Play Carpenters Radio
Carpenters
2,201,809 plays
211,640 listeners
Los Angeles, United States
With their light, airy melodies and meticulously crafted, clean arrangements, the Carpenters stood in direct contrast with the excessive, gaudy pop/rock of the ’70s; yet they became one of the most popular artists of the decade, scoring 12 Top Ten hits, including three number one singles.
Karen Carpenter’s calm, often somber voice was the most distinctive element of their music, settling in perfectly amidst the precise, lush arrangements provided by her brother Richard. The duo’s sound drew more from pre-rock pop than rock & roll, but that didn’t prevent the Carpenters from appealing to a variety of audiences, particularly Top 40, easy listening, and adult contemporary. While their popularity declined during the latter half of the ’70s, they remained one of the most distinctive and recognizable acts the decade produced.
The Carpenters formed in the late ’60s in Downey, CA, after their family moved from their native New Haven, CT. Richard had played piano with a cocktail jazz trio in a handful of local Connecticut nightclubs. Once the family had moved to California, he began to study piano while he supported Karen in a trio that featured Wes Jacobs (tuba/bass). With Jacobs and Richard forming her backup band, Karen was signed to the local Californian record label Magic Lamp, who released two unsuccessful singles by the singer. The trio won a Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Bowl in 1966, which led to a record contract with RCA. Signing under the name the Richard Carpenter Trio, the group cut four songs that were never released. Jacobs left the band at the beginning of 1968.
Karen Carpenter’s calm, often somber voice was the most distinctive element of their music, settling in perfectly amidst the precise, lush arrangements provided by her brother Richard. The duo’s sound drew more from pre-rock pop than rock & roll, but that didn’t prevent the Carpenters from appealing to a variety of audiences, particularly Top 40, easy listening, and adult contemporary. While their popularity declined during the latter half of the ’70s, they remained one of the most distinctive and recognizable acts the decade produced.
The Carpenters formed in the late ’60s in Downey, CA, after their family moved from their native New Haven, CT. Richard had played piano with a cocktail jazz trio in a handful of local Connecticut nightclubs. Once the family had moved to California, he began to study piano while he supported Karen in a trio that featured Wes Jacobs (tuba/bass). With Jacobs and Richard forming her backup band, Karen was signed to the local Californian record label Magic Lamp, who released two unsuccessful singles by the singer. The trio won a Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Bowl in 1966, which led to a record contract with RCA. Signing under the name the Richard Carpenter Trio, the group cut four songs that were never released. Jacobs left the band at the beginning of 1968.
Videos
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Play
Carpenters - Man Smart, Woman Smarter
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Play
Carpenters "Nowhere Man"
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Play
Carpenters - Crystal Lullaby
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Play
Carpenters - EVE
Top Albums
Top Tracks
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We've Only Just Begun
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Superstar
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Rainy Days and Mondays
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(They Long to Be) Close to You
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| 6 |
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Yesterday Once More
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| 7 |
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Top of the World
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| 8 |
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Merry Christmas Darling
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| 9 |
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Please Mr. Postman
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| 10 |
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Goodbye to Love
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| 11 |
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Ticket to Ride
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| 12 |
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Only Yesterday
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| 13 |
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Sing
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| 14 |
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I Won't Last a Day Without You
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| 15 |
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It's Going to Take Some Time
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Shoutbox
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irthesteve wrote:
noooo, I am listening to "Carpenter" not "The Carpenters"
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TheAcidQueen_x wrote:
I don't fucking get it. Why do people like the Carpenters so much? They're compared to Streisand, Manilow and Bread, and yet no one will admit they like them. So is it cool to like the Carpenters or something?
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kylestunesnshit wrote:
I'm listening to "Carpenter", a rock band from Canada and it is getting counted as this. How can this be fixed?
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[deleted-user]
wrote:
The Carpenters will always have a special place in my heart.
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PhamilyJules wrote:
Fuck, I love the Carpenters. They're my guilty pleasure.
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Microchestnut wrote:
<3 love them since last centry.
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Rissacakes wrote:
Karen Carpenter has always been one of my idols. And I love her, wherever she is in that rock n' roll heaven. <3
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VernianProcess wrote:
LOL@ Sonic Youth cover... I really hope that was a joke lol.
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JOPLUSIAIN wrote:
just me in my head with all the doors shut and sweet sweet memories
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nancykitten wrote:
I like their Sonic Youth cover.
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daffodilflow wrote:
Very touching! It seems time back to 20 years ago when i was in university and first time heard this song.
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meanmrmustard wrote:
Most of the songs Richard sings on are so ODD.
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mmmmlowell wrote:
the carpenters are anything but lame, sir.
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5ampleWhor3 wrote:
Last.fm you suck i like Carpenter not the lame Carpenters screw the auto scrobbling my tracks as this junk
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veronicaahhh wrote:
I heard Richard is "restarting" the Carpenters with a new female singer???? WHAT? I really hope that's just a ridiculous rumour
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jeeys wrote:
Love them!
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blabbers wrote:
please please Mr. Postman, do you have a letter for me?
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redevil1990 wrote:
yesterday once more <3
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texa1801 wrote:
i practically grew up listening to The Carpenters. I just simply adore them ♥
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VernianProcess wrote:
Karen you were an angel. I'm sorry your life on this planet was so tormented. I'm so glad to see a whole new generation embracing you and your brothers music. You might be glad to know that my favorite song of yours, also happened to be your favorite (I Need to be Loved). Peace and much love a respect. Rest in Peace.
Listeners
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MPerton
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ZanardiZZ
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Patte-dono
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Recent Activity
- mikeofgold, AndiDandi, regdeb and 46 other people added Carpenters to their libraries. 1 minute ago
- Drifemer tagged Carpenters with ‘pop’. Sunday evening
- vh290 created the Spanish wiki page for This Masquerade. last month
- mtnmedic and ellemoo added Carpenters to their libraries. August 2008
- marlonringor tagged Carpenters with carpenters and female vocalists. August 2008
- edelsuess tagged Carpenters with ‘pop’. August 2008
- vbrbora, mazelizcla, SubHeart and 1 other person added Carpenters to their libraries. August 2008
- reetpetite2008 tagged Carpenters with ‘easy listening’. August 2008
- ian_kerr2001, quadophile, kenr0966 and 37 other people added Carpenters to their libraries. August 2008
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