No one talks about the fact that Karen made the decision to get help in 1982, SHE gained the strength to go into hospital and gain weight again, SHE began to turn her life around. No one ever seems to mention that Karen accepted she had a problem and made strong steps to take back her life - she fought valiantly, but after the years of toll on her body, tragically it was not enough. But she FOUGHT, and in early 1983 she was weighing more and ready to take on the world. Even if no one else reads this, I will have it be said loud and clear. Karen fought valiantly and I love her ❤️🔥
@@rodrigovillablanca Yes I agree with you. It’s pretty common knowledge that she sought treatment voluntarily. But the body cannot be treated like a yo-yo and her heart by this time had already suffered a great deal of damage. Probably her liver and kidneys as well.
I do agree that Karen Carpenter in 1982 did all she could at the time. The biggest mistake the doctors treating her made was they should have sent her to a Cardiologist since her heart was in such poor shape from taking thyroxine, laxatives, and medicine to vomit. However, I believe Karen Carpenter was a very sweet person💛💛💐💐 as much as she was a talented person. I wish I could have met her when I was a Child.
Exactly! Thanks for saying what I've wanted to say.She spent that time fighting! She really tried to fix things that year.That is alot of time to dedicate to any issue.People forget that she was only in her 20's and early 30's.Alot of ppl think they can worry about it later because they are so young and their body can handle it.I wish she could of finished her life here.She gave us so much joy and she seemed so nice.A fan since 1970 when I heard a voice on the radio that I could not stop listening to.I'm still listening to the best voice my ears have ever heard.
I find it to be sadly ironic... that for all of the beautiful and romantic love ballads that KC graced the world with, she never really found anyone to truly love her.
Have y'all seen Whitney Houston strung out in several video's. In one video, Whitney Houston is accepting an award and high as the sky, and being stupid.
dgobbie1 She went downhill after the studio rejected her solo album so she could get back with Richard. Bad move, on all accounts. Friends said she never recovered from that and Richard not supporting her album.
She worked so hard on that album. The fact that the record co said no. Ok. But what hurt her was the fact Richard didn’t have her back on it. Which I always thought that was horrible, Karen always had his back when he was in rehab. Karen and Richard were rich. They coulda started their own record co. So, no, for him to say, he never objected is not true. Maybe it might not have been as big as the Carpenters stuff, but it wasn’t trash. It’s funny though..... he said he chose to release that album for her fans........he only released the album, after mother passed!!!! So yes, I know he loved his sister, I just don’t think he was looking out for her. He had to know something was wrong and getting really bad. I would have taken my sister to a residential treatment (just like he did) I would have sat and held her hand until she was ok. I probably would have stayed near just in case. I know it’s easy to say because I wasn’t there, but that’s what she did for him. Even that old lawyer guy said, Richard didn’t handle a few things right with her sister. Regardless, I love the Carpenters. I’m glad there is so many recordings we can listen to forever. Karen, you will always be in my 💜💜💜💜
@@milanetc4865she definitely did! I think that was on February 3rd if I'm not mistaken if not it was very close to when she passed! This is definitely not the last time she sang live!
Yes it is a horrifying and heart-breaking video - I agree so much. The woman with the greatest voice of the last century - if not for 500 years - being allowed to actually perform when it was obvious she was slowly committing suicide; she died. Did people want her to die? She looks like a concentration camp victim. I have read that the reason why Karen became so conscious about her weight was because some designer said they would only dress her if she lost a lot of weight. Well she did; and that eventually ended her brief, tragic life. Shame on all who tolerated an act of self-destruction. Sure Karen was very strong willed and powerful; surely though others could have helped her more?
Brian Scates Yes, friend said that the designer said she’d need to lose 30 pounds. Also I heard her mother said that the camera adds x amount of pounds, reporters called her chubby, and someone from her studio said that she needs to lose weight. The designer comment I believe was in 1974. She lost the weight and ended up in the hospital in 1975 or 1976 having to cancel a world tour. Tragic.
Heartwarming to hear, but heartbreaking to watch. She had a voice that was dynamite from the angels, but at this stage, a body that was dynamited by anorexia. Will always love Karen Carpenter and her beautiful soul.
you can see she looks tired and is struggling, and is hiding under those baggy clothes. So many things in the train of events that led to the tragedy - even the fashion for big baggy pantsuits that she could hide under.
Richard is also singing live over the prerecorded background vocals…what a gift these two had…Karen seems very tired yet for the most part, she nails this song. Such consummate performers, these two…always striving to do their best for their fans and audience. I will love them forever.
Indeed probably the last performance live from this unique duo. Karen looks ill and her brother looks better than ever. He struggled too with his addictions. So sad. This was recorded on the television program MIES in the Netherlands
I couldn't stop crying when I thought she was singing while burning her life, but I still love Karen's singing voice.There is always a Carpenters by my side.
Karen Carpenter, I love you, and will always remember the superstar you were!! You deserved so much better at this time on your life. I wish I could have been your friend.....I would have stepped up and held your hand till the proper help you needed was found, no matter how long it took. I see the sadness in your eyes, it’s a different feeling I get. I know you were the best sister to Richard, especially thru his rehab. You always did have his back. I would have had your back!!! Karen, thank you for sharing your music and beautiful soul. Almost 50 years later and you are still very much remembered &loved!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Oh dear, my heart breaks for Karen. She is clearly beyond ill. Struggling to perform in baggy clothes that can no longer hide her skeletal appearance. Thank God she left us her beautiful voice! Rest in peace.
She had such a beautiful voice I grew up listening to the Carpenters. She was taken much to soon I wish she could have gotten the help she needed. But at that time nobody knew what anorexia was Karen brought it to light and now there is help for people who suffer from this. You are missed Karen RIP.
I've never heard this song live... Thank you for this wonderful gift. Despite the ill health and even without their usual backing band , R&K's musicianship and magic still shone through..
Her voice was perfection and angelic, and her music timeless. The Carpenters songs were upbeat and full of hope for the future, it’s so very sad to imagine how much pain Karen was in all those years and that she left us far too soon. She will live on through her music. Sing with the angels.
1981 (the year of this performance) may very well have been “the year” to take time off and get some perspective, and serious help. Unfortunately, two years later...Gone.
@@barb6868 She did, and every time there was any sign of recovery Richard had her back recording or on stage. She had a two week Thanksgiving break from the hospital and he forced her into the studio rather than let her relax.
Z z@@jonathanhindson4580 Ewww...I didn't know that....about Richard pushing her back out to the studio and road so soon after her hospital/treatment center ASAP. 😡 Horrible and despicable. I have been watching more documentaries on them lately. He is one weird, creepy dude--who acts like he has a screw loose. It is infuriating how hard he pushed her. One documentary showed him speaking of how Karen's doctors stated she might have to take a break from it, and may not sing again...at least for a while. He gave this resounding no. His eyes bugged out, and he had this crazed look about him, as if saying, "There is no way you are going to tell ME my sister is not going to sing again." So controlling and domineering..like he was saying, "I'll make that decision, thank you very much." (Hmmm...wonder who he got that from? One hint: Mommie Dearest). It honestly reminded me of a slave driver in movies, pushing their slave beyond the point of exhaustion. Or, when the jockeys whip their thoroughbreds at the Kentucky Derby. Then, once she died...he was in a rush to get her solo album out within 6 months or so!!! The same one he was so jealous of and convinced the record company to shelve!?!? 😠 Even the host on a Morning Show he appeared on, seemed shock for it to happen so soon. Oh, yes, and the years since then, Richard has done nothing but try and succeed in milking her voice and memory for all its worth. So, I totally get what you are saying. She was his and his mother's work horse and cash cow. Her mother telling her not to let her #1 hits go joto her head, and only praising Richard after a concert. Yet, it being Karen's voice who bought their new house. Refusing to tell her she loved her in counseling session and therapy which was trying to save her life. Sickening. Only three simple things needed to happen for Karen to have lived: *her mother show her love and real care and concern with her anorexia, and recognizing how Agnes was contributing to it *Richard stop working her like a horse, literally to death, and *Thomas Burris to have never come into her life, and treated her the way he did Yea, Richard wrote the songs and produced them. However, if he didn't have Karen to sing them, they would have made someone else more famous--not him. He would not have ever gotten a record deal if it weren't for Karen. I don't care if they didn't know what to do about her anorexia...you do what you do know to do, and that is stop touring and show some love. It was as simple as that, and would have been all it took...no matter how long it took. I am sorry....but I just have to vent about Richard. His actions and inactions just really piss me off.
@@VintageRose75 Me too. He only made it because of her. Damn... didn't anyone just hug her ever...and tell her she was loved. Lovely woman. My 27 year old niece died of the same thing in April. She was institutionalized several times...and was getting somewhat better....but it was too late. Like any addiction...you have to surrender to it with everything...you have. Very sad....but.....the heart can only take so much. Richard is crazy
She was cured of the anorexia when she passed away. It was years of taking a drug called Synthoid for a thyroid condition (which she never had) that did her in.
Amazing to find new live recordings that I didn't know existed. Thanks for sharing this and making it available! That said, this is so hard to watch - Karen looks and (IMO) sounds so weak, like she's fighting to get the vocals out. I was just watching the 1971 BBC recordings, and the contrast is, to me, clear and heartbreaking. She fought so hard, which makes it more tragic that she lost the battle. Thankfully there's a whole wealth of recordings to remember them by.
I really wished she had sung some of her made in American songs live during 1980-1981 duration. Even at this sickly state she's at, her voice is still wonderful and perfect n sweet but you know something is not quite right with her voice as you can hear her getting a bit breathless n gasping for air at some point. It's really sad. If I were her parents, I would put her in hospital for a total checkup. You can see something is not right at this point. Who knows, maybe Richard forced her to travel and sing to promote her album at that time as it equates to money. It's really sad. Everyone can see she is sick n extremely weak by now. Maybe it was a blessing that she died so that her mum and Richard can no longer control her anymore.
Man, an actual LIVE version. This is gold! Thanks for the share. This is my ultimate favorite song from the siblings. It came out when I was freshman in high school and heard all through Winterballs and Proms. And it romantic through each one. Great romantic lyrics. Sung by the great voice of Karen. Mahalo again!
i read it and i agree with you.....now she is in the Love she always looked for.....and.....i know karen got the best drums in heaven......and as many drums as her needed ..... 😊 💗
Karen dió lo mejor de ella..su extraordinaria voz y talento!...yo al igual que todos uds la amo...y me entristece que ya no esté físicamente con nosotros...q.p.d..querida Karen!❤❤❤
Her eyes show her pain. She must have been in distress at this time, physically and, of course, emotionally from her marriage. Her voice also sounds weak in the upper register if you listen closely as it is mostly dubbed over by prerecording. Her solo album had been shot down. There was no one to put an arm around her and say enough. Richard was out of rehab and pushing hard. The question always looms as to whether her diabetes was starting to develop around this time or did not until after her last hospitalization.
Looking so frail and ill and yet perfection in every note. As usual every feeling and emotion given and nothing spared. So tragic, such a loss but a great legacy of music and awareness of her illness so more could be saved. Let us remember too a flippant comment however unintended to harm can do just that and have tragic consequences.
Karen Carpemter adalah sakah satu Penyanyi kesayangan qu..walau era qu berbeda dng nya..suara halus lembut jernih dan merdu..so perfect..tdk kalah dng penyanyi jaman Now..hingga kini tetap suka dng lagu2 The Carpenters..sedih jg melihat Karen bernyanyi dng merdu dng penampilan sakit dan bgitu kurus😥..Karen wafat pd thn 1983 silam sdh lma bngt..krn gagal jantung dan anoroxia nervosa.. Rip. Karen Anne Carpenter🙏🙏
When I first listened to the carpenters I listened to this song, I first said, wow she looks 40. I felt bad because she was 30. I wish they quit touring and got her help.
Karen doesn't look very good here. Karen is singing this song live over a backing track. Her voice is very strained, she's exhausted and she just doesn't have the strength to get the job done. Karen would live another 2 years but she looks like she's on death's door here. Karen was actually a very athletic, strong and full of energy woman. What we're seeing here is just a shadow of the real Karen Carpenter. This is not the real Karen Carpenter and she should not be performing in this condition. Rest In Peace Karen.
I totally agree . I thought it was me but she did seem like she was struggling. I don't know when this was actually recorded but I've listened to her my whole life and her voice was always strong and effortless. Still beautiful though.
SuperPaige02 Yea, she’s shrinking before their eyes and their solution is XXL shoulder pads and three layers to cover it up. And what’s with Richard in the background, a little over enthusiastic like he’s having a party of one.
@@kellydoyle you got me rollin laughing 🤣🤣😂. I know it's not funny. But yeah you rt about Richard he alil tooooo happy and sis is bony and not eating at all. Ain't no way I would stop eating all together 😂
I wonder what Carpenters music would have become in the '80's, '90's and up until today if Karen had survived anorexia. "Touch Me When We're Dancing" makes use of a string section, which was becoming "too disco" by 1979-1981. My guess is that they would have eventually ditched the string section and followed a "crossover country" track along with artists like Anne Murray.
She knew she had a problem thats why she always covered up in the later years, not to mention she probably froze on stage. Its horrendous what anorexia did to her body. If I had known her I would have given her so much love, she needed it since her family was so cold towards her.
I got LOTS of love but I still developed Bulimia. Its not just about not getting enough love at home. I wish it was that simple. But i understand what you are saying. Seeing her here I just wanna hug her as well!!!
Karen was very much loved by her family. Karen's problem stemmed from being OCD along with the pressures of being famous. Her anorexia had nothing to do with her family. God couldn't have blessed Karen with a more compassionate and loving brother than who she had in Richard. So stfu
Why does everyone blame others? She was a grown ass woman that didn't see she had a problem and would argue with people and deny until it was too late.
@@lindsaynicole1218 mentally ill poeple dont see that they have problem. thats why its called a mental illness. its the responsibility of nearvy people to help those mentally ill poeple. so ur logic clearly doesnt work in the real world bruv. PEACE!!!!!!
After much damage Karen belatedly said she needed help. She went to New York for therapy. But she wasn't honest with her therapist, continued being self-destructive during her time in New York, and continued thereafter.
Without Karen The Carpenters died.....Richard will be happy with the royalties but he did very little to help his sister. In my opinion he was jealous because she was the real star and not him.
Nesse período ela já tentava esconder ou disfarçar sua doença ,utilizando roupas largas ,e nos anos 80 a moda das ombreiras até indiretamente a "ajudava" nesse quesito ...uma judiação ,a voz feminina mais bela até a atualidade Karen sempre será imbatível Eu sempre me pergunto ,porque alguém não a notou assim ,e a socorreu?Era uma doença ainda desconhecida ,mas sua aparência denunciava um problema ....acho que houve muita preocupação em cumprir compromissos profissionais ,e pouco se atentaram no emocional dela.Para nós fãs ela sempre viverá...
SO SAD... my favorite singer of all time OBVIOUSLY not well and even her voice is affected to my ears... listen to this live version as oppose to the recorded in studio version... when she sings the refrain of "touch me when were dancing, you know you got that loving touch" and so on.. her voice sounds "thin" "girlish and strained"...not the rich, smooth, controlled, pure voice of the recorded version...
I've noticed that too. She's struggling to reach the high notes. Even there she's still a great singer even if she's dying in front of our eyes literally!! Very sad to see how bad was her shape at that time!!
It shows here that she was coming to the end of her life when her voice was slowly starting to wear just like her but in a way still beautiful. Wonder in her own mind did she hear the same when she sang & realise finally that what she was doing was terribly wrong. Obviously when u get anorexia u become oblivious to it & deny everything. We'll never know now just how good Karen would have been if she had have lived till 70+. If she had remained a healthy weight that voice would have gone on for years. Her passing left a huge hole in the music world more than any other singer.
