Carpenters - Top Of The World (Live at the White House)

Live at the White House for President Richard Nixon and visiting West German chancellor Willy Brandt.(May 1973)

[@dustydoll9820]

Karen Carpenter had one of the most beautiful, pure voices I have ever heard.

[@rivkahchaya]

I know what you mean. No one else could possibly have a hit with an awful song like "Close to You," and that's not sarcasm. It was all about her voice. People would probably have paid for tapes of her vocal warm-ups. Again, not sarcasm. The only other person I'd say that about is Maria Callas.

[@Highinsight7]

@@rivkahchaya yes... Maria Callas... and Karen Carpenter... fit VERY well in the same sentence!

[@killacrush3437]

❤

[@killacrush3437]

Please visit my Facebook there's a reason She is the best most love and respect Fb jarid scott cook

[@saltyfisheye1410]

It’s amazing how she doesn’t need auto tune

[@shinypoon]

No autotune and no lip-sync, Karen's voice was just flawless. I wonder how many singers out there nowdays can sing like she did.

[@darrellcordova1021]

None. Now they all wear an earpiece. Are they singing to their own track?

[@mpa417]

I think that playing the drums ,and at the same time singing flawlessly , puts her on another level.

[@janjones690]

@John Smith so true !!

[@07jjmusic]

Zero

[@janesansome8393]

None

[@gvalley07]

Karen had a flair for comedy. She always did the "yee-haw" whenever performing this song live. She is greatly missed.

[@michpackfan]

Pedal steel guitar in it! Country flavor

[@jasperplace]

I never knew that, I heard her "Yee haw" 😄.

[@RitaSora]

I'm just guessing but I thought maybe the "yee-ha" was because John Bettis (wrote the lyrics to this song) moved to Nashville to write country songs.There is a steel guitar in there to though.Karen was always funny! Love her comedy!

[@lefuglyduck]

Please explain how "yee-haw" is considered comedy? Was it a joke in that era?

[@marguskiis7711]

@@RitaSora I prefer the original cool and confident version.

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

I don't think KAREN ever hit a note that was out of tune!!!!! This is LIVE and she's absolutely perfect while still playing the drums! And her brother's harmonies were perfect as well!!!!!

[@jeffwilliamson342]

Couldn't tell her vocals from the radio version. Only the drums and the harmonies give it away.

[@johnmcgahern3946]

@@jeffwilliamson342 No kidding. She's the kind of artist that goes into a studio where herself and the producer spend a week or more debating over which of the 10 takes (done in probably a couple of hours) was THE best as opposed to the average pop "artist" that has to spend a week or more doing take after take, line by line to try and at least accomplish one that's somewhat acceptable.

[@luisfernando4418]

She is the perfect voice

[@Highinsight7]

SHE was just unbelievable... in SOOO many ways... can you imagine... playing a distracting instrument like the DRUMS and singing... perfectly in tune and and very emotionally ... and beautiful phrasing... and GREAT support... and everything else it takes to produce a really great sound...

[@tideoftime]

She was blessed with true singing talent -- that kind of pitch, tone and clarity that is truly rare. It is beyond a shame that she passed at so young an age...

[@BeverlyP217]

People don't realize how much pressure is behind such perfection. Karen had to bear the brundt of all that pressure to be perfect and flawless in front of a live audience time after time. RIP, Karen Carpenter and thanks for the beautiful music.

[@thecoinmagician]

33 so young to die - Karen was one of the best female singers ever .

[@emilycain6651]

32

[@04kingsang]

I like

[@camposi]

I agree - the best female singer is "for me .... Ann Wilson"

[@TequillanSunrise]

ever??? lol too many people throw those kind of words around too easily... my comment is the best EVER

[@carlmunson498]

...easily the best EVER

[@gioknows]

More than 45 years later and I STILL have a crush on Karen Carpenter...the good die young :(

[@TheDaddyo365]

me too

[@alexguitarandcover1476]

Me too

[@cimarronhopper4605]

Oh so do i

[@sandysandy967]

gioknows these love so pure.

[@erogenotworking]

33 years old :( she died the year i was born

[@MaryMartinez-ob2mk]

2024 I'm listening to the Carpenters. GOD BLESS THEM. 🙏🕊R.I.P.CC🕊🙏

[@髙橋学-w9h]

素敵な歌声。 この歌が一番好き。 ダメな時に頑張れって言ってくれてる気する。

[@rattopo1ka]

It's amazing how back in the day artists were able to perform same songs live the same way they sound on record. Sing in tune, for instance - ooooh!

[@snoopyboss94]

두분 너무 멋지노래예요^^❤

[@aertoncalaca]

Thirty-nine years ago today, Feb 4th, 2022, the world lost Karen Carpenter. And the world has never been the same without her voice. I miss her terribly.

[@BrandonSterling]

I love how she sings the song in this particular version, she really hits her high notes, it gives me chills every time I listen to it

[@SuperMangn]

My mother sang the whole song start to finish word for word when she saw the film dark shadows.

[@Purple1984Rain]

Even with those shitty 70's microphones she sounds wonderful. There's nothing Karen couldn't sing. She was THE best pop female Alto voice the 20th century imo!

[@mosesmaimon233]

what does shit have to do with it?

[@wildnites558]

Shane Anthony Yeah, you listen to this and Karen's voice sounds as perfect as the original studio version. No pitch issues, no wavering of the voice, no crackles, just perfect from start to finish. A lot of their live stuff is like that. Now that almost everything that was ever filmed or video taped exists on KZbin, there's plenty of old stuff available to watch from Carpenters concerts and live events where you can hear how perfect and powerful Karen's voice was.

[@mjkatz]

+Shane Anthony ehhmm.. those 70's microphones appear to be Shure SM58's. From Wikipedia: Produced since 1966 by Shure Incorporated, it has built a strong reputation among musicians for its durability and sound, and nearly half a century later it is still considered the industry standard for live vocal performance microphones. The SM58 and its sibling, the Shure SM57, are the best-selling microphones in the world. The SM stands for Studio Microphone.

[@cast390]

I never knew shure sm58's were considered as shit.Considering they're one of the top vocal mics available.

[@angelthman1659]

The mics were good. You probably mean the technology used to record audio to film/TV. That would've been shitty by today's audio in films/TV. But not the mics.

[@DianaPhoenix]

This is real, beautiful, music!

[@jennyfu1150]

Now this is music! Not like some artists' music today

[@yanlee2567]

+Jenny Fu AGREED!!!!

[@jalenclark6828]

Amen

[@jonathandennehy9994]

I agree.

[@sharathkumar257]

Yes!

[@thequarrymen58]

White Stripes :v

[@MrUsaer]

As you can tell by looking at me I am not an emotional guy...but this brings a tear to my eye. Miss you.

[@statensseruminstitut-ssi]

Karens voice always make me have goosebumps all over. It is such a joy to listen to. Not a false note ever.

[@donzalnae]

I haven’t heard such an enchanting vocal like this in a very long time. It’s almost as if the instruments solely exists to embrace her voice when she sings.

[@TheKristobald]

I believe this is one of the rare times I've seen Richard smiling when they perform! Lovely song beautifully sung.

[@suinaja]

I played this song for my baby while my wife was pregnant everyday till his birth such a relaxing and cheerful song

[@Dastardly_X]

👍🏻

[@sallyhilarious2604]

Great Artists, Singers, Songs came from the Magical year of 60s and 70s! Namely, The Carpenters and Abba, it's difficult not to love their Music! I love you, Karen, Frida and ofcourse, Agnetha! 💕👸 The real Queens of Pop Music! 🙇

[@franvansiclen7040]

the carpenters were so wonderful - karen the voice of an angel richard a musical prodigy- we need them so much today !!!!

[@0suke]

Such a beautiful song. Such a beautiful voice. Everything about this song is beautiful.

[@hankramos8663]

Yes indeed!.. it's a perfectly written and performed song, classic and timeless!

[@tideoftime]

478 people don't know exquisite talent when they hear it... This is an *amazing* live performance -- simple, true, but a showcase of talent in terms of singing, instrumentation and lyrics. Just wonderful...

[@audiovisual1943]

Such a beautiful sweet sounding voice. Love this song so much. Truly great singer. Wonderful live performance. Sounds perfect.

[@矢木千喜]

私の中で一番好きな曲です。😍😍🎼🇯🇵🗾⛩😭👍

[@klauskarnath8233]

She was Top of the World....and she made it only by herself....with her untouchable Talent...

[@TheLonesometoad]

Even live on stage her pitch was near perfect and her tone quality was second to none. It's great to see a healthy and happy Karen on stage.

[@katiegrundle9900]

ya, and there werent many live vidoes of them in 1973, tons in 1974

[@WellbredNfedKembleTV]

I can always hear her smile. The Carpenters were perfection ...and definitely the go-to example for string arrangements and sound mixing in pop music.

[@Charlietwice]

This is the voice of an angel, if they exist. If they do, she is it.

[@pattydella4]

She's amazing. What a gorgeous voice!

[@pham155]

This song always makes me extremely happy!!! Thank you, Carpenters, for helping me love this life more

[@corimars4131]

She is the angel, right? nice song :D

[@Richardhu1983]

She is truly an angel. God bless her.

[@응암동주부]

Angel+100 so beautiful !!

[@냐니냐]

Truely YESSSS@!!!!!

[@hazelalagappan8960]

I love this! I'm a digital native but no music compares to this!

[@TheDudeguy1331]

Still miss her

[@tracylf5409]

Me, too... :( I cherished their vinyls & still am saddened knowing how Karen was suffering all along and none of her public knew until it was far too late...extremely sad.

[@프랑스인형-m4s]

Me too......

[@ronaldcross]

Karen was very underrated as a singer because she did pop tunes in the days of Vietnam and protest songs, but she was a sweet, gentle person, with a beautiful voice who died all too soon.

[@tomc4459]

She sounds amazing live, on par with her voice in the studio!

[@chaconomy]

어떻게 이런 정서의 노래가 나올 수 있는건지. 정말 대단합니다....한국에서 히트칠 수 밖에 없었던 카펜터스 : )

[@TheLadrowski]

Her voice is excellent perfect so sad to lose her at a time when she should have been on top of the world. RIP forever.

[@Mantronix10]

I remember when my parents played this song. Often it would be on the many long trips that we took. I always wondered what face went with such wonderful voice. It's so soothing. No one has had a voice like this woman. I don't know much about her death, but I know she was fairly young when she died. How sad. I hope to meet her in the resurrection here on earth very soon.

[@davidsteffen7224]

Quite a talent to be able to sing like an angel and play drums at the same time....Karen was one of a kind....

[@michaelpowell2475]

thank you richard and karen.. we are all truly blessed because you have put us on top of the world..

[@gravitgravit]

Voice of angel, esp from key high to low, stunning n fabulous

[@osamuserizawa5424]

カレンがドラムを たたいてる映像を初めてみました！ 懐かしい！ thank you!

[@エリエール-x1n]

日本語でごめんなさい。 ドラムの妹、キーボードの兄という構図も素晴らしいですし、 妹の歌唱力と、兄貴のコーラスの厚みも素晴らしいです。 兄貴のポジションと歌唱力がどれだけ評価されてるかは知りませんが、 兄貴は縁の下の力持ちだと思いますし、その力は抜群です。

[@ManuelMaldonadoBROADCAST]

karen is the best woman voice I ever hear.

[@davepeterschmidt5818]

Her voice had an almost otherworldly natural clarity, and a very underrated power. Listen to anyone else try to sing her songs and you'll see just how tall her voice stands. Other voices sound weak and repressed in comparison, even the really good ones. I once heard Olivia Newton John sing a Carpenters song, and as great a singer as she is, even she couldn't do it justice. I don't know that I've ever heard another voice quite like Karen's. Over the past century or so, she has only two potential rivals that I can think of for vocal quality. Julie Andrews and Barbra Streisand.

[@ManuelMaldonadoBROADCAST]

(Y)

[@ManuelMaldonadoBROADCAST]

This is true .Dave , thankyou for your opinion . regards

[@MrKenacko53]

Dave Peterschmidt I agree Peter, Karen's voice was pure velvet and unparalleled, but I would also include the late Eva Cassidy as a potential rival. Cheers.

[@Mollybad]

+Ken Atkinson Eva Cassidy -- I completely agree. Another lovely voice gone too soon!

[@misslantana52]

So precious and priceless! Rest in peace Karen...♥

[@reagonowmix]

Thank you for this incredibly beautiful video of Karen when she was still healthy and strong. Her untimely death was such a tragedy and can be lain squarely at the feet of Hollywood. And it's only gotten worse ... MUCH worse. The world lost one of its most magnificent talents when we lost Karen. (Not to minimize Richard ... also a great talent & fantastic, loving brother & musical partner)

[@iowastate]

how can anyone dislike this - Karen Carpenter was so wonderful

[@jra2515]

That beautiful voice, just perfect! Such a beautiful woman with an angelic voice. There will never be a better voice!

[@bhevcn4090]

...i really really love this song...karen's voice is always my stress reliever...miss you angel...

[@eatandsurf]

She was truly remarkable with her vocals and the way she delivered it all I recall listenisting to this song throughout the 70's and it was always a good memory .

[@linkb9499]

voice is very beautiful ♡♡♡

[@Brainstorm_2002]

My mom loves this song and she was suprised when i told i like this song. She always wanted to see them live

[@JCW1013]

I think Karen was so much happier on the drums. Bless her heart:.)

[@daveparsons3907]

Finally somebody arrives on the planet who sounds right up there with the vocal area of one Miss Carpenter...clear vocal, beautiful diction of total clarity...and a natural. JASMINE LAMPORT'S BREATHE.....music and voices are making a comeback!!!! .." a voice which could crack pavements"(A. Fan)

[@rpsnet]

Your music has put me at the top of the world! Fantastic performers, brilliant artists, unforgettable superstars! Love you so much!

[@thegigglystinkfinger8515]

Isnt it wierd that some people were born to do great things and create something beautiful like this .being born when they were and at the right place at the right time .

[@yanlee2567]

I missed Karen Carpenters so, so, so much!!!! My favorite of all time!!!! She was the best singer ever !!!!

[@theenforcerbadguy6566]

Yan Lee you're right my friend.Karen Carpenters was the best of the best.If I could I will flowers in her grave. But I pray for her here in Brazil.

[@theenforcerbadguy6566]

I mean if I could I will flowers in her grave, cause I live in Brazil.But the distance doesn't matter. It's just pray for her.

[@theenforcerbadguy6566]

I wanna say to put FLOWERS to a FLOWER named KAREN ANNE CARPENTER.GOD bless Her!

[@theenforcerbadguy6566]

Karen Carpenter, the sweet and beautiful voice, ever!

[@최상범-z7u]

내 가슴 속에 깊이 새겨졌었던 그 울림들을 다시 마주하니 새롭네요 이런 느낌을 갖도록 하여 주셔서 고맙습니다

[@rogerkruse]

They will always be a favorite of mine! Karen's voice was just amazing.

[@theenforcerbadguy6566]

It's very sad what happened to Karen Carpenter. So beautiful!. So young! With a very angelical voice. Now "A star in heaven".God bless you Karen Anne Carpenter! Brazil and the world love you. Forever and ever!

[@tywilliamnash5078]

How fun was that!! I loved them both. I'm sure this is the first time I've viewed this video, I knew it existed, but never seen this segment. I think I remember that they were touted by the reviewers at that time as "Young America at it's very best". When Karen sings, and others have said this, I swear, when she sings, it sounds as if she's right in front of me, singing directly to me. I still miss her terribly. I can hardly watch her and listen to her without becoming emotional, and getting all weepy.

[@k9nick]

Broke my heart when she passed. Voice in a million

[@5tu7fwm]

She is so lovely and adorable

[@GudatGambling]

Thisis well before my time but even i know there will never be good music like this again the feels you get are priceless

[@johnjay2717]

What a loss was Karen's early death! Her voice and style was so pure and unique. The quality of her voice and performance cannot be compared with any singers that I know since she passed away. I feel her presence every time as I savor her voice and singing that goes straight to my heart! Thanks for sharing.

[@locoparentis244]

amazing... how incredible is this contralto voice... with no studio or other realtime correction... right on pitch, perfect voicing. Karen you were amazing.

[@nohadarwish1405]

Likee her voice it touches my heart

[@paulobtuble]

What a great voice. There's nothing like it.

[@PinkLadyFanChannel]

She looked so happy playing her drums.

[@mark-s]

This and rainy days and Mondays are my favourites depends on how I feel

[@rpsnet]

Wonderful performers, fantastic song!

[@renwee135]

How can anyone listen to this song and not smile?

[@jasperjayrodavia5532]

I really love Karen Carpenter's voice. Simply amazing! One of the best

[@musclestud61]

I love that statement. You're absolutely right. She never hit a bad note, EVER! Hers was one of the great voices of the past century.

[@clintsam7983]

Great talent wish there were original musicians today smh like u guys

[@jamesfreeman120]

Such a beautiful song

[@Conundroy]

War really did bring out the best of music back then ;)

[@The24winter]

sound so effortless and joyful to listen to. Thanks Karen.

[@sunnytneo]

Such a feelin's comin' over me There is wonder in 'most every thing I see Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes And I won't be surprised if it's a dream Everything I want the world to be Is now comin' true especially for me And the reason is clear, it's because you are here You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world Somethin' in the wind has learned my name And it's tellin' me that things are not the same In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me There is only one wish on my mind When this day is through I hope that I will find That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me All I need will be mine if you are here I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world

[@just2coolkk]

willy brandt and the carpenters.... crazy ...

[@Richardhu1983]

This what I call music!

[@g00gleplussux78]

My God, she had a magnificent voice. Instantly recognizable the moment she sang one word. Just no one else like her.

[@fredrika27]

I was a little girl when this song came out and I am astounded that Karen is playing the drums AND singing! She was really talented and probably would have given Phil Collins a run for his money!

[@freddykrueliquor]

What a beautiful woman life really cruel at times 🙁😘💯

[@scobarvys6885]

the best song ever ❤️❤️

[@elchungo5026]

Love how she changes up the drums here compared to the studio version (which i believe was played by a session drummer.) such a subtle difference but it makes the song so much better imo. The most underrated drummer of all time as far as i’m concerned

[@JENDALL714]

For someone as famous as she was, she was incredibly naive. Petula Clark took her back stage to meet Elvis and he began to hit on her, all his entourage began to disappear and it was just them and Elvis. Petula had to drag Karen out of there, because she had no idea what was going on! Gene Simmons of KISS even tried to hit on her, they were in the same Hotel and he went up to her floor to see her, but he said she was too sweet, so all they did was talk.

[@antij1]

+JENDALL714 I've heard those stories. Kind of hard to believe.

[@unamckillen7125]

+JENDALL714 I don't think it is hard to believe. She was sweet and modest. When I was young (about the same time as her), females did not assume that every male that came into their orbit wanted to "hit on them". The last bit is interesting. Gene Simmons found her too sweet to have sex with. Sometimes it was like that. There are only certain sorts of people you can exploit. Sometimes, too, talk is more interesting than sex.

[@joeys24]

Communication is what true Love is a about!

[@TheLarryBrown]

Or....maybe she understood and liked being hit on? Anyone in Elvis' presence is going to prolong it as long as he remains interested in hanging out. Can you imagine being with Elvis and then "Well Presley, I've got to call it a night, I have an early sound check tomorrow." And as far as Simmons, I'm pretty sure she was just being nice to him and would never entertain the idea of that vulgar satanist touching her.

[@1910FruitgumCompany]

such a lovely voice like a bird singing and chirping... and dying at such a young age.... miss you Karen.....

[@khurram583]

Angel voice

[@omarmostafa9981]

Old music's can bring back my memories past

[@gisellekim4863]

It is the sweetest song ever.

[@elizabethuhrig7960]

It amazes me at how natural she is "multitasking"...playing the drums, singing and even using her hands to gesture at times. Such a loss!!!

[@ckmeh9974]

So humble. So many singers just start twerking after a they finish singing their song. These guys bow all the time, in all their concerts and performances.

[@ronaldtoh1973]

It's amazing that in this chaotic world today we can still enjoy something so beautiful. Thank you, the Carpenter

[@KidIndigo1]

Karen's voice is, simply, beautiful. It's so effortless the way she sings. And if you really want to appreciate it, listen to someone else cover one of these songs. And she did this live, in the 70s with that tech, no harmonizers, etc. And her hubby on the mighty Wurlitzer!

[@medarjgs]

Richard is her brother.

[@otherworld11]

KidIndigo1 Brother, not husband. They got asked about their relationship quite a bit, apparently.

[@michellearg6939]

Jimmy De Y a nadie se le ocurrió pensar que esta era su pareja? (ONJ): s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/61/61/ea/6161eaa70b4333494f781ac423693993.jpg

[@michellearg6939]

No era su esposo!! Era su hermano!! (Brother). Por eso su remera decía Lead SISTER. El "esposo" lo tuvo a los 30 años porque la obligaron a casarse en 3 meses y le duró 5 meses el casamiento. Se separó enseguida. Ella fue la novia de Olivia durante 9 años!! pero su familia no lo aceptaba y lo ocultó siempre.

[@medarjgs]

Michelle Arg ¿Fue la novia de Olivia? comenta algo más al respecto. Primera vez que me entero que alguien diga que era lesbiana (respeto cualquier orientación sexual pero nunca oi algo de eso con respecto a Karen)

[@nicoleliao9427]

Great song plus great smooth voice!!!!!!!!!!