Richard Carpenter called one Carpenters song “almost perfect,” a track where Karen’s legendary voice was raw, vulnerable, and unforgettable.
In a 2022 interview with Goldmine Magazine, Richard was asked how he had the foresight to see the potential in one of the band's most iconic songs, "(They Long to Be) Close to You." He explained that it was a combination of intuition, careful arrangement, and knowing exactly how Karen’s voice could bring the song to life.
Richard said, "Karen and I were both old souls. I just happened to hear 'Close to You' yesterday on the radio and I thought, what a remarkable record. It really is."
"It’s almost the perfect record. There’s not much I would do to change it, and Karen had barely turned 20 when she sang it (Richard was 23), and yet she was way beyond her years as far as interpretation."
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He added that the song's easy melody sounds like it could have been put together quickly. However, Richard revealed, "It’s a very deceptive song and a very deceptive arrangement. The whole thing makes it sound like it’s an easy song, and the trouble with that one is it was so strict with timing and rhythm."
'Close to You' is a signature Carpenters' track
"(They Long to Be) Close to You" was the Carpenters' first number one hit. It reached the top position on July 25, 1970, and remained on the charts for 17 weeks, according to Billboard.
According to UDiscoverMusic, the song was originally recorded by actor Richard Chamberlain in 1963. Burt Bacharach and Hal David then arranged the song for Dionne Warwick in 1964. A recording by British singer Janie Marden was released in 1965, and Dusty Springfield took a chance with the song in 1967.
But it was Karen and Richard Carpenter’s version that truly stood out, with Karen’s vulnerable performance touching listeners in every verse. It became the definitive version, the one fans would return to again and again.
Before the release of "(They Want to Be) Close to You," the Carpenters had a moderate hit with a remake of The Beatles' classic "Ticket to Ride." Hitting number one set the stage for a successful career that spanned from 1969 through 1983.
Karen Carpenter died on February 4, 1983, at 32. Richard Carpenter keeps the group's legacy alive. He is a father of five and resides in California.
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