Rita's SUPERSTAR as opposed to Karen's SUPERSTAR

[Rick Henry]

cam83 said:

Hi All,
For me anyways, I am not saying Karen is naive...but her portrayal of a GIRL singing about remembering the love of her life...Don't you remember you told me you loved me baby...sounds like a young girl who was confusing infatuation with real love...in a way. For me, that is the feeling I get...the lyrics...all seem to point to that. Karen's voice of course sounds lovely and full of everything to make the song what it is...a classic!!

Cameron

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Hi Cam, thank you for re-emphasizing the point you were trying to make. The English language is a funny one. Sometimes a statement can be taken different ways and misunderstood.

Anyway you hit it on the head perfectly in your assessment of Karen's portrayal in this song. And you are right Rita takes a more mature viewpoint with the song. Now how about Bette Midler - what do you feel her vantage point of this song is? I haven't heard the original recording of the song from 1969 by Bonnie Bramlett - that one I'd like to hear.

[Christian]

I am listening to Bette`s version right now and must say it`s very good too. All versions differ from each other but the Carpenters` version differs the most from the others.
Bette`s version, to me, sounds like someone sitting at home, having a glass of redwine and reminiscing over life and a lost lover. It begins very slow and tender, in a remembering way, then gets abitt more rocky as if she gets somewhat angry and cross with the person for leaving her.
Karen sings it as it`s to the first guy that recently broke her heart, while Bette sounds like it happened a long time and many lovers ago. It`s when you break up with someone, you have trips down memory lane and remember (and also curse) your past lovers.
Hard to describe, but I hope you understand what I`m trying to get at here.

[cam83]

Christian, you hit it on the head!! Bette sounds exactly like I was thinking. Angry and reminscing...a bit bitter.

Cam