This cover really emphasized that this duo were superstars.
"Superstars" by the Carpenters has become one of the pop-rock group's most popular and iconic songs. Released in 1971, it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is widely considered one of their best performances, thanks to Karen Carpenter's vocals.
The original "Superstar" was actually written in 1969 by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, but multiple popular covers and versions were released by other artists, including the Carpenters, Luther Vandross in 1983 and Sonic Youth in 1994.
Despite its success, Bramlett initially disliked the 1971 cover, especially because she didn't like that they changed the original lyrics from "sleep with you again" to "be with you again." But, as the years went on, she began to not care.
"I used to care. Back in the day, I really cared. Man, when they changed it to 'to be with you again.' I wrote 'to sleep with you again.' That meant something. That meant a big deal to me. I was really bummed out," Bramlett, the 81-year-old songwriter, expressed. "But you know what, I grew up. And when you grow up, it’s a business."
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"Superstar" was originally recorded by Bonnie Bramlett and her husband, Delaney, for their duo Delaney & Bonnie. The song originally had the title "Groupie (Superstar)" and was released in December 1969 as the B-side of their single "Comin' Home" via Atco Records. The track was also included in the couple's sixth album, D&B Together, which was the last record they worked on together before divorcing and pursuing solo careers. In 2002, 50 years after the album's release, Bonnie re-recorded "Superstar" as a piano ballad for her solo album, I'm Still the Same.
The track is about a woman who falls in love with a rockstar, and they share a brief love, but they end up splitting while the woman naively waits for him to return. Rita Coolidge, a popular artist who was a part of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends ensemble and a close friend of the duo, came up with the idea while she observed the relationships of groupies while on tour. Despite being the inspiration behind "Superstar" and being there when the band was writing it, Coolidge is not listed in the credits.
"When [Superstar] came out, and I saw Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, Bonnie even said, 'Why didn't you say something, Rita?'" Coolidge told Relix in October 2016. "I said, 'Because I knew if I did, then Delaney would beat the [explicit] out of you and it wasn't worth it.'"
Delaney and Bonnie and Friends in concert at Queens College, New York.Harvey L. Silver/Corbis via Getty Images
Richard Carpenter, the second half of the Carpenters duo, became aware of "Superstar" after watching Bette Midler singing a cover on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Their version of "Superstar" was produced by Richard Carpenter and Jack Daugherty, and was recorded with members of the Wrecking Crew, a popular Los Angeles-based recording group throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Their cover was included in their self-titled album and became the duo's fifth consecutive top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, they were nominated for the Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist.
The Carpenters, which consisted of siblings Karen and Richard, were best known for the distinctive soft musical style, especially with Karen's alto vocals and Richard's harmonizing. Born in Connecticut and raised in Southern California, Richard took piano lessons and studied music at California State University, Long Beach, while Karen played the drums. They first started performing together as a duo in 1965 before being signed to A&M Records four years later. During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded ten studio albums, as well as multiple singles and several TV specials.
Karen Carpenter, unfortunately, suffered from anorexia nervosa for almost her whole career, starting around 1975, which was driven by the pressures she received from fame and family. While visiting her family in Los Angeles, her mom found Karen lying unresponsive in their walk-in closet, then she was rushed to the hospital. The doctors confirmed that Karen's death was due to heart failure because of her eating disorder. She was just 32 years old.
After his sister's death, Richard Carpenter continued to produce recordings of the duo's music, releasing the posthumous Voice of the Heart in October 1983, eight months after Karen's passing, which included unreleased tracks left off of Made in America and other older albums. Now, Richard Carpenter, 78, is settled in Thousand Oaks, California, with his wife and kids. He still manages the legacy and discography for the Carpenters and oversees the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
The Carpenters performing in 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Despite not making any new music for years, the Carpenters have still made a huge impact in the industry. Rolling Stone ranked the duo in tenth place in their list of the "20 Greatest Duos of All Time," while Karen Carpenter has been called "one of the greatest female vocalists" by NPR. Many musicians such as Michael Jackson, Akiko Kobayashi, Madonna, Beyonce, Phoebe Bridgers, Sheryl Crow and more have cited the duo as their inspirations.
"Superstar" and all of the Carpenters' discography are available on streaming platforms.
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