Notes on the unreleased Karen Carpenter solo songs

[Rick Henry]

I've dug up a small amount of background on Karen's unreleased solo tracks.

I DO IT FOR YOUR LOVE - Written by Paul Simon and appeared on his album Still Crazy After All These Years. Simon also used the song as the b-side of the single Still Crazy After All These Years.

IT'S REALLY YOU - This song made the U.S. chart in 1978 for A&M recording artist The Tarney Spencer Band, it reached #86.

"TRULY YOU" was written by Russell Javors. Javors is part of Billy Joel's backing band with Liberty DeVitto, David Brown and Doug Stegmeyer, all of whom performed on Karen's solo album. Javors also wrote and produced the songs "All Because Of You" and "Still In Love With You" which were included on Karen's solo album. He also wrote a song "Room At The Top" which was commissioned for Karen to record. It's rumored that she recorded the song but it has not shown up anywhere.

LOVE MAKING LOVE TO YOU - Reached #50 in the U.S. in 1975 for Evie Sands. Prior to this song Evie recorded for A&M Records. The song was written by Ben Weisman, Evie Sands and Richard Germinaro. It was arranged by jazz music legend Bob James. The tasty guitar solo was done by Russell Javors.

JIMMY MACK - This song is a Motown classic which was a top ten hit for Martha & The Vandellas in 1967.

SOMETHING'S MISSING - Was written and recorded in 1978 by Paul Jabara (writer of the song "Last Dance" by Donna Summer). And according to the A&M Press Release in 1979 concerning Karens solo project, Paul wrote at least two songs for the Solo Album. Soul artist Marcia Hines recorded this song in 1979.

DON'T TRY TO WIN ME BACK AGAIN - Was recorded in 1977 by Vickie Sue Robinson (who had the huge hit "Turn The Beat Around").

The remaining unreleased songs are; "Midnight" and "Keep My Lovelight Burning"

* I suspect that Rod Temperton wrote "Keep My Lovelight Burning" as the lyrics in this song are similar to others he's written while in the band Heatwave. But, this is only a speculation.

This is all I have at this point - hopefully someone else may know more about the unreleased tracks.

[Rick Henry]

It had been speculated that Olivia Newton-John sang harmony vocals on "Don't Try To Win Me Back Again". Now we know this is not true as both Liberty DeVitto and Russell Javors have gone on record saying that Karen was the only vocalist during the recording of her album (with the exception of Peter Cetera).

[Rick Henry]

I just added a poll to this topic... I look forward to seeing your results and reading your thoughts on this topic.

Just to note I listed the first song on the poll as "Keep Your Lovelight Burning" when it's actually titled "Keep My Lovelight Burning".

[Rick Henry]

It looks like Enigma is the first to cast some votes in this poll... He chose "Keep My Lovelight Burning", "Truly You" and "Don'tTry To Win Me Back Again".

Enigma went for two of the upbeat disco/rock tunes... "Keep My..." and "Don'tTry..." The latter is very similar to something you may have heard on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album. He also voted for "Truly You" which was written by Billy Joel band member Russell Javors.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

I'll come back with the why, but I chose MIDNIGHT, DON'T TRY TO WIN ME BACK AGAIN, and the smooth, jazzy LOVE MAKIN' LOVE TO YOU.

[Rick Henry]

I ended up going with "Keep My Lovelight Burning", "Midnight" and "Don't Try To Win Me Back Again".

"Keep My Lovelight Burning" - I love the guitars in this song... I would have loved to hear more disco/rock songs like this by Karen. This song brought out a different side of Karen that I had always dreamed of hearing. I also like this song so much because it reminds me so much of Rod Temperton's work.

"Midnight" - This song once again takes Karen into that smoky jazz club. There's a bit of darkness and mystery to this song, while all along keeping a great rhythm. This song combines jazz chords with funk rhythms layered with Karen's smoky jazz tinged vocal smoothness. This is probably one of Karen's most intricate and complex vocal work in all her solo recordings and of all she's ever recorded.

"Don't Try To Win Me Back Again" - This song is amazing. I can not believe it did not make it on her solo album. What can I say, even if this were an instrumental this would be a favorite for the intense musicianship and phenomenal arrangement. Karen Carpenter really above and beyond any and all expectations with this song. I've heard many say this sounds like an Olivia Newton-John styled song from the late 70's to early 80's. I have to disagree with that. ONJ's songs like "Physical", "Make A Move On me", "Twist Of Fate" were all good songs, but none even came close to the musical or vocal grandiose of "Don't Try To Win Me Back Again". This song isn't just a song, it's a musical event. If anything I would have to say it sounds more like something Michael Jackson would have done during his "Thriller" era. There's more to this comment than just a passing thought. Several musicians who worked on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" also worked on Karen's solo album. These would include; Greg Phillinganes (Keyboards, synthesizer), Louis Johnson (bass), Jerry Hey (orchestration, horn and strings arrangement) and most prominently Rod Temperton (keyboards, synthesizer, songwriter, vocal arrangements). Quincy Jones produced "Thriller" and although he didn't work on Karen's solo album he was a huge influence on the style of songs and the overall sound.

[Rick Henry]

Apr 16, 2008 11:54:20 GMT -5 YesterdayOnceMore said:

I'll come back with the why, but I chose MIDNIGHT, DON'T TRY TO WIN ME BACK AGAIN, and the smooth, jazzy LOVE MAKIN' LOVE TO YOU.

Hey Tim... I look forward to reading what you have to say.

I'd also love to hear what WJ7 has to say also as she voted in this poll.

[wisejester7]

I did vote for 3 songs. I choose "Don't Try To Win Me Back", "Something's Missing", and "Love Makin' Love To You".

The main reason I chose these 3 over the other songs is Karen's use of her lower register. I do like her upper register, too, but Karen is at her best when she sings sweet and low.

[carpentersgermany]

I chose "Love makin' love to you" and "I do it for your love" as my top-favourites. Then I was torn between "Midnight" and "It's really you", but voted for "It's really you" finally..

[cam83]

I chose these 3 because they are upbeat, and really showcase her gorgeous and often underrated voice (at that time). It makes me mad to think of all the duets and songs she could have done, with other artists but was never really given a chance to do that.

Cam

[Rick Henry]

Apr 29, 2008 11:29:07 GMT -5 cam83 said:

I chose these 3 because they are upbeat, and really showcase her gorgeous and often underrated voice (at that time). It makes me mad to think of all the duets and songs she could have done, with other artists but was never really given a chance to do that.

Cam

Hi Cam... It is wonderful to hear from you again.

By the way which three songs did you choose?

[cam83]

Oops. Midnight. Keep My Lovelight Burning. Don't Try To Win Me Back Again.


It really showcased her in a new light. She really was a woman that wanted to sing something different. Imagine if you will though...how other female singers were faring at that time...Babs...Donna...Diana...Thelma....Helen...Toni....Olivia...Tina...and many others...and she just wanted her turn. Not with her brother...but in her own independant woman. That says a lot about her!!

My thoughts,
Cam

[Rick Henry]

Apr 30, 2008 22:46:29 GMT -5 cam83 said:

Oops. Midnight. Keep My Lovelight Burning. Don't Try To Win Me Back Again.


It really showcased her in a new light. She really was a woman that wanted to sing something different. Imagine if you will though...how other female singers were faring at that time...Babs...Donna...Diana...Thelma....Helen...Toni....Olivia...Tina...and many others...and she just wanted her turn. Not with her brother...but in her own independant woman. That says a lot about her!!

My thoughts,
Cam

You chose the same three I chose.

Isn't "Midnight" is wonderfully smokin' jazz/funk song. Karen really went way above and beyond all expectations with this song.

[sunnybunny]

I voted for Something's Missing,Jimmy Mack,and Midnight. I'm not sure why I like Something's Missing and Midnight but I like Jimmy Mack because of the upbeat,perkiness of it.

[Rick Henry]

I am quite surprised as to how popular "Midnight" is. It's almost neck and neck with "Don't Try To Win Me Back Again". I pretty much expected "Don't Try..." to do well as it's mentioned quite a bit.

"Midnight" really has a wonderful dark and intense smoky jazz feel. Karen's vocal on this is outstanding. She is so fluid in her pronunciation, intonations, and superb timing. I would much love to hear this song mixed and mastered in a completed state. That would be completely awesome... and the song is absolutely timeless. It's every bit in step with a lot of what is going on right now in music.