Maybe the most beautiful voice to ever sing a tune.

@sallybannister6224

Жыл бұрын

You got that right Mark , no no doubt x

@gaijin5

Жыл бұрын

☮️❤️🔥🔥🔥🎵🎶🎵...😎

@jaquestraw1

Жыл бұрын

Without a doubt

@poppiethestable1090

Жыл бұрын

HELL NO.. I disagree...Not even close...

@vickiroman189

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely the most beautiful female voice. For most beautiful male voice, I'd have to say Steve Perry.

Clearest and most melodic female voice ever heard.

@tomschmitz261

Жыл бұрын

agreed, surely the most pure, rich, intimate, moving, warm, perfect pitch and tone voice and surely the greatest female VOCALIST (not just a great singer) who sang TO the listener NOT at them!...

@karenblaine7266

Жыл бұрын

@@tomschmitz261 love your words to describe KC. I grew up listening to her music back in the 70s, and to me there is not one female singer that comes close to how she delivered the music. To all who were around when she performed, we were truly blessed to have heard such a voice.

Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote this song, which is about a woman who falls for a rock star, has a tryst with him, but then in a bout of delusion awaits his return, apparently falling for it when he said he loved her. A line in the second verse was considered too lyrically risqué at the time, and was changed by Richard Carpenter to better fit the duo's image. The Carpenters' version of the lyric, "And I can hardly wait to be with you again" is "And I can hardly wait to sleep with you again" in the original version. When the Carpenters version became a hit, Bette Midler took some shots at Karen Carpenter, often mocking her wholesome image. Karen claimed the jokes didn't bother her; after her death, Midler apologized in Redbook magazine, saying she often thinks of Karen. "Superstar" was recorded by Karen on her first take, singing the lyrics that had been scribbled by Richard onto a napkin. It took a while for Karen to warm up to the song. "For some reason that tune didn't hit me in the beginning," she recalled in a 1981 interview. "It's the only one. Richard looked at me like I had three heads. He said: 'Are you out of your mind?' When I heard his arrangement of it I fell over, and now it's one of my favorites too." (Songfacts.com)

@jacobhearns9724

Жыл бұрын

Great insight; thanks Randy.

@i.marchand4655

Жыл бұрын

I'd have to guess that Bette was jealous of Karen's voice, which was definitely better, IMO. And I never liked Bette, so there's that.

@thomasflynn5366

Жыл бұрын

They should listen to the Delany and Bonnie version. I love Karen's voice but the original fits what the song is better. Oh, and Bette Midler is an asshole.

@BobSoltis1

Жыл бұрын

@@i.marchand4655 Bette was always a crude, vulgar, racist, nasty piece of work. Just goes to show that entertainers are not always good or intelligent people - or that their opinions should be listened to.

@edwardcapobianco2975

Жыл бұрын

The musician is supposedly Eric clapton

No auto tune then .Karen really didn't need anything .Her voice was faultless and pure .She was also one heck of a drummer. God bless her .

She clearly says in the 1st verse, "I fell in love with you before the 2nd show." She falls in love with him at the show and then never hears back from him and only hears him on the radio

Karen Carpenter had one of the most crystal clear stunning voices of the '70s. It's unforgettable! Remember this is live with no auto-tune. Also, not only did Karen Carpenter had the most beautiful smooth voice ever, she rarely "belted" out songs, but rather, sang just above a whisper. Her brother Richard, was himself, an accomplished composer and music director. Together, their harmonies rocked the '70s and early '80s. Before Karen was known for her vocals, she was already considered one of America's most talented drummers!

@c.r.alexander1117

Жыл бұрын

Yes, indeed. There is a video on KZread of her playing the drums on one of the Carpenters' TV specials.

Karen had the Voice Of An Angel on Earth ❤✝😢

@jazzmaan707

Жыл бұрын

I agree with you. Paul Williams, who wrote Rainy Days and Mondays, said, "My song was never going to be recorded, but then an angel sang it, and changed my life forever." He was paying tribute to Karen, and always calls her an angel.

I absolutely love the Carpenters. They remind me of being little. LoL Her voice is just too beautiful!

@elizabethfranco1284

Жыл бұрын

I grew up with The Carpenters also

@Zaandick

Жыл бұрын

I grew up in the 70’s. My mum died then too when I was little. The Carpenters still remind me of her. It’s a blessing really

@Basai7

Жыл бұрын

Same. When I was little, I had "Top of the World" 45 on repeat...🥰🎶

@aks4204

Жыл бұрын

@@Zaandick So sorry to hear you lost your mom, at a young age.

Karen has such a beautiful and flawless voice. ❤

I always interpreted it as she’s a groupie who actually hooked up with a singer and made more of it than what it was, just a one night stand. Her voice is so rich here. She’s mesmerizing.

@heliotropezzz333

Жыл бұрын

I think it's more that she's a naive but devoted fan who believed the stories spun to her by the star to get her into bed. I don't think a groupie would have taken it so hard.

@filmsensei

Жыл бұрын

@@heliotropezzz333 Fair point. Groupie probably wrong word. I was just trying to indicate that it isn’t just a lady daydreaming about a celeb but that she actually did hook up with him;)

@heliotropezzz333

Жыл бұрын

@@filmsensei I think so.

@kendrakendrakendra3853

Жыл бұрын

The original song by Delaney and Bonnie (it's on youtube) was called "Groupie". Carpenters changed it to "Superstar." You are completely right. She was a groupie, she had a hook up with the singer, he told her he loved her, she believed him, but he's now gone.

From 1971. The best female voice of the 20th century.

Karen Carpenter could just do no wrong! What an incredible artist, lost too soon. Lex, your memory is correct, as someone else suggested, the version you likely recall was sung by the great Luther Vandross, sadly also no longer with us. Interesting fact, Karen and Luther were just a year apart in age.

@Basai7

Жыл бұрын

Very interesting trivia; thanks for sharing!

@mkmstillstackin

Жыл бұрын

@@Basai7 you're quite welcome!

@wgdavis5353

Жыл бұрын

Covered by almost everyone.. ♠W.G.

@aks4204

Жыл бұрын

Oh man, do some Luther Vandross songs. He to had a beautiful voice.

She was physically with him as he played a concert, most likely. He lied and said he loved her. He said he'd come back but it was just words to him. She meant nothing to him. He meant everything to her.

The soul version of “Superstar” you may have heard was recorded by Luther Vandross. RIP LV.

@ogmandog

Жыл бұрын

I was this heavy metal kid through and through......but when I heard this song for the 1st time ,it blew me away that someone could possess such a pure voi ce like Karen's.

@mztweety1374

Жыл бұрын

Can't listen to it to this day without crying

@MrHunterbuchanan

Жыл бұрын

I haven't heard Luther Vandross's version of the song, I'm familiar with this one and the cover by Sonic Youth from 1994. I'd love for them to react to LV's version so I can react along with them for the first time.

@mztweety1374

Жыл бұрын

@@MrHunterbuchanan It’s gorgeous

@jamesdrynan

Жыл бұрын

Many people thought Luther's version was great, as it was, but hearing Karen sing it from the point of view of an infatuated young girl is heartbreaking. A pristine voice and fantastic arrangement by her brother, Richard.

Karen's voice was like velvet. Such a talent. Their music was sort of easy-listening, but was very popular in the '70s.

Brad & Lex, you’ll love their “Rainy Days And Mondays”, “Yesterday One More” and “For All We Know” !!!! Karen has the best female soft/pop voice of all-time IMHO!!

@jamesbondbond8388

Жыл бұрын

Hi was a drumer !!!!!

@tomschmitz261

Жыл бұрын

agreed!

Saw her sing this in 1972.She was also a great drummer/singer .Died when she was 32 years old .She broke the glass ceiling for woman playing instruments

@pauldourlet

Жыл бұрын

Check out Karen Carpenter kick-ass drummer on you tube

It's about a groupie that fell in love with a one night stand who went on the road. The cover you are thinking of Lex was by Luther Vandross. The Carpenters were huge in the early seventies when I was in High school.

Fantastic arrangement fantastic voice 👏

@johanlebacq1998

Жыл бұрын

I agree what the voice is concerned.

Her voice is so dark yet so beautiful.

There will never be another Karen Carpenter angelic singer of all time

I still get chills when I hear this song, I'm 63 yrs old.

One of not only the best female voices but one of the best ever

A voice as smooth as silk

The Carpenters were able to make mellow songs cool as hell.

Best Female Voice Ever!!!

Top 5 female vocalists of all times, and arguably the greatest female alto voice ever

Her voice really shines in this one. Haunting and passionate.

Lex you are so right about how technology has changed the way music is created. Karen Carpenter’s voice is pure gold. She never had nor needed an array of computers ‘correcting’ her voice. When you hear the real thing there’s no going back,

@jefffawcett

Жыл бұрын

Yep. The people having hit songs now who can’t actually sing is shocking

A beautiful voice taken too soon, I still remember her passing away in 1983, at age 32 from Anorexia, love her voice

My favorite song by them. She had the best female voice ever, imo.

She has such a beautiful voice that I can listen to her for hours.

Her voice is so deep and lush; just outstanding.

The original was by Leon Russell and Delaney Bramlett with Delaney, Bonnie, and Friends. It was called Groupie. It was covered by Rita Coolidge when she was backing up Joe Cocker for the Mad Dogs and Englshman tour. It was then covered by Bette MIdler, who sang it on The Tonight Show, where Richard Carpenter heard it. He then arranged it for his sister. The song title had been changed to Superstar by then.

@easyrolling

Жыл бұрын

Love Coolidge's version who was also a member of the touring Delaney & Bonnie & Friends before touring with Cocker , hope they get to react to some Delaney & Bonnie & Cocker's Maddog & Englishmen songs too & more Cocker!!

@ohfour-seven6228

Жыл бұрын

@@easyrolling Amen, we need some Delaney and Bonnie!!!

The late great Leon Russell wrote this beautiful song

@wnsafford1854

Жыл бұрын

Leon co-wrote "Superstar." Writing credit on the original was just to Bonnie Bramlett & Leon Russell (released as a single, Dec. 1969 by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends). Delaney Bramlett later also gained writing credit & Rita Coolidge has since said she should have been credited too.

It's about a groupie who falls in love with a musician who came to town and performed. He told her he loved her and he would come back.

Our Karen. Gifted, Shy, Fragile.. Godspeed for one of the purest voices to ever exist in Pop.

i am not going to lie to you i cried when she died! the hurt was real!

Another sad tragic life and death of a truly talented singer...ugh... she also played drums on most of their studio songs... Great reaction. Thank you. 😊

@frankrizzo4460

Жыл бұрын

Yes she struggled with many issues most of her life Rip Karen thanks for giving us your unbelievable talent 🙏

@beancounter5380

Жыл бұрын

At the time this song was written, Eric Clapton was touring with the group Delaney and Bonnie (Bramlett) and Friends after Blind Faith, and before that, Cream, disbanded. Rumor has it that he was the inspiration behind the tune.

Beautiful what a blessing she was

The days of REAL music.

@neilpatrickhairless

Жыл бұрын

There is still real music now, but no one cares about it which is why the stuff that sells now is stuff that sounds like no one cares about it

@joepowell7025

Жыл бұрын

@@neilpatrickhairlessThey obviosly care only about crap which is 99% OF WHAT'S OUT THERE NOW THEN

Her voice is so hauntingly beautiful . Her brother played the 🎹 in the band . Other than singing , she also played the drums . Her brother had said " Although she was a great singer , she was much happier playing the drums ".

recorded in 1 take reading the lyrics off a napkin and only 21 years old at the time!!! luther vandross did a homage version of the song as he was a HUGE carpenter's fan and admitted no one sang it as well as Karen Carpenter...This version reached #2 on the charts in 1971 and was among the string of their hits....

Lex hit it on the head when she said , the more modern , the less intimate and personal. The 60's and 70's were way more emotional than what they are calling music today!

Although I was really into hard rock in the early 70’s, I have to admit how the Carpenters music was very soothing and enjoyable to listen to and sing along with ❤️ Rest In Peace Karen, voice of an Angel !

Incredible voice.

Ya need to dig into this beautiful rabbit hole of the Carpenters. Huge library of beautiful songs.

My favorite song of theirs. The depth of her vocal, the richness, melancholy…. Destroys me. The original is called Groupie ( Superstar) by Delaney & Bonnie is very soulful & from the perspective of a sexually experienced woman.The studio version of Groupie is incredible. You’re thinking of Luther Vandross most likely. His version was after The Carpenters.

When this version came out I didn't know it was a cover. I pictured a girl like Karen Carpenter listening to the radio alone in her room, in love with the superstar she had once seen in concert, quoting his lyrics back to him. I since learned that was not the original intent of the songwriters, but I think the interpretation still works, especially with Karen's beautiful, melancholy delivery. Brad's take on it makes total sense to me.

Chills every time…that voice.

Karen had one of the best voices ever. You beautiful kids missed out on such a talent. Thanks for posting her angelic voice.

Her voice makes my brain tingle.

Karen Carpenter had the best voice, ever. Just perfect

This song is about a woman who falls for a rock star, has a tryst with him, but then in a bout of delusion awaits his return, apparently falling for it when he said he loved her.

@desscamell5416

Жыл бұрын

I know right. Isn’t hard to work out 😂

She was definitely a once in a lifetime treasure! Still miss her. I’m not sure if they’re broken up in this song, or if he’s just on the road and she misses him. You should check out more of their hits!

@jfree336

Жыл бұрын

A groupie slept with a rock star, probably after a concert, and she believed him when he lied to get into her pants.

Whenever someone hears the carpenters superstar, I always think it’s best to immediately listen to the Sonic Youth cover. They lean into the darkness.

No autotune, just talent.

the song was first done by Delaney and Bonnie which they co wrote with Leon Russell. this is by far the most popular version.

She had such a fantastic and unique voice. Immediately recognizable! Karen brought to light the struggles with anorexia and other image problems. That 3 octave contralto voice was so beautiful and powerful. She was an accomplished drummer as well and performed on many of their songs. Her and her brother Richard's singing and arrangement was to be the ticket to stardom. She left us too early. RIP Karen. 😪

Her last recording "Now" will give goosebumps to your goosebumps!🎶❤

My brother found out about this band in the early days of the Internet. We were in shock about how great they were, and that we had never heard of them before!

I worked in a mom & pop drug store as a 13 year old as kid.....we had easy listening radio on all the time. Even I knew at that age that this was an incredible voice-- a voice for the ages.

Nobody even today can come close to that beautiful voice she had.

Beautiful voice, beautiful woman, beautiful song! Karen's voice is filled with so much feeling and emotion. It just penetrates to your heart and soul and grips you! Listen to how she sings just the one word ...LONELINESS! Tear jerker. She was the best. Superb drummer also! Her and Richard were a dynamic duo. RIP KAREN!

Written by Leon Russell, a great song and such a wonderful voice from Karen!

@wnsafford1854

Жыл бұрын

Leon co-wrote "Superstar." Writing credit on the original was just to Bonnie Bramlett & Leon Russell (released as a single, Dec. 1969 by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends). Delaney Bramlett later also gained writing credit & Rita Coolidge has since said she should have been credited too.

Such a perfect beautiful voice...RIP Karen

I think this song was originally called Groupie and written and performed by Bonnie and Delaney The carpenters changed the words a little to make the song more air friendly and less controversial

@johnkeenan759

Жыл бұрын

Delaney and Bonnie whatever lol

I believe that too. She sang the joy in her heart and absent in her life. She was tragically beautiful.

Paul McCartney, for one, said that she has "the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive." -Truth

Brad, That's exactly how I interpret this song. She fell in love with a singer on the radio. So many reactors don't get that interpretation.. I love watching two dig into a song. You both have very different approaches which makes you a good team.

Goosebumps every time

Just so miss growing up in those years listening to this music. A travel back in time, simple times they were.

I could listen to her everyday...

This is the first music I can ever remember hearing as a child growing up in the 1970s. My mom absolutely loved Karen Carpenter. My sisters and I would put the albums on and sing along. Great memories.

People overlook the fact that her brother, Richard Carpenter did the arrangements of the songs. That is what made them HIT songs. Plus, her voice of course.

Sings like an angel

I get lost in the richness of her voice Karen rocked in a soulful way

Great song sung by a great singer.

Karen had a wonderful voice, and she made it sound so effortless. Amazingly, she thought her real talent was as a drummer (she was good at that too). So sad that she was haunted by so many demons. And not forgetting brother Richard Carpenter, whose arrangements and keyboard work was integral to the songs. And excellent comments about the lack of intimacy in modern songs, Lex! "Yesterday Once More" next?

ahhh one of their best....The great Karen Carpenter's voice is soooooooo soothing.

One song of theirs thats been suggested, and rightly so, is Rainy Days and Mondays. If you do react to it, I HIGHLY suggest you get the video where she's on the drums. Seeing that buttery smooth voice come out of hef as she plays is something.

That's the voice of an Angel! My God!!. Also, don't forget that she was a decent drummer!

To think of the songs we were deprived of hearing over the decades because of her passing so soon. Her death brought about great public awareness of the seriousness of eating disorders and probably saved many lives because of this.

A perfect example to modern singers that less is more. Karen sings effortlessly, simply and beautifully.

One of the best female vocalist ever !

Lex knows. Music was more intimate & personal back in the 70s. I’m 60.

They performed at my older sisters high school in 1970. Mason City, Iowa.

Definitely need to listen to more Carpenters. Angelic voice with complex timings & arrangements. Her voice has incredible range, going high to low during just one word. 💖

I grew up in Downey, CA home of the Carpenters and Karen and Rochard Carpenter. Back in the 80's they were all the buzz when she died in 83 nor so. The Olympics was in 1984 so everyone was focused on that. There is still a building at my High School, Downey High School named ther Carpenters builing (old 1940's renovated building), It was under reno when I graduated but man that building was beasutifl, much like Karens voice.

Lex, you pretty much nailed it with your observation that the more technology available, the less intimate and unique songs are. There are beautiful songs today, but percentage-wise, they are paltry in number. The '70s were the best decade on the whole for songs reaching your soul.

She had the most beautiful voice and she was effortless in the way she sang !!! Gone way to soon !!!

The voice of an angel. Such a beautiful song. 💖

Such a beautiful voice and song. It’s a shame the way she died.

Beautiful song. Once in a generation voice. It's either a groupie obsessed with a famous singer who hooked up with her once, or a woman who fell in love with a singer she never met. The line "you told me you'd be coming back" makes me think the former, unless that's a line in one of his songs.

Besides having a beautiful voice Karen was an exceptional drummer. Considered by her peers at the time as one the best drummers of the time.

Karen had a beautiful voice. Great song! She was also a great drummer too.

Her voice is like honey.

Alright...Finally! I hope you will react to more of their songs: they have many. Sadly, Karen only lived to 32 years old. The other members of the band are all gone, except her brother, Richard. He actually still does music - and he's 76 right now.☕ Luther Vandross sang this same song in the late 80s or early 90s; the Carpenters sang it in 1971. Yes, it is about falling in love with a music artist - and what goes with that. 🙏 Also, I hope you will react to their song, "HELP!" at BBC Live in 1971 - she not only sings, but plays the drums... and well.

Angels in Heaven bow to this lady’s voice.

A talented woman. A great song.