What Is The Carpenters Greatest Song?

Karen doesn't need autotune. She is nearly 100% dead on. There's a guy, think his channel is Wings of Pegasus, who does electronic analysis of singers' pitch control and Karen is one of the most accurate he has ever found. The best.

"Superstar" is my absolute favorite song from The Carpenters. This song makes my eyes well up with tears knowing she is no longer with us. Karen Carpenter is irreplaceable. There will never be another.

One thing I loved about Karen was that you could hear every word she sang. She reminds me of those British singers like Petula Clark and Vera Lynn, who enunciated every word clearly.

It's plainly obvious that Karen's voice was the hook to their sound but sadly I do not think Richard gets the love he deserves. Most of these arrangements were his and also not only played keys so incredibly well he was a part of the smooth wave of background vocals with Karen.

I grew up with the Carpenters! I love their music to this day! Karen's voice is like no other. ❤❤

Props to Herb Alpert who gave them a recording contract and allowed us to fall in love with their music.

Karen was 33 when she passed. The day she died I was driving between appointments, it was rainin, the announcer of the FM station interrupted a song to announce her death. He was choked up and said this song was so appropriate, and played Rainy Days and Mondays. I had to pull over as I started to cry. Such a great talent.

1.Superstar 2.Goodbye to Love 3.Close to You Karen's low notes in Masquerade always give me chills.

We’ve Only Just Begun. Hands down. Perfection. Lyrically, harmony and her flawless voice.🧡

Richard's arrangements were the unsung heroes of these songs, absolutely phenomenal

What a star - a shy drummer who transformed into one of the most beautiful voices ever - RIP Karen C.

Karen died at the tender age of 32! A shattering loss to the world. There hasn't been - nor will there ever be a singer that rivals her. She was also an incredible drummer. She preferred to be known as a drummer that sings. Richard was one of the most brilliant keyboardist, pianist and arrangers of all time who used the layering of their vocals (ONLY Karen and Richard's vocals) to create the wall of sound harmonies. He also brought in an electric guitar to one of their ballads (Goodbye to Love). They took major heat for that - but it turned out to be absolutely fantastic. They NEVER used - or needed - Autotune. She had perfect pitch. Her voice should have been dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. It is absolutely impossible to pick a greatest Carpenter's song (BTW, they were the CARPENTERS - not THE Carpenters). They were ALL just amazing.

Karen's dynamics set her apart. Not only does she swell in volume at the end of a phrase, she opens her mouth during the crescendo to alter timbre at the same time. It's engaging. It feels like she's turning her head and singing to you, personally. Not been replicated or equaled.

Her voice always brings tears to my eyes immediately. Superstar kills me every time.

One of my favorite songs by far is "For All We Know"...her low voice in this tune is spectacular.

I love Karen’s voice! I’m a contralto and it’s hard to find good songs in my range - and The Carpenters songs are perfect!

Karen understood how her audience loved her deeper notes. She said, “The money’s in the basement.” Thank you, Rick, for highlighting the beauty of the Carpenter’s music.😍

My parents knew Karen and Richard (and their parents) in the late 1970's and early 80's. They attended Karen's funeral as well. To this day, my folks will talk about how kind and accommodating both Karen and Richard were.

You never confuse her voice on the radio with another singer,so distinctive,so beautiful

So much appreciate you bringing this forward, Rick! These are songs that lit-up my high school years with so many memories and nostalgia! Karen's voice will go on for an eternity...

Excellent job Rick! Thank You so much for recognition to one of the finest female vocalists of all time. Her voice quality and delivery is uncopiable. Her haunting style of singing is so captivating and Richard, such a great musician had a fantastic arrangement capability.

I have an uncle who was a professional local singer, and during one of his shows he talked about Karen being one of his greatest influences. He mentions how her voice will forever be unmatched and timeless, because you will never not understand a word she has ever sung in her songs. She so pure and clear. Legend.

Thank you, Carpenters. Thank you, Rick. Anorexia may have been the mortal cause, but she went home to lead the angels choir. Almost makes me shed a tear when I listen the her. And she was a very good drummer, too. I can only imagine what she and her bro would have done in the last 40 years. We are a little less for the loss. But we are better for the short time she and Richard shared with us.

To me, Karen had the best female pop voice of all time. My favorite songs by her were "Superstar" and "Merry Christmas, Darling" To me, those two songs are perfect and should never be covered. I feel nobody could ever do them better than Karen did.

My dad passsed away a week ago, & while in the hospital days before he passed on, we would play the carpenters. Which was one of his all time favorite acts. While attached to a respirator, he would still respond by tapping his fingers along with the carpenters music.

They were as Great and received as Apple pie truly American♥️ A gift!

Grew up listening to them. As near "perfect pitch," I've ever heard. Every time she'd sing on TV, near perfect every single time. And live!

As a j azz singer, I can truly say this voice is beyond magnificent. Control, vibratto, pitch all combined into the angelic beauty we get to hear. Her voice sometimes makes me cry with joy. And their harmonies - wow!

Back in those days pop songs still had MELODY!

"Goodbye to Love" is another song that is right up there at the top for me.

The Carpenters were that one unique group that both hippies, hard rockers and our grandparents ALL LOVED. Can't think of another that ever accomplished that much crossover appeal.

I love the way you enjoy her voice. “This masquerade” is for me her best performance, where her low register stands out and makes it a masterpiece

" I Won't Last A Day Without You " is my favorite Karen Carpenter song.

Dad chose Top of the World for his funeral as a tribute to my mum Not a dry eye in the house 10 years on it still brings tears to my eyes

The Carpenters - There was nobody before them and nobody since. That voice, those arrangements, the harmonies. So beautiful.

Karen will always be my favorite female singer, back in the day you couldn't have a high school talent show unless someone covered one of her songs. I was fortunate enough to have a band teacher that was crazy about the Carpenters so we always learned and played their songs. I once saw an interview of Michael Jackson when he was asked who was is favorite singer, he said Karen Carpenter because she pronounced every word clearly and perfectly. He said more things about her, but that one statement I remember clearly because that was also one of my reasons for loving her voice. I would love for you to do a video on Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. I loved their music.

I avoided the Carpenters' music when I was young. When I finally grew up I finally realized what an incredible voice she had. Wow.

My favorite is Superstar. When Karen Carpenter sings, you can feel every depth of her despair. I'm still heartbroken 40 years later. She was America's sweetheart, and every red-blooded American male wanted to be her prince.

My heart still aches that Karen Carpenter left us too soon. Can you only imagine what else she would have brought to the world with her golden voice. She will forever live on for those who came of age in the 70's. Rest in Peace beautiful Lady.

I've heard Karen was referred to as One Take Karen many times. She was always prepared when in the studio and layed down a perfect vocal every time.

I was too hip for the Carpenters in the day. The voice, undoubtedly divine gift force of nature of course. This last Christmas season, all the famous artists’ material is trotted out- it really struck me, we had the Carpenters Christmas album, the arrangements are just outstanding genius.

The other thing about Karen Carpenter is that although she never overenunciate it, you could always understand every single word she sang.

Never been my kind of music, but you CANNOT deny the mastery of her voice. Today? Too many celebrities in music, too few musicians.

Karen Carpenter was an Angel 😇 sent from Heaven and left us way too soon! One of the most beautiful voices ever heard! The compositions are the direct result of her brother Richard Carpenter who really played to Karen’s strengths as a singer! I LOVE ❤️ the music of The Carpenters! RIP Karen! My personal favorite is SUPERSTAR

The first English song I heard was Yesterday Once More in 1972 and I didn’t understand a word in English. It was literally “love at first note”. 50 years passed, I still listen to Carpenters everyday and now I fully understand the lyrics. Karen Carpenter has a voice of an angel, maybe that’s why god called her back to heaven so early.

New book out about each and every song. Richard contributed heavily. Checked it out from public library.

I think you forgot to mention probably my favorite (though I love all of them) and that is "Only yesterday" which really marked an era of my childhood. This song has a super pristine melody/arrangement, wonderful lyrics and of course when you add Karen's perfect vocals, it is just heaven!

When I was a 4th grader in the 70s I did a baton twirling routine to "On Top of the World". We did "Sing" in our holiday show. And my favorite is of course.... "Superstar". I'm 57 now and wondering why I'm crying like a baby.

Even a rock and roller like me would stop song surfing on the car radio when Karen's voice came on. Just pure magic. A rare rare gem. ❤️

One of the greatest female singers ever. Me & my brother listened to every. Single. Song. Listening to the crackle, just incredible. Auto tune is the worst thing ever invented!!!!

For me, it's Superstar all day long. Perfect vocal, perfect arrangement everything. Lyrically it touches on the darker aspects of fandom before the chorus lifts us away from getting too heavy or sad. Total chef's kiss💋

For all we know,, the beauty of Karen's voice touches not only musicians in the deepest way! She could turn your soul around, creating flashes of warm and cold over your body, goose bumps and looking into a wide horizon of deep blue while starting to cry. I loved their songs then and still do nowadays. They wouldn't use Autotune, because they were already musically autotuned already. Richard was a perfectionist and I miss sometimes the chorus effect of their harmony singing! The chorus effect, that's necessary in a choir, and that which we sometimes like pedal wise on our electric guitars (not to sound too plain). They made beautiful music! Through their work, we still can invite Karen into our living rooms!

I was around when the carpenters were huge. I laughed at a brother sister duo. Somewhere along in life, the laughing stopped. I realized how great they were. They were incredible. Her voice was velvet.

Arrangements like those of The Carpenters were possible because they were on A & M Records, a label that supported artistry. It didn't hurt to have Herb Alpert in your corner, either.

Ric I am 60 years old and I hope your younger audience will listen to more of Karen's singing she is up there with one of the most beautiful singing voices of all time

I was your typical hard rock heavy metal kid that absolutely laughed at the likes of the Carpenters. Then I got older and understood and appreciated all musical talent and ability. Karen Carpenter leaves me in tears.

Karen is my favorite vocalist of all time. Her voice is the sweetest, smoothest, purest voice I’ve ever heard.

Anyone remember The Carpenters' version of Klaatu's "Calling Occupants (of Interplanetary Craft)?" Karen could've sung an interoffice memo and chart it!

Karen was a perfectionist. I don't think I've ever heard her off key!!!! I learned to sing with her in my ears! RIP

Carpenters are also synonymous to their composers - Paul Williams and Burt Bacharach in their early songs

Hey Rick, you have to get Richard Carpenter in for an interview! He is mostly responsible for those beautiful arrangements. Love the Channel.

I’m very honored to grow up listening to the carpenters in school, I still think the carpenters were the best group I’ve listened too, the are the best and will always be the best, thank you Richard and Karen for the gift in music that you gave all of us to cherish ❤

I grew up with Carpenters on the radio. So I didn’t analyze them. I just adored them. Now analyzing the music, I believe that I understand the formula better. Richard and the production team were fabulous musicians who excelled at understatement. They were the delivery device. What they delivered was Karen’s vocal. Karen had such emotion, warmth, and sincerity. And it’s the tender point to the arrow that goes right into my ear, then brain, then heart. She is the ideal mother’s voice that nurtures an infant’s soul. The total package is art that still haunts me.

Karen's voice earns all the praise mentioned here in the comments, but let's not overlook her superb drumming skills.

I love a lot of the Carpenters music, but Karen's voice is perfect and beautiful.

Leon Russell said it himself, that his favorite version of his song “Superstar” was the one by Karen Carpenter.

A little shoutout to Paul Williams and Roger Nichols for writing “We've Only Just Begun”, “Rainy Days And Mondays“ (and many many other great songs, of course) who were so beautifully interpreted by Karen Carpenter and her brother… ☺

She was just under a month from being 33 years old at the time of her passing. 3/2/50 - 2/4/83 It’s almost unbearably sad and tragic. Thank you for the time you gave us, Karen!!

Karen practised many hours to perfect her low notes and deep voice because she knew that was what would make her stand out. She was spot on.

The Leon Russell songs the Carpenters did were some my favorites. Masquerade, A song for you, also their version of Solitaire.

Many many great hits, but Solitaire was my favorite! Karen's voice was one of a kind!

Some of these songs go down one instrument and vocals with no reverb, In your face, up front and dry. She can pull it off with her voice alone- its amazing.

I heard them live when they performed at my college. I was stunned that they sounded like their records. They played through Kustom amps and P.A.. That was it Their success was just taking off. After the performance, they were breaking down their own gear...no road crew. I just walked up on the stage and started talking to Karen while she was tearing down her kit. I asked her how they were able to nail the blend of those complex harmonies. She said while they were playing gigs at Disneyland, they took individual voice lessons (with the same vocal coach) on one day of the week then the whole band would have a group vocal lesson with the same coach for blending work. The result was they nailed their harmonies as polished and beautiful as the records. I learned later that Karen and Richard did all the background vocals on the records. There were six members in the live band and they all sang so I just assumed it was all of them recording the vocal background... it was that good. She was such genuinely kind musician to take the time to explain their process. A memory I'll always treasure. P.S. She was a great drummer too!

Great segment. There's a reason we are still listening to these songs 60 years later. Talent is a wonderful thing. Karen's voice was phenomenal. Don't short change Richard (great harmonies). Superstar was/is my favorite Carpenters song. But there are so many good ones. Again....nice job.

My faves are not as well known. ‘Road Ode’ and ‘Bless the Beasts and the Children’ are just stunningly beautiful. Richard’s production and arrangements were unparalleled.

I still cry when I hear Karen's voice...

Still love "We've only just begun" as much as anything I've ever heard. What an incredible arrangement and the song is so touching.Brings a tear to my eye for a better time and a better country.

I'm not a musician. But what I love about Karen is her ability to change her Vibrato in the middle of a song.

Richard was far from being only a keyboard player. He arranged all the harmonies with his & Karen’s voice stacking the voices 8 times over. He learned this from Les Paul & Mary Ford recordings.

“Top of the World” vocal harmonies just do it for me. Goodness, the warmth is incredible.

For me, "Now" may be the most poignant and beautiful recording. I believe it was the last song she recorded, and she was very ill and close to death at the time. Her voice was still amazing, and there is so much irony and beauty in her rendition of that vocal. Check it out and see if you can not tear up thinking of her singing that in the studio shortly before she left us.

Karen's voice was clear like water. She could've sang 'Three blind mice' and it would have been a gem.

A friend once told me that Bono had described Roy Orbison’s voice/vocals as liquid gold, this ought be attributed to Karen also and come to think of it to Nat King Cole and Jim Reeves I think, but I digress, Karen’s vocals are divine, it is truly tragic that somebody who brought so much joy to countless millions should slip away so young really 😢

I love how you pick up every instrument and key change. You are fun to watch because your joy and appreciation of music is extraordinary. I don't think Karen or Richard's giftedness was as appreciated as it could have been. Their songs won the hearts of the people, but I don't remember back then people saying what a stunning voice she had or Richard's brilliant musicianship and arrangements, and production skills. So very sad we lost her so young.

My Uncle D worked at A&M RECORDS HOLLYWOOD from 1969-1999. Beginning at age 7, I would be allowed to go to work with him during my summer school breaks. I literally witnessed music history being made behind those gates and the kindness of Herb Alpert. My own music journey playing piano and flute was heavily influenced by watching Richard and Karen LIVE at A&M. Almost 40 years after Karen's tragic death, she is still the BEST FEMALE SINGER and nobody else can touch her vocals. Richard is still the master of composition. " SING" 1973 is my favorite Carpenters song. Also, every song on their "Christmas Album."

Rick, nice job introducing the Carpenters. We've Only Just Begun was my own wedding song in 1990. Still gave me goosebumps when you just played it some 30 years later! Karen Carpenter has the voice of an angel. Unreal.

Glad you are talking about the Carpenters. They deserve to be highlighted.

Karen`s glorious unique voice will be an ongoing gift to society!

I am so grateful for my older brothers introducing me to the Carpenters when I was a kid. I grew up in the 80s, and I felt weird for liking them when my peers just weren't into them at all. I now know not to care what other people think. Good music is good music... period. I love watching others enjoying the things I love, and you look like you're having a grand time revisiting this great music. I love your eclecticism and your enthusiasm for all great music.

We've Only Just Begun was my older sister's wedding song. I believe the song was actually a tv commercial for a bank opening. Her voice was so beautiful, just clean. Richard had a great voice as well.

My theory is that Karen’s voice is so moving because it reminds us of how a mother sings to her child.

Karen never needed fake auto-tune, she WAS real life auto-tune, personified.

One of the greatest natural voices of the last 60 years and she died at age 32. She would have been considered a legend by all, not just some, if she had lived another 20 years. Her voice is a master class study, at most music schools. To have such spot on pitch without the effort that many singers try to imbue today is phenomenal. She knew what her voice could do in all of its aspects, and she did it for the 12 years she was a popular recording artist before her untimely death. May God's mercy be on Karen Carpenter.

My favorite present growing up was the Carpenter album with the car on it. I was 10 in 1975, and besides trusting Jesus as my Savior, I thought this was so glorious. I was always singing from then on, while doing cartwheels in the backyard. I have the same range so i have always loved her, and Richard.

One of the reasons her voice was so great is because she kept her throat muscles totally relaxed, so she was truly singing with her most natural voice.

Karen’s voice still brings a tear to my eye… so blessed to be a kid when this music was bestowed upon us.

Richard Carpenter doesn't get enough credit for what he did to showcase Karen's voice. He is a brilliant musician.

Karen and Richard were incredible; listening to their music will move the hardest person.. anytime a song makes you tear-up you know they've done something right. Thank god there was no Auto-tune to ruin the nuance. Today's Auto-Tune should'nt be allowed; if people cannot sing they shouldn't be in the music business.

Karen's voice makes me weep. Anyone else find her the voice of an angel?

Greatest song was probably Superstar. Karen’s voice at it’s ultimate perfection. Most important song was Goodbye to Love with the…..then…..unique wailing guitar solo from Tony Peluso. It was literally the invention of the power ballad. Personal favorite…..too many to mention, but Goodbye to Love and Only Yesterday are probably my favorites.