Karen Carpenter’s Timeless Soundscape
Graphic by Kristen Lee
by Izzie Claudio
A complex drum rhythm begins, soon followed by a chorus of tight harmonies. The drums build and build. Clean paradiddles set the stage for Karen Carpenter to begin singing. But she’s not just singing, she’s the one behind the drum set as well. “All I Can Do” from the Carpenters’ debut album Ticket to Ride (1969) introduces the impressive percussive and vocal talents of Karen Carpenter, and the beautiful flow of Richard Carpenter’s compositions. The Carpenters captured the easy-going sound of the ‘70s, much like Carole King and Joni Mitchell. Karen’s gentle, yet powerful vocals hit the heartstrings of listeners as Richard’s orchestrations create a colorful atmosphere. Long after Karen’s unfortunate passing, the legacy of this duo lives on as a time capsule of aural peace amidst a turbulent decade in history, and Karen’s mastery of the drums has established her as one of the best drummers in history. Every time I listen to her ballads, my heart swells with emotion. Her lyrics are poetry and the honesty in her tone elevates every word. March 2nd would have been her 75th birthday, so I want to take a brief look at the history of how the Carpenters came to be and the beautiful legacy that lives on through Karen’s voice, lyrics, and percussion.
The Carpenters were a sibling duo from Downey, California, a city just south of Los Angeles. The pair grew up surrounded by music, and quickly picked up instruments of their own. In her high school marching band, Karen played the glockenspiel, a percussion instrument similar to a marimba or vibraphone. Percussion continued to steal her heart as she soon switched to the drums. Her talent was clear from the start; her drumming skills eventually reached impressive heights. In the meanwhile, Richard had been working on his piano skills and he soon started his own jazz outfit–The Richard Carpenter Trio– with Karen on drums.
As the '60s came to an end, Richard and Karen joined forces as a duo and released their debut, Ticket to Ride. Karen was only 19 when she and Richard launched into the rapidly shifting music world of the ‘70s. She laid her soul bare through her music and her 20s were spent in the hustle of the music business. The Carpenters released ten albums between 1969 and 1981 before Karen passed away in 1983. They performed more than 800 live shows from 1971 to 1975. Most notable were their live TV appearances, Karen’s energy behind the drum kit was inspiring. She played with passion and gusto and harnessed a powerful mastery of percussion. However, the workload took a toll on her mental and physical health, and the more famous the Carpenters got, the further away she got from her drum kit. Audiences wanted to see her at the mic, not behind the snare and cymbals. She was being pushed from the place onstage she enjoyed the most, so despite all the love she continued to receive, Karen struggled with her self-esteem.
When Karen sings, you can tell her words come from the heart. One of my favorite Carpenters tracks is from their second album, Close to You (1970), which features their most celebrated song: “(They Long To Be) Close To You.” This sophomore album closes with “Another Song,” a reflective piece of perseverance amidst loneliness. When I first digested this song, I was immediately reminded of Miles Davis’s “Bitches Brew” from his legendary jazz fusion album of the same name. Interestingly, Bitches Brew and Close To You were released only months apart in 1970. Jazz heavily influenced the music of the Carpenters, so I can’t help but wonder if the discordant chords introduced 20 seconds into “Another Song,” after a gentle intro, were inspired by the musical tension of jazz fusion.
In “Another Song,” Karen sings with a haunting tone, pumping her poetic lyrics with emotion: “And when the day had come / The light that fell at dawn was cold / The warmth of you had gone.” The chord progressions, melody, and harmonies reflect the story that Karen is telling. The minor chords and tension in the harmonies emphasize the pain of loneliness. The rhythm of the drumming is similar to that in jazz tunes, driving the music forward as Karen’s echoing vocals ring out. The second half of the song is void of vocals, instead ascending into an energetic jazz breakdown. A flute is introduced against the driving force of the drums, and as the song continues to build, more instruments come into play, symbolizing the groove of the early ‘70s. Every musical element assists in formulating a complex atmosphere. Karen’s evergrowing energy on the drums, upping the tempo, is hypnotizing. She speaks with every crash. A stark contrast to their usual ballads, “Another Song” is a masterclass in musical storytelling. Layers of sound and multi-tracked harmonies played a large role in creating the giant, yet gentle atmospheres among their discography. It’s clear that their sound was crafted with meticulous attention, precision in the fine details of each track. They may sound simple upon first listen, yet are complex. Deconstructed exists many elements working together to create masterful sound.
The legacy of the Carpenters lives on through numerous documentaries and, most notably, the 1994 tribute album, If I Were A Carpenter. This collaborative project was constructed by notable ‘90s musicians, featuring iconic covers. The Cranberries capture the haunting beauty of “(They Long To Be) Close To You,” Sonic Youth’s electric version of “Superstar” elevates the love song to a brooding desperation, and Sheryl Crow infuses her folksy sound into “Solitare.” The music lives on, exploring different tones and inspiring a plethora of musicians.
Rolling Stone named Karen Carpenter one of the greatest female vocalists of all time, and rightfully so. The Carpenters’ introspective ballads and easy-going tunes are timeless and still conjure tears in modern eyes. A beautiful soul lost too soon, a hard goodbye for many, and a death that continues to sting the music world. In 1972’s “Goodbye To Love,” Karen concludes with a heartbreaking line: “What lies in the future is a mystery to us all / No one can predict the wheel of fortune as it falls / There may come a time when I will see that I’ve been wrong / But for now this is my song / And it’s goodbye to love / I’ll say goodbye to love.” Happy birthday, Karen. Please know that your voice and rhythms are timeless and full of soul. You’re right, no one can predict what the future looks like, but know that you are dearly missed. Thank you for the music and for sharing your heart with us. As your songs flow in and out of our ears, we’ll make sure your heart continues to be protected, as you always deserved.