THE CARPENTERS - Solitaire REACTION - First time hearing

[@YN97WA]

Harri, you can't talk about or listen to a Carpenters' song without marveling at Karen's hauntingly beautiful voice. Those of us lucky enough to have grown up with her miss her terribly. RIP Karen 💚

[@angelicamarch3407]

So do I, Makes me Cry everytime.

[@THXx1138]

@@angelicamarch3407 Same. Presently.

[@ChuckHackney]

Haunting. Totally pure. Almost perfect pitch. Warm. Evocative. There will never be a voice like hers again. God grants us an angelic voice like this only once.❤

[@ChuckHackney]

I am one of those that grew up with her and I am one of those those that miss her terribly. I am crying gently again, and it is always tears of joy and sadness. Thank you, God, for this beautiful angel, but geeez, for such a short, short time. I don't question, but I do just wonder why?????

[@royhollyfield1826]

No female vocalist moves my heart more than Karen Carpenter...God rest her lonely heart 💔

[@cdfdesantis699]

Wow, I'd almost forgotten about this one. To me, Ms. Carpenter's voice just flows through the song like a gentle stream, hastening over pebbles, swirling in peaceful eddies around a quiet pool. Truly, some of us play "solitaire" in our youth, but some of us only face the game when life's journey is nearing its end. Thanks for the introspective, sir.

[@michaelasay8587]

Hey yr back about 5 yrs for me ..I realized I hadn't been playing enough of her...so now I listen every day

[@cdfdesantis699]

@@michaelasay8587 Hi! The Carpenters' music was one of the defining sounds of '70's pop. Good to know you're still enjoying it, friend. Thanks for your comment.

[@beeseewill2407]

Karens voice is so enhanting,you just have to sit back and listen. The music production is absolutely beautiful.So soothing.

[@tonysc7610]

The only woman I've ever heard that can end a song on a low note and still give you goosebumps.

[@spacetimemalleable7718]

Kudos should also be given to Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody who wrote this song - they are geniuses. Karen's singing this is beyond beautiful - literally an all time classic. Miss her so MUCH! I tear up whenever I think of her. Her passing was a catastrophic event in the music world.

[@DoorOfDoom12]

This is an incredible song by one of the greatest voices of all time. Thanks for the review, Harri.

[@sheldakrull1621]

Has there ever been a more beautiful voice in the history of recorded music?

[@b1bmsgt]

Nope!

[@YN97WA]

No.

[@mariaportengen2959]

No

[@tomschmitz261]

NO! at least not the most pure, rich, intimate, warm, movingly beautiful voice as Karen Carpenter...

[@CheninLois]

No.

[@bruschmidt9943]

I always need tissues when listening to her sing this. The one & only, it's that Voice 😍 😌 💕

[@YN97WA]

Me too.

[@mrburns1203]

Karen was My Favorite Female Singer. No one comes close to Her.No one felt a song and emoted like Her. She was beautiful and so talented. She and Richard were a Wonderful Team. Unequaled!

[@sharoninglima1217]

Karens voice so rich, beautiful and full of emotion. Richards composition of songs are truly magical. Of course…the unbelievably talented Neal Sedaka wrote this gem. ❤❤❤

[@dansheridan6693]

Perhaps the most unique voice ever! A voice that cannot be copied!

[@realcoolbreeze]

Love Karen s beautiful voice. Always have. Always will. She tells beautiful stories and feels each one in all of her songs. Was so special and an incredible talent.

[@tomschmitz261]

she was the ultimate vocalist who sang TO the listener NOT at them and she knew she was a storyteller and it was her "job" to tell the story of every song, a skill 99% of singers today seemingly forgot or cannot do...

[@AlamoDame7]

My favorite Karen Carpenter song. Incomparable.

[@jocknomore]

Effortless between low C and high c. A treasure and diamonds in my ears.

[@paulnelson7525]

Beautiful Karen.

[@markw3598]

That last note she sings is amazing.

[@ChuckHackney]

Misten to this voice. Pure, very few cracks, pure as new fallen snow, a warm blanket on a cold nite, a glass of the finest burgundy, velvety and smoothe. The voice of an angel.

[@ChuckHackney]

Listen

[@mrburns1203]

You got lost in Her performances. She brought You in with Her. She was perfection.

[@michelle172ct]

They called her “ one take Karen” because that’s all she needed- perfect the first time singing the song

[@ronforeman2556]

First time I heard this song on the radio, in 1975, I was driving on the freeway between Phoenix & Flagstaff, AZ, and got so misty I had to pull over at the first available exit and regain my composure.

[@ChuckHackney]

Perhaps no song shows of that gentle pure, angelic voice more than this divine Neil Sedaka song. Neil wrote it and sang it, but Karen took it to greatness. One other one comes to mine: "Maybe It's You" from the album Close To You. Simply stunning.

[@markw3598]

Richard told her not to worry about her voice, (that she didn't like!!!!), he said "The basement is where the money is", Boy was he RIGHT!!

[@marybaillie8907]

Irreplaceable!!! Love this song. So beautiful. Karen's voice is so angelic. 😥😥 It just draws so much emotion into each word. Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@mariaportengen2959]

Again..... Goosebumps all over. I simply can't help it. 💕💕💕

[@gregorybast869]

One would never know by the way she delivers this song that Karen depised this song and had to be convinced by Richard that it was worthwhile. She was the consumate professional! Richard considers Solitaire to be Karen's most stellar recording.

[@peggymcmillin660]

I’m aware

[@lilamuzik3385]

I am in the minority, but I have always thought this was Karen's finest song. Shows her lovely contralto so beautifully.

[@susanma4899]

Yes, I like to sing along to her songs, but there are some low, low notes in this one. I can rarely hit them. She makes it sound it so easy. Also the way she pronounces words like "smoke"...wow, there's just no one like her.

[@lilamuzik3385]

@@susanma4899 I so agree. The world of music is poorer with the loss of this great woman.

[@spruce381]

It’s my favourite. It’s chilling.

[@mkshffr4936]

@@susanma4899 and "goes" just slays me.

[@spacetimemalleable7718]

You are definitely NOT in the minority. Her voice is so hauntingly beautiful and I consider this song as one her best. The other one is I Need to be in Love- which was Karen's favorite song according to her brother, Richard.

[@gabrielofficial7859]

sad song but really beautiful ❤❤

[@billybradley1455]

I have listen to Karen since the 70s...and I am never prepared for her voice. She gets every scrap out of a song, the dam burst and I am overwhelmed.

[@debbiechang5781]

Thank you for requesting this Carol! This haunting song has always been one of my favorites. What can one say about this velvety voice that hasn’t been said before. Just imagine what she could have done if her cruel, misunderstood disorder hadn’t stolen her beautiful soul away! Great insights again Harri. 🌺✌️

[@cmdrvex]

I hear ABBA when I listen to this track. Winner Takes it All. Two bands that understood how to write the best melodies and how to communicate them perfectly.

[@MamawT65]

I think great music always makes us remember someone or something in our past maybe even just a feeling we may have had in the past! Love the reaction

[@patswanson2870]

This song was written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody. Neil Sedakas version also good.

[@peggymcmillin660]

Agree Both versions are stellar

[@thelawofficesofdeweycheatu7166]

The Carpenters cover 3 other songs written by Leon Russel, Superstar, This Masquerade and A Song For You.

[@clannad99germany70]

Her voice was so sweet, empathic and lovely, like a dream to listen to her songs.

[@barbsmith5465]

Rest Peacefully dear Karen Anne Carpenter ❤️ We miss you.

[@wfj50]

You're right, Harri. No matter what the song. No matter what the lyrics, or the arrangements, it's always Karen's angelic voice that stands out, and steals the show. No one was ever better. There is only 1 Carpenters song that I think is better. Please react to This Masquerade.

[@tombrearton3435]

*TM* is their cover of a Leon Russell song; also another great cover the same year by George Benson.

[@dropbear6740]

One of, if not the best female singer ever

[@paulweiss3818]

From the same album, (I'm Caught Between) Goodbye and I Love You is my favorite Karen Carpenter performance. She hits and carries such a deep , rich, resonating, perfect note when she sings the line "between the devil and the deep blue sea."

[@pennymcneela7095]

LOVE, Love, love...

[@maryannarep]

Bawling my eyes out. I spent my teen years listening to ALL their hits. Why Karen? My mom harped on my weight constantly. I miss you.

[@dsusan17]

Thank you Carol! My favorite Carpenter song. Wonderful reaction Harri

[@helokopter924]

Harri, nice reaction. Richard and others supposedly said she hated this song. (Perhaps that is why there are no videos of her singing it ?). Anyway, Herb Alpert heard her voice on a demo in 1969 and signed them to A&M records. She received 4 Grammys. She was 1975 rock drummer of the year according to Playboy. Perhaps THE best female vocalist-ever, because she commands you to listen as she sings in perfect pitch TO you, not AT you, with emotion and enunciation. No auto-tune or gimmicks. She was known by the studios as 'one take'. She rarely, if ever, did more than one take of any song. She was also the ONLY female harmony/background voice in all her songs. She was truly born with an incredible singing talent. Documentaries point out the accolades to her voice, such as, Paul McCartney said she had the most angelic voice after hearing her sing 'Ticket To Ride', and John Lennon ran into her at an LA restaurant and told her she had a fabulous voice. Supposedly Frank Sinatra stated that Karen was the only singer he'd pay to hear. KC never knew true love. One of her few friends included Dionne Warwick. KC really lost weight, due to anorexia, in earnest beginning in 1975. She died in Feb 1983 at age 32 due to heart complications from anorexia.

[@michaelasay8587]

Harri ...u have to do more of her!

[@dsusan17]

Superstar is a must!

[@bobdelp2023]

VOCAL CHORDS TRULYYYYYYY AMAZINGLY INSANE HARRI 😊AND OF COURSE JUST BEAUTIFULLLLLL ( NO PUN ) 😊 WE LOST HER SADLY ENOUGH 40 YEARS AGO NEXT YEAR 🙃

[@tranurse]

My mom had the album this was on in 8 track. She played the heck out of it… I am 52 and I can remember this song from when I was 3 or 4.

[@melliehobson8299]

Evocative lyrics, perfect voice.

[@stevepitt139]

PERFECTION.!!!❤❤❤❤.

[@MikeFugily-hj3ok]

Thanks for a great reaction to one of my favs✔️

[@ALMENDRA22348]

Espectacular Karen ❤❤❤

[@angelicamarch3407]

Karen Carpenter, The Drummer That was The Singer.

[@BCNbananas]

It's a well written song, too... And Karen is great 🎉

[@darby5987]

Karen also delivers a huge drumming track in the background. Her voice and drumming make this song very special.

[@surlechapeau]

Harri, Looks like you haven't done their "For All We Know" or "Hurting Each Other". More gorgeous music from Karen and Richard!

[@tombrearton3435]

Sadly, Richard didn't much like the song (original by Neil Sedaka) but thought it would be a good showcase for Karen's voice (he was obviously right), but she reportedly *hated* it.

[@caryriggs5719]

Bless the beast and the children would be a great one too

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

This was originally a 70s song by Neil Sedaka but then Andy Williams did his hit version of this in the UK. It is a very great 70s song

[@melliehobson8299]

Gotta be my favorite song from the Carpenters.

[@Tonidolls]

It's one of my favs for sure..

[@contacluj758]

Shirley Bassey's version of this song is a blast! Worths checking!

[@jamesdrynan]

Composed by Neil Sedaka with lyrics by Phil Cody, ( Cody was going through a painful divorce, so the words came to him easily. ) The song was covered by the Searchers, Andy Williams and The Carpenters. Neil's 1972 version was included on his 1975 comeback album, " Sedaka's Back. " Although she sang it beautifully, neither she or Richard particularly liked the song. It did garner them their 12th # 1 Easy Listening Award.

[@garrytiller3194]

She was THE best. 🤎🤍♥️

[@khoohockleong7585]

Solitaire is one of my most favourite songs from the Carpenters.

[@carolhesterberg7526]

From what I've heard, Karen didn't like this song and said she would only sing it one time. As usual, she did it perfectly in one take.

[@melliehobson8299]

Her voice is in how many ranges with richness in every range. She was so underappreciated, but I think her voice deteriorated during the final part of her illness ( not now.)

[@kathifielder1110]

Karen Carpenter is simply amazing! I'd also like to see your reaction to Elvis Presley's version of this song.

[@jwichman9]

Karen will melt your soul

[@cherylsims5636]

I could see this one hit you emotionally

[@sammy2840]

A gift from God!

[@scottyh8494]

Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody wrote the song and it was given to a few artists to sing. The Carpenters released their beautiful version back in 1975.

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

Beautiful

[@normanrose2711]

carpenters Goodbye to love with lyrics ?

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Definitely, Goodbye to Love. The studio version, not anything live.

[@garyechols9458]

You should watch The Carpenters - Sing「シング」(Live at Budokan 1974)

[@royhollyfield1826]

Never a voice that moves my heart more than Karen....

[@johndavidson5228]

This sounds like a song that ABBA could do very well. But I do like how Karen did it. Thanks for the reaction, Harri.

[@misacastillo282]

Great reaction, please react "Carpenters A song for you" Full version, the Karen voice is sublime.

[@craigblack7076]

A #17 hit in '75, music by Neil Sedaka-lyrics by Phil Cody

[@jazzmaan707]

I haven't heard any female singer do this song, since they can't get down to those low notes that Karen sings effortless. Even men have trouble singing this song. I've heard Neil Sedaka, who wrote the song. He can hit the high notes, then struggles with the low notes. Andy William recorded it, and he has trouble reaching both the high notes and the low notes. One female voice coach, who sings Carpenter songs at wedding gigs, said, "I can only sing some of Karen's songs, because I can't get down to the low register that Karen could sing, and I have to change the song to a higher key, but then that changes the song." RIP, Karen.

[@RAMAFASTENAMONATO]

I think this is the best song of the Carpenters. The music arrangements very beautifully support Karen's voice during singing.

[@Timmac48]

Karen Carpenter & Ella Fitzgerald have the best female singing voices EVER!!!!

[@dansheridan6693]

Good call

[@oldermusiclover]

and more and likely that is members of the Wrecking Crew playing on this as they did most of the Carpenters tunes

[@bobfinn1755]

composed by Neal Sedaka

[@usafo6546]

Try Neil Sedaka’s version…upbeat. Nobody sings any song better than Karen Carpenter. The female voice of 20th century

[@tombrearton3435]

Upbeat? Maybe time for a re-listen.

[@tomschmitz261]

Sedaka himself said no one could touch Karen Carpenter's voice and version...

[@mysterymac38]

This song was written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody. You can find his version on youtube, but it is nowhere as good as karen's version.

[@edjasper92]

Have you heard Karen sing Masquerade? It is hauntingly beautiful, also.

[@HrLBolle]

who else is quite familiar with Solitaire, as in both the game and the circumstance? oh, by the way: Solitaire the game is in fact my favourite game on pc as of now

[@dianepinkyharman1346]

Loved the Carpenters. I was fortunate to see them in concert. What a shame whaat happened to Karen. What a beautiful voice.

[@fredbloggs6080]

Here's Neil Sedeka, who wrote the music, singing it, accompanying himself on the piano, In 1981. His voice is underrated. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIavm5Wkp7yhlc0

[@larissahorne9991]

On the subject not being able to not tell someone that they're Attactive. I Australia you don't need to actually say anything to pay a compliment. Aussies will simply Check You Out and that doesn't stop just because you're in a Relationship, we'll give their Partner a " Lucky You!" look. Aussie Partners don't usually get offended because they'll be doing the same thing themselves. There's no need for Pick-up Lines either and even the Shyest person can start a Relationship. For example He'll Check Her Out and then She'll Check Him Out. If She's Interested She'll then go and talk to Him. If not He'll understand that it's a "No!" and will usually accept Her answer.

[@oldermusiclover]

funny thing was Karen did not like this song much check out I Need To Be In Love

[@ronaldldunn5072]

Here's the composer performing it himself live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIavm5Wkp7yhlc0

[@pseudoism]

Nice but I prefer Andy Williams

[@MarcosVinicius-rf6ju]

Antigamente as pessoas tinha bom gosto pra música hoje em dia aqui no Brasil as músicas são umas porcaria

[@thomastimlin1724]

Neil Sedaka wrote this, had his own version as well. this goes too deep , too depressing for me lol. so I won't listen to it.