FIRST TIME HEARING | Carpenters - Yesterday Once More

[@raybrown3667]

Fifty years ago this week (week of July 28, 1973), this song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding that position for two weeks. Billboard's rival publications, Cash Box and Record World, placed the song at #1 the following week of August 4. This became an enormous international hit, placing in the Top 10 in numerous overseas markets: in the U.K., it peaked at #2, while in Japan, it placed #1 among international singles. In some countries, the song's popularity has endured. By some accounts, it is one of the best known English language songs in China, as the Carpenters were among the first foreign artists widely heard when that nation began to open up to Western music. The song itself owes its origins to the nostalgia wave that was sweeping the U.S. in the early 1970s. The film "American Graffiti," the musical "Grease" (later made into a movie in 1978), and the TV series, "Happy Days" were popular in the early- to mid-'70s, and oldies radio stations emerged to spin classic records from the late '50s and early '60s. Karen and Richard meanwhile had begun to incorporate an oldies medley into the set list for their concerts. When the duo began work on their next album - their fifth studio album, "Now & Then," Richard decided to record one half of the LP (the "Then" side) as an oldies medley, much like the one from their road show. To introduce the medley, though, he needed an original song, something to capture the wistful appeal of songs from the past. He and his songwriting partner, John Bettis, crafted "Yesterday Once More" for that purpose. It became the Carpenters' eighth million-selling single and their fifth to peak at #2.

[@randytaylor1406]

The Shalala, woo-ohoh, and Shingalingling refers more to the old style of DooWop like songs. Great song, Karen has an incredible voice.

[@shadow1674]

Beautiful thank you for posting awesome reaction❤❤❤❤

[@TheJm129]

"Goodbye to Love" is one of the first power ballads and is one of several must listens.

[@michaeltipton5500]

Nobody since the Carpenters to sing great music like this. Glad people today are rediscovering them.

[@Tonidolls]

The song NOW..Is really sad..because it was a her last song recorded..LALALA and the rest are from old songs from the early 50'snot Christmas songs..Although her Christmas songs are amazing...

[@mickeyhank]

Another outstandingly good and fun reaction. Many thanks to you, Ace. Your work/play is apprecated! Your comments are always interesting and heartfelt. Thank you.

[@lisahaverluk4037]

Again.. enjoy the ride😊😅😅her and her brother 😊😊😊

[@jbs256]

Great reaction, Ace! I can fill in some interesting facts regarding the song and the actual album it comes from. I’m watching you and getting chills watching you react. You’re feeling it. Richard her older brother and Karen were the only on album harmonizers. In concert the band members helped for live performances. It only ended when Karen died and Richard had to finish some songs. It wasn’t for Christmas it was for classic Rock ‘n Roll of the 50’s and 60’s. This was from the album Now and Then (“the Ferrari album” look at the album covers, you’ll know). This was the lead song on side two. It led into a medley of early RnR songs they covered, it was “hosted” by a DJ played by fuzz guitarist Tony Peluso (RIP). Tony reprised the DJ on the song Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft. Another goosebump moment that’s Karen on drums. She drummed this entire album except the song Jambalaya which regular studio drummer Hal Blaine, did. Karen drummed the first album Offering/Ticket To Ride and this one. She did do scattered songs throughout but they generally wanted her to just be the front singer. The girl could drum! It was her love. I recommend a couple of songs earlier and I’ll let those videos stand. Since I mentioned it, I’ll link Calling Occupants and a specific video to give you the full effect. Though save it for later as it is different by a lot from typical Carpenters songs. It’s a cover of a song from the Canadian band Klaatu. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpalh2N7pK99j5o

[@MrJohnw2454]

This song is super sentimental. It's intended to stir the memory pot.

[@sharoninglima1217]

Karen has a voice that’s mesmerizing and hauntingly beautiful. Richard’s composition and piano is so great. ❤❤

[@cliffordlowerre1381]

Love your reaction. Feeling it. Not a Christmas song but they do have an awesome Christmas collection that really gets you in the mood. Karen was also an extremely talented drummer. Check out some of her drum solos. Will blow your mind! Most talented duo ever imho!

[@paulblotkamp3294]

Love theCarpenters

[@katijarvinen]

I love Karen ❤

[@garyhiggins5823]

The vocals and harmonies are all done, overdubbed, by Karen and her brother Richard, who arranged and produced their songs. You want their best example, check out "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", in which they produce an overdub harmony with 39 layers.

[@pennymcneela7095]

It's my favourite tune by the Carpenters..❤

[@Tessiefaye]

There was a group back in the 60's called Manford Mann and they had a song by the name of Sha la la. In the song they'd also say sho be do. That's why she's singing of old songs.

[@markroulette3419]

Great reaction. My favorite Carpenter song, is the last song Karen recorded, called “Now”. Quite an emotional song, Thanks.

[@MrZoreole1]

Love your reaction, beautiful song

[@katkat-fm3wj]

For All We Know...So very beautiful by Karen.

[@bearballin]

Love the reaction to one of their classics. Funny how when this song was released as a new song, it contained elements of what you'd call "oldies"... the sha la las do it! Please give a listen to Carpenters song "Bless the Beast and the Children". I've always felt that it was a Christmas song even though it was the title track of a independent film back then of the same name. You'll love the message in BTBATC....❤

[@eggy1962]

Plus there is a video for Beasts

[@losova7543]

Great reaction 👏👏👏

[@obliv3on]

if i could recommend a christmas one they did called merry christmas darling, it has awesome harmony. I love your reaction friend, im from usa and i watch you all the time. cheers

[@KimbaLoveAdams]

Here are some more of their songs to check out if u haven’t already listened to them. Rainy Days And Monday’s, Close To you, Top Of The World, I Won’t Last A Day Without You.

[@Gary-h6f]

The Carpenters did not have a bad song. Karen's voice was one of a kind and one of the best of the 20th century. They were a big part of my teen years and I still have their greatest hits album. My favorites if Goodbye to Love, Top of The World, I Know I Need To Be In Love, and Sing - from Sesame Street.

[@buukkreider544]

I hope you would also react to their other 'Yesterday' song: "Only Yesterday" - thank you.

[@rayfaircloth8253]

This song was released in 1973 I believe. She reminiscing about the songs she grew up with from the 50s and 60s that used lyrics like "Sha la la" and "Shing a ling a ling".

[@cd72]

This was a song looking back to the nostalgia craze from 1973 *think American Graffiti*....so the Every Sha la la la and Shing a Ling a Ling and Shooby de lang lang...all references to how songs had this in the lyric....Richard Carpenter and John Bettis created a masterpiece....in actuallity the Every Sha La La La parts were just a dummy lyric and RIchard and John were going to fill that part, the chorus with titles of old songs....and Karen came in heard this and said it was a dumb idea, so they kept the dummy lyric in....this song was a Gold million selling single and a huge international hit....all the voices you hear are just her and her brother Richard overdubbed to sound like a choir!

[@khenley7100]

Dreamy vocals!!

[@worldwidebirthdaycelebrations]

Hi, Guy! Try "Ticket To Ride" also by The Carpenters! God Bless!

[@rayfaircloth8253]

Once again, Karen and Richard are singing the background vocals on this as well.

[@paulblotkamp3294]

Sha la la la and Shing a ling a ling is 50s music reference

[@ingoboll]

I love this song . A suggestion for you to react..."Queen of Chinatown " by Amanda Lear 😊❤

[@GinMae]

Thanks, Ace.. such a pretty song.. and there is nothing better than Karen's silky voice... (the sha-la and shing-aling refer to "oldies".. like, fifties.. "shooby-doo").. appreciate your reaction!

[@KimbaLoveAdams]

😂😂😂😂It’s not a Christmas song smh. It’s just a way of writing lyrics from the times. The 70s was a wholesome time and that’s where it came from. Not Christmas. I really love my young ones when they react to music decades before they were born. It’s hard to understand how things were when u didn’t live through it. I love that you want to learn.

[@ronbrown912]

The harmonies on Carpenters records are usually Karen harmonizing with herself

[@craigpaske9351]

Christmas vibes? What?