Close To Me Edition

Another installment of “My Music At 70” series

The Close To You That We All Long For

Hey there! I’m so glad you stopped by my blog “My Music At 70.” Here, we’ll talk about how important it is for us seniors to keep listening to the great songs from our past. Belting out a tune from the 1960s or 70s really gets our memory going and keeps our minds sharp. The music we loved when we were younger just has a way of lighting up our brains, even all these years later. So get ready to go on a fun stroll down memory lane together! We’ll reminisce about the golden oldies and see how our favorite classics can liven up our days and keep us feeling young at heart.

Close To You was written by famous songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1963. Originally titled Why Don’t They Play with Me, it was intended as a reflection on society’s mistreatment of children. The song failed to gain traction, being rejected by Dionne Warwick and later released as an unsuccessful single by actor Richard Chamberlain.

But in 1970, producers and songwriters Jack Daugherty and A&M Records co-founder Herb Alpert recognized the song’s potential. They tweaked the arrangement and had Karen Carpenter record a demo version, slowing down the tempo and adding a new musical intro featuring Karen’s ethereal vocals. Once Richard Carpenter heard the demo, he knew instantly they had a hit.

The production of Close To You is almost as legendary as the song itself. Richard Carpenter is renowned for his meticulous perfectionism, which resulted in the song’s elaborate multi-tracked vocals, lush strings, and sparkling harpsichord solo. The instrumental break even features a bottle being struck by a mallet, which Richard incorporated after hearing the sound on a wine advertisement on TV.

When released as a single in May 1970, Close To You became an instant smash hit, occupying the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. Its success was fueled by an iconic music video aired on The Ed Sullivan Show, featuring Richard on piano and Karen angelically singing amidst falling flower petals.

Close To You ushered in The Carpenters’ signature soft rock sound and established them as major stars. Karen’s contralto vocals were praised for their warmth and emotionality. As Richard has stated, Close To You was “the turning point” for the duo. It demonstrated their innovative vocal harmonies and ability to transform an obscure song into a memorable hit.

The Carpenters achieved a remarkable run of seventeen top 20 hits during the 1970s, including classics like We’ve Only Just Begun and Rainy Days and Mondays. Their music resonated with audiences longing for tender and romantic songs during the turbulent Vietnam era. Karen’s intimate and soothing vocals created what she called “a certain thing—a Carpenters sound.”

Sadly, Karen Carpenter’s life was cut tragically short in 1983 due to complications of anorexia nervosa. However, The Carpenters’ legacy lives on through their timeless hits. Even today, Close To You remains one of the most popular wedding songs and love ballads. Its touching lyrics and Karen’s intimate vocals perfectly capture the joy of finding one’s true love.

As their breakthrough hit, Close To You opened the door to The Carpenters’ phenomenal success during the 1970s. Their heartfelt songs touched listeners worldwide and Close To You became known as their signature song. Almost fifty years later, music fans still long to be close to the Carpenters and their magical sound.

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