CARPENTERS - Solitaire | FIRST TIME HEARING REACTION

[@2715bunky]

This song could have been written about me. 60yo and never married, no kids. Shyness ain't no joke.

[@gdouglas999]

Me, too. Too many friends to be lonely, though.

[@gerib4234]

I never tire of hearing Karen's voice. Pure, crystal clear, total control, effortless and always emotional. Gone too soon. Props to Richard too for his extreme talent. After sharing your story I'm so proud of you for getting out and choosing a better path! Great job😊

[@dionysiacosmos]

This hit twice. On Neil Sadaka's comeback album Sadaka's Back, and Karen's version.

[@libation2473]

Karen detested this song, and Richard had to talk her into it as a song that was worth doing because it would showcase her voice. Richard was right. Karen never changed her mind about the sing.

[@carolynadams9537]

Karen is not here to tell us why she didn’t like this song, but it never made sense to me that it was too personal for her, I.e., the aloneness of the lyrics. I contrast that to her favorite song, “I Need to be in Love.” That could be interpreted to be even more personal to her, yet it was her favorite. Solitaire was one of Karen’s recordings that happened in one take, but she wasn’t happy with it-she wanted to re-record it, But the entire studio crew sat in total silence for several minutes after the take-too speechless to say anything and Richard was adamant that it would not be re-recorded. The one take was the only take. So there was certainly some dissatisfaction on her part about the song, but whether it was the lyrics, the musicality of it, her rendition of it-we’ll never know. All I know is that it is the best song of hers for highlighting the lower range of her contralto voice-what she called her basement. She definitely is the GOAT of contralto vocalists. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@WooWooGirl]

Karen Carpenter's voice is like having an intimate conversation with someone you care about.

[@RetNemmoc555]

Appreciate the insights on how life can turn on a dime. Recommend Mary Chapin Carpenter - "Goodbye Again" as a follow to this one. It's sad, but what I like about the song is the story, her voice, and a very clever moment of musical onomatopoeia when the lamp shatters.

[@TheRatsCast]

I know how this guy who suggested this song feels, as I, too, am alone in life. As I reach 60, the idea of finding love looks dimmer and dimmer. It can be said that it's all my fault for not looking more actively, but you need to look deeper at my situation. I'm a gay man in the 80s; a time when this was not acceptable. Many of my family members wouldn't have understood. Social wouldn't have understood. So I kept it hidden. Stayed in the closet, as it were. By the time I felt more free to be me; things were different in another way. I'm a short, heavy-set, Mexican male who's kissing his hair. I've become a Be admire! And if I want your type, guys didn't look at me. It became harder to find someone. On top of that, I felt unsecured about myself, never trusting when anyone was in me. In many cases, I was right. Most guys only looked for a quick hookup. I wanted something more. So, here's I am, years later, alone. And i may always be alone. But I'm good with that now.

[@lizholewa8881]

After over 45 years of marriage the love of my life died a few months ago, so now I’m forced to play solitaire.

[@carolhesterberg7526]

You were probably perceiving Karen's dislike of this song. She told her brother she would only sing it once. Luckily, she did it perfectly the first time, as usual.

[@robertphillips4918]

Karen thought the song dragged

[@judydubiel]

Shawn you’re impressive ! Richard said that once he knew his sister had a voice like that .. he arranged the songs for her … to highlight her voice and her range .

[@Pokafalva]

Quite simply, the greatest female singer ever, of any genre, IMO.

[@ChuckHackney]

You are more correct than you may know. The greatest by far. And her voice has been analyzed and it's pitch and purity confirmed. GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Pokafalva]

@@ChuckHackney By Phill of 'Wings of Pegasus'? His analysis of singers is superb!

[@KevinRCarr]

Great song! Written and originally recorded by Neil Sedaka. You might want to look into him, as well, he's written and recorded a ton of pop hits, I think about a dozen that ended up as Top 40 Billboard hits when he recorded them, and some were also hits that others recorded, such as this one.

[@DerekDominoes]

Personally, I prefer Neil Sedaka's version of this song.

[@ronparsons8786]

Karen had such a strong yet beautiful voice. No one like her before or since

[@KJ-4321]

Wow… beautiful song…. What a voice! Appreciate your reaction… thank you Shawn & thank you Allen for this donation request!

[@iraidaacevedo3723]

Thank you Shawn for your empathy💚 this is a beautiful song💫💎💔

[@DaDavis1954]

Great reaction. Just be you, that's what matters.

[@FavoriteMovieDate]

She probably didn’t like the song because it’s about someone who winds up alone. Her greatest fear.

[@32a34a]

In my opinion the best song she ever sang. I get she has many great performances but I think she may have disliked this song because it mirrored her life in some ways. This for me is why she really sends it home in this song.

[@chrisbanks5925]

Karen was incredible.

[@garyarnett1220]

She stayed lower in her register this time than usual.

[@joelliebler5690]

Great version. You should listen to the original by Neil Sedaka. As someone else suggested Neil had some great tunes as well including the tune Laughing In The Rain!

[@carolyncappitelli1460]

No one sings it like Neil! I also love his song "You Gotta Make Your Own Sunshine." It is the happiest song I've ever heard!

[@clifton8929]

Brotherman Shawn, Integrity is telling yourself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. You, Shawn, are among the most incredible, inspiring people I've ever seen. Thank you for being the kind of person we need more of in this world. I have deep respect for you and what you've become.

[@patswanson2870]

I haven’t seen too many reactions to Neil Sedaka. He was very popular and had a lot of hits.

[@jbs256]

Hi Shawn, this ranks very high for a Karen quality vocal. Though as you said it’s known as her least favorite song. I think that has something to do with Richard and Neil having a falling out. Neil was on a tour with them and Richard had him fired for trying to up stage them. I don’t know if that ever healed as both Neil and Richard are still alive. I just saw Richard two Saturday’s ago. I was at the Carpenters 55th Anniversary Celebration. It was a surprise last day event and the resulting interview is on KZbin. There was also on Thursday an Acoustic Night and numerous invited singers entertained us. One such singer, the youngest one at 20 was Tori Holub. Another veteran singer, Lisa Budin from Australia who has sold out The Sydney Opera House with her concerts said, Tori was the voice of the night! Wow! So if this intrigues you here is her rendition with James Wilkas of We’ve Only Just Begun. I think you are going to get you mind blown, but I may be wrong 🤷🏻‍♂️ Joe kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGqYnZmAptRsjLssi=5nrZXx35JOqmLjtJ .

[@elevenbucks5682]

Neil had a huge ego ,he always claimed he was the greatest musician ever.

[@jbs256]

@@elevenbucks5682 yeah, it still should have been settled. I mean ego’s should mellow out. But sometimes they don’t. Seeing RC was a thrill of a lifetime. My shyness didn’t let me go up to him to shake his hand or autograph etc. He did that for a bunch of people. A real mensch. At least I have a picture with Tori. And Lisa B. I’m in the group picture with Richard. So there’s that’s LOL.

[@bruschmidt9943]

4:20 The most beautifilly sung phrasing ever, "A little hope goes up in smoke, just how it goes, goes without saying.". ...all in one breath! This version was Karen's work lead or first time singing the song. She set the bar so high, nobody asked her to start over. Actually she broke the human Record on perfection in singing.

[@paulhease1007]

No she takes two breaths during this time

[@RegenaCox-yy1rl]

Sometimes it's safer to play that game solitaire then to go through that hurt again.

[@alexarmendariz7763]

The greatest female vocalist of all time hands down Carpenters music is timeless rip Karen Carpenter

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

Karen's life was problematic for her. She did marry, it didn't last. Her mum was in charge at home, she tried running her own married life, but her husband would not have it. So yes the song is beautiful, but too close to the bone for her.

[@GinMae]

thanks, Salvo.. Karen was one-of-a-kind.. not one of my favorites, but still beautiful... Richard was a great writer/arranger...this was obviously written to feature Karen's vocal range.. appreciate your reaction, as always.....

[@dow311]

I don’t know how to explain my enjoyment of her voice, even if I dislike the song, I just listen to her voice if that make any sense. I’m in a trance like state, I guess.

[@deborahdennehy9937]

An absolutely exquisite song from the wonderful Karen. Her voice is one in a million. 'SOLITAIRE' is really exceptional listening to her. So sad she passed away so young. 💔💔

[@bonester50]

It just shows the world that no one IMHO is in Karen's league. Also "I Can Dream Can't I" is also amazing.

[@ChuckHackney]

That vibratto.. so pure, such tone. Such phrasing and control. Of another spiritual dimension.

[@cd72]

I can see why she disliked this song....a beautiful song but very heavy/emotional ringer to have to sing night after night...but a gorgeous song, one of the few, where she tells a story that captivates the listener...a rangey song, as Richard says, she swallowed whole....

[@JulieFreyHomeWebBiz]

Here's more to find and enjoy: "Bless the Beasts and the Children" "Crystal Lullaby" "Crescent Noon" :"It's Gonna Take Some Time"

[@subwaygoddess1]

Bless the Beasts and the Children, yes!!!

[@bobdelp2023]

HEY SHAWN! 😊SO HERE'S SOME MORE FROM THESE GREATS: WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN, CLOSE TO YOU, THIS MASQUERADE, RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS👍

[@christopheryochum3602]

Shawn! I saw you pointing down at one point, which seemed to coincide with Karen hitting the low note? Karen had this perfect physical vocal structure and nasal resonance that would just send shivers down my spine when I would hear her singing at the bottom of her range. A musical term for that quality of singing is described as overtones. She had overtones, which just made her voice bite through with amazing clarity. And all the while, she would not be belting or screaming, as a lot of singers like to do to call attention to themselves.

[@patricklemeur4607]

ce talent , CARPENTERS , un titre magnifique ....

[@lilamuzik3385]

Her deep baritone is so silky...she really stays in her chest voice.

[@waynem.7226]

Congrats on 15k subs man.

[@helokopter924]

Hi Shawn. Did you know every female harmony in all of her songs was hers as well, sang, then dubbed into the song by Richard ? Im on my late 60s, so remember Carpenters very well on the radio and TV specials. She began, with her brother Richard, by playing drums. Richard,her brother, was a terrific arranger but KC's 3+ octave voice was discovered by Herb Alpert, A&M Records, in 1969, which began their road to fame. Richard convinced her that her best singing voice was contralto, 'the money is in the basement'. KC's, voice, especially contralto, was the best female voice ever. No auto-tune, stripping, gimmicks, or screaming. Her nickname was 'one take', since she always sang a song once in studio without a single re-take. She sang to you with mesmerizing emotion, perfect pitch and enunciation. Her voice compelled you to listen. She had no professional voice training. Paul McCartney said she sang Ticket To Ride better than the Beatles, and "she had the most angelic voice I have ever heard". John Lennon told her at an LA restaurant "you have a fabulous voice luv". They were most successful in early/mid1970s when she/they received 3 or 4 grammys. She was also recognized by 1975 Playboy poll as rock drummer of the year. Check other songs such as 'Only Yesterday', 'A Place To Hideaway', 'Close To You', 'Rainy Days and Mondays,' 'This Masquerade', 'I Can Dream Cant I'(a big band era song), 'Hurting Each Other', 'Need To Be In Love', 'Goodbye To Love', etc.. Oh, and their Christmas album. She had a few friends including Petula Clark, Olivia Newton John and Dionne Warwick. She had anorexia with a serious onset in 1975 that continued the rest of her life. Never knew true love. She died Feb 1983 at 32yo due to complications from anorexia. [Some info contained herein came from documentaries such as, "Only Yesterday"].

[@carolhesterberg7526]

You went into the Karen Carpenter trance immediately! Loved it! A sign of great music when it goes straight to the heart like that!! I was privileged to see Carpenters twice in the early 70s when she was still the drummer. Such a talented brother and sister act!

[@rodmcmahon4000]

Try Carpenters Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft please

[@allanpunton4962]

Great reaction, Shawn, written by the very talented Neil Sedaka. Give him a listen. He wrote some of the great songs. Take a bow Karen/ Richard. And Neil Sedaka. . Cheers Shawn.

[@helokopter924]

Many believe her voice has a haunting timbre. She didnt care for this song. I dont believe she ever sang it again. Another 'different' sound for her is 'I Can Dream Cant I', a 1939 big band sound that showcases her drawn-out notes.

[@GeorgetteHolloway-g4q]

Hey Shawn it's the aussie girl again. If you get the chance listen to Motown era "the temptations "and "the four tops" Bernadette great song!! You can't go wrong going down the rabbit hole listening to this music it's probably the most melodious.

[@mcwoody2167]

Wow that was hauntingly beautiful. She has the best voice I have ever heard. Thanks for doing this one.

[@paulhease1007]

Nice!! I have heard all their songs and this one brings out all her strengths the most.

[@landreaulover]

If anyone ever question's Karen's talent, they only need listen to this song to know how gifted she was.

[@Ozefan2580]

While Karen might not have liked this song, it's my favorite of theirs. It really shows off Karen's gorgeous contralto. Such a beautiful song. Thanks for the reaction!

[@phillippuckett5552]

61 here. This was one of my favorites when it was released. Ironically I ended up alone. Not super sad but it does get lonely. Thanks for your reaction and you thoughts.

[@phillippuckett5552]

61 here. This was one of my favorites when it was released. Ironically I ended up alone. Not super sad but it does get lonely. Thanks for your reaction and you thoughts.

[@Loko-wl7fo]

Another Carpenters must (IMO) is "Happy".