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Post by Rick Henry on Feb 26, 2006 11:33:51 GMT -5
PLEASE READ FIRST
Please write a review or make comments on the song "Love Me For What I Am". Any off-topic posts will be deleted.
Along with your reviews and comments please give this song a rating of one star to five stars. One star being the lowest and five the best.
Horizon (1975)
If you have any question please email me at kandronline@yahoo.com |
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Post by karlbrade on Feb 26, 2006 13:01:15 GMT -5
karen singing about perfection.4 stars
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Feb 26, 2006 19:07:52 GMT -5
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Post by smoothie2 on Feb 27, 2006 23:59:54 GMT -5
3 stars from me...it is a beautiful song and I especially agree with Tim about the longing in her
voice and loneliness.
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Post by Carps1000 on Mar 2, 2006 11:56:01 GMT -5
Just breaks you up this song does & its a bit rock too. Another gem. Ken
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Post by Ming on Mar 4, 2006 3:15:10 GMT -5
4 stars. A beautiful interpretation by Karen.
Ming
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 19, 2006 11:42:46 GMT -5
 Five Stars
A wonderfully beautiful song.
The song was submitted to Karen and Richard in 1973 by it's writer Palma Pascale. Before recording it Carpenters lyricist John Bettis changed the lyrics a bit, which I believe was done to utilize words which fit Karen's tone and range better.
Where to start. There is much about this song to love. I just love the lyric, it's bold, it's strong. I really love the message; "You've got to love me for what I am, for simply being me." The song is a true anthem.
Then there's Richard's outstanding musical arrangement. It starts out understated and delicate and works it's way to a full fledged power ballad with the full range of instruments. Each instrument is strategically placed to compliment each other and build a beautiful musical masterpiece.
My favorite musical part of this song is Tony Peluso's smooth fuzz guitar solo which shows up about 3/4 of the way into the song. The guitar solo is not raucous whatsoever, but it is intricate and polished and adds that extra bit of verve which turns the song into a dramatic masterpiece. The guitar also reminds us that Carpenters were very much in tune with what was new and cutting edge in popular music during the 1970's. Richard had a keen ear for keeping the music relevant and timeless, so much so that the majority of their music still sounds great to this very day. I feel the Carpenters (with Tony Peluso) lead the way with power guitar chords in pop ballads resulting in, what is known today as, the power ballad.
Now, most important in this song is Karen's vocal performance. There is that tinge of sadness and melancholy in her voice. From the very first note, Karen sings this song to complete perfection. Her vocal timing is crisp and impeccably fresh. Her tones are clear and pure. She takes full advantage of her deep and dark lower voice which is alarmingly beautiful and captivating. This is one of Karen's finest vocal performances of her entire career. Her voice is bold and powerful yet sweet, delicate, full-bodied and rich. It's vocal performances like this one, which bring Karen a step above the rest and sets her in that league of all-time great vocalists.
Outstanding all the way. |
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Post by Prisoner_Walking on Mar 20, 2006 10:39:12 GMT -5
...And so we arrive at this Palma Pascale gem which is far superior to 'Goodbye and I Love You' in my humble opinion.
Karen's vocal, yet again, the undoubted highlight of the track. The tone and sentiment of the song could not have suited her conversational style more, and as with so many great Carpenters songs, Richard's delicate piano/string arrangement allows her to drive the message home without any fuss.
I am particularly fond of the moment when Karen sings for the last time "you're really not in love so let me go, I must be free" - how can anyone who sounds so present have passed so long ago? THIS is how she lives on.
5 Stars,L
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Post by palmapascale on Mar 22, 2006 11:14:12 GMT -5
The author comments! This song will always be one of my favorites ("I Can Dream, Can't I" is my other) for the obvious reason it is when Karen's exquisite voice turned the fleeting dream I had into reality, for all the world to enjoy to this day. The words "Love Me For What I Am, for simply being me, Don't love me for what you intend or hope that I will be" came to me in a dream state; I jotted them down to review in the morning and went back to sleep. Who knew that years later fans of the Carpenters would still be discussing that fleeting moment and feeling it so deeply! I am honored.
My favorite "chills" moment is always the sound of Karen's voice singing "Don't love me for what you intend or hope that I will be." It occurs right around the two notes "love me" and I don't know why. Perhaps it is the leap of the "6th" that always pulls at the heart; I have always loved that interval, and use it all the time as a composer.
Your beautiful words on this site, and your continuing appreciation of this song, dear friends and new visitors, also continues to pull at my heart. Thank you ALL. I will continue to read as you write. I also thank the great Richard and Karen Carpenter, and all the fine musicians I never met who recorded this in a studio far away, and long ago. Yet, it is still alive today. I am proud to be a part of the album HORIZON which you feel may be greatest album of The Carpenters. I know for ME this accolade is true!
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Post by palmapascale on Mar 22, 2006 11:15:40 GMT -5
I forgot!!! 5 (self serving!) STARS from me, too!!
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 22, 2006 19:44:42 GMT -5
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Post by Robin H on Mar 27, 2006 16:37:22 GMT -5
PLEASE READ FIRST
Please write a review or make comments on the song "Love Me For What I Am". Any off-topic posts will be deleted.
Along with your reviews and comments please give this song a rating of one star to five stars. One star being the lowest and five the best.
Horizon (1975)
If you have any question please email me at kandronline@yahoo.com |
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Post by Robin H on Mar 27, 2006 16:42:00 GMT -5
 After all these years, I am listening to "Horizon - Love Me For What I Am." Karen's voice is impeccable and clear. This song was written just for her. I have never listened to this particular album, for reasons I do not know. I was moved by this album more than I have been in years. Her voice still captures my heartstrings and moves me to tears. She is Greatly missed.
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Post by Dominic on Apr 7, 2006 23:30:32 GMT -5
Five stars for "Love Me For What I Am." Captured her range completely. Little did I know that I would electronically meet the composer some 30 years later. Good music.
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Post by thecopey on May 20, 2006 0:10:26 GMT -5
>  I rate this song a perfect 5. To me, I feel this is one of Karen's best. The words and the music are so touching and mean so very much to each of us who have gone through the pain of trying to make ourselves "fit" what someone thinks we should be. Palma is a genius writer, performer and genuine star. Someday she will be recognized as such. I only wish Karen and Richard had been able to bring more of the beautiful music they always gave us. |
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I rate this song a perfect 5. To me, I feel this is one of Karen's best. The words and the music are so touching and mean so very much to each of us who have gone through the pain of trying to make ourselves "fit" what someone thinks we should be.