THE CARPENTERS - WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN | REACTION

[@MitchellWilkinson-m8n]

This guy totally knows how to appreciate and review the wonderful talents of the Carpenters Karen and Richard's music, that is, sophisticatedly arranged and produced. Unforgettable performances. timeless, classic.... songs that were perfect for their time.

[@darrylsmith1471]

Karen Carpenter's songs just brings tears to my eyes, what a powerful voice!

[@jackson2620]

me too, my eyes water every time when i listen to her beautiful voice.

[@blairbarthels7200]

Every time I watch her sing, it brings me to tears, that such a beautifully talented human being fell to an eating disorder. Where was her circle of friends? ❤😢

[@ernierivas2334]

The songwriter, Paul Williams, once said, "I wrote this song for a bank commercial. Beyond that, it was going nowhere. Then, an angel sang my song and changed my life forever."

[@Weyland_Yutani_Corp]

Karen's voice is like liquid sunshine. Her voice is just phenomenal and without peer. The voice of an angel. She is so sorely missed. RIP Karen.

[@user-mj8bm8ri2l]

Paul mc cartney said its the purest voice hes heard❤

[@magicbrownie1357]

A voice like golden honey. Such an amazing talent she was. RIP Karen.

[@davidholden4543]

I think the musical phrase to describe the tamborine player is “in the pocket” He’s imitating what a drummer would be doing with the ride and the backbeat. Karen and the rest of the musicians knew the concept of doing your part but not “overplaying.” Karen was more than capable of dazzling you with vocal acrobatics but choose a different approach that made her legandary. She stayed in a sweet spot range that made it sound like she was talking directly to you. That’s why she still gives us chills all these years later.

[@karenj3611]

One of the purest voices ever

[@summertime_blooz]

Like a clear mountain stream. Sigh!

[@williamsmith-kd4bd]

The songwriter Paul Williams said that when this song came out hard rock was all that was topping the charts, and the only reason that this song was a hit was because an angel named Karen Carpenter sang it!

[@joemacinnis1972]

Simply the best female singer I've ever heard

[@SweetThing]

Karen's voice is like Velvet. Why she's always tapping with her hands is because she was a drummer and a pretty good drummer at that!

[@Mark-iv7np]

Paul McCartney said her voice was the most beautiful voice ever. Totally agree

[@richardrodriguez2120]

Like butter. Best voice of my childhood. RIP Karen

[@RB-uh1ss]

The Carpenters made some beautiful music!!

[@floorticket]

The Carpenters were the Led Zeppelin of easy listening.

[@personalcheeses8073]

That does not even make any sense

[@67Zink]

@@personalcheeses8073 Led Zeppelin is the greatest Hard Rock band.. ... so THEY (Carpenters) are the greatest band of easy listening...

[@afc358]

@@personalcheeses8073 is the Led Zeppelin of not getting it.

[@joelhoulette3508]

Great word play

[@Missangie827]

that makes Karen the Robert Plant of ez listening-

[@tomschmitz261]

and ONLY 20 years old singing this and singing like this! otherworldly! literally a voice of 2 generations!

[@paulk9985]

I agree. I am always amazed at her control and maturity at age 20... and without any lessons!

[@rythmnman1]

I’m old enough to remember the tv show they had. Was always so enamoured with Karen. Such a sweet, easy and almost hypnotic voice she had. She would just draw you into her world with every word sung. Simply incomparable.

[@joemoe765]

The voice of an angel

[@cliffordlowerre1381]

Many couples took their wedding vows to this song. Beautiful song sung by a beautiful woman with such a beautiful voice. Still gives me goosebumps over 50 years later! RIP KAREN. Miss you. Glad you mentioned the tambourine player. I have always felt the same way but have never heard anyone else mention that till you. Nice reaction!

[@yvetteadshead4212]

Just love the Carpenters

[@anthonyf8121]

“Yesterday Once More” and “Solitaire”

[@olddrummerguy]

Her voice is just natural.

[@Nastyfinger1444]

She was and is the best.

[@rickray606]

You wonder how a beautiful girl with such a massive gift of voice that she had, could believe the demon telling her she was ugly.

[@dalebaker9109]

Such a pity about her, she was still a baby when she died. Only 32. The world lost something forever.

[@chrisf.7980]

I could be wrong, but I believe I read / heard that it was a TV exec of some type who didn't like her outfit for the show they were filming & said it made her look chubby. I am sure when you are in the industry you are bombarded with negative comments all the time & have to develop a very thick skin. Any kind of self doubt will eat away at you (no pun intended here). I wish she could have found the right help, anorexia was not very understood at the time. It would have been wonderful to watch her continue to mature & expand on her talents as she matured over the years.

[@personalcheeses8073]

@@chrisf.7980 I believe it was her brother Richard that originally told her she was fat when they were young. But that’s brothers for you. I should know I have five. He cannot have possibly known it would have had such a lasting effect on her

[@sassymessmess9110]

Her Mom was something else, definitely wore the pants in the household. Karen was chubby as a child, not obese but chubby.

[@ronibrowning7316]

@@personalcheeses8073 omg no, Richard never told her she was fat. There wasn't a specific incident. It a cumulative effect being in the spot light after moving out from behind the drums.

[@KittKattKlub]

I love seeing a few newer generations and people of all types finding the joy of the Carpenters. ❤

[@sassymessmess9110]

Such an amazing voice. She was also a serious drummer. To think it was her brother who was supposed to be the star. True fact: This song was used in a commercial for a bank in California in the early 70's! Her brother Richard was watching TV saw it and loved the melody. Bless her because she should still be here. Not another voice like hers. 🕊

[@ZartmoBThoughtForms]

She sings and delivers with no unnecessary vocal gymnastics (that really have nothing much to do with delivering a song for the most part). Beautiful.... I'm still in love.

[@jameswaters8774]

She is the best. Her voice is beautiful and brings me such joy. RIP Karen.

[@jameshenry8629]

God bless 🙏 Karen Carpenter, This is my favorite songs, and it's hard to say that because of her song in her soul

[@Blasserman]

In the 70's and 80's, this song was required to be played at every wedding.

[@JohnnyHector17]

This was the most popular Wedding song of the 1970"s.

[@dt1064]

High school senior songs too.

[@debbiemccain5850]

That voice will never be rivaled!!🎶🎤🎶💜

[@danastearns7939]

a vocal coach and leader singer in Heaven's Choir. RIP Karen.

[@kristinakorpi6979]

I first heard The Carpenters when I was 4 years old. I am now 52, and EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear them feels like the first time!! It will NEVER get old or go out of style. So much talent in this world!! I feel like crying when I hear Karen sing. I wish I could just hug her and make her feel better!! I suffered from Anorexia, and what an unbelievably IMMENSE STRUGGLE it is!!❤

[@trudywolfe2795]

A true angels voice. Soft and calming. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jamesdrynan]

Karen and Richard recorded each note of their harmonies three times to create that unique and lush sound. Richard's arrangements were wonderful. And Karen's voice...well what can you say? Pure as sunlight and totally distinctive. Precise diction and dynamics. An incomparable vocalist.

[@sherryhoerr5857]

It’s just tragic. She was and always will be a Superstar. It was so awful when Anorexia got her.

[@laurieadams7236]

It was a beautiful song played at weddings in the 70's

[@jacklewis5452]

Sung at every wedding for a decade of more.

[@yellowfin1962]

Karen had the most incredible, amazingly beautiful voice.

[@carolhesterberg7526]

Brother Richard not only did the harmonies, but also did their arrangements and wrote many of their hit songs.

[@waterlec8718]

During the 70's, I was AGAINST this type of music and favored Led Zeppelin, Cream, Humble Pie and you all know the rest... I STILL love my old favorites but I NOW love this too... SOOOO much. *In retrospect, the MESSAGE of the Carpenters were in a very POSITIVE light, a "keep the faith / stay on the straight and narrow" kind of message. I was just TOO FULL of testosterone to UNDERSTAND all the awesome greatness here, wasn't I ???🤔...*

[@richardrodriguez2120]

Like butter. Best voice of my childhood

[@Being_There]

The wonderful thing about her voice ,is that way it makes you feel never changes. Not to take anything away from Karen’s presence in this band but her brother is the musical genius behind the music! His arrangements are pretty complex!

[@debbiel.1655]

Your smile says it all:)

[@JimiBurleigh]

This song caught Richard's attention when he heard a small segment of it in a TV commercial for a bank. He asked their manager to find out if there was a whole song there or was it just the few bars in the TV advert. The song was written by Paul Williams and when he got the call from his manager explaining Richard's interest in "We've Only Just Begun" Williams said it was already a complete song but if he'd had to, he would have lied through his teeth and said there was. Getting your song recorded by the Carpenters was a major career boost. I suggest "Good-bye To Love". With a full on distortion guitar solo it may be the first "power ballad" ever recorded. LL&P🖖 Rock on🤘 .

[@ericanderson8886]

Good-bye To Love is a great one and well worth reacting to.

[@StudeSteve62]

Indeed Goodbye To Love was the first power ballad. Richard invented a subgenre on his own. The origin of that song was interesting too and, like We've Only Just Begun, testament to Richard's genius for finding songs in odd places. The title Goodbye To Love originates with an old Bing Crosby movie (Rhythm On The River) that RC saw on TV one night. Just the title appeared in the film, no song, but RC liked that title and he and John Bettis wrote the song around it...

[@patdonnelly9392]

Karen had the voice of an angel (or at least what I believe angels to sound like...)

[@tomschmitz261]

actually it was ONLY karen and richard doing the harmonizing using a dubbing technique. the others in this video were part of their LIVE band who sang back-up and harmony ONLY doing their life performances NOT on their actual albums...

[@dinodasbunce6224]

I commented on that too, I didn't see you comment until after I had made mine. Some times live they used their canned backing vocals with the band members lip syncing, not always but sometimes.

[@ninline2000]

Her brother was a musical genius. This song started life as a jingle for a bank commercial on TV. Peter heard it and called the author up and asked if he had any more verses for it. The guy jumped at the chance and the song ended up as a huge hit.

[@personalcheeses8073]

Except he is called Richard Carpenter and the song was written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams

[@StudeSteve62]

Yeah..."Peter"? 😉

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

I always call this sort of music "Warm bath music". Listening to this song is like lying back in a bath on a cool night, just letting the waves of warmth wash over and through your body. A deeper cut of theirs well worth a listen is "Mr Guder".

[@StudeSteve62]

That whole album, 1970's "Close To You", perhaps most strongly of all their albums displays the "Carpenters Sound". Multitracking and jazz influences are everywhere...fitting, as Richard and Karen's two previous groups were a vocal choral ensemble (Spectrum) and a jazz combo (the Dick Carpenter Trio)...they just seem so wonderfully true to themselves on "Close To You".

[@dinodasbunce6224]

All of the harmonies were sung by Karen and Richard. Just like ABBA they did all of their own backing vocals in the studio.

[@scottdetter]

Background vocals are overdubbed 8 times, 4 from her voice, 4 from his, each with a different note and timbre.

[@joelliebler5690]

Silky smooth angelic voice and if course magnificent arrangement!❤️☮️👍🏻🎤🎼🎹

[@lynb2039]

Our wedding song. He was the most beautiful talented loving man in the world. Bless you David

[@johnmcaleer7099]

Their last recording "now" is so beautiful it brings a lump to my throat every time I suggest that you listen/react to it, you won't regret it

[@keymack2477]

Chod, any time you want to put a smile on your face just put a Carpenters track on! What happened to her is terrible, but what a gift and a legacy she left us! Peace,

[@ty5967]

Her voice was so beautiful.

[@jamesvomsaal3814]

Karen’s cover of Masquerade is fantastic

[@gschoo2397]

A VOICE OF ALL TIME, LOVE IT !!

[@johnthegreek5836]

Thank you for bringing The Carpenters back into my music playlist! I grew up listening to them but as you get older you appreciate the music so much more

[@xoxxobob61]

It's funny how this song basically was from a TV Commercial at first and became a hit.

[@irlcrew]

I saw them live in concert 1974. Peace out Patrick. I was 13. Ha young Grasshoper.

[@tracypaxton1054]

This song was THE wedding song of the 70's. Sheila E. was inspired to take up drumming by seeing Karen on TV.

[@surlechapeau]

Chod, their "Hurting Each Other" and "Sing" are next for you! Every human who hears her voice, falls in love with it. edit- This was the 'wedding song' of the 1970's.

[@workingman6681]

Angelic powerful voice!!

[@markharris5107]

They have a huge catalog of beautiful songs. Some of the best easy listening music ever.

[@randyhudgins9920]

I love her always, such an awesome time it was to have her around.

[@jackson2620]

yes, it's safe to say she nailed the vocals!! LOL

[@allycat9044]

Doug Strawn on the tambourine. Also played the clarinet and sang some duets with Karen during live shows (Cinderella Rockafella is my fave, such a fun performance). Later, he became the music director for Disneyland.

[@mikemiller3069]

This is the only song I've ever seen with two tambourines (second one on top of the "O").

[@MoMoMyPup10]

We sang this song at our 6th Grade graduating ceremony back in '73, and it will always be my favorite Carpenters song. Such nostalgia. You blink and you're 58 years old.

[@joelliebler5690]

I sang this song in my high school chorus! A beautiful song!

[@wendyryder2708]

Thank you so much for doing this reaction! I grew up with this music! Yes I’m old! Lol! I LOVE The Carpenters! Thanks agin from Down Under! I love your channel! Greetings from Australia.

[@carollandrum9223]

A Song For You is the most beautiful of their songs in my opinion!

[@StudeSteve62]

That isn't one of "theirs", it's by Leon Russell...but of course Carpenters made it their own, which is what you mean. Song selection was very much part of Richard's genius...

[@carollandrum9223]

That's exactly what I mean.

[@dgodfrey8953]

I love how she drums with her fingers...

[@Vikinggirl1679]

Can't tell you how many weddings this has been played at! Great song thanks

[@joelhoulette3508]

My favorite female singer ever. Her command of her vocals is flawless. It came so natural to her. What happened to her was one of the biggest tragedies in the history of music.

[@glenn8649]

Wilburn you must feel blessed hear Karen sing! One of the most beautiful female voices ever!!

[@terrys8690]

She’s playing drums on that recording too!

[@jamespasifull3424]

First time I've heard props for the band! Every one of them a great instrumentalist as well as a phenomenal harmony-vocalist!

[@StudeSteve62]

Actually the harmonies heard on this "TV live" rendition are all Richard and Karen, multitracked. This is the studio recording...

[@michaelwiggan7437]

You need to check out THE 5TH DIMENSION ( American popular music vocal group, whose repertoire includes pop, R&B, soul, jazz, light opera and Broadway - a melange referred to as "champagne soul".60's to the 70's) I'll think you will love them - when it come to a group that harmonize, they could be the best. ... Hits Songs: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In * Wedding Bell Blues * One Less Bell to Answer * Stoned Soul Picnic * Up, Up and Away ... The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002. .....

[@deborahscalise3215]

I definitely agree. Marilyn McCoo had a wonderful voice also and their harmonies were great.

[@LadyGator1983]

Karen definitely was blessed with that awesome voice!!!!

[@robertcussins2807]

Man. This was the music with which we danced slow when I was in Jr. High with girls that we were afraid to talk to. We loved the Carpenters then for that. I poo pahed them later when I got into hard rock and played drums in a hard rock band. But now...what great production and talent. Thanks man. I love hearing them again.

[@StudeSteve62]

Those harmonies are so faultless because (at least this early in their career) they are all Richard and Karen, multitracked. Richard was inspired by what Les Paul and Mary Ford did a couple decades earlier pioneering that technique. RC was trying to recapture the choral sound of their previous vocal group Spectrum, and also of the Long Beach University choir with which they had performed. (This video of We've Only Just Begun is "TV live", BTW; what is heard is the studio recording...)

[@vinnieduecker8860]

You need to do goodbye to love it is actually the first power ballet song

[@StudeSteve62]

Ballad, not ballet! But yes...

[@famat161]

She was known as one-take Karen because she always nailed the song on the first take.

[@kentinatl]

oh my heart

[@tomrichter244]

I think it says something so positive that a cool young black kid, can enjoy the music of my youth. Thanks for sharing this song and your reaction with us. Our world is not as troubled as some people want us to believe!

[@pattytyndall1021]

Karen was also a phenomenal drummer. You can find several versions on YT!

[@arthurjackson32]

Great reaction.

[@williamgallucci9913]

Great reaction my man these two were truly magical when they played and sang such beautiful. Music

[@GinMae]

Thanks, Wilburn - one of my favorites - harmonies with Richard are amazing - gotta say, though, it's hard to ignore that wacky tambourine guy in the foreground - lol --

[@terricollins312]

The next Carpenters song you should react to is Good bye to Love. You will not be disappointed!

[@LadyGator1983]

Back in the day, this was one of the top songs for weddings

[@warrenfox3377]

Play their version of Solitaire and you will be completely blown away. I get teary eyed every time i hear it.

[@timothybessemer7316]

That is a sad forlorn song that Karen did with a lot of heart.

[@johnmendez2983]

You really definitely have to hear All you get from love is a love song by Carpenters 👍👍👍👍👍👍🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@richierich398]

Watch her hands in this video, she is air drumming. As a drummer you know we tend to do this when listening to music 😂

[@carlsmith4878]

This brings huge memories for me. It was sung at my wedding. Beautiful song, beautiful person. She died way too young.

[@martinsmusic1724]

Hoping you'll react to the Carpenters - Goodbye to Love - often hailed as the first 'power ballad'.

[@brookehornback1896]

I'm also working on being a druming.Ive heard this song a bunch but not the video and I also noticed the guy on the Tambourine was getting it!Great reaction one new Subscriber here.