Carpenters We've Only Just Begun *DayOne Reacts*

[@jdub2591]

Songwriter Paul Williams said, " I wrote it and than an Angel sang it." How true that was.

[@robertkees6048]

I didn't know Paul Williams wrote this. Thanks, dummy! I kid.

[@videoamature2007]

Yeah, Williams wrote it for a bank tv ad.

[@tpmartinez]

First it was in a bank commercial

[@Littlemissdirtbag]

Rodger Nichols was also one of the songwriters. Paul Williams can't take all the credit.

[@supertal6074]

They called her "One Take Karen" because she was great on the first take. She was just born with perfect pipes.

[@jazzmaan707]

I like what Paul Williams, who wrote the lyrics, said. "We (Roger Nichols (melody) and Paul Williams (lyrics) said. We wrote a song for a bank commercia, never expecting it to be a song to be put on any album. But then an Angel (Karen) sang this song, and changed my life forever."

[@green8718]

Karen and Richard are both undeniably talented, but Karen has the voice of an angel. Her voice just envelops me like a warm blanket, not to mention that she was beautiful and had a wonderful personality.

[@mikecooper7978]

Paul Williams wrote these lyrics for a California bank commercial. The Carpenters heard it and ran with it. This was the go to wedding song in the 70’s.

[@Nirky]

Crocker bank.

[@Harbringe]

The thing about Karen's voice is that it had low to high range and the tone through all those ranges was just so pure and effortless. Many have said she had the purest voice ever.

[@gregscupholm1695]

Karen was the angelic voice. OMG. Just whoa. But let's never overlook her brother, Richard, who wrote and composed all this stellar music people have been enjoying for a half-century. The guy is a genius. What an incredibly talented music sibling tandem!

[@mancavehobbies6213]

She was only 20 when she did this.Karen Carpenter is the only female vocalist whose voice can literally bring me to tears.

[@mikebowman8680]

Her brother was an amazing arranger and had an ear for what songs would work best for Karen to sing but with her voice it's almost impossible to go wrong. To me she still has the best voice ever and she has been gone almost 40 years now, unfortunately. Today's singers just can't imagine how truly great she was and no autotune! There is a reason their songs haven't been remade.

[@ebenclukey7293]

"This sounds like a wedding song. Like when you're first starting out. " NAILED it. Richard heard chorus of this on a commercial for a bank. The television commercial showed a couple getting married and starting a new life. He bought the rights and turned it into a complete song.

[@klrdotorg]

Crocker bank, I remember the commercial when it came out. It was written for the commercial.

[@afc358]

This was my younger brother's 'wedding song'. He died a couple of years ago. Chokes me up every time I hear it.

[@bengolfs1]

Your intuition is correct. The song was originally composed as a commercial jingle for a now defunct bank back in the 1960's/early 70's. It showed a young married couple just getting started with the song playing in the background, I believe.

[@harryallen2120]

It was for Crocker Bank and Paul Williams was the one who wrote it. Às he put it, "the song was just a regular commission, and then they found an angel to sing it."

[@michaeldoane7610]

Mark Lindsay performed the original version, and it’s also a great song. Great bass line also

[@calmnrelaxed]

I rmbr seeing that commercial

[@marcuspi999]

When the Carpenters were big in the 70s, I was a kid and loved them, loved Karen. I remember that they were made fun of for being sappy. You weren't cool if you liked them. I told my mom that once and I'll never forget what her response was. It literally changed how I processed input from there on and gained a confidence and trust in my own opinions. She said, with a big smile, "but you love them anyway, don't you?" To which I just smiled and nodded. It was very profound for me.

[@davidk1061]

Decades ago, my friend and his wife asked me what female celebrity I thought was really beautiful. Caught off-guard, I blurted out "Karen Carpenter", though I had only seen her face once - it was her melancholic voice that I found so profoundly beautiful.

[@socasack]

Karen Carpenter - Absolute perfection

[@michaelignatowicz9470]

There will never be another voice like Karen Carpenter again, RIP Karen your missed!

[@KNPrince]

Karen Carpenter was all of 20 when she laid down this lead vocal.. She was yet to have a serious relationship of her own.. Yet one would believe that she'd been married for years from the emotion that she packs into this song.. She was an incredible talent.. and is immortal due to the incredible musical legacy she left behind.. Her voice will continue to touch people!

[@kthor]

This was our wedding song…..& sometimes I just have to sit back & let the tears flow when listening to it. My hubby passed away unexpectedly 15 years ago Jan (by taking his own life)…..& I was left to raise our 4 young sons on my own. I’ll never understand why, but it’s so good to have such things as this to hold onto😓.

[@jmrx12]

So sorry for your loss. Keep strong.

[@bdolphinman]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@SteffanoDucati]

When I was married in a big Cathedral back in 1977 .. my wife picked this song which was sung by my young cousin . We divorced 2 yrs later . We have been friends for years Such turmoil we went thru as young naiive kids . I was 20 she was 19 . Now listening to this 45 yrs later I get flashbacks and wish I could speak to my young self ...... so sad.

[@randybrooks3614]

I love your beautiful and organic reactions to her voice. Thank you keeping her alive in my memory.

[@ivarwinter3049]

I was Navy when we were messaged at Sea that Karen had succumbed to Anerexia Nervousis. Both fleets, Canadian and US put up signal flags and Our National Flags at the bow were put at half mast.

[@billwoodruff9100]

I've never heard of anything like that before. So awesome. Thank you for sharing that and for your service.

[@lamusiclover2264]

That's amazing. Everyone loved Karen, even Metalheads and Punks loved her. Thank you for your service. I wonder if that has been done for any other performer.

[@stephencarlsbad]

Her Voice! So rich, harmonic, deep, familiar, carefree, and beautiful! Striking, intense and sultry!

[@ponybottle]

It is impossible to rave too much about Kaen's voice; it's simply had the most incredible tone and depth.

[@charlesyateschalfant]

Just a couple of sung words is all it takes to realize her unique gift. No one today comes close, not that I have heard anyway.

[@jessieball6195]

No one back then either. Absolute flawless voice.

[@umbertocalvini7429]

Karen is in a class above everyone else! Greatest female vocalist ever! 👏💪🤗

[@michaelconnors8767]

Written originally as a bank commercial, The Carpenters went on to international success with this song. Probably the most requested "first dance" song at so many weddings in the early to mid 1970s, and understandably so. I was 16 at the time. 16?! Has it really been that long?

[@vincespell]

I was listening to Karen back in the 70's. Her voice was magical, still is today. I remember hearing about her death and I paused, I thought somebody had made a mistake. You had to be there during that time, music was magical, The Carpenters, Captain and Tennille, Bob Marley, The Four Tops (I Believe in you and me) and the Jackson 5. My god you had to be there to know what I'm talking about! God bless Karen

[@matrox]

Yeh... I remember waking up in the morning with the radio on and it came across the air waves. Even though I didnt know her personally but knew her music. It was like ahhh sh!t. And was sad to hear.

[@bobnordin291]

My all time favorite female vocalist. Very touching, can’t describe

[@tomschmitz261]

Mine as well, always has been, always will be...

[@toddk946]

The smile on your face when her vocal starts is priceless and so genuine.

[@audreymartin2515]

I always adored her voice. Something unique about it. And her brother was one of the first to lay multiple tracks to give a sense of background singers. Was totally new when it came out.

[@victordegrande1628]

This was their signature hit. When Karen moved out and got her own house, her doorbell played the first six notes of the song.

[@richh650]

She was so incredibly silky smooth, airy, beautiful, and effortless.

[@lionheartroar3104]

This song started as a bank commercial. Richard Carpenter finished it to become a huge radio hit and wedding song for millions of people. Original writer Paul Williams.

[@briany7658]

One of the greatest voices to ever grace this earth ❤️

[@paddysworld3978]

One of the greatest voices in popular music history. So natural and unforced!

[@williammcgrann173]

With her voice you can really feel what she is singing about, such a angelic voice, I was so in love with her as a kid growing up in the 70s!!!!!

[@williamthorstad8848]

It's so odd to see someone getting a taste of the Carpenters for the first time. Hell, my memories are highlighted with their music. Smiles, Laughs and Tears.

[@rlevitta]

I played in wedding bands (back when they used to have bands at weddings) and I can tell you that FOR DECADES this song was the requested "first dance" song like 95% of the time. Written by Paul Williams

[@dq3974]

I’m so happy to see a new generation falling in love with the Carpenters. I grew up as a teenager with their music. They fell out of fashion for a period but I always knew they would be appreciated again for their amazing talent. Karen had the most beautiful voice on earth and Richard was such an amazing musician and vocalist too.

[@raymcnulty5252]

Karen was such a beautiful woman inside and out. RIP sweet lady.

[@paulanthonyyepez2915]

This song was Wells Fargo commercial. Her brother Richard saw the commercial and decided to make it into a song. Her brother Richard was a genius.

[@simonsez05]

It wasn't Wells Fargo. It was Crocker National Bank...

[@texasgal3903]

She was a natural, she sang as if she was born to do just that!

[@nosedrip007]

It was first written and recorded by Paul Williams for a one minute bank commercial that shows a wedding of a young beautiful couple. Richard Carpenter happened to see the commercial and loved the song and contacted Paul Williams asking him if he had a completed version of the song. Paul said he did and once the Carpenters recorded it his life changed. At the time he wrote the song he did not expect it to ever go anywhere.

[@daveenyart]

Her voice....she is one of those who sing as easily as they breathe.

[@outrajs]

As a 59 year old man, married for thirty years, I am hear to say that is exactly what this songs is about...growing to together. For such a young lady, you really get it. Karen had one of the best voices ever! It's nice to see a young person such as yourself really appreciating it.

[@rickyconner6782]

The way she pronounces each word is a work of art. It's like a perfectly played instrument with such clarity and warmth.

[@cecilmayers3429]

She has perfect diction u can understand every word ... she always did her songs in one single take she was that good

[@keimahane]

Will never forget listening to this on the radio and singing along with my Mom and brother in 1971 as we drove along in her 1965 Ford Falcon. We were 'just the three of us' after my father had left. We believed the words of this song, our better years were ahead of us. I cry every time I hear this song remembering my Mom, she was the strongest person I have ever known.

[@b1bmsgt]

OMG!! The first time I ever heard The Carpenters (Close to You, 1970) I was driving my...1965 Ford Falcon!!!!! Wow!!

[@terijain8231]

Growing up in the 60s & 70’s this was definitely the Wedding song to play, absolutely beautiful ❤

[@sammy2840]

Perfect pitch and a hell of a drummer! What a talent! Best female voice ever!

[@randlnickel9196]

#1 Wedding song EVER

[@richnittritz3505]

your smile and your tears are so real love love love your real reaction of the great Karen Carpenter new subscriber to your channel

[@robertwalker1803]

Don’t feel bad…her brother Richard said in an interview her voice made him cry,too.

[@tradehead]

Didn't know that. Wow. I can hear why. The richness and power, so smooth. To me the best all around female voice ever!

[@trojanmoondoggie4582]

I never knew this either. Karen was a goddess in voice.

[@raymann7998]

This song received three dislikes. Who are these people. How can you hate this song. Oh divorced people okay now some of us understand. Great reaction

[@michaelstevens9332]

This actually WAS written for the Crocker Bank in a late 1960s advertising campaign. It was featured prominently in 1 minute, 30 second, and 15 second versions on television and the audio, with a voice over announcer added, on the radio, too. The video was of a very young couple getting married and getting their 1st house together. The bank was aggressively marketing to stable younger potential mortgage clients. The song was so catchy, it was released as a single and it made the brother and sister Carpenters into superstars. Karen had an immense talent bottled inside of a very sick mind. Wracked with anorexia and profound depression, she passed too early. Some of the angst you hear in her lower register as she pulls the end of her notes with a barely hearable rasp are absolutely heartbreaking, and beautiful. Its that ache in her voice that you picked up on so quickly. Some folks say the arrangements are dated, and they have a good point. Even in the prime of the Carpenters career, they were regarded as wholesome and family oriented squares. The arrangements and harmonies are all Richard, the pianist, her brother.

[@KellyRose]

It’s crazy that I grew up listening to The Carpenters, and I still get goosebumps all over. This was the first song at my Sisters Wedding back in the 70’s.

[@Cai77]

Same here, her voice is so surreal I doubt we'll ever see another like her. RIP Karen

[@jimmygritz1997]

angelic voice silenced too early in life

[@roygarcia2753]

Incredible to believe Karen was barely 20 years old when they recorded this beautiful song. Tears well up listening to her voice

[@videocat1366]

It's great to see a new generation discover this music. She was incredibly talented, but a tragic life story.

[@idahojake3444]

Her voice is achingly beautiful.

[@spydude38]

Karen Carpenter has a 3 octave range but it was the low tones that was unique among female vocalists and the fact that she was pitch perfect. The songs she sang allowed for some magical arrangements that were simply awesome.

[@tomschmitz-dj1fg]

I had read in the biography of the Carpenters by Ray Coleman she had a 4 octave range? Of course, it's not just how many octaves one has, but what one does with them....

[@jeffdelaurentis6228]

the most Angelic and unworldly voice ever! Its unreal!

[@Self_Proppelled]

It's been fun watching you discover the Carpenters. It warms an old mans heart to see the next generation fall in love with the things of our generation. Before the dawn of auto tune there was talent.

[@trojanmoondoggie4582]

Her voice was angelic. Smooth as silk. You could always hear every word she sang. And her range was wonderful. I read that Paul McCartney praised her voice as one of the best (if not the best) in female singers of the day. John Lennon crossed her path when she was coming out of a restaurant and said to her, "I just wanted to say that I love your voice, Love!" She was in disbelief. So sad that she never gave herself more credit for her brilliance. She was one of a kind and is missed. I remember being heartbroken when she passed, and I was only in high school. A true treasure.

[@nealbraatz3911]

After you say "HER VOICE!", you should follow that with "HIS ARRANGEMENTS!" All those beautiful harmonies and accompaniments, surrounding Karen's angelic voice, were all written and/or arranged by Richard. The Carpenters were definitely a duo, not a solo act.

[@mrk8050]

Actually A&M Records didn't want Richard at all, it was Karen who refused to sign with out him at her family's insistence. A&M brought in Ron Gorow to smooth over most of the work arranged by Richard.

[@nealbraatz3911]

@@mrk8050 Regardless of their initial hesitation, I'm sure A & M was thrilled to have Richard after his arrangement of Close To You propelled the song and the Carpenters to #1. It definitely was a team effort.

[@mrk8050]

@@nealbraatz3911 Ron Gorow was brought in at the very beginning of their A&M deal to clean up their sound. I'm not saying Richard didn't write great songs, he did, but he wasn't the musical producer that he's been made out to be. Because if he was, where is his long list of collaborations with other artists that should have been there after Karen's sad and untimely death. He's not like say Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from Abba or even Jeff Lynne from ELO who all are great song writers who virtually had their doors knocked down by hundreds of other artists and record company's to work in collaborations. After Karen, Richard and the rest of her family made a living off her reputation and the royalties her amazing voice, even though in life they all treated her with such distain and disrespect.

[@nealbraatz3911]

@@mrk8050 I'm as big a Karen Carpenter fan as anyone, but she didn't compose or arrange any of their music, nor did she write any of the lyrics, so those royalties were just as much Richard's (and the other writers) as hers. Also, funny how so many KC fans blame everyone else, but Karen, for her death. How do you know what really was going on? She was a grown woman making her own decisions. Her friends and, yes, her family tried to help her, but she continually lied and covered up her self destructive behavior. If her parents were treating her with such "disdain and disrespect", why was Karen staying at their home when she died?

[@abenapoleon3473]

It warms my heart to see someone like yourself from a younger generation appreciate good music from a other era. This song and message are timeless, as is Karen's rich, soulful voice. We had a singing group that did Carpenters songs and as accompanist I still have the songbook. Thank you for your reaction and for helping keep good music alive.

[@mits_6131]

I still remember this song as The Crocker Bank song. Now I'm aging myself.

[@davebrunson125]

Originally Paul Williams wrote this song for a bank commercial, sung by Karen. A couple starting out life, savings accounts, car loans, home mortgage, retirement. I remember the add. It went on to be the most played song at Weddings

[@RationalSaneThinker]

Girl, you know your stuff! The song was originally written for a bank commercial that featured a newlyweds starting their new life together! The Carpenters then recorded it, and it became one of their signature songs. In the 70's, it was one of the most popular songs at weddings and high school graduations. It's all about new beginnings and the uncertain, but hopeful, road ahead. Thanks for your reaction. You've just gained a new fan and subscriber.

[@PurityKontrol]

It was our theme at our HS prom in 1974!!!!

[@fredkelly6953]

The wedding song of a generation.

[@lepantoslim7058]

I like this gals reactions, she’s sincere. Much of what’s she’s listening to requires having a good soul and a kind heart. On another note, you notice how much strength Karen can get out of her voice while sitting down.

[@themissingmile]

Listening to the Carpenters now is devastatingly bittersweet. Brings back memories of me as a child in the 90s listening to their music on repeat when I went sailing with my dad. He’s the one who introduced me to them and it reminds me of a time I once loved him and of a time we were a happy family. Thinking of him as I listen to this and finding forgiveness for myself for becoming so estranged from him. Thank you for the reaction.

[@bvanpelt8]

I get that same feeling when I hear We've Only Just Begun. That's because I know that her marriage didn't work out, and it must have crushed her some.

[@catmother4214]

The Lovely Karen Carpenter and her equally talented Brother Richard. Also amazing back up crew. Thank you for reviewing! She was also an accomplished drummer! And written by Paul Williams. ❤️🥀🌸💐🌹🏵️🌺♥️💐🌸🥀❤️🌹🏵️🌺♥️🏵️🌹💐🌸🥀❤️🥀🌸💐🌹🏵️

[@alanpeterson4939]

If you got married in the 70s, this song was mandatory. Along with wide lapel, bell bottom, white tuxedos, and big Farrah Fawcett hair.

[@fredranger7385]

Karen Carpenter was a Gift to this World

[@byzinski]

In my opinion The most beautiful female singing voice I’ve ever heard 💕💕💕🥰👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Portland Oregon USA 🇺🇸

[@sonnyharrelson3897]

I m 64 yo ans was a member of the Carpenters Fan Club back when they first started, I understand your site is for reactions to songs in the single form but Here I really wish you would sit in a room by yourself in low light setting and listen to the full album the Carpenters Greatest hits all the way through, It Will Blow You Away. Karen's range will never be topped. She was one of a kind, Angfulelic is the word for her voice. Please do this and let me know what you got from it, Be one of the first to do a full Greatest hits Album reaction. .

[@kimhenderson7416]

Of all the reactions I’ve watched, yours is so genuine and heartfelt. Karen’s voice is incomparable. And there are millions of us who can still only say, “Wow.”

[@LMBC6Brian]

Fun fact - Karen Carpenter was also an elite drummer.

[@lindapowers8592]

Loved Karen and her voice 60’s-70’s. was a whole vibe! What a brother and sister harmony🥰

[@seeuatthepeak]

Lovely, classy Karen Carpenter.

[@jayeean3890]

And to realize Karen was only 19 when she first recorded that song. What 19 year old has ever sounded like that? No one!

[@jillsample1846]

I read that when she recorded it was always perfect the first time. Perfection. She tragically had a eating disorder that eventually took her life. One of my favorite singers.

[@billwoodruff9100]

Your Carpenter reactions are absolutely my favorite. A Song for You would be one you would enjoy. Keep up the great work.

[@Gaeill]

That woman fills you right up. Glowing- she and her bro are singing everything. The Sound.

[@tampazeke4587]

When this song came out in the 70's it was THE wedding song! I remember it with such fond memories.

[@paulk9985]

After the success of this song and Close To You, Richard and Karen invested in two apartments in their home town of Downey, CA. They names them Close To You, and Only Just Begun. They were sold years ago, but retain these names along with musical notes on the respective address/signs in front.

[@ethelynchristopher6995]

You are so right. Back in the day this was a popular wedding song.

[@PCallahanPhilly]

That was a very popular wedding song back in the day.

[@harrystone8847]

We had a local sing it at our wedding in 1975.

[@gamingtonight1526]

It still is.

[@Ash.Crow.Goddess]

Yes, wedding song. This was my Aunt and Uncle's wedding song. Don't you wish we could attend a Carpenter's concert? I sure do. By the time my mom introduced me to this, in the late 80s, she was gone.

[@simonwindebank4394]

I remember all these performances when I was a kid,grew up on these and abba ,bee gees etc great music 👍🇬🇧

[@thomasflynn5366]

We used this as our wedding song as many people did. Originally it was written as a commercial for a bank LOL.

[@texastrustedoralsurgeon6830]

Girl, you are on a Carpenter’s roll. These songs are sappy by today standards, but at the same time the quality of the music, melody and vocals is astonishing. They were so successful due to her smooth, angelic vocal quality. They struggled with a reputation of being a sugary, pop group that during the 1970’s was contrasted with the emergence of rock, metal, and more harsh musical genres. She was tired of being associated with the superficial bubble-gum reputation and wanted to taken more seriously as an artist. Even with that voice, maybe the best female vocalist of all time, she felt under-appreciated. It was our great loss in 1983 when she succumbed to her illness, brought on by years of dietary abuse, laxatives, purging, and malnutrition.

[@johnwoods6539]

Karen Carpenter's voice voice is amazing you're such a vulnerability to it such a beauty...

[@timtravasos2742]

I used to listen to her as a teen. I have a newfound amazement and appreciation for Karen's amazing voice. Great arrangement by Richard too.

[@johnlucas773]

This song was played at pretty much every graduation for about ten years.

[@harestileheep9312]

She's a female equivalent of somebody like Lou Rawls, she sings at the deep end of things, it's all rich and textured and you can sense the vibrations of the those tones she produced. She's great. Lovely reaction there.

[@HuasoPodrido]

even after all these years, Karen stills thrills me.

[@kimmarievan-ever6599]

Its quite renowned as a first dance song at weddings..prolific songwriter Paul Williams wrote it..

[@jerickson725]

Oh, you sweet, adorable young lady -- I've been watching your Carpenters reactions and now this 57 year old lady has just subscribed. You are a breath of fresh air. I'm going to check out your Billy Joel and others soon. I love seeing intelligent young people discover the great music of my life from the 70's and 80's. 😊

[@letsgowinnietheflu5439]

I was 9 when this came out. I remember just like yesterday 3 families of us cousins (27 of us) all walk together to the osco to get ice cream, we ranged from 4 years old to early 20's. A couple of my cousins had their transistor radios going and this came on both my sisters and like 4 or 5 other girl cousins started singing this song when it came on. My 6 year old brother riding on my cousin Tom's shoulders because he had a cast one leg. Even now I still remember that happy safe feeling of contentment being with family on a hot late summer day.

[@zdoll12]

So beautiful ❤️

[@richgoff9737]

Purest voice I’ve ever heard. This is one of my favorites from my youth

[@zunbake3]

Arguably, Karen was the best female Rock Drummer in History.