VOCAL REACTION to Karen Carpenter singing Superstar

[@anthonyriley7517]

The smoothest, richest, purest, clearest most angelic voice of all time and she was a fabulous drummer too!

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Yes, she was called a "Contralto Perfecto" ~ and one in a billion.

[@98teardrops]

It's not just about the smooth delivery. Many female singers can cover Karen's songs with a certain smoothness but totally lack Karen's crispy clear soulfullness, like the beautiful ringing sounds of high quality bells.

[@carlanthony211]

Hi Emma I enjoy your reactions…. May I please request your reaction to very special singer a a quite remarkable song, it’s “Sissel ..Slow down pioneer concert with the tabinacle choir…. Many thanks Carlo

[@kirksmith2051]

And warmest.

[@michaellorettahaines1898]

Yes...another exquisite voice silenced too soon...

[@daveloboda1769]

There are good singers, there are great singers and then there is Karen Carpenter.

[@nerve60]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[@johngraham5543]

You absolutely nailed it Dave! The greatest singer who has ever lived!

[@VincentManiscalco]

In my opinion, the greatest female vocalist ever ! Her voice was absolutely flawless and effortless !

[@zigman8550]

It's not a opinion. It's a fact!

[@progbloke6655]

One of the great female voices. Every single word is crystal clear.

[@jessieball6195]

Not ONE of the greatest-THE greatest, and it's not even close (Ronstadt I would rate as second-best all time).

[@JohnPhilpott-q5k]

Definitely crystal clear. It’s breathtaking

[@kroft6799]

​@@jessieball6195 I ultimately judge voices with how they connect with me emotionally. Ronstadt was a more versatile and more powerful singer who did connect emotionally, but not quite like Karen. For me the only two female singers who rival Karen in emotional connection are Patsy Cline and Eva Cassidy.

[@Knifeguy6]

Also her breath control is amazing. She regularly sings 2 verses in one breath without getting thin, quiet or out of breath at all. Stunning

[@bonester50]

Karen Carpenter would have made even the Coliseum crumble under her voice. She is in a category of one !!!

[@CarlosRivera-vh2wc]

YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO KAREN CARPENTER SING WE'VE ONLY JUS BEGUN❤

[@mikerobertson4041]

I am 66 years old, and began listening to the Carpenters when I was about 11 or 12. Karen is the greatest female vocalist that I've ever heard. And today, if anyone asks who my favorite female singer is, without hesitation, I say Karen Carpenter.

[@rainerkreimeyer]

Karen's voice is very recognizable. A voice for eternity. Her drumming is just as good. Died far too early.

[@stevetanner3019]

The closest thing I’ve ever heard to a perfect singing voice

[@webbdanster5286]

Karen Carpenter is proclaimed by most everyone in the music industry as to having the greatest recorded singing voice of all time. The fact she was one of the greatest drummers helped her breathing techniques for singing. Karen is often called the “Haunted Angel”, and that tragedy comes out in her voice… all the way up to her tragic death at age 32.

[@Bobby-vf7fv]

NO auto tune, just pure and angelic. NEVER be another Karen Carpenter!!!!!!

[@MosinGuy59]

I weep every time I hear Karen's singing. For her tragic end, for the loss of her unmatchable talent, and the time in my life when she was so alive.

[@brokenujoints3811]

Same here. Fortunate to be around then, with thier 8 tracks. Tori Holub also gives her a great natural tribute. Memories. So sad what happened to her.

[@sharoninglima1217]

Karen Carpenter’s voice is so gorgeous and unique, warm, addictive and emotional - just stunning. Richard’s arrangements were so beautiful and complimented Karen’s voice so beautifully. 🎼🎵🎤🎧🎸🥁

[@annedurant6000]

Yes she had one of the most amazing videos, funny thing is she didn't want to sing she wanted to play drums, didn't want to be up front she was shy, thank God she she was as strong and brave sole,we would of missed out on thst incredible video, and the treasured gift she left us ,god bless her amazing sweet ❤😘🥰 and that's funny u should say had so much confidence but she didn't and that was a traged, but that's how brave and special she was,😇

[@clinthutchinson4097]

I grew up with the carpenters, I am 67 now and still believe no one has ever matched your singing.

[@opencarry3860]

Karen was the closest thing to perfection for a human being in vocals.

[@GS-xt8fu]

Emma…I knew you being a singer would be in love with her voice. I remember Whitney saying, Karen was just so smooth and warm…so pure. I agree.

[@michaelhwenig]

What is amazing it that Karen never had any formal singing lessons. She only began chorus in high school so she could get out of gym class bc in her words, “I sucked at it”. She was in an a cappella class in college but thats it. Truly a God Given talent. Richard recognized it. He arranged and composed songs specifically around her voice.

[@gvigary1]

Possibly the best voice in the history of pop music ❤

[@bumperu]

Her voice cut through the night for me as a teenager in the early 70s. Driving around a small town on a Saturday night alone and hearing this angel in the night. My memory of her.

[@wildmountainsky]

The beauty of Karen's voice is amplified a hundred fold by the depth of soul from which she sings.

[@LukeDaDrifter-lj2nh]

A music icon that is rarely mentioned and her voice is legendary 😎👍

[@GS-xt8fu]

When you think, velvet, soothing, pure and clarity? Think no more past..Karen Carpenter. Simply a beautiful, clear voice.

[@chercee]

She was also a world-class drummer besides having that ethereal voice, and preferred being behind the drum kit to being up front with the mic. She stated that she was a drummer who also sang. When the powers-that-be heard her voice, though, they made her the frontwoman. They called her One-Take Karen because she nailed it, first time, every time. Her brother Richard played keyboard/piano, sang, and produced their music. Tuesday, February 4th, will be 42 years since we lost her at the young age of 32 due to complications from anorexia. RIP, Karen. You are still missed.

[@cindysimpson1046]

She is one of the very few females that can belt perfect notes every time. Hurting Each Other is a good one. ❤

[@tomschmitz-dj1fg]

legend has it she recorded this song in one take reading the lyrics off a napkin! hence her nickname "one take Karen"... and only 21 years old at the time! otherworldly incredible...

[@billsanderson1442]

Another 'one take' singer is Anne Murray, who is almost as good as Karen.

[@abevillanueva1974]

Karen...THE VOICE of voices!! I still mourn her early death...but, how lucky we have her works to enjoy forever...

[@bknsty14]

I just love the emotion the sound of someone’s voice can evoke.

[@grayfool]

Karen Carpenter had the perfect voice. Sheer perfection.

[@whyme7996]

She's pure contralto. There is something so magical about the contralto voice

[@jonboy700]

Her interpretation: brilliant; her breath control: perfect; her tone: beautiful; her arrangement: masterful; time fails me to continue....

[@roadwary]

I think this is Karen's best filmed performance in every aspect. Still healthy, young, vibrant, voice at it's finest, well recorded and produced.

[@michaelhwenig]

Richard called Karen up after midnight and told her to come down to A&M studios to do the vocals. She sang the lyrics off a napkin laying on her back. Recorded the song in one take. Wanted to re record it again and all the engineers and Richard said it was perfect. What an amazing talent both Karen and Richard were. They owned the airwaves in the early 70s.

[@davidmcdonagh7756]

Not only the greatest female singer she is the greatest singer of all time ❤

[@clivemason-ms8ju]

Listening to Karen's singing is like being gently caressed by the finest silk or velvet. I was driving when the news came on the car radio that she had died. I was so shocked that I had to pull over and take it in that she was gone. A tragedy.

[@dennisddiamond854]

The Carpenters were the band that everybody loved but no one admitted to listening to it back in the 70s. They were hugely successful with their soft music during a time when all popular music was hard rock or motown.

[@grimmone09]

If her voice doesn’t make every hair on your body stand on end I don’t know what will 😊

[@thomasboldt3485]

In the 70's there were critics of the Carpenters I just didn't understand. They criticized their wardrobes as they accepted Grammy awards on the stage. Some called her plain looking and their sound "sugar coated". I am a year younger than Karen, so when she died in early 1983 it just broke my heart, as it did with most people who loved their contributions to an age of heavy metal bands and disco era dance music. Listen please to Sweet Sweet Smile and I Need To Be In Love to know their range and growth of easy listening lyrics. Also, her cover of the Beatles "Ticket To Ride" before they became famous in 1969 is worth listening to!🎶🙂🆒

[@IDLERACER]

😎👍 "Goodbye To Love" (composed by Richard Carpenter) is the duo's masterpiece.

[@maxkaufman7215]

Also, the song was written by the great Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett and sung by Rita College in the late 60s.

[@keymack2477]

Karen Carpenter had perfect pitch. There is a channel here on YT called Wings of Pegasus, and Fil showed us how her live vocals of one of her songs is even more on pitch than the version she put on the record!!! Pick any Carpenters song - you can't go wrong!

[@deborahpaley21]

love fil!

[@tammielongino7485]

SHE WAS THE BEST AND IS STILL KNOWN AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 WOMEN DRUMMERS IN THE WORLD. ANYTHING KAREN SINGS IS AWESOME. ❤❤❤

[@izzonj]

The breath control is astounding

[@GreenOlives4952]

Karen was perfection personified ❤❤❤

[@МаркеллКрасавчик]

Hello Emma 😃 Какой прекрасный голос ! Я в первые слушаю эту певицу какой у нее красивый насыщенный голос и музыка очень мягкая . Добавлю эту песню в свой плейлист 💯

[@Singwith-Emmatoday]

Oh, yeah, it’s true!!) thanks for the comment 😘😘😘

[@alexharbison4411]

Nice reaction, Her voice was just absolutely amazing but Her brother Richard was at least just as talented and many say he was the talent. All their songs were arranged and produced by him. His choices of instrumentation and background harmonies are amazing and they stand the test of time.

[@navagate1900]

You'll love all of the Carpenters songs. She is also a world class drummer. Here are a couple of their songs - Close to You. And Rainy Days and Mondays.

[@psilvers100]

In my opinion, one of the greatest female voices of that period. I have most of her albums. So sad that she left us way too soon.

[@LibrarianMichael]

Karen is also a great drummer.

[@jessieball6195]

Yes, but WAY secondary to her other-worldly voice.

[@trazzlotinkerboltz5684]

@@jessieball6195 She was a highly regarded drummer, one of her fans was Buddy Rich. Plus, drumming is where her soul lived. :) She sang because her brother wanted it. She was a great singer as well as drummer. Let her be both.

[@MactanMurray]

And Michael Jordan was a good teammate...

[@milescoburn1845]

I've always considered Karen's voice as like a warm blanket on a cold night. I just want to wrap it around myself. Because I'm old (70 in April) my favorite song is "Yesterday Once More".

[@Brian_S_1971]

There was no one better than Karen Carpenter and there never will be as NO ONE sings like that today and never will. Gone way too soon.

[@peterblunsden1733]

Check out a young woman named Tori Holub. She does Carpenters and other covers. Remarkably similar. No autotune or studio tricks.

[@pluckinmageetar]

Her voice was described by one fan as "A soothing, mother's voice to a crying baby."

[@charleslively1714]

Such a beautiful voice and a great drummer too

[@Singwith-Emmatoday]

Thank you kindly! I agree with you)😉🤗✨

[@JoeCruz-hs2yt]

can you react to I won't last a day without you by the carpenter's probably my fave of course sung by karen !

[@PAT8888-is2pd]

She was an award winning jazz drummer before she started singing and never wanted to be out front. She preferred to stay at the drum kit. Also known as 1 take Karen. Before auto tune what you heard was what you got.

[@UberDurable]

Can't get enough of Karen's majestic voice!

[@normlee6566]

Her changes are impeccable. A pure, unaltered voice talent that maintains its integrity from studio to live. A rarity. Especially today. Other songs that showcase her voice include "We've Only Just Begun," "Goodbye To Love," "Where Do I Go From Here?" and "A Song For You."

[@UberDurable]

So many great songs from the Carpenters: We've Only Just Begun, Rainy Days And Mondays, Only Yesterday, I Need To Be In Love, Goodbye To Love.

[@jamesmiller1048]

Karen was a pitch perfect singer, very rare.

[@michaelhwenig]

The music catalog of Carpenters songs is massive - probably about 70-80 songs minimal Each song is unique in its own way. Jump down this rabbit hole. It goes deep and wide. You will enjoy it immensely - Guaranteed!

[@thomascamara8398]

There's Karen Carpenter and then there's everyone else

[@cliftonparago4547]

The Carpenter's version is just one of many but it's the best remembered.

[@kenlusk4528]

Emma, I really like your reaction on this song, and Karen Carpenter has such a magical voice.

[@erich5819]

Karen Carpenter was so uniquely gifted. She made spectacular singing seem effortless. Glad she can be appreciated here. As for more songs by her, may I suggest “yesterday once more”.

[@harryburleigh8358]

I was introduced to Karen Carpenter’s voice and songs in 1971 by a young man who was a room mate in Sunny Southeast Asia. He was such a fan that he would say, I think only half in jest, that he intended to court Miss Karen when he returned to California. The sad news of her early passing, and even more, the sad reason for her passing, has made me wish that my old room mate had indeed been able to ‘court’ Miss Carpenter.

[@JoDean1545]

Love this song, my favorite of hers is Yesterday Once More. Gone way to young, she is truly missed 😢 RIP Karen

[@harding10B]

My ears always automatically prick up when I encounter perfect pitch because it’s so rare.

[@lindasalvaterra1304]

These are more great Carpenters hits! Yesterday Once More Rainy Days And Mondays I Won't Last A Day Without You We've Only Just Begun

[@tad1111]

I really enjoy your reactions and your music choices. I especially love your reaction to Karen Carpenter singing "Superstar." She's just so good! I could listen to her all the time! Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

[@n5iln]

One of the most recognizable and beautiful voices of my childhood. Every wedding in the mid to late 1970s just HAD to have “We’ve Only Just Begun” played during the reception.

[@LillyMarz777]

Not mine. We got married at the courthouse in Las Vegas.😅 7/8/78

[@meandcaryn]

@@LillyMarz777so?

[@n5iln]

@@LillyMarz777 Well, to every rule there is an exception. (Except this one.)

[@LillyMarz777]

@@meandcaryn So the sweeping statement that everyone used this song in their marriage is not true. It also puts to bed the lie that you have to have a big, expensive wedding to have a good marriage and that all women dream of a big fancy wedding and pricey dress.

[@meandcaryn]

@@LillyMarz777 please show me where I said any of that.

[@memorylane7068]

Maybe my favorite Carpenter's song. I also like Only Yesterday and Yesterday Once More.

[@mickeyhank]

Other suggestions from The Carpenters: "Rainy Days and Mondays"; "Close to You", "We've Only Just Begun", "For All We Know", "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", "It's Going to Take Some Time", "Only Yesterday", "Ticket to Ride". I loved your reaction! It was fun to see someone experience Karen for the first time. 🙂

[@sdholmess]

Karen's last studio recording was a song called Now. It was a first and only take. Mesmerizing, hauntingly beautiful vocal.

[@billboyd9028]

There's a reactor called "Wings of Pegasus" and he does vocal analysis on his podcast; he put Karen Carpenter on a vocal analyzer and you would be amazed at how accurate her pitch is - and this is all before auto tune. There were stories back when she was with us that she could walk into the studio and cut her vocal track on a new song on the first try. You might try "We've Only Just Begun" next.....

[@vancemcneil9716]

If I recall correctly, in one of the performances he looked at, her pitch was sometimes more accurate live than on the studio recording.

[@Spo-Dee-O-Dee]

She did the scratch track in one take, but it was normal for her to do a couple more takes once the instrumentalists had gone home.

[@BryceKatz]

If you hadn't suggested Phil's analysis, I was going to!

[@matthewteague623]

Absolutely enchanting voice. I'm always a bit spellbound when she hits some those notes.

[@williamr9537]

Karen's pure voice and ability to interpret a song is what makes me consider her one of the best female singers of my lifetime. Another singer that has an amazing voice you should listen to is Lee Ann Rhimes singing 'How Do I Live'. She will wow you for sure.

[@francismedina4547]

Do "Solitaire" next. You'll love her lower register here.

[@boosuedon]

Karens lower register was incredible! Herb Albert, her producer said that her voice made the hairs on his arms stand straight up!

[@splitimage137.]

Karen Carpenter is herself a SUPERSTAR. She is also a drummer. And her story is tragic. A beautiful song. It was actually written by Bonnie Bramlett (of Delaney & Bonnie - who also did a cute love song NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE... check it out!... AND a song with Eric Clapton called COMING HOME... which is very very good!) and Leon Russell. The title is actually a euphemism from the original lyrics about a groupie's love for a rock star.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Speaking of incredible MUST HEAR female vocals,, Minnie Riperton "Lovin' You" 🔥❤️🔥

[@mikealvarez2322]

My heart broke in stages as I watched Karen Carpenter wither away then finally die. Her voice was so pure. I know Richard was heartbroken.💔💔

[@nickrizzi4927]

I know. Wish I had known her to save her. Still makes me terribly sad.

[@nickrizzi4927]

Emma, thanks for this. It is especially comforting to see and hear your reaction to Karen and camp. It makes me feel validatedin my adoration for her. I love Ella, Whitney, and others, but Karen is the only one I play in solitude. Good health to you and all aboard.

[@Snailbait99]

Great reaction Emma. Karen was a rare contralto with perfect pitch and incredible breath control. They called her one take Karen. Enjoying your reactions.

[@MikeAlban-p3m]

She was the voice...her brother was the music! None one did it like karen.

[@staceysmith6518]

The carpenters were a duo with Karen has the lead singer and drummer. The blonde haired gentleman in the back was her brother Richard, who sings harmonies in place instruments. Karen was a once in a lifetime Voice but sadly she died in her early 30s from a eating disorder. But her music remainsas a testament to her talent and who she was.

[@Mikelovesreactions]

My first favorite group ever was the Carpenters. Richard's writing and production were hard to beat. Karen, in my opinion, has the perfect female voice. She was my first teenage heartthrob. I love all of their music. My absolute favorite is "Goodbye to Love." It is a genius bit of production. It is arguably the first ever power ballad. If you want a song however that highlights her voice as well as anything I've ever heard check out "Solitaire." Not too many people react to either one of these songs. Many people react to the more popular ones like "Rainy days and Mondays" and "Close to You." As usual I love your reactions and this one was so good.

[@glenndailey9801]

Loved seeing your expression change when your hear the specialness of Karen Carpenter. Her brother (keyboardist) is a specialist for making beautiful arrangements too.

[@charlesmarkley220]

Such a beautiful voice combined with such a tragic story. 😢

[@jeffhagood9621]

Great reaction!

[@eduardooscar309]

What a great reaction How profound your analysis And how nice how you enjoy it Karen Carpenter is one of my two favorite female singers I love her sweet voice, I think is a contralto My favorite song is "Solitaire" And in my Top5 are Ticket to ride Rainy days and Mondays Only Yesterday Top of the world The other female singer of my greatest preference is Agnetha Fältskog (the blonde from the Swedish group ABBA) She has a pure soprano voice and a lot of gestural expressiveness on her face, she is a great storyteller I suggest you listen to her and see her in "The winner takes it all" (ABBA, 1980) Others in my Top5: S.O.S. My love my life Thank you for the music Slipping through my fingers a curious fact: Karen and Agnetha were both born in 1950, one month apart they only coincided in a TV show in Germany in 1978 and Karen later sang "Thank you for the music" ABBA song in which Agnetha is the lead vocalist I hope to see you soon in another reaction to Carpenters and in the one I suggested from ABBA a cordial greeting from Buenos Aires, Argentina South America

[@brianclark2370]

Hi I have all the LP's of the carpenters just 100% great music.😊😊😊

[@harveyjones1955]

My favorite female voice of all time. hj

[@matthewcostello3530]

karen used to say "the money is in the basement" the low notes

[@BrianBogiaBricky]

These songs are really good, beautiful woman! “Close To You”, “Yesterday Once More”, and “Rainy Days And Mondays”

[@kslit99]

My top 5 of all time...enunciates every word so clearly and effortlessly and musically...Babs I put on top..

[@j.a.osorio2005]

I always felt she channeled something real in this performance. I don't know if this song was auto-biographical, but I truly feel the pain in this performance.

[@cat4uhere]

I was around 11 or 12 when I first heard The Carpenters on the radio. I was ironing a pair of jeans for school, and I stopped, sat down totally mesmerized by Karen and Richard singing, the background. The first song I ever heard was "It's Yesterday Once More". Then when I heard she was back home recuperating from the anorexia, and that she got married I was so happy for her. Then I remembered how devastated I was to hear she was gone. I cried for hours over her death, and a life and talent gone too soon. I will always grieve her passing.

[@belindagriffin5868]

She had perfect pitch.

[@lauraallen55]

Karen was a true alto... she said 'the money's in the basement'. She needed no rehearsing really. One-take Karen as she was known. You should check out the videos on YT with her singing 'near a capella'. They're absolutely captivating. Breath control that was out of this world.

[@warriorpitbull1170]

Hi Emma! 😊 I enjoyed your reaction to The Carpenters. Karen was a once-in-a-lifetime talent and I consider myself fortunate to have lived when she was on the radio every day blessing us with her unique voice. I would love to see your reaction to The Carpenters hit song 'We've Only Just Begun'. 😘

[@Singwith-Emmatoday]

Oh wow!

[@kennethgodwin7769]

I love the first time reactions to her voice!!!

[@williampalmer6290]

Karen was simply amazing, too bad she is no longer with us. Haven't heard this song in year's, thank you for bringing back this wonderful memory