The GOAT!! She had perfect pitch and that unbelievable conta alto voice. John Lennon said she had the best voice he had ever heard. She thought he was kidding. He wasn't. RIP Karen.❤❤❤
Liked your nice heartfelt reaction. Karen's singing always seemed to pull at my heartstrings. Often left me with goosebumps and a tear in my eye. To see the flip side of this, pull up and watch some of her drum solos and see how happy she was behind a kit. Big smile and full of joy, and was a superb drummer! Richard and Karen were both very talented. Please delve deeper into Carpenters collection. You'll be glad you did. Holidays are coming up and they have some great Christmas music also.
Karen was a very accomplished drummer, and that is what she loved. She did not want to be upfront as a lead singer. Her brother Richard had to convince her that she had to emphasize her beautiful voice for them to be successful, but she was always happiest behind the drum kit, and you can tell when you watch videos where she is drumming and singing. He is a master at arranging music and vocals. On record, they layer their own background vocals. There is a great video of her doing an epic drumming session from one of their TV specials on RUclips. They have so many incredible songs you can't really miss, but "Superstar" is a standout, as is "Goodbye to Love", "For All We Know", a more upbeat song, "Top of the World", "Close To You" "We've Only Just Begun"...all classics that you will still hear at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.
To see Karen playing the drums too is amazing. She really did have a unique voice & very special. Ofcourse they were all brilliant, yet sorry she died so young
No argument. Karen Carpenter is one of greatest vocalists, female or male of all time. The purity, clarity, range, and breath control in her vocals and her interpretation of lyrics are on another level. Richard Carpenter was a genius as an arranger and musician. The Carpenters' impressive body of work stands the test of time.
There is a reactor named "Wings of Pegasus" who just did a pitch analysis of Karen's voice on his channel. He uses pitch analysis software and he took a song of hers that she performed live, three years apart and looked at her pitch on a side-by-side screen - amazing! If you want to see natural pitch control, check out his reaction with that analysis!
@billboyd9028 Yes! I just watched that! And it was fantastic! I was 10 yrs old when "Close To You" came out. I saw them in concert in 1973, then was blessed to meet and hang out for about an hour or so three different times with Richard & his wife, Mary with my tour group. He's such a sweetheart. Very nice, very kind, and has plenty of wonderful stories to share about Karen & when they were on the road together. The last time I saw him and his wife was at the 55th Celebration in Downey, CA this last April. I love the Carpenters, Richard and Mary are very kind, and Karen? I can only imagine. She's my idol throughout my life. I still get chills when I hear her singing voice. I so loved Fil's reaction to Karen's pitch. Just amazing! She's, wow!!! The best!!!
RC was a fine composer and pianist, but a real genius at arranging and song selection...many Carpenters hits were covers, in many cases covers that became far more celebrated than the original recordings of the same songs.
Karen Carpenter has one of the all time greatest voices. It’s completely effortless. I really love her lower register as well. So many people can do the high notes but the lower register she has is incredible. Singing and drumming simultaneously as well. I’d recommend ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ and ‘For All We Know.’
- "WOW! What a voice!" - Yup, just 'bout sums it up :) - Karen was special; one of a kind. - And, brother Richard was phenomenal - especially as an arranger (responsible for the 'Carpenter' "sound"). - Enjoy more :) ...
What a voice and an amazing drummer, too! The late, great drummer Buddy Rich once said she was the greatest female drummer. She was happiest when she was drumming, and I think when she was coerced to come away from the drums and stand up front, she felt something was missing. To see her at what looks like her happiest, please check out "Karen Carpenter drum solo 1976 First Television Special." It's on RUclips. Video quality isn't great, but you can see her brilliant smile.
Thanks for another great review. For me, one of their greatest songs was not their most popular, but it was the last song Karen recorded, called “Now”. I’d love to get your reaction. Thanks. 😊
Carpenters are awesome, despite a short career. Karen Carpenter, one of the best female voices ever, so special and unique. And she's also a drummer. I love all their songs but, "Close to you", is so sweet, beautiful and special, that I have a couple of very good friends, that after being grandparent only of girls, finally the prince arrived last August, and I send a message of congratulations and send a link to close to you by carpenters, dedicated to the newborn boy. Kiss. Ana
She was an angel. Shared her love and pain. Had no idea what she meant to so many people. My daughter got a steady diet of Karen and Richard from an early age. She listens to this day. And I too. Devotion. Because they earned it
Karen Carpenter! My favorite female voice of all time. No auto tune with her! Her voice was like velvet! I was a teenager riding in a car and listening to the radio n taking to a friend the first time I heard her voice. I just stopped the conversation and said “Who Is That?” Her voice is so distinctive and hauntingly soft and soothing!
@@SaeedReacts. You might like this recent RUclips video that scientifically analyzed Karen's vocals and shows how pitch perfect her voice was compared to all he has analyzed. If a human could have autotune, she comes close to it . ruclips.net/video/qRIobV7CRks/видео.html
Carpenters were a hit machine in the 70's with Richard's arrangements and productions and younger sister Karen on drums and her hauntingly beautiful voice. Karen was a world-class drummer, check out one of her drum solos on YT. Any song from the carpenters is beautiful, but here are a few to start with. Superstar This Masquerade Goodbye to love A song for you (Audio version) the video was from a TV appearance and cuts out a good portion of the song. Close to you
The Carpenters has quite a big catalogue of great songs, perhaps "Close to You" is most used in TV and films, including literally in "There's Something About Mary", "The Simpsons" and covered by Lady Gaga in "Joker: Folie à Deux". Other great songs include "We've Only Just Begun", "Superstar", "Hurting Each Other", "Goodbye to Love", "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", "I Won't Last a Day Without You", "Only Yesterday", "I Need to Be In Love", "Love Me For What I Am".
thanks for posting this song i grew up listening to the carpenters when i had paper route in the 70's i bought their records from my paper route their movie about the carpenters that Richard produced sorry i don't have money to donate but her last song she recorded called NOW
Another great request but this one I play frequently along with my all time favorite Carpenters song "Goodbye to love"" I realize nobody would agree but the guitar solo makes it my favorite!!
Karen Carpenter was my all time favorite vocalist for fifty years -- FIFTY YEARS! -- until Lucy Thomas came along and displaced her, but only by a tiny bit. Next song you should react to is Close to You. That was her biggest hit and you'll hear why!
Yes, and we in our 60s grew up with these artists. They were all over the radio and we took them for granted, didn't realize we were living in the Golden age of popular music. We do now.
Karen had one of the all time great singing voices! This was my favorite song by them. Though I wasn't a fan of theirs I have long since come around. Thanks for the reaction.
OKAY, HERE YA GO MY FRIEND! 😊THEIR 1ST 2 BIG HITS SAEED WERE: WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN & CLOSE TO YOU💯SOME MORE TRACKS AND THESE WEREN'T THEIR'S BUT THEY POPULATED THE SONGS : SUPERSTAR, THIS MASQUERADE, A SONG FOR FOR YOU, AND THEN SOME GREAT CARPENTERS SONGS : SOLITAIRE, I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU, HURTING EACH OTHER, TOP OF THE WORLD, YESTERDAY ONCE MORE👍A FEW MORE THINGS SAEED, ONE OF THE VERY 1ST ROCK BALLADS WAS A SONG CALLED : GOODBYE TO LOVE, GO FIGURE HUH? 😮AND THE VERYYYYY 1ST SONG THEY DID WAS A BEATLES SONG : TICKET TO RIDE, KAREN AND HER BROTHER RICHARD HAS SAID THAT THE 4 INSPIRATIONS FOR THEM WERE THE 4 B'S ( THE BEATLES, BOB DYLAN, THE BEACH BOYS & BURT BACHARACH ) PRETTY COOL HUH? 😊ANYWAY THERE YA GO, KAREN WAS TREATED HORRIFIC AND JUST HORRIBLE BY THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND WE WOUND UP LOSING HER BACK IN ( 83 ) SHE WAS JUST 32 ☹R.I.P ANGEL! GODSPEED SAEED, THANKS!
It's really interesting hearing your perspective on the songs I grew up on. I was born in 1960. You say it's surreal and mind blowing listening to all this great talent in a condensed way, so fast. Well, I think it was meant to be overwhelming sometimes...Keep it up Saeed!!!
Karen's voice feels like a warm hug, i love it, all the pitch correction and autotune available today can't replicate such soulfulness. She left way too soon, she didn't get to live in a world where she's retroactively getting so much love on the internet, her legacy is forever.
In any conversations had about most distinctive voices- Karen Carpenter is always mentioned. Poured out of her like pure silk. Her presence is sorely missed.
Saeed, thank you for reacting to the legendary Carpenters. Karen Carpenter is one of greatest vocalists, female or male of all time. The clarity, range, and technical perfection in her vocals are extraordinary. Her interpretation of lyrics is captivating. Richard Carpenter was a genius as an arranger and musician. The Carpenters' exceptional body of work is timeless.
Yes, as Richard has often pointed out, it's Carpenters, not The Carpenters... I'm just a bit of a fan. You want suggestions, Saeed, you got 'em... Eve Someday Solitaire Goodbye To Love Nowhere Man Crescent Noon Another Song I Can Dream Can't I Goodbye And I Love You The Uninvited Guest If I Had You This Masquerade A Song For You When I Fall In Love Little Girl Blue I Have You Mr Guder I Need To Be In Love Now And from Richard's solo work after Karen passed: Something In Your Eyes Calling Your Name Again When Time Was All We Had Carpenters music is of course a real rabbit hole, but if you're going to fall in, you'll like what you hear on the way down...
For those who haven't heard of her, there is a young singer named Tori Holub who sounds so much like Karen it is just freaky. She does other songs, but mostly she has posted Carpenters covers. Full length videos of Close To You and We've Only Just Begun are on YT. It's hysterical watching some people do reactions and after the opening notes, their eyes get wide and their jaws drop. Showed it to my brother in law and, within seconds, he said "What?"
Karen’s gorgeous voice is so emotional and unique. Extraordinary voice and her drumming skills along with Richard’s compositions and musical talent….they were amazing. Karen’s voice is dark and rich and evokes emotion. The emotion is deep inside of her. Richards arrangements were glorious. Karen and Richard did a benefit concert for Vietnam Vets at Walter Reed Hospital of Burt Bacharach songs. ❤❤
I am in my mid 60's. I think about how we listened to music when I was younger on the radio, tv shows, cassettes, records and then CDs. There was no internet or social media for half of my life to learn about music from other people, the way you and many reactors are doing these days. I do understand how overwhelming it must be for someone as young as yourself to realize how much there is that you have never heard of before, or discovered. Enjoy the journey!
Hi, Saeed😊. These siblings were very much loved, as you can see by the other comments here. All these comments are very accurate. Karen never wanted to come away from the drums. She considered herself a drummer who just happened to sing. Her Anorexia was brought on by a newspaper article when they were first becoming popular. The statement was something like" Richard and his chubby little sister," which devastated Karen, who was young when they started out. It also didn't help that Richard got more attention from their parents when they were growing up. Richard had his demons, too. Karen was starting to get control over the illness, but her heart was already damaged too much. She was only 32, I believe, when she passed. There will never be another Karen. She was very special with a voice that wasxsmooth as velvet. Thank you for your sincere and very heartfelt reaction. BY THE WAY (just catching your attention there😊) there is a movie out called "The Karen Carpenter Story" I think it was here on RUclips, or it used to be. It gives you an in-depth look into both of them and their music as well as their demons. And yes there is a video of her on the drums on one of their specials, both are worth watching. Much love to you and your family ❤️ 🫂
Speaking of rainy days…Gordon Lightfoot has a song called “Rainy Day People” that I know you’d appreciate. Love Karen, truly a once-in-a-lifetime voice. Great reaction!
I first discovered Karen and 1972 I had a pocket radio and I heard the song Superstar she has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard I'm 64 years old and I still love her
I know where I was when Kennedy died, when men first walked on the moon, and when I heard on my car radio that this beautiful soul had died. I literally had to pull my car over and cry in downtown Augusta, Georgia. It was a very bad day for so many.
Paul Williams wrote this song. He wrote other songs for this band. Her voice, his song-writing. Like Baccacarach and Warwich. Musical marriages made in heaven.
FINALLLYYYYY REALLLYYY SAEED???😊LIKE I'VE SAID TO YOU, IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN JONI OR KAREN WHEN IT COMES TO VOCALS AND TALENT!!!💯ENJOY MAN AND MANY BLESSINGS!👍
Her voice is iconic. People in the music industry revere her and the Carpenters sound stands the test of time. You have to listen to the song “Close to You” next. 👍
Can I suggest 'Calling occupants of interplanetary craft' (studio version) or 'Hurting each other' (studio version). The reason I ask for the studio versions is that live versions are often shortened musically to fit tv shows etc. Actually, anything you listen to by The Carpenters will be good.
I remember hearing Close To You back when it first came out, and was absolutely blown away by her voice. Just beautiful 32 is just way too young to die 😢😢
I stand to be corrected, but to the best of my knowledge, while many people refer to them as "The Carpenters" the official name of the band is and always was, simply "Carpenters".
I am so looking forward to this, Saeed. I apologize I haven't been on as much, life is busy. I already know how much you're going to love this song. It's on of my favorites and Karen's voice is one of THE BEST ever! Have a wonderful weekend, David : )
Here are more songs from Carpenters for you: - Yesterday Once More - Superstar - Goodbye to love - We’ve only just begun - Sing - Close to You - Top of the World - Solitaire Enjoy! 😊
If you have not already, you need to hear their optimistic "We've Only Just Begun."
This woman had such an emotional voice. What a great sound.
One of the most beautiful, distinctive voices of all time.
Let's talk about how that is her voice. No fancy recording trick or software. Voice of an angel, we lost way too soon.
Greatest female singer of my lifetime!
Greatest female "pop" vocalist and drummer to ever walk on the face of the planet.
She was called One take Karren. She ould walk into the studio and sing and wrap a song in one take. purfect pitch
The GOAT!! She had perfect pitch and that unbelievable conta alto voice. John Lennon said she had the best voice he had ever heard. She thought he was kidding. He wasn't. RIP Karen.❤❤❤
I thought John Lennon's favorite was Yoko. O no I forgot, she had to sing inside a bag😂
Liked your nice heartfelt reaction. Karen's singing always seemed to pull at my heartstrings. Often left me with goosebumps and a tear in my eye. To see the flip side of this, pull up and watch some of her drum solos and see how happy she was behind a kit. Big smile and full of joy, and was a superb drummer! Richard and Karen were both very talented. Please delve deeper into Carpenters collection. You'll be glad you did. Holidays are coming up and they have some great Christmas music also.
Karen was a very accomplished drummer, and that is what she loved. She did not want to be upfront as a lead singer. Her brother Richard had to convince her that she had to emphasize her beautiful voice for them to be successful, but she was always happiest behind the drum kit, and you can tell when you watch videos where she is drumming and singing. He is a master at arranging music and vocals. On record, they layer their own background vocals. There is a great video of her doing an epic drumming session from one of their TV specials on RUclips. They have so many incredible songs you can't really miss, but "Superstar" is a standout, as is "Goodbye to Love", "For All We Know", a more upbeat song, "Top of the World", "Close To You" "We've Only Just Begun"...all classics that you will still hear at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.
Karen's beautiful contralto voice always hits like a warm hug. The richness and warmth are amazing! I hope you'll react to more of their music.
To see Karen playing the drums too is amazing. She really did have a unique voice & very special. Ofcourse they were all brilliant, yet sorry she died so young
Arguably one of the finest female voices of all time. Superstar (live), or any of their performances are well worth the listen.
No argument. Karen Carpenter is one of greatest vocalists, female or male of all time. The purity, clarity, range, and breath control in her vocals and her interpretation of lyrics are on another level. Richard Carpenter was a genius as an arranger and musician. The Carpenters' impressive body of work stands the test of time.
The Carpenters: "Close to You", "We've Only Just Begun", "Top of the World", "Sing", "Super Star"
There is a reactor named "Wings of Pegasus" who just did a pitch analysis of Karen's voice on his channel. He uses pitch analysis software and he took a song of hers that she performed live, three years apart and looked at her pitch on a side-by-side screen - amazing! If you want to see natural pitch control, check out his reaction with that analysis!
@billboyd9028 Yes! I just watched that! And it was fantastic! I was 10 yrs old when "Close To You" came out. I saw them in concert in 1973, then was blessed to meet and hang out for about an hour or so three different times with Richard & his wife, Mary with my tour group. He's such a sweetheart. Very nice, very kind, and has plenty of wonderful stories to share about Karen & when they were on the road together. The last time I saw him and his wife was at the 55th Celebration in Downey, CA this last April. I love the Carpenters, Richard and Mary are very kind, and Karen? I can only imagine. She's my idol throughout my life. I still get chills when I hear her singing voice. I so loved Fil's reaction to Karen's pitch. Just amazing! She's, wow!!! The best!!!
@@billboyd9028 I saw this too. She really is pitch perfect. No wonder she was referred to as one-take Karen. 😊
I watched Fil's analysis of Karen's voice. It was really interesting.
I can't even express how huge this song was on the radio. I loved it so much. It brings me right back to that time and place in my young life.
Thank you Saeed, for your sincerity, and openness. I grew up with this great music, when it was brand new. Loved it then, as a kid, and still do. 😊
The subtle way Richard incorporates harmonicas and oboes is outstanding.
RC was a fine composer and pianist, but a real genius at arranging and song selection...many Carpenters hits were covers, in many cases covers that became far more celebrated than the original recordings of the same songs.
@@stevetournay6103 Exactly, pretty much every song they covered. They owned it!
She used to call herself a drummer who sang.
Karen Carpenter has one of the all time greatest voices. It’s completely effortless. I really love her lower register as well. So many people can do the high notes but the lower register she has is incredible. Singing and drumming simultaneously as well. I’d recommend ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ and ‘For All We Know.’
- "WOW! What a voice!"
- Yup, just 'bout sums it up :)
- Karen was special; one of a kind.
- And, brother Richard was phenomenal - especially as an arranger (responsible for the 'Carpenter' "sound").
- Enjoy more :) ...
She had a voice that could make a grown man cry!
Every time I hear her Friend
What a voice and an amazing drummer, too! The late, great drummer Buddy Rich once said she was the greatest female drummer. She was happiest when she was drumming, and I think when she was coerced to come away from the drums and stand up front, she felt something was missing. To see her at what looks like her happiest, please check out "Karen Carpenter drum solo 1976 First Television Special." It's on RUclips. Video quality isn't great, but you can see her brilliant smile.
Thanks for another great review. For me, one of their greatest songs was not their most popular, but it was the last song Karen recorded, called “Now”. I’d love to get your reaction. Thanks. 😊
Definitely want to explore more of their music. Thanks for watching and the recommendation.
Their song Hurting Each Other is a really good one. It's still very timely in this day and age.
Karen Carpenter could just recite the Icelandic dictionary under water and still sound amazing. Best female vocalist in pop ever.
Reciting the Icelandic dictionary under water sounds like something Bjork might actually do...😁
Carpenters are awesome, despite a short career. Karen Carpenter, one of the best female voices ever, so special and unique. And she's also a drummer. I love all their songs but, "Close to you", is so sweet, beautiful and special, that I have a couple of very good friends, that after being grandparent only of girls, finally the prince arrived last August, and I send a message of congratulations and send a link to close to you by carpenters, dedicated to the newborn boy. Kiss. Ana
Amazing voice! Thanks for watching and the recommendation. Much love from Belgium.
Yes ... Saeed .... yes, yes, yes, yes ... and more yes !! There is nothing like Karen's voice.. nothing. Thank you for this one. 🤍
What a voice! Thanks so much for watching.
She was an angel. Shared her love and pain. Had no idea what she meant to so many people. My daughter got a steady diet of Karen and Richard from an early age. She listens to this day. And I too. Devotion. Because they earned it
Karen Carpenter! My favorite female voice of all time. No auto tune with her! Her voice was like velvet! I was a teenager riding in a car and listening to the radio n taking to a friend the first time I heard her voice. I just stopped the conversation and said “Who Is That?” Her voice is so distinctive and hauntingly soft and soothing!
Now you've heard the voice of perfection! Karen's voice is so rich, dynamic and pitch perfect. The Eagles and the Band also have drummers who sing.
Incredible voice!
@@SaeedReacts.this is a good rabbit hole to jump in !
Phil Collins was a drummer who sang. Frankie Valli has a drummer who sings, Grand Funk Railroad, Ringo Starr, even Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees!
@@SaeedReacts. You might like this recent RUclips video that scientifically analyzed Karen's vocals and shows how pitch perfect her voice was compared to all he has analyzed. If a human could have autotune, she comes close to it . ruclips.net/video/qRIobV7CRks/видео.html
My bucket list wish for you is to react to the live version of The Carpenters, "Goodbye to Love."
Carpenters were a hit machine in the 70's with Richard's arrangements and productions and younger sister Karen on drums and her hauntingly beautiful voice. Karen was a world-class drummer, check out one of her drum solos on YT. Any song from the carpenters is beautiful, but here are a few to start with.
Superstar
This Masquerade
Goodbye to love
A song for you (Audio version) the video was from a TV appearance and cuts out a good portion of the song.
Close to you
The Carpenters had so many hits you really need to go down this rabbit hole you really won't be disappointed!
The Carpenters has quite a big catalogue of great songs, perhaps "Close to You" is most used in TV and films, including literally in "There's Something About Mary", "The Simpsons" and covered by Lady Gaga in "Joker: Folie à Deux". Other great songs include "We've Only Just Begun", "Superstar", "Hurting Each Other", "Goodbye to Love", "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", "I Won't Last a Day Without You", "Only Yesterday", "I Need to Be In Love", "Love Me For What I Am".
Karen was only 21 here - that voice of hers was mature beyond her years.
thanks for posting this song i grew up listening to the carpenters when i had paper route in the 70's i bought their records from my paper route their movie about the carpenters that Richard produced sorry i don't have money to donate but her last song she recorded called NOW
I bought ELO records with my paper route money. Every day, in the rain, in the snow, delivering the daily news.
Another great request but this one I play frequently along with my all time favorite Carpenters song "Goodbye to love"" I realize nobody would agree but the guitar solo makes it my favorite!!
Will add that song to my list. Thanks!
Nobody had better pitch control than Karen.
Paul Williams wrote this song and the line "What I've got they used to call the blues" was genius.
I loved this song so much! 🙂I still quote it. LOL My other favorite was "Superstar". Karen Carpenter left way too soon. R.I.P.
Hi tim...I had been waiting to see if anyone had suggested them, but I just couldn't wait any longer😊.
Karen Carpenter was my all time favorite vocalist for fifty years -- FIFTY YEARS! -- until Lucy Thomas came along and displaced her, but only by a tiny bit. Next song you should react to is Close to You. That was her biggest hit and you'll hear why!
Yes, and we in our 60s grew up with these artists. They were all over the radio and we took them for granted, didn't realize we were living in the Golden age of popular music. We do now.
Thank you for reacting to this. Karen Carpenter was my favorite singer when I was 5, and their music hits the airwaves.
Karen had one of the all time great singing voices! This was my favorite song by them. Though I wasn't a fan of theirs I have long since come around. Thanks for the reaction.
Karen was a fantastic drummer with some serious chops - not a bad singer either.
Richard is a great piano player and composer
My favorite from her is "A Song For You." She was a beautiful soul with such an amazing voice. But no one could save her. 😢
Karen had a great voice and she was a great drummer too!
1 in a lifetime voice. I think you described it well.
- Karen: a drum who happens to sing (HER characterization).
- Seek out vids on her drumming... also phenomenal! :)
OKAY, HERE YA GO MY FRIEND! 😊THEIR 1ST 2 BIG HITS SAEED WERE: WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN & CLOSE TO YOU💯SOME MORE TRACKS AND THESE WEREN'T THEIR'S BUT THEY POPULATED THE SONGS : SUPERSTAR, THIS MASQUERADE, A SONG FOR FOR YOU, AND THEN SOME GREAT CARPENTERS SONGS : SOLITAIRE, I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU, HURTING EACH OTHER, TOP OF THE WORLD, YESTERDAY ONCE MORE👍A FEW MORE THINGS SAEED, ONE OF THE VERY 1ST ROCK BALLADS WAS A SONG CALLED : GOODBYE TO LOVE, GO FIGURE HUH? 😮AND THE VERYYYYY 1ST SONG THEY DID WAS A BEATLES SONG : TICKET TO RIDE, KAREN AND HER BROTHER RICHARD HAS SAID THAT THE 4 INSPIRATIONS FOR THEM WERE THE 4 B'S ( THE BEATLES, BOB DYLAN, THE BEACH BOYS & BURT BACHARACH ) PRETTY COOL HUH? 😊ANYWAY THERE YA GO, KAREN WAS TREATED HORRIFIC AND JUST HORRIBLE BY THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND WE WOUND UP LOSING HER BACK IN ( 83 ) SHE WAS JUST 32 ☹R.I.P ANGEL! GODSPEED SAEED, THANKS!
Karen’s talent was truly a gift from god. This was my mother’s favorite song.
Not to mention she’s also playing the drums!
Such a beautiful, golden voice, so sad that she was taken so young.
Wonderful reaction, Saeed and very well said!! 👍👍👏👏🎉🎉
I am 77 yrs and oh
It's really interesting hearing your perspective on the songs I grew up on. I was born in 1960. You say it's surreal and mind blowing listening to all this great talent in a condensed way, so fast. Well, I think it was meant to be overwhelming sometimes...Keep it up Saeed!!!
1960 here, too!
It was great growing up in the 1970’s with music like this.
Karen's voice feels like a warm hug, i love it, all the pitch correction and autotune available today can't replicate such soulfulness. She left way too soon, she didn't get to live in a world where she's retroactively getting so much love on the internet, her legacy is forever.
In any conversations had about most distinctive voices- Karen Carpenter is always mentioned. Poured out of her like pure silk. Her presence is sorely missed.
Saeed, thank you for reacting to the legendary Carpenters. Karen Carpenter is one of greatest vocalists, female or male of all time. The clarity, range, and technical perfection in her vocals are extraordinary. Her interpretation of lyrics is captivating. Richard Carpenter was a genius as an arranger and musician. The Carpenters' exceptional body of work is timeless.
Yes, as Richard has often pointed out, it's Carpenters, not The Carpenters...
I'm just a bit of a fan. You want suggestions, Saeed, you got 'em...
Eve
Someday
Solitaire
Goodbye To Love
Nowhere Man
Crescent Noon
Another Song
I Can Dream Can't I
Goodbye And I Love You
The Uninvited Guest
If I Had You
This Masquerade
A Song For You
When I Fall In Love
Little Girl Blue
I Have You
Mr Guder
I Need To Be In Love
Now
And from Richard's solo work after Karen passed:
Something In Your Eyes
Calling Your Name Again
When Time Was All We Had
Carpenters music is of course a real rabbit hole, but if you're going to fall in, you'll like what you hear on the way down...
Thanks for the info and recommendations! Much appreciated.
Richard’s brilliance with the harmonies and orchestrations often get overlooked, but it’s one of the first things you commented on :-)
For those who haven't heard of her, there is a young singer named Tori Holub who sounds so much like Karen it is just freaky. She does other songs, but mostly she has posted Carpenters covers. Full length videos of Close To You and We've Only Just Begun are on YT. It's hysterical watching some people do reactions and after the opening notes, their eyes get wide and their jaws drop. Showed it to my brother in law and, within seconds, he said "What?"
Karen’s gorgeous voice is so emotional and unique. Extraordinary voice and her drumming skills along with Richard’s compositions and musical talent….they were amazing.
Karen’s voice is dark and rich and evokes emotion. The emotion is deep inside of her.
Richards arrangements were glorious.
Karen and Richard did a benefit concert for Vietnam Vets at Walter Reed Hospital of Burt Bacharach songs. ❤❤
My favorite female singer.
Considered by many to be the greatest female voice of all time.
3 of my favourite things...Rainy days, Mondays, and Carpenters.
I am in my mid 60's. I think about how we listened to music when I was younger on the radio, tv shows, cassettes, records and then CDs. There was no internet or social media for half of my life to learn about music from other people, the way you and many reactors are doing these days. I do understand how overwhelming it must be for someone as young as yourself to realize how much there is that you have never heard of before, or discovered. Enjoy the journey!
She was the master of restraint.
Hi, Saeed😊. These siblings were very much loved, as you can see by the other comments here. All these comments are very accurate. Karen never wanted to come away from the drums. She considered herself a drummer who just happened to sing. Her Anorexia was brought on by a newspaper article when they were first becoming popular. The statement was something like" Richard and his chubby little sister," which devastated Karen, who was young when they started out. It also didn't help that Richard got more attention from their parents when they were growing up. Richard had his demons, too. Karen was starting to get control over the illness, but her heart was already damaged too much. She was only 32, I believe, when she passed. There will never be another Karen. She was very special with a voice that wasxsmooth as velvet. Thank you for your sincere and very heartfelt reaction.
BY THE WAY (just catching your attention there😊) there is a movie out called "The Karen Carpenter Story" I think it was here on RUclips, or it used to be. It gives you an in-depth look into both of them and their music as well as their demons. And yes there is a video of her on the drums on one of their specials, both are worth watching. Much love to you and your family ❤️ 🫂
Speaking of rainy days…Gordon Lightfoot has a song
called “Rainy Day People” that I know you’d appreciate.
Love Karen, truly a once-in-a-lifetime voice. Great reaction!
This is by the great Paul Williams who was covered a lot by the Carpenters. Check him out. He looks and sounds different than anyone else.
Thanks for letting me know! Will add his name to my list.
I first discovered Karen and 1972 I had a pocket radio and I heard the song Superstar she has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard I'm 64 years old and I still love her
One of my fave Carpenters songs! ♥ I suggest these songs: Superstar & This Masquerade
There is no other voice that can touch my heart and soul, like Karen's voice. She makes you feel the words she is singing. RIP Karen.
One of the great voices of the last century.
Richard is on keyboards. And he arranges the music. He even wrote a few of their hits, but not this song.
Probably my favorite from the Carpenters. Thanks Deb.
The Carpenters were huge back in the 70’s when I was growing up. Karen had perfect pitch…
This has always been my favorite song of theirs. Thanks as always for your comments.
I know where I was when Kennedy died, when men first walked on the moon, and when I heard on my car radio that this beautiful soul had died. I literally had to pull my car over and cry in downtown Augusta, Georgia. It was a very bad day for so many.
I always like the reactors who get half to two-thirds through the song and say, "Hey, she's playing the drums!"😄
Singing so beautiful and playing the drums. Just incredible! 😄
Paul Williams wrote this song. He wrote other songs for this band. Her voice, his song-writing. Like Baccacarach and Warwich. Musical marriages made in heaven.
❤
FINALLLYYYYY REALLLYYY SAEED???😊LIKE I'VE SAID TO YOU, IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN JONI OR KAREN WHEN IT COMES TO VOCALS AND TALENT!!!💯ENJOY MAN AND MANY BLESSINGS!👍
Truly amazing voice! Thanks for watching, Bob!
Karen ❤
Karen's voice is like that of an angel. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear this. She was gone too soon. Love your reaction!
Beautiful voice! Thanks so much for watching.
Her voice is iconic. People in the music industry revere her and the Carpenters sound stands the test of time. You have to listen to the song “Close to You” next. 👍
Can I suggest 'Calling occupants of interplanetary craft' (studio version) or 'Hurting each other' (studio version). The reason I ask for the studio versions is that live versions are often shortened musically to fit tv shows etc. Actually, anything you listen to by The Carpenters will be good.
They were always "Carpenters." "The" was added by TV personalities introducing them.
Thanks for letting me know.
I remember hearing Close To You back when it first came out, and was absolutely blown away by her voice. Just beautiful
32 is just way too young to die 😢😢
THAT VOICE!
I stand to be corrected, but to the best of my knowledge, while many people refer to them as "The Carpenters" the official name of the band is and always was, simply "Carpenters".
They sang their own backup vocals as well.
This track was written by Paul William's, ( Little Enis Burdet in Smoky & the Bandit) Richard did the arrangement.
Karen and Patsy Cline can make a grown man cry So tragic they both were taken from us at a similar age.
Dude, you are in for a ride.
I am so looking forward to this, Saeed. I apologize I haven't been on as much, life is busy. I already know how much you're going to love this song. It's on of my favorites and Karen's voice is one of THE BEST ever! Have a wonderful weekend, David : )
Great reaction. ❤ Love Karen Carpenter… this was nostalgic for me.
So good! Thanks for watching.
Karen was the GOAT of female singers.
Beautiful, heartfelt reaction. And the song warrants that.
You should try "This Masquerade", Solitaire", "Superstar". Just for starters.
Here are more songs from Carpenters for you:
- Yesterday Once More
- Superstar
- Goodbye to love
- We’ve only just begun
- Sing
- Close to You
- Top of the World
- Solitaire
Enjoy! 😊