Karen Carpenter Songs Ranked
Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who with her elder brother Richard performed as the duo the Carpenters. With a distinctive three-octave contralto vocal range, she was praised by her peers as a great vocalist. Her struggle with and eventual death from anorexia would later raise awareness of eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Carpenter was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Downey, California in 1963 with her family. She began to study the drums in high school and joined the Long Beach State choir after graduating. After several years of touring and recording, the Carpenters were signed to A&M Records in 1969, achieving enormous commercial and critical success throughout the 1970s. Initially, Carpenter was the band’s full-time drummer, but she gradually took the role of frontwoman as her drumming was reduced to a handful of live showcases or tracks on albums. While the Carpenters were on hiatus in the late 1970s, she recorded a solo album, which was released years after her death. At the age of 32, Carpenter died of heart failure due to complications from anorexia nervosa, which was little-known at the time, and her death led to increased visibility and awareness of eating disorders. Interest in her life and death has spawned numerous documentaries and movies. Her work continues to attract praise, including appearing on Rolling Stone’s 2010 list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Here are all of Karen Carpenter’s songs ranked.
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10. Guess I Just Lost My Head (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“I really like the soulfulness of this. It’s very Bobby Caldwell. Karen would’ve attracted a new fan base but no one wanted to market her as a cross over artist. I’ve seen a lot on the comments about Where is Karen’s low register, did any of you not hear Made in America? She was practically falsetto through the whole album. She had a very soulful rich voice here.”
9. Make Believe It’s Your First Time (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“The piano is simple n gentle yet effective it brings out Karen’s voice so beautifully rich n clear, unlike in Richard’s version , the orchestration and backing vocal tends to be overwhelming.Karen’s control of her voice is wonderfully done here”
8. My Body Keeps Changing My Mind (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“Richard used to always tell Karen, “the money’s in the basement”. I love her soaring higher register in this track. This would have been a huge hit had they released it when it was recorded.”
See more: Karen Carpenter Albums Ranked
7. Still in Love with You (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“I have to honestly say that this song shows a great use of her voice. It shows us that she was capable of stretching her fantastic voice and that she could sing more than just sad love songs. She was a young, modern forward looking woman.
6. Remember When Lovin’ Took All Night (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“I love this song. It has a different rhythm. Everytime I listen to it, it feels like I’m in Las Vegas. It’s a funny sensation. Can’t explain it much more than this.”
5. If We Try (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“This song is a real gem. Beautiful message. Thank you for making such a professional video and giving this song the treatment it deserved! One of the best from that album, such a voice, also love the horn section that kicks in at 2:26.”
See more: Elton John Albums Ranked
4. Making Love in the Afternoon (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“This song would have had the best chance of becoming a radio hit, if Karen’s album had been released back in 1980. I love Karen’s overdubbed vocals on the choruses.”
3. If I Had You (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“This album is Karen Carpenter’s one solo album. Different kind of song content than we’re used to from Karen, but the voice is still as sweet as ever. Definetly the greatest female voice of her era and possibly all time. “
2. All Because of You (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“Such a great song and a beautiful performance by Karen! I love the bridge at 2:08 all loud and then the sweet soft ending to the song. Beautiful contrasts! Phenomenal! Didn’t think I could be amazed even more than I was before by Karen.”
1. Lovelines (Karen Carpenter, 1996)
“Lovelines is a beautiful song sort of a jazzy infused semi disco record not the hardcore thumping beat of the disco music that most people associate with the genre. Beautifully uplifting and joyful with a sublime vocal and delicious arrangement.”
