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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 17, 2004 21:53:11 GMT -5
While tihs topic is Karen's signature song, I believe so many people would say "Superstar"....Remember, that WAS the name of the TV movie made about her (whether one liked it or not); so I think so many equate that song with her (and they named the movie "Superstar" for a reason....plus, the song, itself, almost epitomizes everything RIGHT about her voice (yes, there are others....but I think THIS ONE stands out). However, if one is talking about the Carpenters' signature song, THAT ONE would have to be "We've Only Just Begun". Even on the documentary "Close To You: Remembering The Carpenters" Richard said that is the one song that he would classify as their signature song. So one COULD be technically right in saying that is Karen's signature song, since she was part of the Carpenters. However, I think SO MANY of us ISOLATE Karen from the group....and think of OTHER songs that signify her best, alone. Just IMHO. Very well put dg. I do tend to seperate Karen from the Carpenters. Easily, The Carpenters signature is "We've Only Just Begun". But when I think of Karen alone the song has to be "Rainy Days And Mondays" or "Superstar", and there's also "Goodbye To Love". I know that "I Need To Be In Love" was a song Karen related to, but I still think the other three are more indicative of who she was and display the qualities of her voice in a better.
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Post by cam83 on Mar 18, 2004 11:03:23 GMT -5
Hello, Yes, as the Carpenters, Karen and Richard's signature song would be WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN. In terms of Karen, alone, her signature song would have to be SUPERSTAR, because despite Rita Coolidge and Bette Midler having that song recorded and known by them, It is Karen's triumph that people will almost certainly remember Karen's version...the million seller. A lot of people won't remember I NEED TO BE IN LOVE as her signature song because it was not a big hit, but among us fans, we like to think that song is hers, because it was her FAVORITE of all the songs she recorded.
Goodbye to Love I think, is more of Richard's signature tune in terms of the Carpenters era. Of his signature tune it would have to be SOMETHING IN YOUR EYES. And signature instrumental tune KAREN'S THEME. Karen's solo signature tune...I would say that would be IF I HAD YOU. It is her most ambitious tune. It appeared on LOVELINES, FROM THE TOP and KAREN CARPENTER. I believe IF I HAD YOU was a top twenty Adult Contemporary hit, If my memory is correct.
My thoughts,
Cameron
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Post by dgfarnsworth on Mar 18, 2004 13:31:07 GMT -5
Yes, guys. Glad to see we think alike. I must say I am in total agreement on the points you put forth.
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Post by JIM on Apr 3, 2004 14:01:47 GMT -5
Boy! Thats a tough choice when you love every note she sang. I have to say Weve Only Just Begun is the most publicly reconized KC signature song. It seems I stand alone in my personal choice A Song For You. The song is so personal and intimate like a secret story yet such a power house ballad at the same time. The song always captivates me no matter how many times I listen to it. The segway between Road Ode and A Song For You reprise is so haunting. Just my thoughts JIM
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Post by Benn on Apr 10, 2004 0:56:24 GMT -5
I would have to say "I Know I Need to be in Love" is Karen's signature song, because she did state that was her favorite Carpenters' song, and she sings it with a great deal of feeling. John Bettis has said he wrote it with Karen in mind. Benn
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Post by enigma on Apr 10, 2004 9:28:21 GMT -5
If we are talking about Karens signature song and not the Carpenters (I believe we are), I would go with Superstar. I think this song was her best vocal performance and thats saying something. With a voice like that Karen was a true Superstar.
As far as separating Karen from the Carpenters all I can say about that is that listening to her solo album proved what I always thought that with a voice like hers any decent producer could have made her a superstar. I don't think there is any song she couldn't have handled. Personally without Karen I would never have bought one Carpenters album. I have always thought "what if Richard sang all those songs instead of Karen", they would sound the same (same producer) but would not be the same. I often skip over Richards songs on the records. My love of the Carpenters is not necessarily because of their sound and not because of Richard but because of Karen and her voice. I'm a little off topic here but I think most people separate Karen from the Carpenters; with that presence and it can't be helped.
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 10, 2004 10:22:09 GMT -5
You do make some good points there Enigma. My love for the Carpenters is primarily because of Karen's voice. But one can't pass up the fact that Richard's musical arrangements are certainly outstanding. He really did do his part in creating the phenomenal legacy of the Carpenters. Though, I do agree with you that with Karen's voice really any producer/arranger could have worked wonders with her. I feel Phil Ramone did a great job with Karen. I just wish she could have worked with Giorgio Moroder and others.
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Post by JIM on Apr 10, 2004 10:51:24 GMT -5
I think everyone has made the summary in that without Richard there would not have been a Karen and without Karen there would not have been a Richard. It just seems that after all of there super top 40hits thru 75, they became lost in the pre adult contemporary era. I feel after 75 they were established in the Streisand/Julie Andrews category as artists. Hinde site being 20/20 in my opinion they would have faired better in recording standards. top40 was falling apart in 81 and now its a real mess! or I am turning into a grumpy old man. JIM
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 10, 2004 22:08:20 GMT -5
I think they would have fared well in recording standards, but I also feel that they would have done well in producing a more modern sound like what was on Karen's solo album. It's hard to say because the Carpenters always had such a diverse fan base. C's fans and C's music weren't like the other easylistening groups. Many people don't put C's in the easylistening or adult contemporary category, but instead call them soft-rock or pop-rock. I feel that's because their musical arrangements are quite a bit more progressive and ambitious then their supposed contemproraries.
On the other hand I feel that no matter what C's were to release between 1977 to 1983, it just was not going to do as well as their records from 70-75. But I really do think if Karen were to have lived that by 1985 they would have made their spectacular comeback and scored another truckload of hits. I also think that if "I Just Fall In Love Again" were released as a single in 1977, it would have been a sizeable hit form them, atleast top 15.
just adding my two cents...
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Post by Federico Cruz on Apr 11, 2004 9:48:03 GMT -5
.....but I also feel that they would have done well in producing a more modern sound like what was on Karen's solo album. .....I feel that no matter what C's were to release between 1977 to 1983, it just was not going to do as well as their records from 70-75... (No agree, Rick!) ....But I really do think if Karen were to have lived that by 1985 they would have made their spectacular comeback and scored another truck load of hits... ... I also think that if "I Just Fall In Love Again" were released as a single in 1977, it would have been a sizeable hit form them, at least top 15. It could have been a good twist in their career if they would have recorded at least a disco number by 1978 or 1979, but Richard refused that idea (Karen never was meant to make Disco, he said!). That would be like to say to Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton John and The Bee Gees : Hey!, we too are capable to make ANY kind of music, including Disco music. Yes, by the 80's there were groups with a similar sound of the Carpenters, like Thompson Twins and Alan Parsons Project) I wonder, wasn't IJFILA the fip side of any Carpenters single?. What a great mistake!
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Post by Christian on Apr 13, 2004 5:37:53 GMT -5
Hi all!
I agree with Cameron and Enigma here, Superstar is Karens signature song. It is above everything, her voice on this one is so cool, rough, perfect and strong at the same time while being packed with emotions. The story behind it with the work lead and reading the lyrics written on a napkin makes it even more special as it shows how talented this fantastic girl was. my God, it is unbelievable when you hear it. A majestic song and sublime performance.
As for I Need To Be In Love, it is a good song and was also Karens favourite, but it doesn`t quite make it up there with Superstar, Rainy Days.. and Goodbye To Love.
I must however add that although We`ve Only Just Begun is regarded as their signature song, this may apply more to America than other parts of the world. I believe for the majority of the world, Yesterday Once More may have this position as it is maybe the best known and remembered one. WOJB was not that big a hit in the rest of the world, whereas YOM even charted here in Norway and was even covered by several norwegian performers.
Christian
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Post by Federico Cruz on Apr 13, 2004 13:12:33 GMT -5
.... Superstar is Karens signature song. ....her voice on this one is so cool, rough, perfect and strong at the same time while being packed with emotions. The story behind it with the work lead and reading the lyrics written on a napkin makes it even more special as it shows how talented this fantastic girl was. my God, it is unbelievable when you hear it. A majestic song and sublime performance. As for I Need To Be In Love, it is a good song and was also Karens favourite, but it doesn`t quite make it up there with Superstar, Rainy Days.. and Goodbye To Love. ....although We`ve Only Just Begun is regarded as their signature song, this may apply more to America than other parts of the world. I believe for the majority of the world, Yesterday Once More may have this position as it is maybe the best known and remembered one. WOJB was not that big a hit in the rest of the world, whereas YOM even charted here in Norway..... Christian You are right!, Christian. YOM was very airplayed here in Dominican Republic too. More than any other songs. Every time I mention the Carpenters to friends and I ask them if they know them, they say : "Oh, yes!, they sang the song that says Every sha la la la" (or instead: baby, baby, baby baby oooooh baby).
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kcfan
NEW TO THE FAMILY
Posts: 18
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Post by kcfan on Apr 13, 2004 15:39:33 GMT -5
I f Richard had not urged Karen to sing....she probably would not have!!! She would just have been a good drummer!!! No telling, though, really! I don't think she expected to ever become a lead singer! Richard's blending of sounds and "overdubbing" created that wonderful "Carpenters" sound that makes Karen's voice be highlighted! I think his voice is good, too...except for that darn lisp!!! Cheryl
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