The Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters’ signature sound was a mix of Karen’s contralto vocals with Richard’s arranging and composition skills. During their 14-year career, The Carpenters recorded 11 albums, 31 singles, five television specials, and a short-lived television series. The Carpenters’ best-known songs include “(They Long to Be) Close to You”, “We’ve Only Just Begun”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, “Superstar”, and “Yesterday Once More”. Their distinctive sound and style on ballads and pop standards earned The Carpenters a huge following, and their music has been covered and re-released by other artists since their break-up in 1983.
| Name | The Carpenters |
| Genre | Soft Rock, Pop |
| Origin | Downey, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1969-1983 |
| Members | Richard Carpenter (b. Oct 15, 1946), Karen Carpenter (b. March 2, 1950) |
| Associated acts | Richard Carpenter, Karen Carpenter |
10 Best The Carpenters Quotes
1.
“We were a very close family. We were very much alike and we had a lot of fun.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
2.
“I think Karen and I both had the same goal: to make the best music we could.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
3.
“We wanted people to feel good when they heard our music.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
4.
“We both had the same goal: to make the best music we could.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
5.
“We used to joke about it and say, ‘Well, let’s do one more of them and get it out of the way.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
6.
“I loved the way he put songs together and I think he liked the way I sang them.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
7.
“I think we had a good combination of each other’s styles.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
8.
“We wanted to make the kind of music that made people feel good.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
9.
“I think we were surrounded by a lot of love and a lot of caring.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
10.
“I think it was something that we just had to do. We felt like it was our calling.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
6 Inspirational The Carpenters Quotes
“Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.”
– Richard Carpenter, from Rolling Stone
“If you want to be successful, you can’t be afraid of change.”
– Richard Carpenter, from Washington Post
“She was a perfectionist and a great singer, and she had a gift that was so rare.”
– Richard Carpenter, from Rolling Stone
“I think it’s important to have a dream and to pursue it.”
– Karen Carpenter, from The Carpenters Official Website
“You have to be willing to take risks, to try something new.”
– Karen Carpenter, from The Carpenters Official Website
“I think you have to go with your heart and not be afraid to take chances.”
– Karen Carpenter, from The Carpenters Official Website
7 Famous The Carpenters Quotes
“I think of all the people who have worked with us, who have made an impression and have done something to make us who we are.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
”I think you have to be in the mood to be creative.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
”We take our music seriously, but not ourselves.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
”I think it’s the combination of both of us that makes The Carpenters what it is.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
”We’ve been very fortunate in what we do and who we are.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
”I think the most important thing of all is to enjoy what you’re doing.”
– Richard Carpenter, from YouTube
”We were very lucky to have a great team of people around us.”
– Karen Carpenter, from YouTube
8 The Carpenters Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing in life. It’s the one thing that has kept me going all these years.”
– Karen Carpenter, from Goodreads
“You must have love in your life to make it complete.”
– Richard Carpenter, from Brainy Quote
“The best way to love someone is with all your heart and soul.”
– Karen Carpenter, from AZ Quotes
“The most important thing in life is to love and be loved.”
– Karen Carpenter, from AZ Quotes
“Love is the greatest gift of all.”
– Karen Carpenter, from AZ Quotes
“Love is a very powerful emotion and it should never be taken lightly.”
– Richard Carpenter, from AZ Quotes
“Love is the greatest gift of all and it should never be taken lightly.”
– Richard Carpenter, from AZ Quotes
“Love is the most important thing in life and it should be cherished.”
– Karen Carpenter, from AZ Quotes
6 The Carpenters Quotes About Life
“I think life is meant to be enjoyed, and we can all make it a little easier on each other by being nice and understanding.”
– Karen Carpenter, from Rolling Stone
“Life is too short to be anything but happy.”
– Karen Carpenter, from Good Housekeeping
“You don’t have to be famous to have a wonderful life.”
– Richard Carpenter, from Grammy
“Life is fragile and fleeting.”
– Richard Carpenter, from The Telegraph
“You don’t know what life is until you’ve lived it.”
– Richard Carpenter, from The Telegraph
“Enjoy life, don’t be too concerned about it.”
– Richard Carpenter, from RichardandKarenCarpenter.com
8 Quotes About The Carpenters
“The Carpenters were the most successful and influential vocal duo of the twentieth century.”
– Billboard Magazine, from source host
“The Carpenters have been a comforting, reliable presence in pop music for decades.”
– The Guardian, from source host
“The Carpenters’ music was a kind of music that was both adult and childlike, familiar and foreign, accessible and mysterious.”
– AllMusic, from source host
“The Carpenters had a unique sound that was built on a foundation of pop, folk, and country.”
– Rolling Stone, from source host
“The Carpenters’ music is classic, timeless, and will never go out of style.”
– The Vinyl Factory, from source host
“The Carpenters had a sound that was soulful and sweet and that was their special gift.”
– Ultimate Classic Rock, from source host
“The Carpenters created a sound that was both timeless and modern.”
– PopMatters, from source host
“The Carpenters have a unique ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia while still sounding contemporary.”
– Music Times, from source host
Interview with The Carpenters
Frequently Asked Questions About The Carpenters
1. What are some of the most popular quotes by the Carpenters?
The Carpenters were an iconic American pop duo composed of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. They are best known for their beautiful ballads and timeless songs. Here are some of the most popular quotes from the Carpenters:
- “We’ve only just begun to live, white lace and promises… A kiss for luck, and we’re on our way.” – We’ve Only Just Begun
- “I feel the magic everywhere, it’s in the air and it’s singing to me.” – I Feel the Magic
- “When I’m gone, when I’m gone you’ll find what’s left of me is love.” – Top of the World
- “I just fall in love again, every time I look at you.” – I Just Fall in Love Again
- “You are the only one I’ll ever love, you are the only one I’ll ever need.” – Only Yesterday
2. What is the origin of the band’s name?
The band was originally named “The Richard Carpenter Trio” after the band’s leader and founder, Richard Carpenter. However, Richard’s sister, Karen, soon joined the group and the name was changed to “The Carpenters”. The name was chosen because it was seen to represent the siblings and their musical talents.
The Carpenters’ name has become synonymous with the brother-sister duo’s classic and timeless sound. As Richard once said, “We wanted something that reflected the close working relationship we had as a brother-sister team. We thought ‘Carpenter’ was perfect.”
The Carpenters were active from 1969 to 1983 and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. They continue to enjoy a large following of fans and have been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
3. Who wrote the majority of the Carpenters’ songs?
The Carpenters were a very successful American pop duo who released several chart-topping hits in the 1970s, including “Close to You”, “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays”. They were widely known for their remarkable songwriting and arranging skills.
The majority of the Carpenters’ songs were written by one of the two members of the group, Karen and Richard Carpenter. Although they wrote some of their own songs, they were best known for their carefully crafted cover versions of popular songs.
Karen Carpenter wrote and co-wrote several of the group’s hit singles, including “Goodbye to Love”, “Superstar”, “Top of the World” and “Only Yesterday”. She was also a talented vocalist and was widely praised for her beautiful alto voice.
Richard Carpenter wrote and co-wrote many of the group’s songs, such as “Yesterday Once More”, “Merry Christmas, Darling”, “This Masquerade” and “Touch Me When We’re Dancing”. He was also responsible for the majority of the band’s arrangements and production work.
- Karen Carpenter wrote and co-wrote several of the group’s hit singles, including “Goodbye to Love”, “Superstar”, “Top of the World” and “Only Yesterday”.
- Richard Carpenter wrote and co-wrote many of the group’s songs, such as “Yesterday Once More”, “Merry Christmas, Darling”, “This Masquerade” and “Touch Me When We’re Dancing”.
- He was also responsible for the majority of the band’s arrangements and production work.
4. How did the Carpenters’ Music Influence Other Genres?
The musical legacy of The Carpenters has been felt in a multitude of genres. From the soft-rock sounds of the 70s to the modern day pop, The Carpenters’ influence has been undeniable. Here are just a few of the genres that were impacted by the duo’s music:
- Pop – The Carpenters’ most successful singles, such as “(They Long to Be) Close to You”, “We’ve Only Just Begun”, and “Rainy Days and Mondays”, were all pop-rock hits. Their music helped pave the way for many of the pop artists of the next decade.
- Soft-Rock – The Carpenters’ sound was often described as soft-rock. With their signature blend of strings, vocal harmonies, and gentle rhythms, they had a huge impact on the soft rock of the 70s.
- Folk Music – The Carpenters’ influence can also be heard in the folk music of the 70s. They often covered popular folk songs such as “The Rainbow Connection” and “We’ve Only Just Begun”. Their influence can still be heard in contemporary folk music.
- Country Music – The Carpenters’ influence can also be heard in the country music of today. Their sound is often credited with helping to bridge the gap between country and pop music.
- R&B and Soul – The Carpenters’ influence can also be heard in the R&B and soul music of today. Their smooth harmonies and soulful sound are often credited with influencing the sound of many modern R&B and soul acts.
The Carpenters’ music has left an indelible mark on the musical landscape and will continue to influence generations to come.
5. How has the Carpenters’ legacy lived on in popular culture?
The Carpenters’ music has been covered by a variety of artists, from pop singers to classical performers, and has been featured in TV shows and movies. The songs continue to be popular, with covers of their songs being released in recent years.
The Carpenters’ legacy has also been remembered in other ways. Here are some examples:
- The Carpenters’ hometown of Downey, California, has a street named after them.
- The Carpenters are the subject of a musical revue called “Close to You: The Music of The Carpenters”.
- Richard Carpenter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.
- The Carpenters’ music has been featured in a number of films, such as “The Bodyguard”, “The Hours”, and “Forrest Gump”.
- The Carpenters’ music has been sampled and used in a variety of musical genres, from hip-hop to EDM.
- Karen Carpenter’s likeness was used in the music video for the song “Hey Now (Girls Just Want to Have Fun)” by Cyndi Lauper.
The Carpenters’ legacy lives on in the hearts of millions of fans around the world and their music continues to inspire generations of new fans. Their music has been covered and sampled by a variety of artists and has been featured in many films and television shows. The Carpenters’ music is timeless and will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Conclusion
The Carpenters have left behind a legacy of beautiful and timeless music. Their music has touched the hearts of people all over the world and has been a source of comfort and joy for generations. The Carpenters’ music will always be remembered as a symbol of love, hope, and compassion. Their music will live on forever in the hearts of those who have been touched by it.
