FAVORITE SONG FROM EACH ALBUM

[Rick Henry]

Here's a topic which may take a bit of thinking. What are your favorite songs from each album?

TICKET TO RIDE / OFFERING: "All I Can Do". I know most people like "All Of My Life", "Eve", or "Ticket To ride" best. But myself having been a musician and having an ear for unusual timing and rhythms I just love "All I Can Do". It has a great bass guitar line in it.

CLOSE TO YOU: "Crescent Noon". This was a tough choice, but I chose "Crescent Noon", I really love the lyrics and Karen's deep voice.

CARPENTERS: "Rainy Days And Mondays". I love "Superstar" also, both songs are ultimate favorites, but I like "Rainy Days..." just a zinch more.

A SONG FOR YOU: "Road Ode". It was a toss up between "Road Ode" and "A Song For You" and well "Road Ode" gets me everytime. I think it's the lyrics.

NOW & THEN: "I Can Make Music". I really wanted to choose "This Masquerade", but when it comes down to it, "I Can't Make Music" is so dramatic and has something to it that I just love. karen's voice really seems to shine here.

HORIZON: "Only Yesterday". It's hard to pick a favorite from an album as strong as this one. Every track on "Horizon" is solid. "I Can Dream Can't I" is a spectacular 40's style big band song, "Desperado" contains that ever important chill factor, "Solitaire" is one of Karen's finest vocal interpretations, "Pleae Mr. Postman" features a classic Tony Peluso guitar solo, "Happy" is a great upbeat song with Karen's excellent drum work, "Goodbye And I Love You" could have been a top ten single, and "Love Me for What I am" is an intense musical arrangement and Karen's vocal really hits home. But it's "Only Yesterday" that, for me, is the finest moment on "Horizon". The song is pure genious, it's like two songs in one with the melancholy verses which work into the upbeat chorus. It's a wall of beautiful sound, with the always captivating Tony Peluso guitar work and topped of by one of Karen's very best vocal performances.

A KIND OF HUSH: "Boat To Sail". "A Kind Of Hush" is one of my top 5 favorite Carpenters albums so I like almost all the tracks. But myself liking the unusual vs. the traditional "Boat To Sail" ends up being my favorite, with "Goofus" number two.

PASSAGE: "Two Sides". since I do tend to like the unusual "Passage" ends up being one of my top 5 favorite C's albums. I love "B'wana She No Home", "Sweet Sweet Smile", "I Just Fall In Love Again", "All You Get...", etc. Though "Two sides" is such a wonderful song and I really feel it should have been a single. I think the singles from "Passage" should have been "All You Get From Love...", "Sweet, Sweet Smile", "I Just Fall In Love Again" and "Two Sides".

MADE IN AMERICA: "Those Good Old Dreams". I also like "Strength Of A Woman" and "I Believe You". But "Those Good Old Dreams" has such a nice catchy mellow feel to it.

VOICE OF THE HEART: "Sailing On The Tide". Once again my love for the underdog and the unusual comes into play here. Although "Now" is my other favorite.

LOVELINES: "Kiss Me The Way You did Last Night". I remember when this album was released I was ecstatic, new Carpenters songs. I also love "Honolulu city Lights", it's a nice laid back easygoing song.

KAREN CARPENTER: "If I Had You". This was tough because I also love "Making Love In The Afternoon", Guess I Just Lost My Head" and "Last One Singing The Blues". But "If I Had You" has the really really neat vocal mix at the end of the song and Karen's voice is outstanding. This is really one of her very best performances of everything she has ever recorded. It's too bad there wasn't more promotion behind the song when it was released as a single in 1989.

AS TIME GOES BY: "Leave Yeasterday Behind". The lyrics of this song are so very beautiful and Karen conveys the message with grace and style. "Rainbow Connection", "I Got Rhythm", "Dancing In The Street", "Karen/Ella Medley" and "And When He Smiles" are also favorites.
;D

[cam83]

Hi Rick,

OFFERING/TICKET TO RIDE...SOMEDAY is my favorite song from this album. Her voice, although rough on this song is a marvel. She just soars thru this song, and is a hint of things to come.

CLOSE TO YOU...CRESCENT NOON...is a powerful, deep song of the changing seasons. Her voice is beyond belief, and it is amazing that in the year before, her vocals are becoming more refined. People consider this album patchy, but I think the songs are all wonderful and strong.

CARPENTERS...My ultimate favorite...A PLACE TO HIDEAWAY...is a gem of a song. No two words about that song. Powerful. She just aches in that song. One of my own personal anthems.

A SONG FOR YOU...BLESS THE BEASTS AND CHILDREN...wonderful song, wonderfully conveyed by Karen. It's the pre-The Greatest Love of All...classic

NOW AND THEN...I CAN'T MAKE MUSIC. A song with all the oomf, pain, independance, self realization etc. Karen just tore thru this song.

HORIZON...SOLITAIRE is one of Karen's crowning masterpieces, vocally. So high and so low. And that low note she holds at the end and sustains it is so remarkable and seems so effortless. Not her favorite song of course, but a lot of artists don't like their greatest works.

A KIND OF HUSH...BOAT TO SAIL. I love this song so much. THe way she phrases it, sings it, is so appealing and almost unlike anything she has ever done before. I have always liked this album because I feel it is such a mature sounding album with a more mature Karen in it.

PASSAGE...TWO SIDES. A beautiful song sung in country style. Too bad this song wasn't the follow up to the enormous Top 10 country hit Sweet Sweet Smile.

MADE IN AMERICA...SOMEBODY's BEEN LYIN is a cool song and one that Karen just sings with such ease. I am sure she must have been the envy of singers, who wished they could sing like her.

VOICE OF THE HEART...LOOK TO YOUR DREAMS is just gorgeous but sad to hear the fading notes.

LOVELINES...KISS ME THE WAY YOU DID LAST NIGHT is a stand out track, besides Karen's solo work...

KAREN CARPENTER...LAST ONE SINGING THE BLUES has got to be my favorite song. I just love everything about this bluesy-jazzy song and the fact Phil Ramone incuded it to showcase how effortlessly she sung this song, and how great it sounded even for a work lead...

AS TIME GOES BY...LEAVE YESTERDAY BEHIND is just a gorgeous song. It blew people away that say Karen's voice faded from 1974 and onwards...when they found out this song was recorded in 1978 proving that Karen's voice did not weaken, but got better with age.


My thoughts,
Cameron

[enigma]

Another tough one Rick I love these types of topics heres my list

Offering/Ticket to Ride - All of My Life just barely over Eve I tend to like the vocal on Eve more but as a whole song AOML edges Eve Out...just barely. never cared for Ticket to Ride found the Beatles version far superior not a great remake compared to their later releases

Close To You - Getting tougher here but Reason To Believe is the winner here I just love this song second would be I'll Never Fall in Love Again; an innocent feel good song and finally Another Song; this is where Karen shines like never before or since on the drums pure perfect musicianship on this one (I respected her drumming that much more after this one).

Carpenters - No doubt here Superstar; pure vocal perfection not only is it always contending for my #1 Carpenters song but does the same for my favorate ballad of all time. Rainy Days and Mondays and the Medley are great but it was not even close on my choice here.

A Song For You this was my second toughest one to pick a favorate from' all the material (except the instrumentals) on this record is so strong. I will go with Hurting Each Other on this one really close ones that get the tie for second are I Wont Last A Day Without You, A Song For You. These songs just barely beat the rest of the material, minus the instrumentals, on this great record really tough choices here.

Now and Then - The Oldies Medley Both Richard and Karen do such a great job on this particular Medley and give the song a fresh and refreshing makeover. Second would be This Masquerade; Karen simply shines on this song and Jambalaya (On the Bayou); a fun song with a catchy beat

Horizon - Ah Horizon the toughest pick of all. How do you pick one song from a masterpice such as this. Top to bottom this record is simply great. The sound, the vocals the production, the songs are second to none. Only Yesterday is the best of the best here; This song is an explosion of sound capped off by one of Karens finest hours vocally when she hits those lows in the verses its bone chilling I love it! Happy is second; Karens drumming is great on this song and the guitar work and vocals are first rate. The rest of the Album is third. This is simply an incredible piece of work and is one of my all time favorate albums by any artist as well as my favorate Carpenters album (definately a desert island choice here)

A Kind of Hush - A good record but unfortunately came after a great one. I Need to Be in Love you can feel the emotion of Karens vocal on this one a beautiful song. You is a close second I love this song. I am not blown away by this album I guess it still needs to grow on me I found it a disappointment after Horizon dispite some good material.

Passage - The winner here is Two Sides I like the treatment of this beautiful song this one put Passage ahead of AKOH in my books but that could change. Second is Sweet Sweet Smile; this country flavored uptempo song is so much fun to listen to, The third here is All You Get From Love is a Love Song another uptempo song that I really like.

Made In America - Touch me When We're Dancing, find it a little bit sad but love the song (Want You) Back In My Life Again yes its dated but still a catchy song...I like it and Those Good Old Dreams; another good country flavored song

Voice of the Heart - The winner is Now a beautiful song that would bring a tear to my eye even if Karen were alive today. Second is Sailing On the Tide I do not think this song is an underdog at all it only took me two listens to totally get into the great song.

Lovelines - I wont count the solo stuff here which leaves about half an album. My favorate is The Uninvited Guest this should have made the MIA record it is a good song. I also give the nod to Honolulu city Lights as well as Your the One.

Karen Carpenter - The winner is Making Love In The Afternoon as I write this this song has been in my head for over a month and I'm not tired of it I love this song! Other favorates are All Because of You; love the acustic flavor on this one and Still Crazy After All These Years; Karens vocals are great on this one. I love Karens solo material so much this was another tough one.

As Time Goes By - I liked the medleys on this album but my favorates are Rainbow Connection, Leave Yesterday Behind and California Dreaming.

Good topic Rick!

[smoothie2]

Each album has great songs...Since I don't own nor have heard several songs because they are on albums I don't own..I put in my opinion for ones I do know:
???CLOSE TO YOU: "Maybe It's You" comes first although I love that old "Mr. Guder"...(by the way, did they like this guy or not ...?) ..."Maybe It's You" starts out on a soft tone and some sweet notes on the piano...and then the chorus is bold and reminds me so much of how the ocean surges in and out.
The harmony is terrific of course too.
"Mr. Guder" has always been one of my favorites...this guy is a little too conservative for the times. Then the bada bada ...is cute and reminds me of people chattering all at once and doing the normal routine at the work site. Then, though "they" make it known that though Mr. Guder works at maintaining that company image...they don't want him to change too much..."please play your game..stay the same."

CARPENTERS: "Rainy days" first which runs a close race with "For All We Know". Both are the classics of the C's and are featured on almost every one of their albums. Rainy days
often bring us all down. Fortunately or unfortunately however you want to look at it...this song seems to be a real signature song for Karen. For all we Know ...is genuine and unique. Like rainy days, hearing the first few lines of it most fans recognize what those songs are. I love the way it's done and the way Karen can reach those low notes on "for all we know".

A SONG FOR YOU: I'm with Rick on this one...Road Ode...it's like Karen is talking to herself or writing in a diary asking such questions like "I've been on this road for so long now...does anybody know where it goes?" Then together in the chorus she and Richard...express that even though they love performing..the people and the long roads are endless and home is the only place that will cure that homesickness.

NOW AND THEN: "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" has such a wonderful beat ...and it seems you can hear Richard a little more during the chorus.
HORIZON: "Only Yesterday" runs first choice and then "Please Mr. Postman " Such uplifting songs.
A KIND OF HUSH: "yOU"....Karen again soars through with her singing without hesitation.
Albums I don't have and even though I do know some of the songs that are on them...I can't really know which one would be the best. PASSAGE, MADE IN AMERICA, VOICE OF THE HEART, LOVELINES, AND OFFERING-TICKET TO RIDE.

and so it goes


smoothie

[beaner]

Since I've covered most of these albums and listing my favorites on "Growing up with the Carpenters" from the Home Page spotlight, there are only 2 albums left unmentioned.

Horizon - My favorite song is "Happy", believe it or not.

Made in America - My favorite song is "When You've Got What it Takes".

[Federico Cruz]

My favorites are:
TTR: Eve ( what a dramatic piece!).
CTY: Maybe It's You (pure beauty!).
C: Superstar (too dramatic).
ASFY: Road Ode (another dramatic piece!).
NAT: I Can't Make Music (you foretold!).
H: Love For What I Am.
AKOH: One More Time.
P: Two Sides.
MIA: No favorites because the songs are too light.
L: When I Fall In Love.
VOTH: You're Enough.
KC: My Body Keeps Changing My Mind(excuse me all of you, but I enjoyed the disco music).
KC Unreleased Solo Album: It's Really You.
FTT: Make It Easy On Yourself.
ATGB: Nowhere Man.
Interpretations(it's an strange album, a compilation with 3 songs never heard before): Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again.

[Moe]

Here goes:

1. Ticket to Ride- Someday has always been my favorite. Eve and All of my life are close behind.

2. Close to You- We've only just begun with Maybe it's you and Baby it's you, close behind.

3. Carpenters- I have always connected with Rainy Days and Mondays. Superstar and (A place to) Hideaway are fabulous, too.

4. A Song for You- I won't last a day without you is first followed by Top of the World and Goodbye to Love.

5. Now and Then- I Can't Make Music is and always has been my favorite.

6. Horizon- This is my favorite CD and all the songs are great. I will choose Solitaire as my choice with Desperado and Goodbye and I love you and Happy and Love me for what I am and....

7. A Kind of Hush- I need to be in Love ranks as my number one choice with You and One More Time as close seconds.

8. Passage- I just fall in love again is my favorite with Two Sides and All you get from Love as the follow-ups.

9. Christmas Portrait- Have yourself a merry little Christmas is the song I can't live without, with A Christmas song (Chestnuts) close behind.

10. Made in America- Strength of a Woman

11. Voice of the Heart- Now is the best with Look to your dreams another classic

12. Interpretations- Tryin' to get the feelin' again. I know this one doesn't really qualify, but I am so glad they found this song and released it.

13. Lovelines- You're the One is one of the best songs Karen ever recorded and gives me chills everytime I hear it. A close second is Where do I go from here.

14. Karen Carpenter- All Because of you is my favorite because of her lower register and stripped down musical arrangement.

15. As Time Goes By- Ranbow Connection was a good song my Kermit the Frog and a classic by Karen.

[Federico Cruz]

Dave said:

Hey Federico! Join the club! I like "MBKCMM" a lot myself, and here's a neat place to listen to it: when you're on the Interstate. Or, the Bonneville Salt Flats...

Hi, Dave, nice to meet you!
How can I join that club?.
Are you meaning the club of this site?
Rick Henry, am I not a member of your club?

[cam83]

Hi Fredrico,
I think Dave meant...that you can join the club of liking disco music. There is no club, it's just an english saying I guess. But I love disco too and thought Karen did a fabulous stylish job of singing disco.

Cameron

[Federico Cruz]

Thanks, Cam!.
Is Dave talking about a bar or discotec, or maybe about a radio station?

[cam83]

Hi,
I think MBKCMM is My Body Keeps CHanging My Mind. And he is talking about a racing car, along to the sounds of that disco song.

Cameron

[Rick Henry]

Hi Dave, since you are such a car buff, here is one for you. a picture of Richard's red Ferrari which was featured on the "Now & Then" album cover.
img44.photobucket.com/albums/v134/carponline/carpentersferrari1.jpg

[ThomB]

TICKET TO RIDE / OFFERING: All Of My Life

CLOSE TO YOU: Maybe It's You

CARPENTERS: Superstar

A SONG FOR YOU: I Won't Last A Day Without You

NOW & THEN: I Can't Make Music

HORIZON: Only Yesterday

A KIND OF HUSH: One More Time

PASSAGE: I Just Fall In Love Again

MADE IN AMERICA: I Believe You

VOICE OF THE HEART: Now

LOVELINES: You're The One

KAREN CARPENTER: Guess I Just Lost My Head

AS TIME GOES BY: Leave Yeasterday Behind

[Rick Henry]

Since I forgot the mention favorite tracks from the Christmas albums I will now add them

CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT: Merry Christmas Darling. The entire album is solid from beginning to end. I love every track, but the classic "Merry Christmas Darling" is my favorite.

AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS: "He Came Here For Me". The lyrics are so very beautiful and this is one of Karen's very best performances. I also like the 40's kind of feel on "What Are You Doin' New Year's Eve?".

[Peteruk]

Tough choices

Decided to exclude chart singles from Carpenters album choices and attempt decisions on key favourite tracks :

TICKET TO RIDE : TURN AWAY ....One of the best early examples of Carpenters classic sound developing -great Richard vocal , fab harmonies and loads of musical time signatues combine together.....



CLOSE TO YOU : LOVE IS SURRENDER ....Again another example of developing Carpenters sound ....great arrangement & playing by group.....



CARPENTERS : ONE LOVE ....A favourite early Carpenter / Bettis song with wonderful lyrics / melody and great Karen vocal ....this should have been a single or double A single ....



A SONG FOR YOU : A SONG FOR YOU ....One of Carpenters all-time greats....arrangement , performances and Karen's unbelievable range ....this has sadly taken on a tragic tone since Karen's passing -still remains a classic


NOW & THEN : THIS MASQUERADE .....Another great Leon Russell song , one of Richard's best arrangements / production -perfect musical setting for Karen's interpretation ....


HORIZON : DESPERADO ....Classic Carpenters cover ....the missed #1 Summer single ......all round Carpenters gem


A KIND OF HUSH : ONE MORE TIME ....Outstanding album track with Karen's moving lament to family & friends .....great atmosphere


PASSAGE : TWO SIDES ....Another missed top single ....perhaps both Pop & Country #1's ....!! Great
short track , beautifully performed


MADE IN AMERICA : STRENGTH OF A WOMAN ....This would have been a superb follow up to Touch Me single for Summer 1981 ....wonderful vocals and strong lyrics


VOICE OF THE HEART : LOOK TO YOUR DREAMS .....Another classic Carpenter / Bettis song ...perfect lyrics / melody .....Carpenters favourite .....


LOVELINES : SLOWDANCE .....Warm , inviting song with Karen singing beautifully to her audience


INTERPRETATIONS : TRYIN 'TO GET THE FEELING AGAIN ....Long lost & thankfully recovered work lead ...one of Karen 's great interps ...plus Richard's darker production


AS TIME GOES BY : AND WHEN HE SMILES ....Fav cover by Carpenters .....great musical playing and light arrangement / production make this a special rarity



-That was hard .....could have come up with variations on all these album releases

Peter

[Peteruk]

AND FINALLY SOLO FAVS :

RC TIME : I'M STILL NOT OVER YOU

RC PACC : KAREN'S THEME

KC : MAKE BELIEVE IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME

....Rick needs to collate album fav tracks to see our overall favourite -at present ! -tracks

**** Perhaps need to omit Tryin' To Get ....as this was UK single ....still fab song / production

Peter

[Rick Henry]

Peteruk said:

....Rick needs to collate album fav tracks to see our overall favourite -at present ! -tracks

Peter

Okay Peter here are the stats.

These are our overall favorites from each album according to this thread:

TICKET TO RIDE / OFFERING: "All Of My Life"

CLOSE TO YOU: "Maybe It's You"

CARPENTERS: "Superstar" and "Rainy Days And Mondays" (tie)

A SONG FOR YOU: "Road Ode"

NOW & THEN: "I Can't Make Music"

HORIZON: "Only Yesterday"

A KIND OF HUSH: "One More Time"

PASSAGE: "Two Sides"

MADE IN AMERICA: "Strength Of A Woman"

VOICE OF THE HEART: "Now"

LOVELINES: "You're The One" and "Kiss Me The Way You Did Last Night" (tie)

KAREN CARPENTER: No winner here. Seven different songs received one vote each.

AS TIME GOES BY: "Leave Yeasterday Behind"

[Federico cruz]

Rick,can you make another stats later?