FIRST TIME HEARING Carpenters - [They Long To Be] Close To You 

No singer is the WORLD had a voice like Karen Carpenter. Her voice is musical candy for your ears. So glad you've discovered them!

To say she has a unique voice is a huge understatement. She has now been dead 40 years and we’ve never heard anyone sound remotely like her a God-given unbelievable talent, and you have so many songs to dive into.

Good grief, I'm 56 years old and consider myself a tough guy, but Karen Carpenter always brings tears to my eyes. A voice truly given to her by God.

Karen was one of a kind. There will never be another like her. She had such a pure calming voice. And she was a terrific drummer. That was her passion even more than singing. Sadly we lost her so young. Thankfully we have her legacy left in her music. The Carpenters had so many great songs such as "We've Only Just Begun", "For All We Know", "Rainy Days & Mondays", "Superstar", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Sing", "Yesterday Once More", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "Please Mr. Postman", "Only Yesterday", "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over the World)", "I Need To Be In Love" & so many more.

Karen was a once in a generation talent. And Richard doesn’t get the notice he deserves, but his talent was astonishing. Their cover of We’ve Only Just Begun was a requirement for any wedding in the 70s

Her voice was pure gold. I suggest "Superstar" next and "Rainy Days and Mondays" too.

FINALLY!! Someone listened to the album version with the extended ending! Bravo!!

Easily one of the most beautiful female voices of all time.

Bacharach is on the Mount Rushmore of songwriters. This isn't even about whether I like his work-his string of hits puts him in a class of his own.

Karen had one of the most beautiful voices ever. Such a tragic loss for the world.

Pitch perfect, voice like silk, gone way too soon. Miss you Karen.💖

Their song "We've Only Just Begun" was probably played at more wedding receptions, and graduations, than any other song!

Karen's charismatic voice and Richard's composition = magic. I just got into the carpenters a year ago, I'm 32 yo. I love a ton of their songs now! You will too.

Sal this song was playing on the radio while my parents were taking me to the drive in to see a movie called "THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY". I'LL never forget it cause I'm a Senior now and to see you being able to appreciate this song,the carpenters period,makes me feel so good

Burt Bacharach was a prolific songwriter - he had tons of hits sung by other singers.

As someone born in 1966, The Carpenters were a big part of the soundtrack of my early childhood. Their easy listening style was big with both of my parents who had all of their albums. I remember singing their song “On Top of the World” in my Brownie troop.

She’s also the drummer ❤️. And what a voice. I’m a rock guy first but man, you have to love and appreciate Karen Carpenter.

No auto tune. She sang almost pitch perfect

You just listened to the great and legendary Karen Carpenter. Also is considered best female drummer ever. She is in the music recording world considered the Voice. To quote the Beatles Paul McCartney "she had "the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive". She has been called "one of the greatest voices of our lifetime" by Elton John. Lets just say...there are the legends and famous female singers....and then there's Karen Carpenter. You can hear Karen’s influence on such singers as Gloria Estefan and Shania Twain. You can hear echoes of Karen in such hits as Madonna‘s “Crazy for You” and Beyoncé‘s “Halo.” But you can’t really say, after all this time, that anyone has replaced Karen Carpenter. They have sold between 150-200 million records.They were the #1 Selling American artist in the 70's. First group to have a guitar solo in a ballad and it is called "Goodbye To Love". Go down the rabbit hole and enjoy Carpenters.

"A gentleman named Burt Bacharach?" Only one of the greatest song writers of all time! 😉😉 That said, loved your reaction. There are so many great Carpenter's songs to choose from. Always bittersweet listening to her (great drummer too, in a time when "women didn't do drums!") Her life was so sad, but her songs brought/bring such joy!

Karen had one of the purest, most pitch-perfect voices I've ever heard. She truly was a gift. So many hits! "Solitaire" and "Superstar" are beautiful also. And her version of "Ave Maria" is perfection.

Such a pure voice. She was a pretty good drummer too.

I got a little teary-eyed thinking about Burt Bacharach while listening. He recently passed and this was such a beautiful creation of his! I was in kindergarten when this was released. I can open up our piano seat and find the sheet music my oldest sister bought. I like to think that some of my musical styling was based on listening to Ms. Carpenter at such a young age.

I'm so glad to see you reacting to The Carpenters. Karen Carpenter had such a beautiful voice, and it's easily one of the best I've ever heard. Many of their songs are considered classics. Songs I highly recommend would be "Rainy Days and Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun", "Top of the World", and "Superstar" to name a few.

Wow... been a subscriber here about 6mos and I never thought I'd see a pop music reaction here, let alone the Carpenters which is great! These folks were a hit making machine in the 70s. Bacharach and David were one of the greatest song writing teams in the 60s and 70s. Masters of soft pop (adult contemporary) music. Almost always covered by other singers (song stylists/ interpreters), Burt actually sang one of his songs "This Guy's In Love with You" which was a huge hit for him. Looking forward to more 70s artists, esp the singer songwriters genre. ✌

Karen always referred to Herself as a 'Drummer Who Sings'. She was most comfortable behind Her Trusty Drum Kit. Old and Lucky enough to see 'The Carpenters' Live in Concert TWICE in the Early 70's.

Karen was also a great drummer too!

This song takes me straight back to middle-school sockhops, and dedications from girls to boys in school newspapers. Also, Karen Carpenter's voice and phrasing are so naturally beautiful that it takes a while for the realization to come clear, that you're listening to a once in a generation singing talent. Brother Richard, though he was always considered the secondary member of the duo, was actually responsible for choosing the songs and arrangements, and his ability to harmonize perfectly with Karen just added to how special they were. I've been saying for decades that, if Karen Carpenter and Art Garfunkel had had children together, at least one of them would have been born with the most beautiful ever pop singing voice.

Karen Carpenter had a voice of an angel. She could sing the dictionary and make it sound good. She was drummer who happened to sing. The also called her 'one take Karen', she was that good

It really amazes me that so many young people like yourself have no idea who the Carpenters were? This is not a dig but a harmless statement. I am glad that so many RU-vidrs are discovering them and appreciating Karen’s Carpenters extraordinary voice. She was one of the best ever and last year marked the 40th anniversary of her passing. Thanks for posting this.

I grew up in the 1960's and 1970's and the first time I heard Karen Carpenter's voice I fell in love with it…what a voice, bought every album… Loved The Carpenters… never disappointed… simply beautiful classy music…

Thank You, Such a Tragedy. I cry every tine I hear her Sing.

I could thumbs-up to most of these coments On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true

It's distressing how many "singers" get byas a result of studio magic. Karen's voice was so remarkable without autotune. I greatly miss her lovely voice.

Thank you for keeping their music alive. Superstar is my favorite. I wish this could be more private. They are my 3rd cousins. R.I.P. Karen If you are going to watch that song pick the one where they are on Carol Burnett show 1971. You will see Karen play the drums while singing.

My first favorite group, I was in grade school when this came out. Love the Carpenters, they were special and had so many great songs!

Karen Carpenter's voice was pure velvet. That's why The Carpenters were so popular. BTW - Richard Carpenter wrote most of their songs. Their tight harmony is in all of their songs.

Just about anything they sang was brilliant - but if you want to really enjoy that amazing voice, check out "This Masquerade." Karen was known best for having an amazingly rich quality to her lower range - and her flawless ability to play drums while singing lead. You'll enjoy getting to know her through their music, especially their earlier years, 1970-1976.

Karen had a lot of insecurities, and she was much happier behind the drum kit. She was amazingly talented and had no issues singing and drumming at the same time. The record execs forced her to step out to be the "Front Man", as it were, because let's face it she was gorgeous. People also notice her conservative dress, which was her reaction to being called "fat" early on by the record execs. I miss her voice, and it kills me to think of all the music that never was, due to her early passing. RIP.

In the 70’s my 13 year old ears were blown away by the carpenters at the same time I was getting into Yes, ELP and Deep Purple

To me she has the greatest voice I have ever heard.her range is incredible and her tone is other worldly.what a talent

The thing about this song is that many years can go by, and out of the blue you find yourself singing it. It sticks. I still remember most of the words. Rainy days and Mondays is a great one to react too.

Absolutely need to hear more Carpenters! There are so many great songs, but one that is probably not at the top of everyone’s list but is absolutely beautiful is their cover of “This Masquerade.” You can’t listen to it without feeling it.

Richard was the music arranger for most of their music besides keyboards and harmonies. Karen had one of the purest voices of the 70’s besides playing drums before sadly passing away from anorexia complications. But they made incredible music

"We've Only Just Begun" and "Superstar" are my faves. And, their Christmas album is EPIC!

Superstar is the song you're looking for! Karen was also an excellent drummer 🥁

You should do something live by them. Her voice is as perfect live as it was on recordings.

I graduated high school in 1971. The Carpenters were huge for their soft, romantic songs! I saw them live in '73 & they were awesome. Many first wedding dances were danced to their songs. Karen was the main vocalist & her brother was the piano player who sang sometimes. Karen had such a sweet, natural alto voice. She died long before her time. 😢

Karen’s voice is like ASMR, and this song barely stretched the surface of what she can do. And she just happened to be the kid sister of one of the best pop arrangers of his generation.

Loved your review of this performance; Karen's voice was so magical. Hope you have the time to review other Carpenters songs like "Superstar" or "We've only just begun." Karen was not only a once-in-a-generation voice, but she was also an incredibly talented drummer and played drums for the group. Richard is also multi-talented musically and did the song arrangements

If you want to hear her at her greatest, try "Solitaire". When she finished, even the studio musicians around her were speechless.

My mother sang this song to me every night at bedtime until I was like 6. Until I got all weird about it. Now, at 54, this song makes me tear up every time I hear it.

This is very typical of their harmonies. Karen had such a beautiful voice and she died far too young. I'm so glad that you appreciate her. They have quite a lot of song to choose from. We've Only Just Begun turned into a giant wedding song in the 70's. It was written by Paul Williams originally as part of a commercial for a bank. Weird, but true.

Enough viewers have already commented on Karen and her unique voice, and there's no dispute about that (my personal favorite Carpenters song was released posthumously, "Make Believe It's Your First Time"). Instead, I'd like to comment on the composers, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, one of those matches made in heaven, like John Lennon and Paul McCartney, or Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Burt just left this world a couple of weeks ago, as his Midas touch to create amazing-sounding things was requested in heaven. Whatever you see composed by him and Hal, consider it a seal of quality. From the legendary "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (from the "Butch Cassidy" soundtrack) to "Arthur's Theme" with Christopher Cross, through his many hits with the fabulous Dionne Warwick ("I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?") and many, many more, they were absolutely amazing!

The harmonies at the end are like a BLAST of fresh air! Beautiful 🎵

most recognisable and unique voice ever. To show just how good they were, they were number one in an era when it was all rock

Subscribed. Nice to see you reacting to the Carpenters. Karen had a three-octave contralto range. I believe they'd say "The Money was in the Basement" as her vocal range was lower than most female singers. My favorite Carpenter singles were Goodbye to Love, Rainy Days & Mondays, Superstar, and We've Only Just Begun. I also love Karen's voice on their cover of the Eagles' Desperado (on the Horizon album) and their version of Solitaire which is possibly Karen's best vocal. Also, despite the cheeriness of Close to You, many of the Carpenter's song had a melancholy feel to them.

She’s simply the greatest. I miss her.🧡

Thank you for listening to these older, best songs ever… and being OPEN to them. This one is well before my time (and outside my favorite genres) but even so, the Carpenters were world class. If you don’t listen, you can miss out by dismissing them as ‘cheesy’, but their songs come from a very honest place, and with Karen’s best-of-planet voice and their pure delivery, they captured everyone’s emotions.

She had an incredible voice. Such a tragedy that she passed away at a young age from anorexia. Editing to add that in a recent livestream Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi sang a bit of one of their Christmas songs and expressed admiration for her talent.

Walking through a garden. What a great reaction/expression indeed! I always get emotional now when I listen to the Carpenters. IMO she was the perfect example of the girl next door. After reading a newspaper article which was supposed to react to the music this idiot reporter concentrated on her weight!!! Insecurities set in and we lost Karen to anorexia. Words hurt people! Thank you so much for sharing. Hope you keep revisiting the Carpenters! Love from Texas!

superstar is amazing and shows how beautiful karens voice really is

A voice so warm and buttery it just melts in your ears

Glad to see you reacting to the Carpenters. And that you appreciate them as much as you do. Can't wait to hear you review more of them.

It definitely IS FOR EVERYBODY ❤

I used to sing this song when I was 6 my grandfather loved this song and I knew all the words I cry whenever I hear it lost him and her!

My favorite voice ever....so comforting, so rich...try We've Only Just Begun, Superstar, Rain Days and Mondays...they were hit makers in the 70's ...they were huge....sadly lead singer Karen died of anorexia at only 32 years of age....very shocking but she suffered from it for many years...she was a very accomplished drummer as well

My mom Loooooved The Carpenters. I remember being a very little girl listening to her sing along with Karen while she did the dishes after dinner. Thank you for bringing up such warm memories.

This song was played and sung at so many weddings in the 1970's. She was a very good drummer and didn't start off wanting to be the lead vocalist. I recall, without checking, that it was Richard who really encouraged her to sing. Burt Bacharach / Hal David were quite famous writers during this time period. Thanks for the reaction that really honors her voice.

hers is the voice I project for all lullabies

One of the first records I owned when I was discovering pop music. My first three 45s were "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies, "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" by BJ Thomas and this one. Very shortly after that, they set up a phonograph with speakers in the basement for us kids to use. Not sure if that was after the 700th or 701st time I played those records. Lol.

I was 10 when Close to You came out. Fell in love with it and love all her other songs.

You may not know that Karen is a drummer and regularly sang while she played. Quite the feat!

In 2010, Rolling Stone rated Karen as #94 of the 100 Greatest Singers. This month (January 2023), Variety ranked Karen as #126 of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. And I think she is still underrated. Beautiful, melodious voice who was virtually pitch perfect; this is not an opinion but fact as shown by a computer analysis of her voice (Source: Winged Pegasus RU-vid channel). Her voice will live forever.

Karen is the voice. Clearest of all. Im on my late 60s, so remember Carpenters very well on the radio and TV specials. 5'3 KC had a haunting timber in all her songs. Did you know every female harmony in all of her songs was hers as well, sang, then dubbed into the song by Richard ? She began, with her brother Richard, by playing drums. Richard, her brother, was a terrific arranger but KC's voice was discovered by Herb Alpert, A&M Records, in 1969, which began their road to fame. Richard convinced her that her best singing voice was contralto, 'the money is in the basement'. I believe KC's, voice, especially contralto, was the best, beautiful, female voice ever. No auto-tune, stripping, gimmicks, or screaming. Her nickname was 'one take', since she always sang a song once in studio without a single re-take. She sang to you with haunting, mesmerizing emotion, perfect pitch and enunciation. Her voice compelled you to listen. She had no professional voice training. Paul McCartney said she sang Ticket To Ride better than the Beatles, and "she had the most angelic voice I have ever heard". John Lennon told her at an LA restaurant "you have a fabulous voice luv". They were most successful in early/mid1970s when she/they received 4 grammys. She was also recognized by 1975 Playboy poll as rock drummer of the year. Check other songs such as 'Solitaire', 'Only Yesterday', 'Hideaway', 'Rainy Days and Mondays',' 'This Masquerade', 'I Can Dream Cant I'(a big band era song), 'Hurting Each Other', 'All You Get From Love Is A Love Song', 'A Song For You' ,'Superstar', ' I Need To Be In Love', 'We've Only Just Begun',' Goodbye To Love', etc.. She had a few friends including Petula Clark, Olivia Newton John and Dionne Warwick. She had anorexia with a serious onset in 1975 that continued the rest of her life. Married a guy in 1982 that was broke, didn't tell her he had a vasectomy, and mistreated her. Never knew true love. She died Feb 1983 at 32yo due to complications from anorexia. Her solo album was released some years after her death. [Some info contained herein came from documentaries such as, "Only Yesterday"]

Just wanted to let you know that yes they always harmonized and Richard actually invented the overdubbing technique where they were their own background singers, it was only them two singing on every song. AMAZING

Salvo, i love watching the younger generations appreciating the music i grew up listening to. There are so many good and great artists that all people can appreciate. No matter the style.

Their song “Superstar” is just awesome. 🥰

Your comment about harmonies and the feeling of being in a garden brought to mind a duo called Seals and Crofts.

I'm so glad that one of the absolute musical treasures my generation can bequeath to yours is the recorded catalog of The Carpenters. Karen and Richard are yours now too--be blessed, and please continue to take from their music the unmistakable sense of how GOOD life can be because of art like this. The Carpenters will not fail to transport you to "far-off, truer corners of the heart." (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS MR. POSTMAN YESTERDAY ONCE MORE BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE TOP OF THE WORLD I KNOW I NEED TO BE IN LOVE SUPERSTAR FOR ALL WE KNOW THIS MASQUERADE GOODBYE TO LOVE ONE MORE TIME DESPERADO TICKET TO RIDE HELP! SING I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING Both of their Christmas albums NOW If you can look past the dated clothes and hairstyles, you will discover the common humanity the older generation experienced and shared in common with you when they were at a similar age, and that's what makes great music like this TIMELESS.

I chuckled when you said that it left you feeling good That's the thing about the carpenters they always left you feeling good God how I loved their music and her voice I surely miss what could have been She left us oh too soon

They called her one take Karen because she rarely had to repeat her parts in the recording of a track. She has been shown to be more accurate LIVE than in studio recordings! A voice like HONEY!

Where have you people been? I have been in love with this woman's voice since the 1970's!!!! Okay, I'm old!!

You’re absolutely right when you say it’s not for everybody but this is just pleasant. Karen’s voice was so pure and nobody has ever matched her. Their music still stands the test of time. Sometimes listening to some thing so pure and simple can still be the best. You can hear so much in her voice. She didn’t really want to be a singer at all. Her passion was the drums and she was an excellent drummer. But once she started singing we couldn’t get enough of her. I remember playing this record over and over when I was younger… That’s been a while ago. So glad you are willing to go back in time and listen to this wonderful music. Rainy days and Mondays is a great one to do next.

Summer of 70 I fell in love for the first time - Brodie Fifer - to this song. I was 13 and she was an angel. She moved to Washington state later that summer. I've learned that she passed away several years ago. Rest is peace, Brodie. I'll always remember you.

Everytime I hear The Carpenters i get a little emotional as it reminds me of listening to them with my sister growing up who is no longer with us. What is amazing is there success during the time they became popular. Such a time in our country

Not much in life is perfect, but you just heard perfection.

I’m 64 and have loved the carpenters forever. I never knew there was an extended version of this song!

This was the 70's. It was a whole different world. I was in Junior High and this sing was everywhere. We sang nit in chior, it was in the gym class, and I've loved Karen Carpenter ever since. If I could a choose any voice in the world to sound like, it would be her.

And I am back in college again. I bought three copies of this album. An LP to start with, then an 8-track for my boyfriend's car, and then a cassette. I am pleased that you appreciated this song, a lot of younger people might have dismissed it immediately. I was surprised to see that they only had 3 #1s. They were everywhere. Top of the World, Rainy Days and Mondays, Hurting Each Other, We've only just Begun (another massive wedding song), Yesterday Once More, For all we Know, Bless the Beasts and the Children.......

Karen and Richard were very talented. They were one of the first recording artists to use the technique of double background recording. They would record the basic vocals, and then go back and record the harmonies. Karen would use her amazing range talent to do her own background music. Pretty amazing!!

Really enjoying your reaction videos. Love the fact you take the time to read up about the song before reacting which most do not. Carpenters are one of my favorites of all time, Karen's voice and Richard's arrangement are perfection. We've Only Just Begun is my all time favorite!

I remember singing and loving this song as a young girl and now at 61 singing it to my only baby grandson.. it has a special place in my heart. ❤

She was phenomenal! The was THE wedding song of the 1970s - along with "We've Only Begun". That's Karen on the drums. Oh, and that "gentleman" Burt Bacharach was one of the most successful composers from the 1950s on up. He won 3 Oscars (most notably "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid") ... and had 20 wins & 32 nominations total (Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe to name a few). He collaborated with The Carpenters, and Dionne Warwick, among many others. He passed away this last February. I just discovered you and will be back for more.

The start of the voice from heaven realized to us all...1969. This song was played in MANY weddings and babies 1st parties.

The key to a great voice is not how freaking loud you can sing or how many runs you can do, but purity, clarity and simply understated, when you have a voice like this you don't need to do anything but just sing, effortlessly. Simply put: sublime.

I always associate this with the summer after I graduated high school.

I see every so often someone says something about Richard. Glad to hear folks remember this was a duo. He on Piano her on percussion and both sang. His voice was just as creamy and dreamy as hers...

1970 was a very special year for me at 19 years old. So this song will always have great meaning and memories attached. Your expressed sentiment was perfect.

The Carpenters have been a guilty pleasure of mine for a good while. I've always leaned toward heavier music-harder rock, punk, some metal-but everything bout Karen and Richard's work is undeniable. Her voice, the composition, arrangements, etc. They were light pop, but great songs are great songs. Along with Tijuana Brass, they were a staple of my dad's every Sunday, the one day every week he would crank the stereo.Vinyl made it even better.