Last part of "Rainy Days"

[Superstargal]

I just cannot get enough of "Rainy Days And Mondays." As some of you may know already, it is my all-time favorite Carpenters song. I especially like towards the end of the song when Karen and Richard are harmonizing in the background, "Hangin' aro-o-o-o-o-ound..." while Karen is singing "Hanging around...nothin' to do but frown...." etc. I don't know what it is, but that part just gives me goose bumps! It's like a big harmonizing climax of a grand finale, before it shuts off and Karen finishes with her soft voice at the very very end. What do you all feel about this song? Just curious. It's such a wonderful song, and I love the video on the "Gold" DVD, since you get to see Karen play the drums as well!

[Will]

I have a bad habit when it comes to the C's best known work -- I don't listen to it very often and when I do I don't pay attention to the details. I think I assume I must already know and appreciate all the goodies in these songs.

You have inspired me to revisit "Rain Days And Mondays." It's now currently playing in my head. There's nothing I like better than great harmony. This is a great demonstration song for her voice.

I don't own the Gold DVD and have none of their videos but I hope to soon.

[Rick Henry]

I am similar to Will in the fact that I generally don't play the best known hits of The Carpenters as much these days. Not because I don't love the songs, but because I lived these songs in the 70's and have heard them thousands upon thousands of times.

But, I'll tell you "Rainy Days..." is such a fantastic song. Karen's voice is awesome, I can't think of anybody on today's music scene who can sing a song as well as Karen sang "Rainy Days..." or "Superstar". Karen is truly a one of a kind and a best of the best. And whenever I do listen to "Rainy Days...", I'm always left awe-struck. WOW!

[Alan]

Superstargal said:

I just cannot get enough of "Rainy Days And Mondays." As some of you may know already, it is my all-time favorite Carpenters song. I especially like towards the end of the song when Karen and Richard are harmonizing in the background, "Hangin' aro-o-o-o-o-ound..." while Karen is singing "Hanging around...nothin' to do but frown...." etc. I don't know what it is, but that part just gives me goose bumps! It's like a big harmonizing climax of a grand finale, before it shuts off and Karen finishes with her soft voice at the very very end. What do you all feel about this song? Just curious. It's such a wonderful song, and I love the video on the "Gold" DVD, since you get to see Karen play the drums as well!

Hey there Superstar!

Have always adored this song … and what memories it brings back. Surely there can’t be anyone in the world who says they don’t like this song!

Since joining this forum, I recently loaded my CD player with all C’s CDs I own. Normally listen to pop music in the car and classical mostly at home for some reason. While driving I seldom hear an album all the way through. So just discovered I need to replace a couple of CDs such as A SONG FOR YOU! Need to hear that individual song at least once a month!! CDs just don’t seem to last that long!

Anyway, recently I’ve been thinking back to the days of CARPENTERS release. What a one, two, three punch that was and is with SUPERSTAR, RAINY DAYS, and FOR ALL WE KNOW ... not to mention the great cuts. Aside from Karen’s great vocals and their harmonies, I’m astounded at Richard’s talent as an arranger ... much more so now than when a teenager. Such class!! He had already proven his talent with the preceding two albums, but these singles and the album as a whole are just phenomenal for him. What absolute diamonds these three hits are! Really catapulted the C’s into superstardom and assured their frequent airplay in the years to come.

[Rick Henry]

Yes, Richard is a fantastic arranger. Of course you know he received a Grammy nomination for his arrangement of "Superstar", in all he received 5 Grammy nominations for his arrangements, he never won, but 5 nominations in seven years is an excellent track record.

[smoothie2]

:-/hi ...Since being part of carpsonline, I have a greater appreciation for all of their songs. I have always loved Rainy Days especially since it's one of the very first songs, that I recall hearing on the radio for the first time. There are few songs of their's of course that I don't love. I recall one of my good friends having "For All We Know" sung at their wedding, which was so appropriate since this friend made SuCH a tremendous impact on me while I was growing up. She was The Coolest girl...she introduced me to some of the first recorded music of J. Denver. She dated long before I did and I loved hearing how in love she felt with just about every guy she went with!
Randa if you're out there...I still love those memories we share!
I was a rather serious minded child, and I really identified with all those feelings that Rainy Days brings out from Karen's voice.
And I know that I have expressed these feelings before and so please bear with me when I repeat myself.

[Boat2Sail]

I used to listen to Rainy Days And Monday so much that I went through almost the entire 80's without playing it. In the last few years I've rediscovered this wonderful gem. It really is an alltime favorite of mine. Probably the Carpenters best song ever.

[Rick Henry]

Listened to "Rainy Days..." today the song never fails to amaze me. what a fantastic song.

[Superstargal]

:(Hi Everyone!

Thanks for all your input! I just felt so inspired to start a thread of Rainy Days. It will never get old. Karen and Richard are just one of a kind; that's all there is to it!!

Glad to see so many other fans of Rainy Days! It's my favorite Carpenters song of all time. I believe that virtually every song they recorded are hits!!! I love them so much!

Take care all!

[Alan]

This song is one of the tops in their catalog that will assure addtional devoted fans in generations to come.

[Rick Henry]

This is one of several Carpenters songs that's considered to be a bread winner.

[Polgara]

You know, I can't help but agree with all of you that Rainy Days and Mondays is one of the best songs that she has sung...along with Superstar, of course. I was first attracted to her VERY smooth and rich voice in Superstar...like how bees are drawn to honey...*giggles*. I also thoroughly enjoy the way Karen's voice rises into harmony along with Richard who does the background vocals, at the entire climax of Rainy Days and Mondays...I can't even begin to describe how great she sounds...but that may also be because I've already taken up so much space...hahaha

[ThomB]

Rainy Days and Mondays holds a special place in my heart. Years ago I was very down because of the passing away of a good friend. This was her favorite song. When she died I played the song everyday for for about 3 weeks. Now whenever I hear it, it brings back memories of Cleo.

[OceanKing]

The end of "Rainy Days" is probably THE most dramatic moment in the entire Carpenters catalogue. The background harmonies are fantastic, mostly because of the raw emotion in them. On most of their songs, the Carpenters' backing vocals were very soothing and mellow, but not here. Karen belts out the words, and hits some high notes that are almost a shriek. Even after all these years, the end of that song still gives me chills.

I wonder what it was like to be songwriter Paul Williams when he first heard this recording: walking into A&M Records, having Richard & Karen tell him, "Paul, we finished with your song, listen to this...." Can you imagine?

[Rick Henry]

This is an interesting thought. Paul williams must have been totally amazed and awe struck. He wrote a powerful song, but The Carpenters brought the song to greatness.

[Moe]

Rainy Days is a total classic and will be around forever. I still stop in my tracks when I hear it on the radio or in the store. I am glad it is on so many of the compliations. Karen tears through the song with so much power and emotion. It is hard to believe she was only 20 or 21 when she sang it.