Shoulda-been Singles - "Close To You"

[cinscorp]

This week I move on to "Close To You". "Official" singles were "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun". While "I Kept On Loving You" was supposedly released as a double-A side to radio with "Close To You", I'm including it anyway as it's not widely regarded as a single.

Vote for a song if you think a "single was missed" and share thoughts below. Since there were only 2 hit singles released from "Close To You", would your single pick replace or be in addition to the "official" single(s)? Would you rewrite Carpenters history?

[Rick Henry]

I chose one from "Close To You"... but before I go onto the the one I chose I want to hit on a few others.

"I Kept On Loving You" could have made a nice single release, but it would not have been a huge smash hit. It may have reached the Top 30 at best. Regardless I do like the song, it one of the few Richard Carpenter lead vocals that I do like.

"Reason To Believe" there had been talk of releasing this as a single and it may have done okay... maybe Top 20... but again it would not have been a huge smash hit.

Now for my choice...

I chose "Maybe It's You" the song is absolutely chillingly beautiful, the arrangement leaves you mesmerized and Karen's vocal is outstanding. Very sophisticated. This is one of my three favorite songs from "Close To You". I would have not replaced either of the two hits from the album... this would have been a third single release. I always felt it had strong hit potential.

[enigma]

I cose Maybe its You for much the same reason as Rick I consider it a hidden gem and a strong song off of a strong record. I also chose Baby Its You and Reason To Believe These songs were already somewhat well known and familiar and recorded by several artists before the Carpenters (the former was anyway) and I felt they were strong enough to make an impact on the singles chart if released.

[Rick Henry]

May 27, 2009 18:32:00 GMT -5 enigma said:

I cose Maybe its You for much the same reason as Rick I consider it a hidden gem and a strong song off of a strong record. I also chose Baby Its You and Reason To Believe These songs were already somewhat well known and familiar and recorded by several artists before the Carpenters (the former was anyway) and I felt they were strong enough to make an impact on the singles chart if released.

"Reason To Believe" does have a certain appeal to it and could have brought Carpenters to the country music charts early on.

Oddly enough my two favorite songs on this album are not singles... as much as I love "We've Only Just Begun"... I enjoy "Crescent Noon" and "Another Song" far more... but I do not feel either song is a single... but still feel they are the best songs on the album. I also love "Maybe It's You", "Mr. Guder" and "Help".

[cinscorp]

After looooong deliberation on this album, I chose "Maybe It's You" as well. As much as I wanted to say "Help" I think it would have been wrong to release a 2nd Beatles remake within a year. "Oh, Carpenters, yeah...that's that Beatles cover group...." Even though I think it's a great great cover and one of my favorites. Also, "Baby It's You" is great - got big chill moments, etc...but another remake of a well-known and often covered song. "Maybe It's You" was completely new - a definite mood piece with great lyrics - a song that really paints a picture in your mind and stays with you. I think since there were only 2 hit singles..."Maybe It's You" would've been a great choice for a 3rd from that album.

[smoothie2]

;D I chose in addition to the singles released, Maybe it's You, Baby It's You, and Reason to Believe. The album as a whole is one of their very best in my opinion, especially since it's one of their earliest
works. I have always been captivated and amazed each time I hear the album. Such a wonderful selection of songs, each one has its' own personality almost.
I know I always felt when I first was given the album as a youngster of about 11 , that it made me feel more like an adult, because it is unique and a lot of special talent and work put into it.
Maybe It's You is a gorgeous colorful song sung simply yet boldly with great background music.
With Baby it's You, Karen, as always, is able to put her definite
mark on it with no trouble conveying great emotion from low to high notes. Seems it would stand on its' own as a single very easily.
Reason to Believe is also unique, a little different than the other songs because of the country flavor of it. Although, up until lately,
I had not thought of it as a "country" song. In one of the video clips on you tube before singing it, Karen mentions something about how it's
a type of country song or something like that.

[Rick Henry]

Good thoughts Smoothie... glad you jumped into this round.

Cinscorp... you really put some thought into it and everything you said makes perfect sense. It's almost as if you should be a record executive. You are so right for Carpenters to release remakes such as "Reason To Believe" and "Baby It's You" so early would peg them as being cover artists. I also like "Help" quite a bit and was tempted to list that one... but to release another Beatles song as a single would almost guarantee sudden death for their career.

Like you the only other logical choice for single is the majestic "Maybe It's You", with it's imagery and smooth tones.

[beaner]

I chose four songs. First of all, I never realized that they had two songs that sounded the same like - "Maybe It's You" and "Baby It's You". Anyway, I voted for both of these as well as Reason To Believe and Crescent Noon.

MIY and BIY for sure. "Reason To Believe" was never a favorite of mine but I think it would have been a good one with their signature sounds in it.

However, Crescent Noon is one I really like. It's dark and Karen's voice is low in this one which I always liked. I have my doubts about it actually going anywhere but it works for me.

Beaner