*first time seeing* The Carpenters- Merry Christmas Darling|REACTION!!!!

[@maggedo-x1s]

This good old song is an early Christmas present, Sheray! 🌟🎄🎁🧸☃️🌨️ Thanks!

[@daleb1279]

This was from their TV Christmas special.

[@A-whiter-shade-of-pale]

@jbs256 is correct it was released as a single in 1970. daleb1279 is also correct this vid is from The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978). The lyrics by Frank Pooler in 1946 for a girlfriend he was missing over Christmas. Pooler was the choral director at Long Beach college when Richard and Karen were there. He gave Karen her vocal lessons and was a huge supporter of Carpenters. In 1967 they asked (their favorite professor) if he had any ideas for holiday songs. He gave them the song but Richard did not like the music so he spent 15 minutes and had new music for it. They performed the song a few times as the Dick Carpenter Trio 1965-1970 (Richard on keyboard Karen on drums and singing (after 67) and Bill Sissoyev on bass (after 67) Wes Jacobs on bass or tuba (before 1967)) in clubs around Los Angeles. The single was released in 1970 (3 years later) and it was rereleased in 1978, When Carpenters issued their Christmas Portrait album, which contained a new version of "Merry Christmas Darling". The original 1970 mix continued to be used for all single releases, however. The major difference between the 1970 and 1978 versions is a newly recorded vocal by Karen Carpenter on the latter, which was done at her request. It was rereleased in 2018 with Karen's 1978 vocals and new instrumentation appeared on the album The Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, produced by Richard Carpenter. It has been covered a number of time since BUT never with the same feeling or beauty.

[@jbs256]

And I’ll add one more tidbit to your awesome summary. In the concert The Carpenters In Australia, that’s Frank Pooler behind the band leading the off stage backing orchestra. Frank accompanied then on numerous tours.

[@cherylsims5636]

Carpenters are my favorite vocalists of the 70's. This was such a nice song. .Try ""Tope of the World"" (live at the White House) for another one of my favorites

[@jbs256]

Hi Sheray! An early Merry Christmas! Beautiful reaction, that video was in the late 70’s, 1977 I believe. The song was first recorded as a single 45RPM, in 1970 for Christmas. There’s a story behind it, it is an original Carpenters song. But you know me, if I’m here, can Tori be far behind? 😊 Tori recorded her version in 2022 when she was 19. Not exact but pretty darn close. Merry Christmas, Darling: (Audio) kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_kS68cNTNp8Oo6pI2FM-ikXkF8oYvHo8iM&si=w16wmye7S3XIoO0n While I’m here, I might as well link you to Tori and Jim’s very recent release of their cover of Close To You. I know you know the song. 😃 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6XRlIqXmLp-gKcsi=wC6q4aO24BC_BFXF Joe Edit: Correction: Christmas Portrait is 1978. (Oops)