Tennis - Superstar

I leave you with our cover of Superstar by The Carpenters. Karen Carpenter has always influenced my writing. Her voice is so distinctive I can imagine her take on any song. Our goal with Superstar was to re-cast her voice in the context of a different band in a different era. This led us to take a lot of liberties, including writing a bridge that doesn't exist in the original. The result is something that doesn't sound like Tennis or The Carpenters, which we really liked.
Listen to Superstar everywhere now: orcd.co/tennis-superstar.
//
Catch us live on our 2021 tour this fall -
3-Jun Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Morrison, CO
25-Sep Metro Music Hall - Salt Lake City, UT
1-Oct The Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA
2-Oct Venue Nightclub - Vancouver, BC
4-Oct Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
5-Oct Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
7-Oct The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
8-Oct The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
9-Oct Felton Music Hall - Felton, CA
11-Oct The Fonda - Los Angeles, CA
12-Oct The Fonda - Los Angeles, CA
13-Oct The Observatory - San Diego, CA
15-Oct Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ
16-Oct El Rey Theater - Albuquerque, NM
18-Oct Stubb's Amphitheater - Austin, TX
19-Oct Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
20-Oct White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX
22-Oct Jannus Live - St Petersburg, FL
23-Oct The Beacham Theatre - Orlando, FL
26-Oct Basement East - Nashville, TN
29-Oct Haw River Ballroom - Saxapahaw, NC
30-Oct 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
1-Nov Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA
3-Nov Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
5-Nov Higher Ground - Burlington, VT
6-Nov Gateway City Arts - Holyoke, MA
8-Nov Royale - Boston, MA
10-Nov Brooklyn Steel - Brooklyn, NY
11-Nov Brooklyn Steel - Brooklyn, NY
13-Nov Deluxe - Indianapolis, IN
15-Nov The Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL
16-Nov Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN
17-Nov Slowdown - Omaha, NE
All tickets are on sale at tennis-music.com!

[@foolishspecialist7479]

I think we’re ready for a Carpenters tribute album.

[@pathogensmusick]

In other words, any Tennis album.

[@huskercub9473]

try "if I were a carpenter" came out late 90s. if I remember sonic youth did this song

[@pauulkubasek1815]

They covered this song

[@yojuan01]

@@huskercub9473 preach ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Aren’t they one already?

[@coreymcdaniels1554]

Tennis did not have to drop this heat rn

[@angrykagg421]

They keep the summer going for ever.

[@jarredah]

corey mcdaniels Well guess what, Mimi... she did.

[@rafaame1]

but they did... they did it for us

[@visionofsolace8961]

It's 1982 and I'm grooving in my kitchen as this plays on the radio

[@jxxxhn]

I was literally playing "Close To You" on my piano and then I saw this popping up on notifications, lmaoo so random and iconic... Love this cover !!!

[@evilspicegirl]

the original has this feeling of finality, like the love is dead and done. i would listen and just feel like the heartache of this broken love, the sad 'baby, baby, baby oh baby'. this version makes me feel like these lovers are just separated by distance or circumstance, and will soon be reunited.. i get this feeling hope and a playfulness almost, like they are thinking of seeing their love again 'baby, baby, baby oh baby..'

[@icnocuicatl]

I live blocks away from where Karen Carpenter lived. This song is haunted. I love this version and I think she would like it too.

[@AttractiveButBitter]

Everyone: "tennis's music reminds me of the carpenters" Tennis: "who wouldn't want to sound like them?" Love this :)

[@MattieMacaya]

Its a coverrrr lol

[@AttractiveButBitter]

@@MattieMacaya ... exactly...

[@AttractiveButBitter]

The comment section on most of their music says they remind people of the carpenters and I feel like this cover is them being like "yes, isnt it lovely?" And yes, it is 🥰

[@judyintheburg]

As a child of the 70’s who adored the original, this is a sweet rendition I find compelling and genuine. Thank you!

[@kareemjackson4336]

I wonder how life was back then nowadays it’s just TikTok and roblox

[@ava_lou]

the vibes are delightful folks

[@Djoodibooti]

Everybody is saying early 80s, but I only hear late late 70s bliss.

[@dfko100]

Yeah i hope the "this is vaguely old so its 80s lofi" wave dies down soon

[@BLESSFUL-Bliss]

I simply hear _Now._ 😌

[@RainwriterMusic]

The flow reminds me of the 70's and yet the instrumentation is somewhat reminiscent of both decades! I love it!

[@nostalgic324]

I have to say that it sounds like Tame Impala. The synths, the drum style, especially the phased drums at 2:06. But again Tame Impala is also very influenced by the 70s and 80s too.

[@CR-sj7xd]

Yeas, circa 1976-78 .

[@seanumino]

I love this rendition of The Carpenters’ superstar. This makes me think of times with my mom :,)

[@johnvicaireiii5537]

The carpenters was my Nana's favorite band.

[@mrphilgrey]

But it’s not a carpenters song

[@seanumino]

@@mrphilgrey but it is 🙂 check the bio. It’s superstar by the carpenters (1971)

[@seanumino]

@@mrphilgrey oh wow never knew that. I like their version too

[@Burningdaylighter]

Two of my favorite bands? What a perfect marriage. Karen would be proud. ❤️

[@thisourdailylife3979]

My boyfriend is a musician and is stuck on the opposite of the planet... so much keeps us apart, space, time, our schedules...this so hit me in the heart... but it feels strangely cheering too. I love you Tennis, you are both such a darling team 😘💕 lots of love!

[@xusongdu1865]

"Those who measure time and distance haven't known a love like mine. There is only perfect closeness--don't you leave it all behind." - Tennis

[@chrwil1973]

@@xusongdu1865 My girfriend is stuck 7000 miles away. I feel your comment.

[@bombchujelly]

SO GLAD IM AWAKE RIGHT NOW!!! This already sounds like a bop...

[@jooj5592]

Shut up bro

[@bombchujelly]

JOOJ cant rn, im listening to tennis

[@jooj5592]

@@bombchujelly ok, sorry

[@santiagoramirez4705]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what I call character development

[@dbruskin1431]

I've been listening to Tennis for years and they never disappoint. If Sonic Youth's cover is the "dark" version, this is truly the "light."

[@Lauteric]

The Sonic Youth version is incredible

[@greasymoth4172]

*Since I aint seen nobody post lyrics yet (or im just blind), here they are* Long ago and oh so far away I fell in love with you Before the second show Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear But you're not really here It's just the radio Don't you remember you told me you loved me baby You said you'd be coming back this way again baby Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby I love you, I really do Loneliness is a such a sad affair And I can hardly wait to be with you again What to say to make you come again Come back to me again And play your sad guitar Don't you remember you told me you loved me baby You said you'd be coming back this way again baby Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby I love you, I really do Don't you remember you told me you loved me baby You said you'd be coming back this way again baby Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby I love you, I really do

[@YnnonTal]

What does she say in the background of the last choruses?

[@jamtree9746]

Great way to start a rainy Cape Town Friday.🐱‍🏍

[@CrackoWitcho]

"I wonder how they're gonna Tennisify this song..." (15 seconds later) "...huh, wow. Damn that's smooth."

[@rockinrecords4081]

Ever since first listening to Tennis, I’ve been saying there’s definitely a Karen Carpenter vibe to Alaina’s voice. This is so cool

[@hotchocolatefitness]

tennis putting their own flavor to this classic song. I'm here for it! bringing all the 2020 goodness. alaina's hair just now leveled up.

[@angrykagg421]

One of the very few bands I get excited to see updates from. I will be there for Alabama or I will die trying.

[@carlisle6831]

About 7:30 by me, getting ready for class and listening to this all the way there 😌

[@NLind]

I was coming here after hearing it on the speaker system of the Marriott in Rochester, MN and totally thinking this had Carpenters vibes. Glad to see so many others feel the same and realize it’s an actual cover of one of their songs. As with others above, I think Karen would have been pleased.

[@hushicho]

This is my favorite Carpenters song. It was always so haunting and lingers in my thoughts every time I hear it. I was so excited when my friend I had introduced to Tennis linked me to this! As always, an amazing job. The added bridge is remarkably true to the Carpenters' sound, I think, but the whole cover does the best thing a cover can do, and that is to bring something new that an audience will enjoy. So many covers just make me want to listen to the original instead, but this is a good cover and satisfies me so completely to hear it. Great work, as always.

[@mrphilgrey]

It’s not a carpenters song though

[@olaasog8604]

THIS IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE COVER 😭 I’ve been trying to find more songs that sound like this especially the intro

[@alicemathew4394]

alaina and patrick the moment i started listening to tennis my life went on the upward SWING!!! i only have you to thank you the new relationships i have made and the happiness of my life rightnow

[@Djoodibooti]

Karen would be proud.

[@Jack.Strait]

I'm sure Karen would have loved this if she was still around

[@tomieito7823]

Gosh, with all the shitty things going on in this world right-now-right-now, this literally made me so genuinely happy. Its........ it's perfect! Thank you so much for doing what you do and giving peace and happiness to people like us - your fans!

[@mingyy]

Found y’all’s cover bc at work it plays!! Btw i work at h&m so congrats on making it on our fall playlist!!!

[@abhazutshi7003]

heard this at zara store and finally find out the song so mesmerising voice and cool song!!

[@brianmillerthomas]

Brilliant cover. Love it! And I totally love the original.....

[@meekilee4129]

Pleeeease do a Carpenters cover album 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@danieldini8685]

not me thinking this was a new song

[@psychodessa3411]

I was like dang they finally found their sound lmaooo

[@starryeyedtarot8876]

that picture of them is everything.

[@Down_the_Wind]

Gotta admit, that was pretty sweet. Great job, you two. Karen would be impressed!

[@DagobahDave]

First listen: I like it, but Second listen: Yeah this song is like drugs.

[@Cause4Alarm]

This generations Captain and Tennille they brings me back to a simpler time, their music makes me pause and remember!

[@EdwinNormando]

Excelente, como siempre!

[@cward1890]

Tennis gives me chills

[@svsimplicity4466]

I can listen to this song all day long! Beautiful sound!

[@stevebob240]

A day with new Tennis is a good day.

[@amelta2008]

youtube recommendations has sent me down a lovely road today...

[@veryfirstgrandpa2157]

it is (was a few hours ago) my birthday and this just made my day even better! the carpenters were one of my absolute favorite artists as a child. love the music, excellent job :D

[@erikizik5837]

Tennis is a national treasure

[@maxpower2542]

Between Karen Carpenter and Luther Vandross both singing this song amazingly and very differently, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But, wow!, I love it Now I have three favorite versions of this song. Thank you Alaina and Patrick. Great Job!

[@cinawomo]

I love when covers are this great!

[@RootbeerAndBeans]

I love Karen's soothing, loving voice, and Alaina's is the perfect modern take on it!

[@macybyrne4299]

one day these two are gonna make it so big i cant wait to see it

[@a_pompom]

Well done!! You folks are so talented. So happy to have known & loved your music for these 10 years. To many more!

[@mnmless]

Oh my goodness, this is such a trip! I adore this song and your version is pure funk and groove! Thank you!

[@christinesingleton1171]

I love your voice you sound just like an angel! I can’t wait to see you in the virtual concert! 💕

[@FuchsiaPandaBear]

One of my favorite songs!!! I’m so happy you guys made this cover

[@conbiniii]

What did we do to deserve this absolute masterpiece

[@JuvenileStacks]

I absolutely love this group, ugh, the vibe is so good.

[@zacburr974]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! So dramatic, and captivating! Thanks for the many years of great music. Can't wait to see you guys in Seattle next year! ❤️

[@Dreamcicles]

Ugh I love this song, great cover!!!

[@jeffreygillispie8780]

MIND = BLOWN 🤯

[@gabrielborjas7923]

Please do more covers like this one. It was simply impeccable

[@scotty22456]

SO glad they covered this, perfect!!

[@ansraythomas1655]

What a gem. Awesome. I love her voice so much especially those high notes.

[@jgerardomh]

Extraordinary work! Thanks for this amazing work and production, top notch!

[@CDinkle]

Sounds phenomenal, great work!

[@Mannydude96]

Your voice makes me feel things.. ty for your music

[@theblackcatx]

I love you guys!! Was so happy to see you in DC last year

[@emeraldskai3624]

KZbin is killing it right now with these recommendations. I need more of this

[@GirlsLikeMe]

Very good cover, I always come back to listen to it for some reason

[@jirachiii]

i have such a visceral emotional attachment to this song and this is everything i ever wanted in a cover of it just absolutely perfect

[@TheCosmicboo]

Isso é bom demais ...amei o cover ❤

[@Madrex13]

I like how this drops right after I finish talking to my ex

[@palmfriends]

what do you mean?

[@Madrex13]

palmfriends it’s complicated

[@palmfriends]

@@Madrex13 explain

[@yahstino]

Man, that's why I can't stay friends with any of mine

[@Madrex13]

@@yahstino yeah it’s rough man

[@whoisdanielsong]

Literally a mastercraft. Great job Tennis!

[@ericisatenor2869]

I love this so much!

[@kittentreatsTTV]

MY HEART! I needed this cover in my life! ♥️😻

[@alexisdedios2262]

I LOVE IT!

[@davidnettleford-bruce2844]

I love this song!!

[@josuesibrey8312]

Ja gostei love tennis.😍

[@PalaceofShadow]

They're both smiling!! Love it when they do that.

[@alexanderkrill51]

Sonic Youth, baby!

[@c.wyo_]

you took my heart and shattered it and then put it back together thank you

[@BranDawg81]

😍 ❤️ ❤️ 😍 Dreamy to the maxx!

[@yahstino]

I absolutely adore this omg

[@peyponch3254]

so glad this is the last song i’ll ever hear before i die to hurricane delta 😍

[@HBC423]

What hurricane?

[@no-qn4kh]

did you survive

[@peyponch3254]

@@no-qn4kh no 💔

[@gogetrunks1]

muy buena rola, de vuelta a los 80's !! love this

[@whentheworldwasatwar8717]

Absolutely brilliant !!!

[@sabinaanez]

This is pure art

[@gabrielmarval1189]

This song it's so beautiful! It just made me feel so happy 😍💕

[@caritocutee]

So delightful! 👐 Kisses from México! 💕

[@julio_fett194]

Instantly fell in love with the song ❤️ Tennis can do no wrong

[@johnvicaireiii5537]

Great song in general, and great cover, I love this band.

[@Goryalight]

I love this cover, we need more covers like this so I can make my listen to it. Haha.

[@birdworldist]

Lovely, hug

[@ghoulsbumps]

I've been listening to the carpenters so much recently, and yall released this!!!!

[@imransyah]

Feel nostalgic with synthwave Sound. That awesome. I Hope Karen Carpenter is happy to hear this cover song in heaven. 🙏🏻

[@jstrife]

It's perfect, I love it

[@younggjay23]

Just discovered this an I am absolutely blown AWAY

[@xauepov70]

Beautiful.

[@lxsford14]

It's SO good!!

[@anthonyscimonelli9260]

This is Divine. Its one of my favorite Carpenters songs, and this is an awesome cover!

[@Jamesssssssssssssss]

Thank you for this sweet gift

[@y.a.2419]

So good!!! Super start has always been one of my fav Carpenters song and OHMYGOD this version!!!