That sadness you hear in the song isn't just the song, it also comes from her soul. She never received the love and life she wanted. She never had the husband and children she wanted. All she wanted was to be loved and accepted but instead she would be taken too soon from us from the effects of anorexia nervosa at 32 years of age. She might be the only female vocalist who can soothe your soul and break your heart at the same time. For me, Karen Carpenter was the greatest female vocalist of all time. She might be gone but her voice is, and always will be timeless. If there are angels and they sing, then they most likely sound like Karen Carpenter. RIP Angel.

@tonygallo2361

4 ай бұрын

well said ty

@terri2494

4 ай бұрын

“. . . soothe your soul and break your heart at the same time.” What a great way to describe Karen and her work. What a legacy but what a tragedy that we lost her so soon.

@roba6660able

4 ай бұрын

Well said ❤

@TheSentry66

4 ай бұрын

You encapsulate what makes Karen so endearing after all these years. Wonderment, beauty and sorrow.

@DMichaelAtLarge

4 ай бұрын

She's there directing that angel choir.

You just heard what I think is the best female voice in modern history. No auto-tune, no wailing all over the place, only exactly what was required for the song.

@Kimberlyannkent

3 ай бұрын

Agreed!

@danawinsor1380

3 ай бұрын

There is a magic to a beautiful voice like Karen Carpenter's. It feels wonderful to listen to her regardless of the mood or expression. Having said that, no one was more naturally expressive than she was.

@yambo59

3 ай бұрын

ABSOLUTLEY - her voice was liquid gold, and they all played so smoothly together

@bbwng54

3 ай бұрын

Far better than today's contemporary singers like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Christina Aquilera, etc.

@DonMachado

3 ай бұрын

I couldn't agree with you more! Karen is my favorite vocalist of all time.

Karen had the voice of an angel and was an excellent drummer.

@reneerocha1796

4 ай бұрын

Yes!!

@benstoller9218

4 ай бұрын

sadly anorexia took her life.

@MyName-nx1jj

2 ай бұрын

She IS an Angel.

Many will tell you this, she had perfect pitch and was known as "one take Karen". Her brother, Richard, was playing keyboards and singing backup. He also did all the arrangements for Karen. He definitely knew how to bring out the best in her.

@johnb.2518

4 ай бұрын

One take is a myth pushed by misinformed fans...

@deependz3231

4 ай бұрын

@@johnb.2518 Actually, that was mouthed by a studio producer in a interview that had worked with the Carpenters.

@beedeegee9374

4 ай бұрын

And she was a great drummer!

@normankennith7919

4 ай бұрын

I WAS A HEAVY METAL/ROCK DJ BUT I LOVED THE CARPENTERS!!

@skyhawk4946

4 ай бұрын

Remember, NO autotune or any other garbage. Just pure talent.

It can be so emotional at times to see and hear Karen, especially when you know her story. Karen and Richard started as a jazz trio with Karen playing drums and Richard on keyboards. She always considered herself as a drummer first that could sing. With her shyness, it took a while for her to step out from behind the drum kit. Richard, a genius as a songwriter, arranger, producer, and keyboard player that also helped to record in the studio. To say they were big throughout the 70's is a big understatement. Eventually, Karen would develop an eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, which would weaken her heart causing her death by heart failure. She had one of, if not the most beautiful natural voices ever recorded. No one will ever replace her.

@lindastewart4768

4 ай бұрын

i agree with you! i was devastated when she passed! (Yes, I'm THAT old!) the only voice of today they could even come close would be Carrie Underwood! she has the voice of an angel!!

@RCShadow

4 ай бұрын

Amen.

@firedoc5

4 ай бұрын

@@lindastewart4768 Me too. I actually went weak in my knees when I first heard of her passing.

@Musicmanrobert

4 ай бұрын

Yes I remember when she died. It was so sad and what a loss.

@bengilbert7655

4 ай бұрын

That was the first time I heard of anorexia.

Karen Carpenter had one of the best female voices of all time. So glad you finally got to the Carpenters. Try "Rainy Days and Mondays" next!

@iliketowatchvideos47

4 ай бұрын

THE best

The Carpenters never made a bad song. The tragedy of her early death was devastating to all their fans.

@RB01.10

3 ай бұрын

Sadly, wasn’t anorexia not as well known at that time ? I wasn’t around yet so I may be wrong

Superstar was written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett. This version of the song is by far the best. The timbre of her voice is one of the most unique in recording history and in my opinion, makes her one of the best singers of all times. Tragically, Karen succumb to anorexia nervosa and passed away at the age of 33. Their most famous song is “Close to You” written by Burt Bachrach and Hal David. 🕊❤️🎼

@thomastimlin1724

4 ай бұрын

Yes Bonnie was from the group Bonnie and Delaney.

@egk2584

4 ай бұрын

It's subjective but I would have guessed their most famous song is We've Only Just Begun. Karen was on the very short list of best female vocalists ever.

@snikkerr1949

4 ай бұрын

@@thomastimlin1724And was on Roseanne for a few episodes and sang...her show husband was David Crosby!

@RicoCosta317

4 ай бұрын

​@@egk2584Yeah there was here and then was everybody else 😂

@helokopter924

4 ай бұрын

32

Sadly, Karen died aged only 33 after battling anorexia. She had one of the best voices of all time

@davidstick9207

4 ай бұрын

So many people do not understand how many different faces addiction can possess. Part of her legacy...is through her death...society started realizing the complexity addiction can have. Sad. But her story saves people every day. I like to think of it as an organ donor.

@helokopter924

4 ай бұрын

32

@iliketowatchvideos47

4 ай бұрын

32❤

@dancapell6643

3 ай бұрын

If I remember correctly, if she had lived a day or two longer, she would have been 33😢 She had a very beautiful angelic voice, so sad, love her forever!

@powellpatterson4928

3 ай бұрын

If Karen Carpenter had Mama Cass's ham sandwich....they'd both still be here.

The look Sam had on her face when she realized what an incredible voice Karen had, is the same look I get on my face every time I hear her voice even though I’ve been hearing it for 50 years.

@iliketowatchvideos47

4 ай бұрын

Same❤❤

everybody remembers Karen's amazing voice, but can we just agree that her brother Richard wrote amazing arrangements and was a master of orchestration.

Karen was the greatest female vocalist that I ever heard. Great drummer, too!

@TimKlepac-xm7vk

4 ай бұрын

What do you think of Lucy Thomas? I would really like to know.

@joannedickie7863

4 ай бұрын

Judith Durham of the Seekers had an incredible voice & I would not like to choose one over the other. They were both so good.

@albundy8192

20 күн бұрын

@@TimKlepac-xm7vk never heard of lucy thomas.

I grew up in the seventies and the Carpenters was one of my favorite bands. In my opinion Karen had the most beautiful voices of any female singer. She showed you did not have be loud or do vocal runs to get the meaning and emotions of a song across. Her brother Richard was indeed the one responsible for the great arrangements of their music. Karen's story is a tragic one but in her short time with us the Carpenters gave us some beautiful music.

@MatthewPettyST1300

4 ай бұрын

With NO auto-tune. That was all her naturally talented voice !

To this day I cannot hear Karen Carpenter sing without crying. She is widely considered by many-including the likes of Paul McCartney-to be one of the best female vocalists to ever have her voice recorded. Many think of Karen as the BEST female voice ever recorded. She was also a gifted drummer. Karen had perfect pitch, and was known as “one-take Karen” She usually got a song perfectly the first time. Her untimely death at age 32 shook the music industry. Most had never heard about what anorexia nervosa is, until Karen died from heart failure cause by her years of self-starvation. When I think of the potential she had for the future, I cry. The day she was found dead, my mom called me. She tearfully told me Karen had died, and “how could the world go on without the voice of Karen Carpenter?” I cry. Every time.

@markw3598

2 ай бұрын

John Lennon thought her voice was "it"!! Frank Sinatra once said in an interview that Karen was the ONLY voice he would pay to go listen to!

@stree145

17 күн бұрын

absolutely karen had no equal

The best female pop singer ever. "Close to You" "For All We Know" "Yesterday Once More" "We've Only Just Begun" and about 15 more.

@DonMachado

3 ай бұрын

We've only just begun is my personal fave. And I used to have an account at Crocker Bank as well. 🙂

@proudmoon3

3 ай бұрын

"Rainy Days And Mondays" is also one of my faves!

Can I add to the comments that Karen’s live performances sound identical to her studio versions.

Karen is the greatest female vocalist, ever.

@TimKlepac-xm7vk

4 ай бұрын

I think Lucy Thomas can/could make it debatable if she would just cover one of Karens signature songs.

@jackarmstrong1838

4 ай бұрын

Linda Ronstadt and Ann Wilson would like a word

@NeptuneLady1957

3 ай бұрын

@@TimKlepac-xm7vkwho?

@andrewmcgee382

3 ай бұрын

They can have as many words as they like. They still can't match Karen.@@jackarmstrong1838

@paulinehannon4514

3 ай бұрын

Amy Winehouse, Etta James .

There are legends, then there are icons, then there are immortals. Karen is an immortal.

@angelarasmussen1800

2 ай бұрын

Her brother was the composing genius behind their success. I like your take.

No auto tune . Live or record her voice is perfect.

One thing to take notice of is her extraordinary phrasing & breath control. The Studio Album version was recorded on her first Take at a very young age of 20 in Feb 1971. Karen Carpenter remains on a plateau all her own as a singer.

@thomastimlin1724

4 ай бұрын

And vibrato!!

No gimmicks for this group, just beautiful music (and no autotune - Karen was really that good!) My personal favorite is This Masquerade

@wfj50

4 ай бұрын

This Masquerade is one of my favs also!

@loumorrow0903

4 ай бұрын

Also written by Leon Russell as well as Superstar.

@sandrarhodes42

4 ай бұрын

She also did "A Song for You" written and sung by Leon Russel

@iliketowatchvideos47

4 ай бұрын

Masquerade is one of my favourites also ,it's incredible

@altanava

4 ай бұрын

@@sandrarhodes42my second favorite, “Now” is the one for me

No Auto-Tune needed! Real talent!

Karen did this song in one take thus her nickname “One Take Karen”. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful. She sang well beyond her years. Was 21 years when she sang this. Her captivating voice is enough to make anyone totally melt. Never forget that Richard arranged and composed the Carpenters songs around Karen’s low register, effortless voice. Pure velvet! ❤

@candytoo3729

3 ай бұрын

Absolutely. Together the talent was prolific and Richard's arrangements changed music.

@corvettedm1

2 ай бұрын

Haunting, that’s it exactly!

Karen was perfection, the best female voice of her generation. Period. And played the drums in many of their pieces. So tragic...gone too soon. My wife and my wedding song was We've only just begun, by the Carpenters. Our 50th anniversary is in June .

Ted Nolan wrote in rolling stone magazine after hearing her live in concert..."out comes that unique voice, exactly as on record, chilling perfection with much warmth, youth with wisdom, a sorrow resolved in the telling". Her diction, phrasing, the melancholy in her voice was unmatched. One in a million.

@bonester50

4 ай бұрын

Great description to Karen's perfect VOICE. One note and you know it's Karen.

@kimberlyrice4294

3 ай бұрын

Brilliant!

Karen Carpenter: One of the best voices ever in history

Karen had the rarest of all voice types; she was a natural contralto. Hearing of her death was a lifetime before/after moment for me. I miss the music she never got to sing.

I have always described Karen's voice as hauntingly beautiful. I was strictly rock 'n roll growing up, except when The Carpenters came on the radio. There was something about Karen's voice that just reached into your soul and grabbed hold. This is a great rabbit hole to explore. Great reaction, guys. RIP Karen 💚

Karen Carpenter, possibly the greatest female vocalist . she left us to young

Forty years later, no women singer can hold a candle to Karen Carpenter. The sweetest voice of all time. Best female drummer in many peoples opinions including mine. The VOICE passes the heart to the soul. Amazing!! Sold more records (150,000,000 Million to this day and counting) than any american group in the 70's. Carpenters are legends and so is singer/drummer Karen Anne Carpenter. R.I.P. Drummergirl.

Karen Carpenter - The most hauntingly beautiful voice in all of pop music.

@kevincallahan5680

4 ай бұрын

I think she had the best female voice in pop music I think the best male voice ever was Freddie mercury both of these too voices were taken away from us much to early

@adam.4487

4 ай бұрын

Karen was also a great drummer. I think she started out as just a drummer. I have a multi disc set of just the Carpenters. Takes me back to my youthful days, many years ago.

@teresaburke1868

3 ай бұрын

Exactly❤ Haunting

Glad you guys are getting around to the Carpenters. They were disrespected in their time by many because of their "sweet" sound, but most of us realized them for the great talents they were. Richard did the arranging. It may surprise you that Karen was originally a drummer - and a damned good one! If you look around a little, you can find her behind the drums while also singing. But as good as she was as a drummer, she was elite as a singer. The way I describe her voice is that is like a nice, warm blanket then wraps around the listener. She has great power, but also tremendous control and her pitch is near perfect. The good news for you is that they have a long songbook, with at least 20 to 30 songs you'll enjoy hearing. For your next few, I suggest "We've only just begun", "Rainy Days and Mondays Always get me down", "Hurting Each Other", "A Song for You" and "Goodbye to Love". Tragically, Karen died in the early 80's of a then widely unknown disease - Anorexia. She was just 33 I believe.

@pauldourlet

4 ай бұрын

Saw Karen sing and drum in 1972 -blew my mind

Don't know anyone who didn't love the Carpenters. No matter what genre of music you preferred, you made time to listen to her.

@ernierivas5484

4 ай бұрын

Even Jimi Hendrix was amazed by her singing. John Lennon met Karen and gave her great praise. Karen was flabbergasted, and was somehow convinced he didn't really mean it.

Karen...The Goat!! A voice like no other. Richard's arrangements are legendary. Rainy Days and Mondays is my favorite song by them.

It's so pleasing to see another new generation discover the beauty of Karen's wonderful voice and the music of the Carpenters for the first time. 🎼🎶

You guy REALLY REALLY REALLY need to do "We Have Only Just Begun"

Those first three notes are probably the sweetest and most perfectly executed in recorded music. And she did it in ONE TAKE

Karen's voice is like silk and a warm blanket. You nailed it when you said "hauntingly beautiful". Her deep register is so beautiful. Definitely listen to some more Carpenters hits.

Karen had the best voice of all time!

@TimKlepac-xm7vk

4 ай бұрын

What do you think of Lucy Thomas? I would really like to know.

Great reaction guys you can recognize super-stat talent! Karen was barely 20 years old here. Her voice was AMAZING! Perfect pitch,strong vibrato,clear as a bell, she was known as one-take Karen. You guys forgot the horns here in this song. Unfortunately she suffered from an eating disorder because someone had called her fat She also was an awesome drummer. We lost her at only 33 years old.😢

@helokopter924

4 ай бұрын

32

@clydeb7713

4 ай бұрын

@@helokopter924 Technically 32 years and 11 months.

Karen had the most amazing voice. This, from their television show, it was always a live performance. There was never a difference with her tonal quality or exactness of notes between live and studio. My favorite female singer of all time. As a teenager in the 70s I was in love with her. Still miss you Karen.

You could not go to a wedding in the late 70's to 1990 without hearing at least 1 Carpenter's song. We had 2 songs at my wedding in 1984.👍

One of my favorite music acts in the 70s. I was 15 in 1970, and had such a crush on Karen. Her voice is like a warm blanket on a cool, cool night. Just want to wrap myself in it, close my eyes, and drift off. My favorite Carpenter songs are, "Yesterday Once More", "This Masquerade", "Close To You", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "A Song For You", and of course, their signature Christmas song, "Merry Christmas, Darling". Tragically, Karen died February 4, 1983 (age 32) from complications due to her many years of suffering from anorexia nervosa. I think she touched so many peoples' lives not just with her music, but the idea that one could die so young from (at that time) a condition most have never even heard of. With her death, awareness of the disease was increased and today people can understand and deal with the condition.

Karen Carpenter sang from a place of inner turmoil. Her voice was unrivaled and many have said she was one of if not the best female singers of all time. I totally agree. Her voice was angelic but sad at the same time. I'm 62 and I've heard this song hundreds of times and I never tire of it. They have many more great songs. I would suggest you do A Song For You. It was written by Leon Russell but was sung by many artists. I may be biased but I feel it is the best written song maybe of all time. Karen sang it like she wrote it. Sadly on February 4th 1983 she died from heart failure due to Anorexia Nervosa. She was only 32. On a side note you two look great together and your love for music comes across in your reaction. Thanks for reacting to this timeless classic. Bob Moore-Charlotte,NC. 2Cor4:18

@beedeegee9374

4 ай бұрын

I would add Solitaire and Masquerade, two of my favs.

Karen Carpenter was a joy, a treasure, and a beautiful soul. She was also an accomplished musician. She played several instruments but loved the drums. Other videos show her playing.

The best female voice ever!

One of the best female voices of all time.

Rainy Days and Mondays, Hurting Each Other, Make Believe It's Your First time. Only Yesterday, Close To You, We've Only Just Begun, A Song For You. Greatest female singing voice of my lifetime!❤

Karen was/is one of the best female vocalist of all time. Their hit We’ve only just began became the number one hit played at weddings. Sadly we lost her at 32 from Anorexia Nervosa.

Most of their hit songs were not written by Karen or Richard. But Richard had an ear for songs that would fit with his sister's voice. Richard knew his sister's voice was gold & he brilliantly crafted the arrangements that became hits.

Karen Carpenters voice is just so amazing is instantly recognizable and is so calming . What a great song and what a voice she had! And always will

Karens Voice is perfection!

Karen is the GOAT. Most amazingly great voice ever.

@iliketowatchvideos47

4 ай бұрын

She certainly is ❤

Karen's voice was the star but Richards arrangements made it all come together.

The Carpenters biggest hit song was "On Top of the World' On another note: In the early 1970's, Paul McCartney said that Karen Carpenter had “the best female voice in the world.” About the same time, John Lennon found himself in the same L.A. nightclub as Karen. Lennon made sure that he personally told her that he loved her singing.

There was never a better vocalist in the history of modern music !! Karen Carpenter the Great.

So much to say about the one voice that has captivated me for decades. Both Karen and Richard are spectacular!

Karen's breathing control was remarkable.

Oh, you youngins! Here's the next reactions you need to do: We've Only Just Begun; Rainy Days and Mondays; Good Bye to Love; Yesterday Once More; Solitaire; Touch Me When We're Dancing; and Kiss Me the Way You Did Last Night. In about 11 months, we'll suggest their Christmas stuff.

Karen always makes me feel what she is singing. Her voice, considered a, "gift from Heaven," was her true talent. She never wanted to sing. All she wanted to do was play the drums, but with her voice, she was forced to be the "Front Man" of the band. Her voiced has been studied, analyzed, and examined, for the last 50 years. She had "the voice of an angel," as singer-songwriter Paul Williams has described it. To me, there is no other voice that delivers on her scale.

My little sister was born in 1970. When she was two or three, we were walking down the street and she sang, " when I was young I would listen to the radio." And then she looked up at me and said you know what I like. Karen Carpenter! I was stunned!

She could sing everything to perfection. She was a great drummer as well. So sad she died to soon

Karen could convey feelings of happiness, playfulness, sadness and purity in her voice. Her brother put together exquisite arrangements that complimented her voice beautifully.

What a voice

One of the greatest vocalists of all time. And one of the best drummers too

Brother Richard was a brilliant pianist, composer and arranger.

The Carpenters catalog is filled with great songs and here are three more from them if you want to continue down the rabbit hole "Goodbye To Love" "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Day's And Monday's" !!!

You are so fortunate to have many more Carpenters songs to enjoy. Karen’s voice is unmatched.

Karen had one of the most beautiful voices ive ever heard. Unfortunately her life was tragic. May she rest in peace

The Carpenters are widely credited with the first ever power ballad - 'Goodbye To Love'. Check it out.

Her voice emerges from those nether regions dripping in velvet and honey like no other. Effortless mastery of a spectacular instrument. That's Karen Carpenter.

They did songs written by other people but Richard Carpenter wrote several as well. You need to jump down the rabbit hole to this group. They were the most popular group of the 70's. That is because they crossed boundaries of the time being liked by all the different types of musical diversity. Other songs to check out: Song For You, Ticket to Ride, This Masquerade, I Won't Last a Day Without You, It's Going to Take Some Time. Many more but these will give you a sense of their sound

Karen Carpenter is simply the greatest female vocalist of all time (the opinion of many!). I thought so back in the 70's when I was buying their records, and that sentiment has not changed in the 50 years since..... She left us way too soon. 😥

Her voice combined with Richard's tight but lush arrangements are like smooth velvet to the ears.

After you get to know a little more about Karen and Richard, there's a video of Karen singing a medley of songs with Ella Fitzgerald. At the time it honestly felt like we were watching Miss Ella passing the torch to Karen, as Miss Ella was in the sunset of her life. I still get that feeling, everytime I watch it. Ironically, Karen would pass away shortly after that special aired, and Miss Ella lived another 15 years, or so.

Their song "Rainy Days and Mondays", show Karen playing the drums while singing. I love their songs : Hurting Each Other, Baby Its You & Won't Last A Day Without You.

Many consider Karen to have the most beautiful voice, but a lot of her songs are haunting. Velvet dipped in butter is what I think.

Check out her drumming as well. You can find some videos where she’s on the drums.

They were huge in the 70s. Karen is said to have one of the greatest female voices of all time. John Lennon passed her going into a restaurant one time, and gave her a huge compliment. Her brother Richard played keyboard and did all the music arranging. Karen passed away at the young age of 32 in February 1983. Richard recently added orchestra music into their old recordings. I loved this group back in the day. I’ve always liked a variety of music genres.

She has such a beautiful voice, love all the Carpenters music. We lost Karen in 1983.

She was a teen Drummer for the Band (to help them out) later when a Record Exec. was told to check them out, he was about to pass on them for the label, but said, what about her can she sing? Well, she sang and dude was like SIGN HERE (LOL)

Richard Carpender was a master music arranger.

Running errands with my mom in the car with the radio on. This is how I fell in love with them. Lots of little kids like me loved her voice. They were everywhere back in the 70s. Hearts broke when we learned of her death. What helped bring on her passing became something people began to see in their own family and friends. God rest her beautiful soul. I can't imagine the loss her brother felt.

Karen Carpenter was one of the best Vocalist in Music history. No question or debate. And you could see in every performance. She sang from her Soul. Thanks for the reaction.

@scottyh8494

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely.

Led by inimitable singer Karen Carpenter, the group placed 15 singles atop Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and notched 12 top 10 hits on the Hot 100, including the chart-toppers "Top of the World," "Please Mr. Postman," and "(They Long to Be) Close To You.

The Carpenters were a major part of my childhood,sadly she died from health complications from anorexia in 1983.

Great song by the best female ever to sing a note.

Richard was a brilliant musical guy. He pretty much invested the modern overdub. Most if not all of the harmonies in their songs are both of them just overdubbed and layered many times. They made their records in the great Herb Albert's record company called A&M records.

In 1975 I was 6 years old alone in our farm I secretly played with my brothers record player and tossed a small vynil record with one single only each side and it was The Carpenters song Only Yesterday..and Sing(sing a song)!... alone in the farm I played those songs for hours. Karen Carpenter reigned with her unique voice..every song released was a hit..Now when I feel blue or stressed I sing the song SING in my mind and the blue goes away instantly...loved your reaction ..much love and peace to you.

@kathybwell

4 ай бұрын

Loved Sing A Song too!

@kathybwell

4 ай бұрын

Loved Sing A Song too!

@kathybwell

4 ай бұрын

Loved Sing A Song too!

@kathybwell

4 ай бұрын

Loved Sing A Song too!

@massakastuono7870

4 ай бұрын

@@kathybwell,it makes you walk outside, look at sky and start singing too..

Glad your introduced to the fantastic Karen Carpenter the greatest female voice in history

Rainy Days and Mondays next! She had such a great voice. She could do this in one take. Amazing talent.

Her voice lives forever even though she left us too soon

Try Rainy Days and Mondays next. It shows Karen’s drumming as well as her spectacular voice.

This was actually a cover originally done by Delaney and Bonnie , written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett. It was originally titled "Groupie " from an idea suggested by Rita Coolidge about female groupies following rock stars in the 60's.

One of the best voices ever

Most of us old rock n rollers had a soft spot in our heart for Karen, she had the pipes of an angel but sadly a tragic life.....rainy days and Mondays is a must listen

Another great Leon Russell Song, and Richard Carpenter arrangement. Brother sister act. Over 100 million records sold in the 1970's worldwide. several Grammys. Tragic loss of Karen Carpenter in 1983 just weeks away from her 33 birthday. They were the royalty of good music, soft precious sounds of the 1970's in a sea of loud rock music and ug!! disco... almost everyone appreciated or liked what they did. Beautiful voice, great lady drummer, [rare in her day in a national spotlight]. She was the princess and heartwarming voice of the 1970's. Karen and Richard did all their own back up vocals in harmony in the studio. Their band had to replicate it with them onstage and did really good. The oboe was a trademark sound for them, as was the saxophone. Karen was like the girl next door who sing the telephone book and make it beautiful. Many pro drummers including the great Buddy Rich of jazz fame were impressed with her on drums...said in so many words she was a pro, a bad ass...in jazz...both Carpenters were geniuses in their own way. You'd have to be able to cut through with a soft sound against all odds against stadium rock bands and repetitive commercial pop music. Pure musical intellect and talent. Anyone who cannot tolerate Karen singing has their head square up their own tone deaf orifice.

I have to bawl every time I see and hear one of these videos and think "What could of been?"

If I recall correctly, the original title of this song was Groupie; it lends insight into the song's meaning. Many reactors do miss this meaning. The Carpenters were my very first outdoor concert at the Minnesota State Fair, in 1971; I was nine years of age and was hooked from then on. ...Excellent job reacting, thanks!

This was the first voice I ever fell in love with. RIP