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Friday, July 6, 2007

"Superstar"

A lot of people laughed at The Carpenters. I did, you probably laughed too. Think of how many brides and grooms danced to that dorky song, "We've Only Just Begun".

Karen and Richard were so "uncool" when I was in school. A girl drummer and a goofy crushed velvet wearing wimpy looking guy. To top the geekness off, they were a brother and sister act.

A few of the blogs I read on a daily basis have been reminiscing about their favorite music from high school, college, and the 80's.

I was in high school in the early 70's. Not one person would ever admit to listening to or liking The Carpenters. Who on Earth would ever buy one of their albums?

::: Raises Hand :::

Hello, my name is Nancy, I am a recovered closet Carpenter fan. I no longer deny how great I think they are.

"Close to You" ..."Rainy Days and Mondays" ... "Top of the World" ... and my favorite "Superstar" were chart topping hits, never to be played at a school dance or house party. We would switch the radio station if they came on because who would actually listen to THAT?

They achieved number one hit after hit ... platinum records ... an extremely successful career. Albums, tours, television shows, performances for royalty and presidents. Someone was buying into them. Perhaps I wasn't the only one stashing Carpenter albums under my bed.

Besides being professionally accomplished musicians and song writers, they had an ability to captivate and entertain with a polished, clean, and fine tuned sound of their own. I am sure, at the time, they were mostly appreciated by a more adult contemporary listener ... and uh, closet high school fans.

Karen married and unfortunately died at an early age from an eating disorder, anorexia and bulimia. Richard married and has three daughters and one son. He has continued to keep The Carpenters legacy going.

Rarely do I hear a Carpenter song on the radio, but when I do, I no longer switch stations, but blare it as loud as I can.

Do you have a "closet" favorite band or singer?

"Superstar" ... yes she is.

16 comments:

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

My closet band: The BeeGees. I get Saturday Night Fever all over again.

Anonymous said...

My favorite christmas album that blares in my car from thanksgiving until christmas day is the Carpenters chirstmas album. It is a must have for the holidays. I love "Merry Christmas Darling". I will probably play it now on the drive home and celebrate christmas in July now that you have put me in the mood.

Joan said...

We grew up listening to the Carpenters b/c my mom loved them. I especially remember listening on the way to the beach. Superstar reminds me of being in the middle of no where eastern NC an hour or two shy of our destination.

Queen of the Mayhem said...

I used to listen to boy bands....and like them. The truly frightening thing about this admission is I was older than 12 when I did it!

There, I said it....I feel better now! :)

Sherri said...

Oh Nancy. The first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem.

;-)

I think every single wedding I was in during the 80's played that Carpenter song. (except my own!)

Nancy said...

GnG: The first album I ever bought was The BeeGees ... I still have it

deb: yeah, that album is really festive!

Joan: Your mom has good taste, lol

Queen: I admit also, I like the boy bands.

Sher: I knew you'd understand ... sponsor me?

Jessie said...

Honestly, I love the Carpenters. I know, I'm weird. Well, I did until I listened to their greatest hits twice a week. Seriously, it was four hours to and from a school I went one semester to, and my friend would put that on, and then Billy Joel's. Kinda killed my Karen Carpenter love.

I'm from the boyband era, so late 90s/early 2000s. And you wouldn't believe the amount of people that would say "Who listens to them??" while the stadium was full of people my age, which for the first concert I went to was 18. Yet, everyone knew all the lyrics and such. I still listen to my songs on a frequent basis, perk up when Timberlake comes on the radio.

I also listen to country, like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. I'm so not cool in my generation, since I don't like most of the Linkin Park, 50 Cent music. I like distinctive music, and so much of the pop music right now is the same thing.

Stacy The Peanut Queen said...

Yeesh...I have several. "Culture Club" and "Wham" are two that come to mind right off the bat. I'm sure there are others...:)

Dixie said...

I LOVE The Carpenters.

If that makes me uncool, well, then I'm as uncool as they come, cuz I love me some Corpenters.

Sade. She's my closet music. I've never admitted out loud that I love her stuff. I don't know why, but I do. I think it's her voice.

Nancy said...

Jessie: Patsy is probably the only twangy country singer I have liked. I have her greatest hits CD ... was awesome.

Stacy: Good ole George ... yeah, I liked him when thy first came out but once we have TMI on them ... it's hard to listen withoug images, lol

Dixie: Sade, I forgot about her, yeah, she's ok in my book too.

Sunshine said...

I don't have a closet band, I'm out and proud about everything I liked.

We sang "Close to You" in junior high chorus....
*sigh*

Jessie said...

I love pretty much all country, but especially the women pioneers of it. *grins* After all, there has to be a reason why Patsy and Loretta were friends. ;) Mostly I love Loretta because she managed to make a song about Fist City and the pill in a time where women were supposed to be meek and mild.

Biddy said...

hehe i'm embarassed for you! hmmm i don't know that i have a "closet" singer...i'm very open about my taste in music!

Nancy said...

Sun: I guess I buckled under peer pressure in high school, yikes!

Jessie:I never quite got into country, but there are many country crossover singers I like.

Biddy: Eh, now it doesn't matter, I have a plethora of music interests and my high school days are long gone!

Patience said...

Geeky? Yes. But both very, very talented!

Yeah, I like the BeeGees too.

Anonymous said...

Dude...The Carpenters ARE my closet band. Oh, and maybe Barry Manilow and Air Supply lol