Close to You (The Carpenters album)

Last updated

Close to You
CloseToYou.jpg
Studio album by
The Carpenters
ReleasedAugust 21, 1970
Studio A&M (Hollywood)
Genre Pop
Length38:37
Label A&M/Polydor
Producer Jack Daugherty
The Carpenters chronology
Offering/Ticket to Ride
(1969)		Close to You
(1970)		 Carpenters
(1971)
Singles from Close to You
  1. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
    Released: May 15, 1970
  2. "We've Only Just Begun"
    Released: August 21, 1970

Close to You is the second studio album by the American music duo the Carpenters, released on August 19, 1970. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 175 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, [1] maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list. [2] The album contains the hit singles "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "We've Only Just Begun". The success of the title track earned Carpenters an international reputation. The album topped the Canadian Albums Chart and peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard albums chart. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, entering the top 50 of the official chart for 76 weeks during the first half of the 1970s.

Contents

The album and its singles earned Carpenters eight Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Carpenters won the Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for the album.

Background and song information

According to session drummer Hal Blaine, the Carpenters' parents were in the recording studio for the Close to You album and "you could tell right away they ruled the roost." [3] Blaine said that Karen's mother dictated her singing style and was unhappy that Karen did not perform as a drummer for all of the songs. Blaine countered that although Karen was a capable drummer, she was accustomed to playing loudly for live performances and thus was unfamiliar with the requirements of recording in a professional studio. However, she had been informed beforehand of Blaine's involvement and indicated her approval. [4]

"(They Long to Be) Close to You" was the first Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition, with some original lyrics by Cathy Steeves, that Carpenters covered. The song was recorded several times by various artists during the 1960s but without popular success. It became Carpenters' first RIAA-certified Gold single, as well as their first Billboard Hot 100 single to reach the top 10. It remained at #1 for four weeks and became one of the Carpenters' most iconic songs. Richard devoted the song to Karen. [5]

"We've Only Just Begun", composed by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, first appeared in a 1970 Crocker-Citizens Bank commercial that depicted a married couple beginning their life together. In August 1970, it became Carpenters' second RIAA-certified Gold single.

Originally written by Ralph Carmichael for the early contemporary Christian musical Tell It Like It Is, "Love Is Surrender" was a song that Richard and Karen heard during their teenage years.[ citation needed ]

"Maybe It's You" was written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis for their previous band Spectrum. The oboe solo was played by Doug Strawn.

"Reason to Believe" was composed by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and Rod Stewart charted with a version of the song in 1971. Karen loved the song is because it was among the first that she performed with Richard as a group. [6]

"Help!" was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in early 1965, one of four Beatles covers that Carpenters recorded; the others were "Ticket to Ride", "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Nowhere Man".

"Baby It's You" was composed by Burt Bacharach, Barney Williams, and Mack David. It was sung by Richard and Karen in 1970 and performed on their television show Make Your Own Kind of Music .

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is another Bacharach composition and was included in a medley on the following year's album Carpenters . The song was originally included in the score for Bacharach and David's 1968 musical Promises, Promises , and Dionne Warwick's version hit the top ten in January 1970.

"Crescent Noon", composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, was originally performed by Karen and Richard when they were members of the California State University, Long Beach choir in 1969.[ citation needed ]

"Mr. Guder" was dedicated to Vic Guder, Richard and Bettis's boss at Disneyland who had fired them. They had been hired to play old-time music on piano and banjo at the park's "Coke Corner" on Main Street, U.S.A., but they persisted in playing contemporary songs that the patrons requested.[ citation needed ]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]

Close to You was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year at the 13th annual Grammy awards. "Close to You" won Carpenters a Grammy for Best New Artist and another Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus that same year. [9]

In their review, Billboard noted that "Karen and Richard Carpenter have taken the music world by storm with their beautiful "Close to You" million seller and they are on their way to repeating that success with their current "We've Only Just Begun". Their smooth blend of voices is evident throughout this LP which includes both those hits and they should skyrocket up the best selling album charts." [10]

Cashbox stated that "this is, in fact, the Carpenters' second album. The first, Offering was released with little fanfare, and so was passed by a lot of people. No one will pass this one by, which just goes to show what a hit single can do. So it goes. A good deck, this one, with the title hit, Tim Hardin's "Reason To Believe," Beatles' "Help," and Bacharach-David's "Baby It's You" and "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." Much of the LP features some fine material penned by Richard Carpenter. All in all this offering is fully as good as the first." [11]

AllMusic's retrospective review deemed Close to You "a surprisingly strong album," particularly praising Richard Carpenter's original compositions "Maybe It's You", "Crescent Noon" and "Mr. Guder", describing them as superlative displays of both Karen Carpenter's vocal work and Richard's arranging talents. [7]

Track listing

All lead vocals by Karen Carpenter except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We've Only Just Begun" (lead vocals: Karen and Richard Carpenter)
3:04
2."Love Is Surrender" (lead vocals: Karen and Richard Carpenter) Ralph Carmichael 1:59
3."Maybe It's You"
3:09
4."Reason to Believe" Tim Hardin 3:02
5."Help" Lennon–McCartney 3:02
6."(They Long to Be) Close to You"
4:34
Total length:18:50
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Baby It's You"
2:50
8."I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
  • Bacharach
  • David
2:56
9."Crescent Noon"
  • Carpenter
  • Bettis
4:09
10."Mr. Guder"
  • Carpenter
  • Bettis
3:17
11."I Kept On Loving You" (lead vocals: Richard Carpenter)
  • Nichols
  • Williams
2:13
12."Another Song"
  • Carpenter
  • Bettis
4:22
Total length:19:47

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [19] Gold20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [20] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [21] 2× Platinum2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide—4,000,000 [22]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We've Only Just Begun</span> 1970 single by the Carpenters

"We've Only Just Begun" is a single by the Carpenters, written by Roger Nichols (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics). It was ranked at No. 414 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(They Long to Be) Close to You</span> 1970 single by the Carpenters

"(They Long to Be) Close to You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David with sections of the early version written by Cathy Steeves. The best-known version is that recorded by American duo the Carpenters for their second studio album Close to You (1970) and produced by Jack Daugherty. Released on May 14, 1970, the single topped both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. It also reached the top of the Canadian and Australian charts and peaked at number six on the charts of both the UK and Ireland. The record was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 1970.

"For All We Know" is a soft rock song written for the 1970 film Lovers and Other Strangers, with music by Fred Karlin and lyrics by Robb Wilson and Arthur James, both from the soft rock group Bread. It was originally performed, for the film's soundtrack, by Larry Meredith and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top of the World (The Carpenters song)</span> 1972 song written and composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis

"Top of the World" is a 1972 song written and composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis and first recorded by American pop duo Carpenters. It was a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit for the duo for two consecutive weeks in 1973.

<i>A Song for You</i> (The Carpenters album) 1972 studio album by The Carpenters

A Song for You is the fourth studio album by the American music duo the Carpenters, released on June 22, 1972. According to Richard Carpenter, A Song for You was intended to be a concept album with the title tune opening and closing the set and the bookended selections comprising the 'song'. "A Song for You" was written by songwriter Leon Russell.

<i>Now & Then</i> (The Carpenters album) 1973 studio album by The Carpenters

Now & Then is the fifth studio album by the American music duo the Carpenters, released on May 1, 1973. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on July 21, 1973, and ranked No. 20 on the Cash Box year-end pop albums chart. The title, suggested by Karen and Richard's mother Agnes, was taken from a leftover song that did not appear on the album.

<i>Christmas Portrait</i> 1978 studio album by Carpenters

Christmas Portrait is the first Christmas album and ninth studio album by the American music duo Carpenters, released on October 13, 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Won't Last a Day Without You</span> 1972/1974 single by The Carpenters

"I Won't Last a Day Without You" is a song by The Carpenters with lyrics written by Paul Williams and music composed by Roger Nichols. The writing duo had previously contributed "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays" to the Carpenters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merry Christmas Darling</span> 1970 single by the Carpenters

"Merry Christmas, Darling" is a Christmas song by the Carpenters, and originally recorded in 1970.

<i>Made in America</i> (The Carpenters album) 1981 studio album by The Carpenters

Made in America is the tenth studio album by the American music duo The Carpenters, released in June 1981. Karen Carpenter died less than two years later, making it their final album released in her lifetime. It reached number 52 in the US and number 12 in the UK.

<i>Horizon</i> (The Carpenters album) 1975 studio album by the Carpenters

Horizon is the sixth studio album by the American musical duo the Carpenters. It was recorded at A&M Studios. The Carpenters spent many hours experimenting with different sounds, techniques and effects.

<i>A Kind of Hush</i> (album) 1976 album by the Carpenters

A Kind of Hush is the seventh studio album by the American music duo Carpenters. It was released on June 11, 1976.

<i>Passage</i> (The Carpenters album) 1977 studio album by the Carpenters

Passage is the eighth studio album by the American music duo the Carpenters. Released in 1977, it produced the hit singles "All You Get from Love Is a Love Song", "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" and "Sweet, Sweet Smile". The Carpenters' "Sweet, Sweet Smile" was picked up by Country radio and put the duo in the top ten of Billboard's Country chart in the spring of 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye to Love</span> 1972 single by Carpenters

"Goodbye to Love" is a song composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis. It was released by the Carpenters in 1972. On the Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters documentary, Tony Peluso stated that this was one of the first power ballads, if not the first, to have a fuzz guitar solo. "Goodbye to Love" was the first Carpenters hit written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need to Be in Love</span> 1976 single by Carpenters

"I Need to Be in Love" is a song written by Richard Carpenter, Albert Hammond and John Bettis. It was released as a single on May 21, 1976. It was featured on the A Kind of Hush album, which was released on June 11 of the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Bettis</span> American lyricist (born 1946)

John Gregory Bettis is an American lyricist, best known for his long-term songwriting partnership with Richard Carpenter of the Carpenters. He wrote the lyrics for "Top of the World", a hit for both Lynn Anderson and the Carpenters. He wrote several more hits for the Carpenters, including "Only Yesterday", "Goodbye to Love","Yesterday Once More" and "I Need to Be in Love". He later wrote hits for other artists including: Madonna, Michael Jackson, the Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty, Diana Ross, Westlife, Jennifer Warnes, Peabo Bryson, Maria Vidal, George Strait ("Heartland"), Juice Newton, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, Louise Mandrell, 38 Special, New Kids on the Block, Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton and Whitney Houston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Carpenters</span> American vocal duo (1965–1983)

The Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen (1950–1983) and Richard Carpenter. They produced a distinctive soft musical style, combining Karen's contralto vocals with Richard's harmonizing, arranging, and composition. During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded 10 albums along with many singles and several television specials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Less Bell to Answer</span> 1970 single by the 5th Dimension

"One Less Bell to Answer" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Originally written in 1967 for Keely Smith, the song was rediscovered in late 1969 by Bones Howe, the producer for the 5th Dimension, and the song was included on the group's 1970 debut album for Bell Records, Portrait. Lead vocals on the single were sung by Marilyn McCoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Be the One (Carpenters song)</span> 1991 single by Carpenters

"Let Me Be the One" is a song written in 1970 by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams. It was first recorded by Nanette Workman and released in 1970 as a single on Columbia Records. The Carpenters' version first appeared on their 1971 album Carpenters.

<i>Carpenters</i> (album) 1971 studio album by The Carpenters

Carpenters is the third studio album by American music duo the Carpenters. Released on May 14, 1971, it was their most successful studio album, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart and number 12 in the UK, as well as being certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA. The album contained the hit songs "For All We Know", "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Superstar".

References

  1. ↑ 175) Close to You : Rolling Stone
  2. ↑ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time". Rolling Stone. 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  3. ↑ Jazz, All About (May 7, 2012). "Jazz news: Hal Blaine on Karen Carpenter". All About Jazz News. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Karen Carpenter 1950-1983". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Carpenters: The Singles 1969-1973". www.richardandkarencarpenter.com. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ Live in Budokan, 1972
  7. 1 2 Eder, Bruce. Close to You at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  8. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide . New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p.  140. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  9. ↑ "GRAMMY Award Results for Carpenters". Recording Academy. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. No. 19 September 1970. p. 36. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. No. 12 September 1970. p. 33. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  12. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3735". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  14. ↑ "– Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Carpenters a-カーペンターズ" (in Japanese). December 30, 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Carpenters Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums" (PDF). Cash Box . December 12, 1970. p. 29. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ 1971 Year-end Albums – The Billboard Pop Albums. December 25, 1971. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Aussie Success" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 33, no. 51. June 10, 1972. p. 33. Retrieved January 29, 2020– via American Radio History.
  20. ↑ "great britain's million sellers, 1973-74" (PDF). Cash Box . July 6, 1974. p. 8, Part II. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  21. ↑ "American album certifications – Carpenters – Close to You". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Carpenters". Billboard . November 17, 1973. p. 18. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 11, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.