Everyone who hears Karen for the first time says, "Her voice, her voice!" It's the most hauntingly beautiful voice you'll ever hear. Always make me tear up. RIP Karen 💚
I was getting ready to say the same thing and saw your comment. I've never heard it put like that and it just made me say, "hmmmm, that's it EXACTLY! 'A tear in her voice'" Perfect description Angela and PLEASE, keep The Carpenters flowing!
She considered herself a drummer who sang. Her life was sad. She suffered from anorexia nervosa most of her adult life. She had sever body image issues and considered herself plain and obese. Her mother always favored her brother (Richard) and didn't pay much attention to Karen. Karen didn't think that her voice was special. She joined her brother's group while in high school and learned to play the drums to fit into the group. Her brother discovered that she could sing and she eventually became the lead singer and he convinced her to get away from the drums, although, she fought that because she didn't like being out in front. She was very shy as a teen.
Karen suffered from depression. Her Mom favored her brother over Karen, even though Karen was just as talented. If u were to talk to Karen she would immediately tell u, "no I'm not depressed, are u kidding, I'm fine.".Thats the way she could be with most ppl, even with the ppl closest to her, but she was more candid and honest only with a few ppl, probably less than a handful. Karen's Mom loved her daughter but had a hard time expressing it. U can be a toxic parent to your own kids without even realizing it. Yet, Karen was staying at her Mom and Dad's home when she died. Maybe at that point, she and her Mom were working things out but we'll never know.
Her mother loved Karen. They encouraged her in music...and bought her a drum set and when they realized it was no passing fad, they went out and bought her a better drum kit. I choose not to vilify Agnes Carpenter. She was old school and in that day you did not need nor feel the need to say you loved your child....yes, it is said Richard was her favourite and the star shone and set on him....surprising them all when Karen became the star....it was a family dynamic that was not how it was today. The dad was more reserved and let his wife wear the pants in the family so to speak. Karen and her dad were more similar in some ways, although Karen was known to be like her mother when decisions had to be made....she bit down and did what had to be done....and she was hard on herself, but also hard on others in the band if they did not follow the rules....but I agree that Karen had a void in her heart she needed her mother's approval and love...as told in Randy Schmidt's LITTLE GIRL BLUE book on Karen Carpenter ( a fantastic read)...also I would add that Agnes Carpenter had a beautiful voice and could have had a career in music but had stage fright and could not choose that career....so I can see why maybe she felt Karen was not that great in that if her own Mom could sing beautifully too....she did not feel the need to compliment Karen as she complimented, raved and uplifted her son's gifted and genius gifts (although I agree he was gifted, genius, talented)...like I said weird family dynamics....she loved Karen but did not physically show it...in 1982 at a New York counselling session that Agnes, Harold (the Dad) and Richard flew in to....at the Counsellor's urging, Agnes DID in fact hug Karen (and in the Karen Carpenter Story movie they chose not to have Agnes hug or say I love you to Karen)...
@@cd72 It's maybe hard for todays young to get that in Karen's parents generation folks didn't wear their heart on their sleeve, like today when bloggers confide their inner feelings with the whole world. It doesn't mean families were less close, it's just it was an era when people found it harder to express it, particularly in public.
I'm a Carpenters fan. best singer of all time. Here in Brazil there are many people who like to listen to it. A time that didn't need marketing or sensual dances. Pure talent, and what a wonderful voice.
What could I say that haven’t been said! Her voice is just liquid gold! Smooth as silk and so effortless in the lower register. Rainy Days and Mondays remains one of my all time favourites of the Carpenters. The song was tailor made for her. Her voice brought out the theme of the song and the harmonica in the beginning really added to the sadness.
As an old person who grew up with this stuff, I'm so delighted that you and others of your generation are discovering and appreciating this old-school music! Please bear in mind that back-in-the-day there was nothing digital. There was no auto-tune. You either sang it or you didn't. Karen was known to cut brilliant recordings in a single take...and she can sing this sad tune with this level of emotion WHILE PLAYING THE FREAKIN' DRUMS!!! She was an amazing talent. There are some really good documentaries available about this brother/sister duo...Richard is a humble and jaw-dropping talent, too!
SHE HAD THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL AND SHE IS NOW WITH THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN. GOD BLESS HER AND THANK HER FOR BRINGING US HER VERY BEAUTIFUL LIFE IN MUSIC. TIMELESS
Her passion was the drums, since she was a little girl. The reluctant lead singer. Her brother had to talk her into it. Can you imagine? She sang plenty of upbeat songs too. ☺
I've always wondered how much Richard inadvertently contributed to her negative psyche; not out of malice but so driven to further the band and his/their music that he was too blind to how it impacted his sister. I've never seen this brought up in any documentary of the Carpenters.
@@bbwng54 The dynamic in their family, including Richard's insensitivity, is discussed in the book Little Girl Blue -- an excellent read. But in fairness, back then no one understood anorexia. It was the mother who was the primary influence on Karen's psyche and negative self-concept. Karen craved her mother's love. Richard was unquestionably mother's favorite. Everyone knew it, including Karen. Richard's contribution to Karen's low self-esteem was in not recognizing how much their mother's doting on him and neglecting Karen damaged Karen. emotionally and psychologically. This article gives a pretty good summation of Karen's issues: www.theguardian.com/books/2010/oct/24/karen-carpenter-anorexia-book-extract
it took some doing for Richard to be able to talk her into taking a front and center position as the lead vocalist and getting out from behind the drums, though she hated the thought of doing that. I expect that she trusted his judgement enough to believe that what he told her was for their future as a band...the rest is history.
She was an introvert and felt safer behind her drums. Her brother was favored by the family and she was the "black sheep". Sad. But she loved her brother there and playing drums with him. R.I.P. Sweet Karen.
Love seeing people react to the carpenters and to Karen's unmatched voice. She is considered the best female vocalist ever and in my opinion she is, and she's also my favorite singer ever. She considered herself a drummer who sang and not the other way around. If you are interested in knowing more about her you should read the book, Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter, very sad. Sadly she is gone but her beautiful voice will live on forever.
Also you can watch the (BBC?) documentary Only Yesterday: The Carpenters' Story at this link - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2t97I-pBIEk.html&ab_channel=newvillefan
Everything she sung was heartfelt, she wasn't comfortable out front on stage, she preferred to be on the drums, so sad she suffered so much emotionally 💔
@@johnb.2518 She had a bad marriage and divorce with a husband that was borrowing money from her at $50,000 at a time, and died from anorexia the day she was to sign papers to make her divorce official.
If you keep listening to Karen you will inevitably fall in love with her... As we all have. Karen knew a particular kind of sadness. Her mother expected her to support Richard's career, but Karen's talent meant that she could no longer be in his shadow. When Karen would give a breathtaking vocal performance, their mother would say only "wasn't Richard great?" Karen was shielded against relationships and kept at home until she was 25 yo. Karen wanted children of her own, but when she was about to get married at age 30 her fiance told her that he had gotten a vasectomy and that he would not reverse it. Karen told her mother that she was calling off the wedding, but her mother said "no your not, we have guests flying in, you made your bed now you have sleep in it!" Karen never heard the words "I love you" from her family. We her fans loved her but it wasn't the same. Karen's illness made her terrified of a plate of food and caused her to poison herself with unhealthy medicine. Finally her husband let her down by taken her money and denigrating her. Despite these things Karen was an outgoing and funny lady, a beloved friend, and kind to her fans while remaining basic, humble, and shy. Karen's last wish was for more songs to sing and more audiences to sing for! RIP Drummergirl
On a Different video Richard spoke to the fact that Karen dated but all the guys wanted was access to her money, and he was quite open about it, he was equally open about his addiction as well. If i had been a couple decades older I would've signed a prenup in a heartbeat just to have the pleasure of her singing live or in the studio :) I guess her being 11 years older then myself wouldn't have been to big of a generation gap :) My stepmother brought their music into the house and on the radio. a long time ago.
She was shy and resisted being taken away from the drums and placed up front. She was very highly rated as a drummer and I think her self image problem got a lot worse when they made her the center of the group. I understand why they did it. That voice is captivating.
That was the incomparable Karen Carpenter. She had THE most perfect voice. Full stop. Unequaled and never to be heard again. Her brother, Richard, arranged all of their songs and created the "wall of sound" heard on most of their songs - and adopted by the music industry still heard in many songs today. He also sang backup harmonies - and played piano and keyboards. He was (and is) an absolute musical genius. His little sister, Karen, was also an extremely gifted drummer. She preferred to be behind the drums and played the drums on all of their earlier songs. But, her voice was so incredible, they had to bring her out front. There was no autotune or any manipulation - that voice was all Karen. She was an extraordinary woman who left us way too soon. She was the voice of many generations. Karen died of heart failure due to Anorexia Nervosa at the tender age of 32 back in February 1983.
Soy argentina y en ese momento yo estaba de vacaciones en otra parte de mi país cuando oí la noticia de su muerte. Se me partió el corazón y me puse a llorar. Con mi primer sueldo (1978) me compré el vinilo de The singles .
Her voice, to me, is a comforting embrace, and heartfelt talk, with someone who's truly close to me. I hear her sadness, joy, frustrations, in every note, and still am stirred by her all these decades later. Enjoy your journey through time with her and Richard.
The Carpenters sound was uniquely brilliant and timeless. Karen’s voice was like velvet and her lyrical interpretation was unequaled for this musical style. The perfect creamy texture of their background vocals was created through multi-track recording with Karen and Richard’s voices used as their own harmonized backup singers. The sound was perfectly original and completely the Carpenters.❤
I was a teenager when the Carpenters became popular. I fell in love with her voice back then. It still makes me cry, today. I think she was the vocal role model for a generation of singers.
You sampled 2 of the saddest Carpenters songs. Karen admitted they were difficult to perform because they made her sad. But yes, Karen knew how to sing sad songs. BUT....not all their songs were sad. A more uplifting song (hits) were 'Close to You', On Top of the World and We've Only Just Begun....all beautiful with Karen's wonderful voice and Richard's great arrangements. We must not forget that these 2 also had fun making music...and they made some great music.
Did you say “ a tear in her voice” ? that was a perfect definition. Sad story but amazing talent that lives on. and happy her voice is still finding its way to appreciative ears and hearts. I was in HS when she passed and we did a tribute choir performance. Her death and Lennon still hit my memories. Thanks for posting this one. ❤️💔🎶
Yes.......her voice. Full, rich, expressive. I remember being thoroughly mesmerized anytime one of their songs was played on the radio. And I still am.
They didn't even want her to drum. The recording execs, her manger, her brother all forced her to leave the drums behind in order to sing lead upfront. I watched Karen from the time i was ten and she was nineteen, and it was obvious that she was happiest when she was drumming.
I first heard Karen when I was in 5th grade back in the 80’s. She had already passed away and there was a TV special on her life story. I was OBSESSED……. All my friends listened to Madonna and I listened to The Carpenters 🤣 I still love her to this day 💕
Karen did suffer from depression and low self-esteem issues during her life. She died from bulimia/anorexia at the age of 32. I don’t believe she wrote any of their songs though…her brother Richard was more of the composer/producer.
@@johnb.2518 from all accounts she suffered from both. Hard to believe that she didn’t believe in her talent or appearance but it happens to the best of people :(.
Dana says- Karen was one heck of a drummer and when you watched her play you could tell that's what made her the happiest. It's like she was experiencing sheer bliss when she was just drumming.
I can remember growing up as a child and every Sunday morning the record player was nourishing me with these melodies..... And I also always thought that Karen carpenters voice felt so sad and this was reflected in the lyrics..... When I saw her life documentary later in my teens I realise that she was a depressive personality...... And the songs seem to be self soothing to Karen but also to me....... Surely is one of the world's greatest voices ever
"Sailing on the Tide", is a great example of a happier song from the Carpenters. I remember the day she died. I spent the entire day just listening to her music. We lost a lovely angel that day. It is a small consolation that over thirty years later, she is touching the lives of young people who are discovering her talent.
I’m 50 years old and have been a fan of theirs all my life. Until your video I had no idea Karen Carpenter could play the drums so awesome you pointed it out.
I saw them live in 1971 or '72 while in college. I missed out on a chance to go see Emerson, Lake, and Palmer in another city with my roommate and some other friends that night...so left behind, I noticed The Carpenters were in town that night and went by myself. Another friend happened to be an usher that night and found me a much better seat. I saw most of my favorite rock bands back in my hippie days, but The Carpenters definitely put on one of THE best shows I've ever seen. So glad I missed that other concert!! They sounded even better live than their studio albums (unlike most other bands at that time, lol!) Karen Carpenter had one of the most beautiful voices ever...right up there with Whitney and just a very few others, in my opinion!
"Was she a sad person?" Yes,she was. She sang from her heart,her tortured heart but sure gave us light with her voice. She gave so much to the world without even knowing it.
Hello Angela. We all know how great of a singer she is. My fave Karen Carpenters. But, many didn't know how incredible drummer she was. During the 70's, she was voted at no 5 as best drummer, getting ahead of John Bonham of the Led Zeppelin during that time. Imagine that. If you can find time to watch her solo drums, you'll see how gifted and happy when she's playing drums. Can't wait to hear your reaction. Thanks a lot
While I was just a child at the time..... I had SUCH a crush on her. That voice..... add in the fact of how pretty she was, and the fact that her voice and the lyrics she sang actually touched me on a level few others have.
I keep telling my kids what “pop” music was like when I was a kid! Even songs that were considered rock had a beginning a middle and an end, and they usually had arrangements!! I like some of today’s stuff, because I have to listen to it, but honestly it’s pretty crappy. We just build songs on beats now :(.
I disagree. We, of course, all idolise the music of our youth, when we entered the cultural stream and identified naturally with the music that surrounded us. It imprinted on us. Plus, that was when our passions were running at their highest and everything was still quite new. And of course there’s loads of cheap and derivative crap about today. But to suggest there isn’t also mind-melting talent around today is, imho, at best ungenerous and at worst utter bullshit. Jacob Collier. Charlie Puth. Jacob Collier. Ariana Grande. Jacob Collier. Adele. The list is long and diverse and includes some truly breathtaking music across every genre. Did I mention Jacob Collier?
@@martinkirk1 Absolutely true. I can imagine JS Bach and his Baroque friends dissing on Mozart and Beethoven (I know he had been dead for years but you get the analogy). Haim is a great act. Prefer Dua Lipa to Grande - Dua uses real musicians making not just all digital music built on a computer like Ariana’s but those programmers are definitely talented…for real. 😂 Dua Lipa - NPR Small Studio Session - m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F4neLJQC1_E.html Have you checked out Band Maid? Ignore the Maid costume gimmick (just the way the music industry in Japan works); they are stone cold talent putting out great rock music and a great live act. m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QbyQCJn6rYg.html
I was hooked on the voice, her drumming, and her overall beauty as the complete package in the 70s She was a rocker of heart and soul invasion for my music and song needs as a teenager back then 😘
She had the most amazing voice, for me, probably my favourite female singer. It would be great to hear your reaction to The Carpenters singing "This Masquerade"....it'll blow your socks off!
In exactly 12 months (May 1970 -May 1971) The Carpenters released 4 singles: Close To You, We've Only Just Begun, Rainy Days And Mondays and Superstar. All worldwide smash hits. Karen was barely in her 20's and literally "On Top Of The World' The private life issues were still a few years in her future. Her vocal artistry is breathtaking and the likes of Karen Carpenter will never come again. Terrific reaction D O R. Best wishes, RNB
I enjoy watching such an authentic reaction. I've been a Whitney fan for so long, but Karen also deserves the respect and admiration for being one of the great female voices ever irregardless of musical genre. It's so sad someone like her couldn't fully appreciate the gift she was given and be happy in her life overall. I guess the lesson I learned from certain music docs is despite having special talents, these artist can be severely wounded in life just like the rest of us.
Love your reactions to the Carpenters. You obviously have a good heart Angela! The Carpenters will touch it every time. Your reactions are as touching as the music. Well almost.
When I was growing up I thought of her as the most beautiful woman alive. I remember the absolute moment I found out she had passed, and the sadness was overwhelming. The world had lost a piece of magic and I am sad thinking about it.
There's a video of a special they did once where she really showed off her drumming abilities, good watch, she was excellent. Also known as a 1 take recording wonder on her recordings, never a need for for multiple takes, first time was always perfect, her voice was perfection.
Wonderful review. FYI - she was 20 years old when she recorded Superstar and about the same age when she recorded Rainy Days. The vocal you hear on Superstar was recorded the first time she sang the song - reading the lyrics off a paper napkin. An amazing drummer. A beautiful soul. An amazing voice. Thank you so much for your wonderful reaction!
Masterpiece …Greatest Duo of all time. One of the greatest voices of all time and also a great drummer…Her voice was so beautiful she’d make you cry easy..Miss you Karen
I was just a stupid kid when the Carpenter’s were huge. I even knew Karen was a angel sent from above. God rest her soul. I wish she could of seen herself with the same love people had for her. She was so special and one of the best singers ever.
Thanks for letting us witness how this song affected you. Emotions are a huge part of communicating with and understanding each other. Not all of us are comfortable with or capable of sharing our emotions, so we rely on text messages and emoji. Your way is much better.
