Srength of a woman Was suppose to be!!!

[Carlo]

Just listening to strength of a woman. And it sounds as fresh as it did in 1981. I remember reading that this song was considered for single release, to bad it wasnt. I think our duo missed the boat not releasing this track.to the radio.

[Moe]

I love "Strength of a Woman" and always thought it should have/could have been a hit. It was discussed here, in an earlier thread, and the consensus being that it is a good song but would have met with the same response as the other singles that followed up "Touch me when we're dancing."

Hit or not, the song is awesome and does stand up through time.

[ThomB]

Karen's voice is intense on this song. she may not be belting it out, but she's using style and originality.

[Christian]

hi!

It is one of the best songs on this album, one which I have always felt to be a weak album. When I think of all the great songs they left out (like Kiss Me The Way...etc).

Karen has, as mentioned before, a strong voice on this song and it is great to hear.
Would have been a better choice for single release than Beechwood 4-5789. But the album itself is just too plain, not bringing anything new to their sound. Just an attempt to return to the old, magic formula without making it.

Christian

[cam83]

Hey,
I never thought MADE IN AMERICA was a weak album. I always loved the new sounds of STRENGTH OF A WOMAN, the zesty WANT YOU BACK IN MY LIFE, the Broadway like song BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE, the quiet heartfelt and gorgeous reading of SOMEBODY'S BEEN LYIN, as well as returning to Carpenter territory with TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING and THOSE GOOD OLD DREAMS. I always felt it was a great album. Very contemporary sounding!! And I loved the album's pictures. Very joyful. Karen looks beautiful. (actually Karen's profile reminded me always of Julie Andrew's character MARY POPPINS)...

My thoughts,
Cam

[Rick Henry]

I agree with both Cam and Christian to a degree about "Made In America". The album overall does have a contemporary feel to it, with some excellent rhythms and musicianship. Karen's voice was great (especially on "Strength Of A Woman"). But after the experimental "Passage" was not a success Richard felt Carpenters should return to a more traditional sound. Although I find MIA to be a fantastic album album, I also feel it was a step back for the Carpenters. "Passage" was groundbreaking for them, it may have only sold moderate but the C's were really considered uphip in 1977 and no matter what they would have put out it just was not going to sell. But I feel they should have continued exploring new territory as they entered the 80's. A few guitar driven powerpop tunes, maybe even some new wave 80's sound . That's just my thoughts on the subject.

[Moe]

I have mixed feelings about "Made in America." It seemed to me that there were a lot of good album tracks on the album, but not a lot of strong singles. The album opens with good songs in "Those Good old Dreams," "Strength of a Woman," and "Back in my Life Again," but other songs like "When you've got what it takes," "The Wedding song," and "Beechwood 4-5789," are ones I don't care for and usually skip. "When it's gone," and "Somebody's been Lyin' " are nice album cuts, but not especially strong songs.

"Touch me when we're dancing" and "I believe you" are strong songs and help the album, but "Made in America" really lacked classic songs like "Rainy Days," "I won't last a day without you," "top of the world".... I do like the CD and listen to it, but sometimes feel like there is something missing from it. With songs that were in the vault at the time like "Where do I go from here," You're the One," and "Uninvited Guest," it makes me wonder about the final song selection for the album. On the other hand, look what we've had to enjoy in the years since Karen's passing...

my opinion only...

[Rick Henry]

In my last post on this topic it does sound like I'm dogging MIA. Musically the album is fantastic and some of Karen's finest and most intense vocals are on this album. "I Believe You" is one of my favorite tracks.
Eventhough I feel C's should have progressed in a different direction for their 80's debut, I still feel it's a fine album.

[JIM]

I think Strenghth Of A Woman is
a great song but I wish RC had
not used the OK Chorale so much
on some of there later projects.
In my opinion RC should have followed Karens lead from her
solo work on there come back album.
I love MIA but at that point in
there career, a totally new sound
would have made a greater impact
on the public. Every time I listen
to Only The Angels Know from the
Akiko project, I wish it would
have been Karen singing it on MIA.

Just my thoughts. JIM