kindness, patience and forgiveness rather than jealousy, rage or selfishness. Well said. I agree that we are each perceived by others in a certain light. We know not at what junction our 'signature song' occurs for those whose lives we touch. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 17, 2007 10:14:36 GMT -5
 Allow me to just add a bit, here. The "signature song", as has been described, is that song that IMMEDIATELY brings the artist to mind when it's heard. PLUS, it's also THE song that really began the artists climb into true stardom. Granted, Close To You hit the charts, but We've Only Just Begun sent them sailing up the charts, and that's where they remained for a long, long time. It was WOJB that really turned the corner for the duo, and their "signature" was stamped onto the minds and hearts of many! And, as WJ7 said, Karen even used the first 6 notes in her condo as the door-chime. Way, way cool. Tim 
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sunnybunny
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Post by sunnybunny on Apr 17, 2007 10:29:07 GMT -5
I read about that.Richard had named the building where he keeps his auto collection Yesterday Once More.So Yesterday Once More could also kind of be their signatue song.I'm not sure how well Yesterday Once More did on the charts but if you go by that building it could possibly be considered a signature song.
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Post by wisejester7 on Apr 17, 2007 10:52:15 GMT -5
Allow me to just add a bit, here. The "signature song", as has been described, is that song that IMMEDIATELY brings the artist to mind when it's heard. PLUS, it's also THE song that really began the artists climb into true stardom. Granted, Close To You hit the charts, but We've Only Just Begun sent them sailing up the charts, and that's where they remained for a long, long time. It was WOJB that really turned the corner for the duo, and their "signature" was stamped onto the minds and hearts of many! And, as WJ7 said, Karen even used the first 6 notes in her condo as the door-chime. Way, way cool. Tim Richard said in an interview that WOJB was sailing UP the charts just as Close To You was finally coming down off it's number one position. We've Only Just Begun cemented the Carpenters 'hold' on the public. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 17, 2007 11:15:43 GMT -5
Allow me to just add a bit, here. The "signature song", as has been described, is that song that IMMEDIATELY brings the artist to mind when it's heard. PLUS, it's also THE song that really began the artists climb into true stardom. Granted, Close To You hit the charts, but We've Only Just Begun sent them sailing up the charts, and that's where they remained for a long, long time. It was WOJB that really turned the corner for the duo, and their "signature" was stamped onto the minds and hearts of many! And, as WJ7 said, Karen even used the first 6 notes in her condo as the door-chime. Way, way cool. Tim Richard said in an interview that WOJB was sailing UP the charts just as Close To You was finally coming down off it's number one position. We've Only Just Begun cemented the Carpenters 'hold' on the public. Well said, Wj7! |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 17, 2007 11:59:00 GMT -5
I read about that.Richard had named the building where he keeps his auto collection Yesterday Once More.So Yesterday Once More could also kind of be their signatue song.I'm not sure how well Yesterday Once More did on the charts but if you go by that building it could possibly be considered a signature song. "Yesterday Once More" is certainly a defining song for the Carpenters and it's one of their biggest hits worldwide.
Believe it or not "Please Mr. Postman" is Carpenters' biggest selling hit with "Close To You" and "Yesterday Once More" vying for second place.
Karen and Richard owned two apartment complexes in Downey, CA named "Close To You" and "Only Just Begun"... they had a knack for naming things after their songs. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 17, 2007 12:44:48 GMT -5
I read about that.Richard had named the building where he keeps his auto collection Yesterday Once More.So Yesterday Once More could also kind of be their signatue song.I'm not sure how well Yesterday Once More did on the charts but if you go by that building it could possibly be considered a signature song. "Yesterday Once More" is certainly a defining song for the Carpenters and it's one of their biggest hits worldwide.
Believe it or not "Please Mr. Postman" is Carpenters' biggest selling hit with "Close To You" and "Yesterday Once More" vying for second place.
Karen and Richard owned two apartment complexes in Downey, CA named "Close To You" and "Only Just Begun"... they had a knack for naming things after their songs. As you will note on our picture page, I have been to, and have photos of these two apartment buildings. Richard's management team still takes care of this investment for him, as I understand it. As you're probably well aware, Rick, these apartment complexes are just across the street from one another. It was great fun to drive up to them, and know the history behind the names of the apartment complexes. |
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Post by Ming on Apr 18, 2007 11:20:49 GMT -5
As you will note on our picture page, I have been to, and have photos of these two apartment buildings. Richard's management team still takes care of this investment for him, as I understand it. As you're probably well aware, Rick, these apartment complexes are just across the street from one another. It was great fun to drive up to them, and know the history behind the names of the apartment complexes. Hello Tim, Yes. I remember seeing the photos of the two apartment buildings. Do someone live there?  Ming |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 18, 2007 22:44:30 GMT -5
As you will note on our picture page, I have been to, and have photos of these two apartment buildings. Richard's management team still takes care of this investment for him, as I understand it. As you're probably well aware, Rick, these apartment complexes are just across the street from one another. It was great fun to drive up to them, and know the history behind the names of the apartment complexes. Hello Tim, Yes. I remember seeing the photos of the two apartment buildings. Do someone live there? Ming Oh yes, people like us live in those apartments - they're rented out to the general public. I believe they were one of K&R's earliest investments. I guess they were thinking that if the music doesn't last then a tleast they can make a living from their apartment complexes - very smart kids they were. They also invested in a baby stroller company - another smart investment - as babies will always be born. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 19, 2007 8:36:44 GMT -5
As you will note on our picture page, I have been to, and have photos of these two apartment buildings. Richard's management team still takes care of this investment for him, as I understand it. As you're probably well aware, Rick, these apartment complexes are just across the street from one another. It was great fun to drive up to them, and know the history behind the names of the apartment complexes. Hello Tim, Yes. I remember seeing the photos of the two apartment buildings. Do someone live there? Ming Hiya Ming - As Rick stated, lots of regular people live in these two apartment complexes, and I, too, think they were quite wise to have invested in real estate - even after all these years (we were there 3 years ago) the apartments looked to be in very good shape - so they have been well maintained. Personally, I don't know anyone living there (that I'm aware of). I do have family in Norwalk CA, which is close to Downey, but none are living in Downey that I know of. Richard lived in one of them for a time after he came out of drug rehab. Ciao! Tim   |
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Post by wisejester7 on Apr 20, 2007 20:17:23 GMT -5
The following statement is taken from the Official Carpenters website ... ~ page 6 : "Joining (They Long To Be) Close To You in the Grammy Hall of Fame, We’ve Only Just Begun for years has been considered Karen’s and Richard’s ‘signature’ song." www.richardandkarencarpenter.com/biography-6.htm |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 20, 2007 22:13:17 GMT -5
Thank you Wisejester7 for bringing to mind the quote; "Joining (They Long To Be) Close To You in the Grammy Hall of Fame, We’ve Only Just Begun for years has been considered Karen’s and Richard’s ‘signature’ song."
Richard has commented in several articles and biographies that "We've Only Just Begun" is their signature song - this is one more to add to the list. |
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