Carpenters- Yesterday Once More (First Listen) 

Simply the best female singer I've ever heard

Karen's voice had been imatated but never duplicated. Karen's voice is instantly recognizable by the first few notes of any song that she sings. Her passing took a piece of me with her.

When i was young, the Carpenters were mocked by those of us into 'rock', as i got older, i grew to appreciate the quality of the Carpenters music. Then when i started working in theatre i worked on a musical dealing with the last year of her life, some of the research from that made an impact with me, still to this day. Richard, her brother must take much credit for his arrangements of the songs, but its Karen's voice that haunts. As a side note, she loved the British crooner Matt Monro, and it's said she based her vocal rhythm on his voice. I'm not sure as to that being true, but there are harmonic similarities at points.

This is a tough one for a 60 year old. Takes me right back there. Can remember where I was at like a vivid dream.They're a guilty pleasure for an old rocker. Keep on keepin' on!

I love Karen's voice.

To this day I still know the words from EVERY album. I was 13 years old when I first heard them on the radio. Karen was an angel sent from God above, She is still touching millions of people even 30 years after her death. She will never stop touching millions more of new listens for decades to come.....Judy D.

Part of the soundtrack of my childhood... love the Carpenters.

OMG! This is one massive surprise. This is one of my favourite songs of all time. Karen had the most beautiful voice on earth. As she sings in the song, this always makes me cry when I listen to it. The orchestration and production are just perfect. Even when I was young and I was listening to Genesis, Yes, Hawkwind, Led Zep I loved this song. It was terrible that she died so young. So glad you liked it.

Ha, most people can't get past her amazing voice to even comment on the song, good job

The irony is that this song is ABOUT nostalgia and now IS nostalgia..

They surely knew how to make melodies back in the 70's. Great song.

Have a listen to Rainy Days And Mondays. Her voice on that is marvellous.

I remember as a kid crying when she died. I remember crying seeing "The Karen Carpenter Story." Her voice is so pure and beautiful, if you love music, you cannot help but appreciate it. If you grew up listening, she makes you believe you know her just by her voice and the way she sings. And this from a guy who's favorite band is Yes (who make you feel like they are on another plane altogether).

Growing up in the 70s, how lucky to have experienced the Carpenters and the great genre of music! Now, as my 3 boys play in their high school orchestra and wind ensembles...they'd play some classics and how I appreciate them more and more. And, our boys love it too! Not only here, but also groups like Chicago, Eag;es Earth Wind & Fire, etc. Karen's voice is among the Mt. Rushmore of female voices. Still got my vinyls and cassette tapes.

"Makes today seem rather sad, so much has changed". This phrase in the second stanza is timeless. Karen was remembering the amazing music of her youth, the late 1950s & early 1960s. This song was released in 1973 right after the end of the Vietnam War, an extremely painful time in recent American history. Very different from Karen's innocent youth. I remember when this song was released in 1973. It was a HUGE hit for people of all ages.

When I was young I'd listen to the radio Waitin' for my favorite songs When they played I'd sing along, it made me smile Those were such happy times and not so long ago How I wondered where they'd gone But they're back again just like a long lost friend All the songs I loved so well Every sha-la-la-la Every wo-o-wo-o, still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling, that they're startin' to sing's, so fine When they get to the part Where he's breakin' her heart It can really make me cry, just like before It's yesterday once more Lookin' back on how it was in years gone by And the good times that I had Makes today seem rather sad, so much has changed. It was songs of love that I would sing to then And I'd memorize each word Those old melodies still sound so good to me… As they melt the years away Every sha-la-la-la Every wo-o-wo-o, still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling, that they're startin' to sing's so fine All my best memories come back clearly to me Some can even make me cry, just like before It's yesterday once more Every sha-la-la-la Every wo-o-wo-o, still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling, that they're startin' to sing's so fine Every sha-la-la-la Every wo-o-wo-o, still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling This songs tells perfectly how I feel about this song! (I'm 55)

I believe the intro of this song, when she raised from those very low notes, is one of the most amazing intros ever. Karen makes it look so easy and natural, but it's not if you have tried it once. Her voice was like a perfect oboe. Her talent goes beyond the value of the song itself. Like in many others , her performance makes the song remarkable and unique. She puts her soul into it.

Her voice is forever locked into my DNA. ❤

Listen to "Only Yesterday" and "Solitaire" to hear her chest voice/low register.

♥ her voice! One of my fave Carpenters songs

I'm a prog, jazz, and classical guy. YES is my favorite band. Love Coltrane, Stravinsky, Mahler, Miles Davis, etc. And I have every single Carpenters album. In fact, their Christmas Portrait album is in my 10-disc desert island list. Karen's voice. Richard's arranging and keyboard skills. And Karen's drumming (although most of it was done by Hal Blaine) is superb. I literally grew up with the Carpenters - meaning, I was born around the time they started releasing music. Big part of my formative years. They move you like not many can.

I'm so glad you have an appreciate for "the" Carpenters! Karen's voice is timeless and my absolute favorite of all time. Check out Superstar!

Kids today will never know the anticipation of listening to a radio hoping they'll play that song you love. Instant gratification is the rule today.

It's hard to believe that someone with such an incredible gift of what I feel is a perfect voice was so much more comfortable sitting behind the drums, and she was an excellent drummer. But her voice was angelic. Her loss was such a tragedy, and it's so sad that someone who was able to bring so much joy to so many people was so troubled. She was a beautiful young lady with a voice that just soared to the heavens. I still remember learning of her death and being absolutely heartbroken.

Really! There’s hope for the younger generation yet. Shocked and pleasantly surprised 😄😄

The odd thing is that this song takes me back to 197X when you couldn't swing a transistor without it picking up...this song. Carpenters were a fine sister/brother couple that blew the radio waves apart. It was, of course. her voice that drove the songs to popularity, but the writing was fine as well.

My favourite song of theirs

A Carpenters track started playing when I was going shopping with my little friend (aged 6). “This sounds sad,” she said. “Want me to change it?” “No, it’s really good.” There’s a back catalogue of oldies but goodies that we share a love of. Trips in the car are when we share music and I hope it can always melt the years away for her and remember me. Sentimentality and nostalgia aren’t crimes. I can’t smell peaches without remembering driving through peach orchards in France with my grandparents when I was seven. I’m not too keen on the taste but I love that smell.

One of my mother’s favorite artists

I was lucky enough to see them in concert a long long time ago...sigh. And because of youtube, those songs are back again just like a long lost friend. lol. Some things never change. Karen always considered herself a drummer first and a singer second.

Can't tell you how glad I am that you don't care, Justin. A man after my own heart. People who dismiss this kind of music--sentimental tho it may be--without listening to it are missing out, IMO--their loss. Any vocalist will tell you that Karen's silky smooth voice is divine, tho. A couple of finer points in regard to your comments: Karen did an excellent job expressing the lyrics, just don't forget how much Richard is the driving force compositionally--in fact he wrote this song along with John Bettis; and it's not just nostalgia itself but nostalgia specific to the music of their youth--in their case the original rock and roll and pop of the fifties and sixties that was focused more on vocals. Those of us who love the music of the seventies can relate, we just don't miss the sha-la-la-la-las and the wo-o-o-oohs since they were almost gone by then. One of my favorite Carpenters tunes is "Rainy Days and Mondays". For another more mainstream song from the era, but with some stronger lyrics, let me suggest to you "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens --or, if you want something a bit more uplifting, "Morning Has Broken"--Rick Wakeman does some fine work as guest artist on piano.

As my own nostalgic story of this song of nostalgia. My mom was a big Carpenters fan and as a young child in the 70's this album (on cassette) was always played on car trips. Good memories of simpler times. This along with Judy Collins, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Fifth Dimension, Herb Alpert, Maureen McGovern and ABBA were always in the car. I still love them unashamedly.

Good one, Justin! This song (and indeed many Carpenters songs) used to be a guilty pleasure back in the early 70s as I thought they would be seen as ‘uncool’. I didn’t know how wrong I was until I turned up at the Student Union bar one Saturday night and the place was packed to the rafters as there was a Carpenters concert on the TV!

This song was new when I was in highschool. 😁🎶 Beautiful song . We lost Karen Carpenter much too soon.

The greatness of this song is that it aged so well. She became part of the song "it was songs of love that I would sing to them..." so beautiful and bittersweet! Please react to "Rainy days and mondays" and "Solitaire" by the Carpenters😊

Good song indeed and great review. I love Karen Carpenter’s voice...😁

Sinatra called her the one woman he'd play money to hear. - ps - Love how you're channeling Shatner: Drawing. Every. Word. Out.

The absolute artistic peak of sophisticated easy listening. Sure, the lyrics are lightweight, but the music and the performances are anything but. Karen tends to get most of the limelight beamed her way, and quite deservedly so. But let's not forget about Richard's incredible arrangements. The man is a genius. Just listen to their Christmas albums. They both elevate the overplayed-to-death holiday genre into high art.

This song was nostalgic for her past listening, and it's pure nostalgia for us who followed the Carpenters throughout the 70's. She was a crush for so many guys. That voice. Impeccable. Takes you right back to those days of our youth.

That's the one thing the younger folks reacting to these songs can never realize or appreciate, the era, the times, the limitations. There was no access to social media like today where everything is at our fingertips. It was a different time. Dare I say a better time.

Loved this since I was a child.

Very thoughtful review, my friend. According to the Coleman book on the Carpenters, from 1972 - 73, Richard and Karen were touring so much, they didn't have much time to create new material. So, they put their love of oldies songs, which they grew up with, to use. They're 1973 album, Now and Then, is a lot of oldies remakes with their guitarist, Tony Peloso, playing the DJ introducing the songs. He was amazing. The song "Yesterday Once More" is the bridge between the now and then. It was a concept album. Sprinkled in between the songs is this majestic instrumental called "Heather". Recommend it, recommend all the songs on the album.

Karen's midnight velvet voice just engulfs you. No one has ever had such a beautiful voice, although her life was full of sadness and the emptiness of feeling inadequate and not worthy all her short life. Rest in peace beautiful angel.

I just discovered your channel yesterday. I so enjoy the way you break down the songs, and recap them by playing excerpts from them to illustrate your points! I am a huge Carpenters fan, for many years. She had IMO the purest female voice ever. Sad for her to leave us so soon. Please do more of them, many hits to choose from. Top of the World, Close to You, We've Only Just Begun are some examples

Yeah you’ve nailed it real good! As soon as you started playing this song I was immediately transposed to the village of my home at that time and subliminal feelings- smells, even tastes came to focus, albeit briefly. This does not happen all that often, but that heavenly voice does it...thankfully!

As a +70 aged person, this is the best reaction video that I have seen of people listening to Carpenters. You have expressed my feelings and emotions better than others about songs of this era. Keep up the good work!!!

The voice that reminds me of my schooldays more than any other even if I was a Bowie and Roxy Music fan at the time. An absolutely one off, unique, standalone vocalist.

Agree with you wholeheartedly on this one Justin. What a voice Karen had, and what a tragic loss to the music world when she passed so young.

Great fearless reaction, Justin, and I agree with you! All she’s really doing is talking about the power of music, especially when we are young, and I think everyone feels that. She’s simply expressing it. And some songs back then had those phrases in them, “Shalla la la“, “whoa-ooo-oh”, so she’s really just quoting them. Machismo scoffs at this stuff but the honest human being acknowledges it. And as others have noted, lots, lots more great melodies by the Carpenters, sung by one of the best voices ever. People have mentioned the great ones, I echo those and will mention again “For All We Know”.

One of the best in depth reviews I've ever heard

Your reaction is excellent. The music is great and her voice is untouchable. She is the BEST Female vocalist I've ever heard. Thank God for all the recordings and videos of the Carpenters. They should be preserved for eternity and enjoyed by future generations.

I grew up listening to AM radio, had a little transistor radio I used to take with me, listening to the hits from late '60s and early '70s. There was a lot of soft rock like this song. On TV was the Partridge Family and the Monkees as well as all those variety shows with artists lip-syncing along to their latest single. FM radio was a revelation when it came along, better rock bands and deep tracks.

Karen Carpenter had one of the greatest, smoothest Pop/Soft Rock voices of all time. Tragic life. Died at age 32 from complications due to Anorexia. Her weight plummeted down to 80 lbs at one point.

Yes, you are absolutely right! Nostalgia is a powerful and wonderful thing, which is one reason I'm glad there's an invention called RU-vid! Have loved this song ever since Karen first sang it! She has the voice and grace of an angel.

'I didn't care either ' - as big a rock/prog fan as I was at the time ( still am ) I was often touched by Carpenters , Barry Manilow , Johnny Mathis , Helen Reddy, Marvin Gaye etc . My friends would say - ' oh , you have an eclectic taste in music ' . I just liked good music , nice arrangements , songs that touched me regardless of the genre . Now that I'm much much older , these songs have a very nostalgic effect on me and I appreciate them even more . Having said that , I did just listen to Questions 67 & 68 by Chicago before slowing it down to listen to this . Questions 67 & 68 : total 'banger' as the younger generation would say - check it out on or off camera

Loved these songs on the radio, such a pure voice. Not the kind of album I would put on when my beer drinking buddies would come over. Just sayin'.

Good Grief! I love you to pieces!!!! Nostalgia is so fantastic, because it elicits so many emotions all at the same time!! When Carpenters were popular, they were a "guilty pleasure" for many of us "Hippie Wannabes", because, in our immaturity, it wasn't considered "cool" to love something like Carpenters at the same time as we dug Led Zeppelin or The Who, etc. Within the first 20 seconds of the song beginning here, I was tearing up big time. I have such fantastic memories of having a transistor radio with me at all times, from about the age of 8 years old! I even slept with it under my pillow! So many happy, exciting, joyful, sometimes sad memories that this song brings up for me! Oh, the stories I could tell ya! Lovely song, and lovely reaction. Don't you ever change, Justin!

There are so many gems by the Carpenters so if you are just now exploring their music, please take a listen to Crescent Noon, Road Ode, I Can't Make Music, and Let Me Be the One. These are my favorite album cuts not released as singles. I'm 62 and have listened to thousands of singers and Karen is my all time favorite female vocalist.

This song takes me back to 1973. The words continue to this day. Back in the early to mid 1970s in the UK, there were a lot of re-releases of songs from the early 60s such as Motown. So this song fitted perfectly. Yes, you're right about nostalgia. Carpenters were great.

This song is one of their best. Written and arranged by Richard with John Bettis doing the lyrics. The harmonies are amazing and of course Karen's lead is flawless. Thanks for letting us see you get "blown-away". Give this man a "Like"!

Me too......50s.....and the bebop..💔😭 Shooby doo ..."GREASE"....SHA LA LA LA! I've heard...my mom and dad..would talk about sitting around the radio as a family and wait in anticipation for the next song!!! Nostalgia...yessiree...

Classy clear voice! Godda love Karen’s God given talent!!😊

The lyrics are a nostalgic nod to the 1950s male doo wop groups and solo artists, the early 1960s girl groups and solo artists, and The Beatles. “Yesterday” is the most covered song ever. “Baby It’s You” had a “sha la la la” background vocal part that repeated and was big hit song from the girl group The Shirelles, and The Beatles did an excellent cover of it. Look up “Johnny Angel” by Shelley Fabares, who was a TV sitcom star in the early 60s they made a pop star out of. Ricky Nelson was also a sitcom TV star from the late 50s/early 60s who was actually very good and would probably still be around if he hadn’t died in a plane crash in 1985.. Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” had “shoo be doo” background vocals and was a big hit in its day. Once The Beatles hit the music scene in 1964 everything changed, but they recorded a number of early rock and roll song covers to pay tribute to their favorite American musicians and singers. “Twist And Shout” was probably the most famous cover they did. Most people think it’s their song but it was The Isley Brothers who did it originally. I’ve always liked this song! It’s just a very good pop song with a good melody and lyrics and Karen has a depth in her voice that makes you feel the nostalgia.

Love your analysis of this song !! You have a gift for being able to translate your understanding of a piece of music to your audience, well done !!

Oooo the 70s dripping with soft rock sentimentality. Love it...

Well that was a change of pace and I am happy to hear it. Karen Carpenter has a great voice and they produced a string of well produced songs that really chimed with a wide a public and still do. None of us should be ashamed of any music we like if it does something for us. I think when we're young we seek more approval for our tastes but as you get older you just like what you like. For me that's a wide, wide range and it includes some Carpenters. Cheers JP.

I am a60 yearold country singer and grew up on great music like rhis....Karen..Lord graced her.

You got a see her drum solo also can play fanfair for the common man live by Emerson lake and Palmer

Great reaction to a great song. They always did such a good job arranging and performing their music. Even when you go deep into their catalog, you will find many gems. This Masquerade is one of them. A Leon Russel cover, great piano, flute and of course Karen's voice. A must listen.

Yes, it is an emotionally powerful song and I literally hang on every wonderfull note and tone Karen sings !!!😍

Bright, eager-to-please soft rock/pop from '70s AM radio.

The tone if her voice was just so stunning! There is such purity, it's like hearing an angel sing.

I agree with you 100% and that is why this is one of my favorite Carpenters songs! Try their cover of the Beatles classic Ticket To Ride!

Over 40 yrs since I heard this, how come I know the words??? Well done..

Timeless. A song about listening to a song, makes the song an endless loop that can be enjoyed like whenever and forever. It takes you back to any point in time the time you listen to the song. Does that make sense to you? 😃. Besides, Karen has that angelic voice that could dig in so deep inside you, it's just blissful. Thx JP.

This is the song that became the tear jerker the winter of 83 for me.

The Carpenters are great. Her sound is so unique, I have their cds and memories brought back. You have good taste.

“Melt the years away”- music absolutely has the power to do that. Strangely, as this was a song I heard as a child this song about nostalgia is nostalgic to me. I love her voice- always gives me the goosebumps and the peppery eyes. When I hear the “sha-la-la-las” it reminds me that Karen and Richard’s nostalgia was for an era different than mine, but the effect is the same.

sharing a bedroom with my brothers in 1973 the most often played music was Pink Floyd, Yes, The Carpenters and Wendy (Walter) Carlos. I went on to become a Genesis tragic but I often return to my long lost friends Karen & Richard Carpenter

Omgosh! Ha! Surprised to see you reviewed this song! I’m a boomer, grew up in the 60-70’s, so ya fond memories. I think Karen’s voice is great-she sings an awesome song on their Christmas album called Little Alter Boy-great vocals-check it out. A cheesy song-maybe -but consider the decade it comes from! Thanks for checking it out and “diggin” it!❤️

Great reaction. Nostalgia is so damned important. She loved the 50s and 60s music. Her favorite from the 50s was The End Of The World. You should hear her sing it.

Man, you really nailed this revue. And you’re oh, so right about nostalgia. I hear the Carpenters and am taken immediately back to the summer of 1970 - driving in my VW and “Close to You” comes on the radio. I thought, holy crap what a voice! Been in love with Karen ever since. It wasn’t cool to like them back then, so I kept it under wraps. Now, like you, I don’t care. Still one of the few voices that can bring me to tears.Thanks, Justin.

I have a small selection of best of songs by the Carpenters. This is one of them. Not played often, but when nostalgia hits it's a great listen. Just like Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, the Platters, Brenda Lee and Paul Anka and some others. I got my first music experiences listening to songs my parents liked and even though we didn't have an album of the Carpenters at home, it was on the radio a lot and I remember my mother singing along to this. She's almost completely deaf now so she cannot enjoy music anymore and doesn't sing anymore. But this song as well as others brings back those memories everytime.

Karen Carpenter's voice was absolutely pitch perfect, which is rare. There's no doubling, her harmonies were precise, and, of course, no pitch-correction or detuning. All analog, no Pro Tools, etc.

The Carpenters were incredible... Karen and Richard had an unique chemistry to do songs that still touch our hearts... Try Superstar, This Masquerade, A Song for You, We've Only Just Begun, Maybe It's You, Solitaire... Pure gold... Like you enjoy them!!!

Justin, this is a great song, sung by the incomparable Karen Carpenter.

What a joy to hear you emote about how these Carpenters songs really connect on a deep nostalgic level. I agree the Carpenters are high grade cheese but when you get older they really do have an impact that you cannot see as a youth. I have such similar feelings with ELO I guess you call them guilty pleasures

I loved the Carpenter's. Her voice is the best, I have ever heard. " Rainy Days and Mondays " too.

Also like Superstar & This Masquerade, written by Leon Russell, from my city. Would be nice to hear some Leon by the way.

Because I love music, all kind of good music, I can proudly say, I love this beautiful song.

Oh. My. Stars... I'm commenter #275, and the first one to tell you to listen to this whole side on Now and Then? Justin, Yesterday Once More is seriously the start of a concept side. The motorcycle sound at the very end transitions in to a 1963 radio show with DJ, a call in contest, and Karen and Richard covering abbreviated versions of pop hits from that era. It then wraps up with a reprise of Yesterday Once More. Even if it can't be done on the channel, this is another strongly suggested listen for personal pleasure from me.

I remember having two albums and played them over and over and sang along with every song ... ( along with the monkees ) Karen will always make me cry ... happily

I was fortunate to grow up with all this music.

Best voice ever..

I need a tissue ,every time I hear them so sad,,,,,,,,,,, by the way the big hit was Rainy Days and Mondays.......And she played the drums,unfortunately she died from anorexia in 80,sad deal...

Like The Association or Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66 , the ambiance created within this layered beauty always touches what's most tender and precious ...the good stuff .

When I was a kid I literally stood by my parents radio for hours waiting for "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba to come on haha. This was a great breakdown! I loved the Carpenters growing up (mainly because my mom had it on the record player often).

Justin, great review! You're making me feel nostalgic for a song about nostalgia! Too easy! :-] As a teen, I use to sing this one acapella, behind the school... It made the young girls swoon... Hey, whatever works, right?! lol

The voice of an angel !

I'm a prog and fusion guy for the most part but Karen's is a voice I will listen to anytime Just beautiful...comforting Lost her way too soon If you want another not so guilty 60's pop suggestion for amazing vocal harmonies , try The Association "Along Comes Mary" "Cherish" etal