Why Please Mr. Postman?

[Rick Henry]

Most people are surprised when they read that "Please Mr. Postman" is the Carpenters' biggest selling hit worldwide. They will usually comment something like they thought it would have been "We've Only Just Begun" or "Close To You".

As history and time have it Carpenters are best remembered for their early 70's hits like "Superstar", "We've Only Just Begun", "Close To You" and "Rainy Days And Mondays". But, it's 1975's "Please Mr. Postman" which is reigns as their all-time best selling single worldwide. And it's not by a small margin... it's by a long shot their best selling hit.

So, the question is posed... Why Please Mr. Postman?

What are your thoughts on the song? Why do you think it was such a huge hit?

[enigma]

For me I think it was just timing the Carpenters were at the peak of their popularity in 1974 the Singles collection was their biggest selling record and was released in 1974 it also out sold all Carpenters records by a great margin every artist has their peak their zenith where they will never be more popular than at that time for the Carpenters the year was 1974 they built momentum from the previous 4 records their music was at an all time high for demand so a single like Postman was a shoe in for a massive hit an all time best seller for the Carpenters. Also the Carpenters had not released a single for a long time before postman and demand for a new Carpenters song was all the higher. Timing high demand and the song being well done make it little surprise it was the Carpenters biggest seller at least thats what I feel made it thier biggest seller. The song itself is an upbeat number and I think people were ready for so more upbeat music as we found out a year later when disco took off. Had disco not taken off maybe they would have sold more in future singles but it was not meant to be.

[smoothie2]

Very good info. and insight Enigma. All of what u said is surely true and answers the question very well.
Also the song had been a big hit for the Beatles and the Marvelettes before Carps. got hold of it, and like so many other songs that R. and K. got hold of, it worked out very well for them.
BUT I surely didn't know that it out-sold so many other songs.
I may have more to say later on that.
Hey I see where a shark is now added to our smilies here. Kool Rick!
The tv show Shark also happens to be just about my fave show these days with the actor James Woods. My others are SuperNanny and Extreme Makeover Home edition.

I listened to the Beatles and the Marvelettes versions of Postman, both are very good. With the Carps. version they have the added advantage
of course of being THE CARPENTERS!
Then, there's "the Peluso guitar touch" ( I assume it's Peluso), and that gives it a bit of an edge over the other versions.
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Then the C's version also has that wonderful Sax which also works in its' favor.
It has a superb rithym and is just an all together "feel good" song.

[wisejester7]

It was a marvelous performance of a darn catchy tune. Love the video of the Carpenters at Disney Land, Too!

With 2 BIG hits of the same song, the Carpenters almost had a sure thing with the release of their own spin. This was in the high times for Karen and Rich.

[Rick Henry]

Great insights by everyone on this topic.

I agree that timing had a lot ot do with it. In late 1974 Carpenters were the hottest musical act in the world - and that carried over into 1975. "Please Mr. Postman rode on that wave of popularity. "Horizon" continued that wave as it reached the top 10 in more countries in the world than any of their other studio albums - the album was a huge world hit.

Even if it weren't for it's timing I feel "Postman" would have still been a big hit regardless only because it truly was a great tune - and very catchy. It is an irresistible piece of ear candy. Tony Peluso's guitar work is outstanding, the sax solo is excellent, the vocal mix is great, the hand-clapping rhythm is fantastic.

This was one of those upbeat feel good songs that just made people feel good and happy to listen to - for that instance alone - I consider this to be an important song in the Carpenters' repertoire.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Yes, I too am in agreement, especially with what Enigma stated about Carpenters being at their "peak" right at the time that Postman came out. Of course, we don't know if they could have/ would have peaked again - my guess is, they would have - but for the time they were together, this seemed to be the pinacle. As such, it is logical that Postman would have sold so incredibly well. And it is true, it is a fun tune, and one that Carpenters put their own stamp on, like only they could. Some true "Beatles" fans have fought me for years over Carpenters treatment of Ticket To Ride, and Please Mr. Postman. They much preferred the way ni which the Beatles did it - and making the changes that Richard made in the arrangements just irritated the die-hard Beatlemaniacs. I would just laugh, even though I did understand that the treatment of these songs was totally different, nevertheless, I also preferred Carpenters version of both songs, though I must say I enjoy both, and can see the differences from a musical rather than just a commercial standpoint. But I always found that to be interesting.

Too, the song WAS a good solid song. However, I'm afraid, before I knew any better, that I would have said that something like "We've Only Just Begun" or "Close To You" would have been the biggest single hit - only because those songs identify Carpenters, and the sound they created with the wonderful harmonies, and of course, Karen's awesome voice. So this does surprise me, even regarding the timing.

I do think it was a combination of Postman being such a recognizable tune as well as the timing of the Carpenters career. Great thoughts, everyone.
Tim