Reacting to The Carpenters - Top Of The World 1973

[@ThomasBabcock-e8g]

Yes. The best brother and sister duo. Ever created. Love the Carpenters. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamesmcclain5005]

She was probably the most loved woman in America, then she died! It was a shock to everyone. Imagine listening to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and this back to back on the radio! 😂 We listened to everything!

[@jamezkpal2361]

Because it was all good!

[@jamesmcclain5005]

@jamezkpal2361 Even the one hit wonders!

[@RealSoundGuy]

I saw them in 1975 and their concert was amazing. I love her voice so much it always brings tears to my eyes. One of the highlights of their show was when Karen would be front and center singing and playing the drums and doing a drum solo that rivaled the best male drummers of that time. She was a world class drummer. I miss her terribly!

[@jamesmcclain5005]

@RealSoundGuy I remember when she was alive, her singing was mesmerizing. She had so much sadness in her voice like she wasn't going to be here forever, and then she was gone. It was not surprising, it was like watching a beautiful sunset, when you know that it will be dark soon.

[@williamsmith-kd4bd]

Karen Carpenter... So beautiful, so talented, so much personality and her so unaware of it all! Everyone was in love with her... Including this young man! ❤😢❤

[@JoeCruz-hs2yt]

what a beautiful voice nobody wil come close to her !

[@tomharrison6607]

i think karen had the most beautiful soft feminine voice but i think judith durham had the most feminine powerful voice in the pop folk singer category especially some of her solo work ie climb every mountain skyline pigeon danny boy five hundred miles etc etc

[@JoeCruz-hs2yt]

@tomharrison6607 wouldn't disagree with you she was good !

[@martel732]

Only in heaven. God gave us the voice of an angel, for a little while.

[@deepermind4884]

One of the sweetest songs ever written sung by one of the greatest singers ever! 💖💖💖

[@onechess]

My older sister was so into the Carpenters when I was a kiddo. She recently passed and I think of her every time I hear them!

[@MaddyReactions]

Hugs ❤️

[@CodyCloudWalker]

Precious memorious.

[@ryanr5319]

Thank you very much for sharing that memory. 🤗

[@glenbejoe]

It's so sad she left this world way to early. Such a beautiful angelic voice.

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️

[@abevillanueva1974]

Growing up in the 70s, we all had our favorite groups to listen to; Eagles, Aerosmith, Heart, Earth Wind and Fire...but when we would hear the Carpenters...EVERYONE would pause and listen to Karen. God did break the mold with here voice...

[@FreeDonaldTrump1]

So true. All of us born in the mid to late sixties ❤

[@rhm5158]

Saw them live in the early 70’s when I was about 13 years old out in Vegas. Karen at the time was still behind the drum kit. It was so strange seeing a woman on drums but she was fantastic. Never forgot that show. The opened for comedian Don Adams of “Get Smart” TV show.

[@lindaslater7782]

I saw The Carpenters several years ago when they opened for singer John Davidson. I loved them (The Carpenters and John) back then, and i still do. We lost a wonderful singer (and drummer) the day Karen Carpenter passed away. RIP Karen. 😢

[@JohnCiaschini]

The Carpenters were a brother and sister act. Her older brother Richard on the piano wrote most of their songs. Richard Carpenter went down hill after Karen's death in February of 1983. She died from anorexia which weakened her heart. I can only imagine how many more hit songs they would have had, had Karen lived .

[@patcurrie9888]

Richard rallied and had family after, so not downhill for long

[@neillenet291]

Her voice always makes me smile.

[@CATSOHMEOHMY]

I saw them in concert twice ..1973 & their last one in 1978 ..I was 11 years young & it was incredible a magical night & the last one was good but you could tell they were struggling especially Richard he got through it but you could tell something was wrong although I didn't put two & two together & Karen was so thin I'm surprised she got through it.. when she first came on stage the crowd gasp & I was wondering why cause I was sitting near the back but then I could tell ..I didn't know at the time their struggles they kept it very quiet amazing that they were able to keep it hush hush.. anyway that's my memory of them in concert ❤

[@chrino21]

The Carpenters are so perfect in their performance, their vocals, their arrangements, their production... I'd almost think they were AI created.

[@ThistleAndSea]

I was 13 in 1973, and the Carpenters were all over the radio back in the day! Loved their music. Thanks for sharing this one, Maddy. You look Lovely today! 💕

[@myownchannel247]

She could sing the telephone book and it would be the most beautiful thing you ever heard ✨ It’s her brother Richard on harmony

[@tedjung3700]

Richard Carpenter was a big fan of Les Paul, the guitarist who pretty much invented multi-track recording, and pioneered its early use in recordings with his wife Mary Ford where he would have her harmonize with herself in 4, 6 and even 8 part harmonies, a novelty that had never been heard before. Richard emulated Les Paul and used multi-track recording techniques to great effect on most of the Carpenters hit records.

[@retiredmusiceducator3612]

My wife and I attended one of their concerts when they were in Las Vegas. As a music teacher, I truly enjoyed and appreciated hearing them with an orchestra accompaniment. It was a great show. And... when they first came out, The Carpenters were the first ones to rerecord their harmonies with their own voices. It is good that you picked up on their voices were all their own. It was a sound that stormed America at the time. Then, when they came to our state fair for live performances (South Dakota), we all realized that they couldn't produce that same sound because it was all recorded multiple times - and thus wouldn't work live. It works today but this was such a new sound. But, it didn't matter to us - her voice and her brothers accompanied harmonies were good enough to wow us! It was great to talk to them, as little as it was, it was still a thrill for me to help set up their set on the fair stage - and it was cold, too. Nice couple. Yes, their music is nostalgic but even more, it is relaxing and peace giving. There are some good videos on KZbin about their lives - worth watching, if you haven' already watched them. Thanks for the review - and your own gorgeous smile. It perks me up even though I am 75 years old. I hope my former students from North Dakota still remember singing 'with' her and learning about anorexia hoping they don't fall for that disastrously horrible self-image problem. If you have any more comments, feel free to jot me an email - [e-mail]. If you want to review any good old band marches, check out a few from John Philip Sousa... He was an amazing writer of amazing marching band music.

[@rosanneturczynskyj7792]

I went to a concert of the Carpenters along with Neil Sedaka in the early 70's. Both of them were great and it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to.

[@flerbus]

first 45 i ever bought love it

[@jamesmcclain5005]

@@flerbus 😂😂😂 ...mine was the Entertainer!

[@sharoninglima1217]

Karen and Richard are Sister/Brother duo. Richard does all the gorgeous arrangements and piano (musical genius) to accompany Karen’s stunning voice. They overdubbed their own voices for the harmonies. I never got to see them in concert. I watched them all the time on their specials and had their albums. ❤❤

[@danielbenincasa770]

She just puts a smile on your face and makes you feel good every time she sings She's such a treasure. I miss her. I just wished I could of saw her live. I have all her records and later bought her CD"s

[@JSFGuy]

I was a micro Yootz This came out and it got me attention on the radio I mean it got my I stopped what I was doing because we had just radios and I'll never forget it. I went on to play some instruments and really pursue music.

[@ScottM-mds1hb]

Mag-i-callllllll 💙💚🔥😇😉 Get it Karen! That smile that charisma that grace the personality 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@buukkreider544]

Thank you for your reaction to this Carpenters song.

[@scottski51]

Saw them TWICE in dear old Fresno, Ca. Their concerts were flat Happy, Joyous Occasions !! You left feeling Good and Smiling like crazy ! Then went and bought aNOTher Carpenters album !!!

[@randybelzl2911]

This is my favorite song. Thank you for this video.

[@RotcivVanDahl]

Amazing to think that she just wanted to drum and her brother pushed her to sing. So grateful he did.

[@danielbenincasa770]

Yes it's her brother and he writes all the songs and arrangements. They are so good together

[@DerekDominoes]

Well, actually, while he arranged all the songs, he didn't write them all.

[@Rackelhane]

Wow! This brings back some memories from 73. The hockeyteam i played for whent to USA for a tour round the country . Denver..Chicago..Boston..Detroit and NewYork. We where just young kids 15 years old. Everywhere we could hear this song played on the radio. Happy memories for sure. Thank you so much. Cheers from a finn in Sweden.❤🎉

[@ColKurtzknew]

Brother Richard was a classically trained pianist. His compositions and arrangement are masterful. Karen seemed so happy here as she delivers such an incredibly well written song. Definitely a country/pop vibe.

[@stornowayscotland]

How stunningly beautiful does maddy look wearing glasses she is absolutely pretty have a lovely bonfire night naddy 😊

[@UncleCharlie111x2]

She mesmerized me in 73 as a kid!

[@Mycroftsbrother]

Richard also arranged all of their songs. I don't think he ever got enough credit for the beautiful orchestral arrangements and the overall success of the group.

[@MilanŠivec]

I have enjoyed this song so many times and today your reactions again increased the level of enjoyment. Perfect.

[@MaddyReactions]

Wow! I'm so glad!

[@MilanŠivec]

​@@MaddyReactions well I don't know what happens but I am glad it does.

[@rcinsley]

Happy/sad is a good description. Karen was a sweetheart--MY generation's sweetheart--and her early death was a tragedy. Every time I watch one of these videos, I'm fighting back tears. Her voice was one of the best ever recorded. Always remember: Karen was a DRUMMER...who also sang.

[@62impalaconvert]

I was picking up dinner at a fast food restaurant when I heard the announcement on the radio. Quite a surprise and a shock.

[@MaddyReactions]

Awe :(

[@mso4433]

Wonderful talents. It's a shame she couldn't have gotten some kind of help for her eating disorder. Loved her then and now. RIP Karen.

[@BMforever-h5c]

I am old enough to have lived through the entire Carpenters catalogue and I don't think that any female ever topped Karen Carpenter. The elation and happiness that she makes you feel is just fantastic. There can never be enough of listening to her voice.

[@blueribbonentertainmentser9340]

They were signed by A&M records which was Herb Albert and Jerry Ross. Albert took a huge liking to the Capenters, especially Karen. Richard was indeed her brother. He was given the song "Close to You" by Burt Bacharach but he passed it on to them and it became a huge hit. I had the honor of seeing Herb Albert this year in concert with his wife Lani Hall; excellent show!

[@MarissaM312]

Karen and Richard Carpenter were so good together. I always think about how awful it must have been for Richard to lose his sister (his other half). At least their music and her voice will live on through eternity. Have a wonderful day! ❤🙏😊

[@MaddyReactions]

🩷

[@charlesparrott1689]

I have also always thought how difficult it was for Richard. Not only were they Sibs, they were best friends. I think too many people blame Richard for Karen’s problems. She was a beautiful human being with the most beautiful voice ever recorded. I would give anything to see them in concert, too cool at the time to give them the love they deserve.

[@shanenolan5625]

I met Richard, her brother once , i was a boy at the time , he was really nice , kind , my grandmother, mother and aunt , loved them , and so did i , i remember watching the tv movie, ( the karen carpenter story) its probably on KZbin, ( i was 7 ish) , always loved this song , although my favourite, and i think her best , is superstar ( superstar/ groupie) alternative title,

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

The first of several times I saw them was in 1965 (Karen was 15). They were 2 members of the Dick Carpenter Trio which did mostly jazz which was evident in later days by the way she held her drumsticks. They played in clubs around Los Angeles. Wes Jacobs on bass or tuba was the third member and once in a while they had a singer or trumpet player. In 1966 they performed and won the Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Bands. A recording was made, and you can hear their performance if you search on Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Band 1966. They did two songs "Iced Tea" a jazz number Richard wrote and "Girl from Ipanema" a jazzed up Bosa nova. When they were both in college (1967) they were in a sextet SPECTRUM with Richard on Keyboard Karen on drums and Bettis on guitar, who began writing lyrics to Richard's songs, guitarist Gary Sims, bassist Dan Woodhams, and vocalist Leslie "Toots" Johnston. Saw them at The Whisky A GO GO. in 1968 they were once again the Dick Carpenter Trio but with Bill Sissoyev on bass. They won Your All-American College Show (their first time on TV and Karen Singing and playing drums). Search 1968 Your All-American College Show. I also saw them in England (71) Las Vegas several times and Lake Tahoe once but do not remember the year. On this song Richard and Bettis wrote it, and Richrd picked which song they did and arranged them. You are correct they sang to an over dubbed track a lot at times the only live mic was the one in Karens hand. Sometimes it was evident as the instrument did not match the sound. Fil at Wings of Pegasus has done comparisons of Karens live performance and the record using pitch monitoring software. He felt the live was better.

[@kendallcarstens9194]

The Carpenters unique sound of many harmonies was achieved by track stacking, which Richard perfected. They used many backing tracks live and in studio to get these results.Tori Holub is a Karen Carpenter tribute artist; and she has a video on YT showing this technique. Check Tori out sometime.

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

So much beauty.

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️

[@thomastimlin1724]

Karen was my young teen crush. I cried when she died. She was almost 33, I was 27...like my childhood just died with her. she was a great singer, but equally a bad ass drummer. she was a perfectionist and I don't think she realized how much people really loved her, like the talented girl next door kind of thing.

[@bonester50]

My brother saw Carpenters in 1971on his honeymoon, was a hard rocker always told me her voice at Tahoe was incredible. Her drumming was insane. I never saw them because it was uncool to see Carpenters, who ended up the top selling american group of the 70's. Top of the World hit #1 for 2 weeks in 1973. Just the best ever. Karen was a beautiful woman.

[@dougbrowning82]

It's too bad she never played drums on their records. Drummer on this track was Hal Blaine, using brushes. Amazing how such an "uncool" group could be the top seller of their decade.

[@3COLORSMUSIC-ul2cn]

I like to imagine The Carpenters, watching the world from a white cloud, singing happily 🌺

[@markl3028]

One of the two female vocalist who's singing I never tire of. The other is Judith Durham of the Aussie folk group 'The Seekers'

[@Dave-jt3qy]

The Carpenters just released a Christmas CD on November 1. "Christmas Once More" and yes, Richard Carpenter is her older brother.

[@philbaumgartner1776]

There band members do backing vocals, as well.

[@starman2337]

Yes, I saw them in an Indiana theatre in 1970 when Karen was still on the drums during the entire concert.

[@AlanMccarthy-ks3qg]

how can you not like her voice x

[@charlesparrott1689]

I love Karen’s personality in this video. There has never been anyone with a voice as beautiful, probably never will be. We love her so much.

[@Perfect_Blend]

The video was from their first tv special in 1976. They lip synched to the song, as was usually done back then. There is a really cool video Richard did in 1996 where he uses his old self in place of the 1976 Richard. He did it for Japanese audiences at Christmas, 1996. It's called "Magic Top Of The World"

[@dazbanyard6056]

all of their songs are honest and so happy but bring tears to your eyes. What on earth has our world become with so much fakeness driven by money and fame

[@Roboto2073]

So bazar, I woke this morning, and this song was playing in my head. Very funny.

[@robertphillips4918]

Went to 2 of their concerts first time was good but they pretty much just sang all of their hits one after another second time was really entertaining was kind of done like a TV variety show some humor and hits from the sixties….. but both shows very good …. I wish I could have grown old with Karen I’m sure they would have continued to tour and probably have done Christmas tours .

[@mikeconners1648]

That’s her brother Richard, she has the sweetest voice, RIP Karen.

[@MikeB-in1nd]

I use to work next door to a lady who knew and sang with her. I wish I had learned more

[@sharoninglima1217]

Carpenters music was so sweet and different from the hard rock during the Vietnam War. Their talent is incredible. 12 no. 1 hits…bigger than Elvis and the Beatles!

[@PaulGregory-y9t]

Wow

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

That was sweet. Thanks I needed that.

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️

[@DougRayPhillips]

You're correct. There are typically several layers of backing vocals. In live shows, the other band members would have to fill in the parts. But in a studio recording (such as the one they're synching to here), all the backing vocals were overdubs of both Karen and Richard.

[@MaddyReactions]

So amazing!

[@LuisHernandez-yf2no]

Such a Happy song 🎉

[@dougsusie2319]

Between 1971 & 75 (my highschool years) I loved The Carpenters and bought all of their singles. My buddies and I were all long hair stoner hippie types. Our thing was like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and actually a lot of different types of music. We were actually pretty diverse for kids. Bluegrass music, folk, female artists like Carol King, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and others. The one no no was The Carpenters (not cool). When I had friends over to listen to music I had to stash my Carpenters records because I would've gotten crushed. Looking back I wonder how many of my friends did the same thing. To this day I always have a CD copy of their greatest hits and play it from time to time. That's my Carpenters story. A note on Karen C. In the mid to late 70's, the late, great John Lennon was exiting a restaurant and Karen C. was walking in. Lennon walked up to her and said she had the greatest voice he ever heard. She had very low self esteem and thought he was kidding her but he wasn't. Peace ❤

[@manuelayala66]

Great ear Maddy ! because I think I read one time that Richard Carpenter Her Brother recorded the her voice 4 times and layered them together and called it a 4 track recording.

[@MaddyReactions]

Amazing!

[@4yules]

gifted voice

[@do0ranfrump260]

Back when this was made they didn't have machines to layer automatically.. The carpenters pioneered this type of layering but they had to do it the hard way.

[@starman2337]

Great video I'd not seen before.

[@BillyJames8880]

Yes they were brother and sister❤

[@ScratchySpoon]

What a happy little song. Only heard one other Carpenter song before (Goodbye to love). I should try some others. 👍

[@MaddyReactions]

Definitely

[@neal5068]

Most beautiful female vocals ever.

[@randallknapp7528]

I only got to watch them live on TV, but even that was awesome!

[@MaddyReactions]

So true!

[@randallknapp7528]

@MaddyReactions I met my wife on a Karen Carpenter fan site in 2004 - Ellie is from the UK.

[@JUMBOs-RC]

next in line to the human voice and piano, the steel guitar is one of my favorite instruments

[@Jonathan-iq3sg]

Karen left us much, too early. But don't be sad that she's gone. Be happy that she was here. 😊

[@chrisalldis3375]

The No 1 Female voice of all time, pure!

[@droidx1191]

Karen's voice was miraculous. And Maddy... I have a crush on Maddy.

[@retiredmusiceducator3612]

I don't if you will read this but... I am recently retired from teaching music in our schools K-12. There was one year I taught my 4-6 grade music class a few of Karen's songs - and used her life and sadly, her death, as examples - especially for the girls in my classes. They truly loved to hear her sing and they really loved to sing along with her in class. I hope that was one of my lessons that my kids will have learned life's lessons of self care.

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️❤️❤️

[@miked6761]

The Carpenter's in particular produced versions of the studio recordings without their vocals that they would sing along with in situations where most artists lip synced.

[@scottski51]

This is obviously the studio/record version superimposed over a much later tv show video (well done, btw!). The brother and sister did, in fact, record ALL the accompanying voices. Hence the beautiful blended sound !! I was always mesmerized by it. In this later-years video, it is readily apparent sweet Karen is struggling with her Anorexia Nervosa and covers it with full length gowns and sleeves. At the time... we all saw it... but had No Clue why. "Gee... Karen needs to slam down a few hoagies or some pizza !!" is basically what we thought would help her. Now... we know better. Real help was just too late.

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️

[@buukkreider544]

I have to say that Karen was absolutely adorable in this video!

[@MaddyReactions]

Agreed

[@SuperKevin57]

Sibling harmony is the best 😊.

[@terrymoss758]

They had a group of good back up singers in their band, could be their voices in the track too.

[@dougbrowning82]

All the vocals on the record are Karen and Richard. They multitracked.

[@MusicMan61-j7o]

Like your top

[@teddixonjr.137]

Karen Carpenter one of the all time great pop singers.

[@thothification]

Still hoping I’ll find a way to relate to this song someday 😂

[@honephillips3840]

Richard and Karen iirc enjoyed what Les Paul and Mary Ford did with re recording. I seem to remember seeing them together but regardless in Karen's BBC(?) Drum solo Richard describes himself as knowing Les Paul's music. As the talented arranger he was, he would not have ignored how their songs were produced.

[@CFWhitman]

It seems like four tracks (2 each) was an absolute minimum for any Carpenters harmony. By what I've heard there were usually four tracks for each of them, and an extra one or two for Karen. Just to be clear, there weren't that many different harmonies, they would double up (or more) on the same melody and harmony lines to get the signature sound.

[@terrymoss758]

The word you are looking for is “innocent”. :)

[@The.Magnificent.one.2025]

I remember when she died. A real shame. 🇬🇧.

[@theluffinater9470]

Your hair is so beautiful

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️

[@auerstadt06]

It was so uncool at one time to admit you liked the Carpenters, even when they were all over the radio. Then they kind of disappeared for a while (burnout, drugs) and then Karen died. In 1987 I was watching a documentary about the social unrest of the Vietnam war years and they played "Close to You" as a counterpoint to all the violent rioting that was on screen. It had such an effect on me that I immediately bought a greatest hits album and soon I was playing it all the time, reveling in all the other wonderful songs that didn't get played on the radio. Along with Scooby Doo, Ronald Mcdonald and Captain Crunch, Karen's voice was an integral feature of my early childhood. But only years after her death did I realize how good they really were. And are still are.

[@MaddyReactions]

Oh wow

[@jamezkpal2361]

When i was in high school in the seventies, I had long hair, wore tight pants and platform shoes, and blasted Zeppelin from my Nova SS. But after a long day of being a dick, I'd go to my room, put on my pj's and my headphones, and let Karen Carpenter sing me to sleep.

[@brucekastel707]

Maybe Heavenly is the best way to describe this.....

[@CarlosRivera-vh2wc]

THAT'S HER HUSBAND 😮

[@richpardey766]

👍✌️💜

[@pcl8993]

💋💋💋

[@BillyJames8880]

If I told you that then I'd have to tell you my age😂

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

Yes, they were brother and sister. Richard did some of the songwriting, and all of the arranging. It was his decision, for instance, to use pedal steel guitar to give it a country sound. As big as they were, I think The Carpenters would have been even bigger if they'd come along earlier, like the 40s or 50s. They were out of step with modern trends. In an era of rock music, with distorted guitars, drug references, political statements, and gritty vocals, they presented a wholesome image and sang smooth love ballads. In a way, they were the last gasp of the Tin Pan Alley era. The Carpenters were considered square at the time. It didn't matter. Most of us loved them, anyway. How could you not love Karen Carpenter, with her perfect voice and delivery? A lot of us would listen to the Stones and T. Rex as well as The Carpenters.

[@dougbrowning82]

They kept the Wrecking Crew working through the changing times. The country twang was an homage to Lynn Anderson, who's cover single came out before their own. They revamped the vocals and added Buddy Emmons' pedal steel work.

[@CarlosRivera-vh2wc]

MY BAD IT IS HER BROTHER 😂

[@franksullivan1873]

Her brother actually sings a little higher,lol.