The Ultimate Collection (The Carpenters album)
Encyclopedia
The Ultimate Collection is a 3-CD set released in 2006. It contains many of their popular songs, like "(They Long to Be) Close to You
" and "Top of the World
", and their album cuts, like "Desperado
" and "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
." All of the songs are taken directly from the original album. In the case of "Yesterday Once More
", it fades into a motorcycle engine, which subsequently fades into the oldies medley on the Now & Then album.
The album is the first compilation to contain all of their charting U.S. singles (with the exception of the Christmas singles). The U.K. and Australian versions didn't include the bonus disc and also had a slightly different tracklisting; substituting 'Sandy' for 'Goofus', 'When It's Gone' for '(Want You) Back In My Life Again' and 'Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore' for 'Make Believe It's Your First Time', whilst removing 'Beechwood 4-5789' and adding 'You're the One' and 'Where Do I Go From Here'.
* Karen Carpenter Solo - Lovelines and/or Karen Carpenter
** Richard Carpenter Solo - Time
*** Richard Carpenter Solo - Pianist Arranger Composer Conductor
(They Long to Be) Close to You
" Close to You" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was first recorded by Richard Chamberlain and released as a single in 1963 as "They Long to Be Close to You," without parentheses. However, it was the single's flip side, "Blue Guitar," that became a hit...
" and "Top of the World
Top of the World (The Carpenters song)
"Top of the World" is the name of a 1972 song by The Carpenters. Originally recorded for and released on the duo's 1972 studio album A Song for You, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late 1973, becoming the duo's second U.S. number-one single...
", and their album cuts, like "Desperado
Desperado (song)
"Desperado" is a soft rock song by the Eagles, an American rock band, written by group members Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It first appeared on the 1973 album Desperado, and has later appeared on numerous compilation albums although it was not a single....
" and "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
"Jambalaya " is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music singer Hank Williams that was first released in July 1952...
." All of the songs are taken directly from the original album. In the case of "Yesterday Once More
Yesterday Once More (song)
"Yesterday Once More", written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, is a hit song by The Carpenters from their 1973 album Now & Then. Composed in the key of E, "Yesterday Once More" preceded an "Oldies Medley" on the album, consisting of nine songs from the 1960s. At the end of the song a...
", it fades into a motorcycle engine, which subsequently fades into the oldies medley on the Now & Then album.
The album is the first compilation to contain all of their charting U.S. singles (with the exception of the Christmas singles). The U.K. and Australian versions didn't include the bonus disc and also had a slightly different tracklisting; substituting 'Sandy' for 'Goofus', 'When It's Gone' for '(Want You) Back In My Life Again' and 'Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore' for 'Make Believe It's Your First Time', whilst removing 'Beechwood 4-5789' and adding 'You're the One' and 'Where Do I Go From Here'.
1969-1974
- Ticket to RideTicket to Ride"Ticket to Ride" is a song by The Beatles from their 1965 album, Help!. It was recorded 15 February 1965 and released two months later. -Composition:...
(1969) - (They Long to Be) Close to You(They Long to Be) Close to You" Close to You" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was first recorded by Richard Chamberlain and released as a single in 1963 as "They Long to Be Close to You," without parentheses. However, it was the single's flip side, "Blue Guitar," that became a hit...
(1970) - We've Only Just BegunWe've Only Just Begun"We've Only Just Begun" is the signature song of The Carpenters, written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams , and is often used as a wedding song. The song was ranked at #405 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".The song was recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend...
(1970) - For All We KnowFor All We Know (1970 song)"For All We Know" is a popular song written for the 1970 film, Lovers and Other Strangers, by Fred Karlin, Robb Wilson and Arthur James . It was originally performed by Larry Meredith....
(1971) - Rainy Days and MondaysRainy Days and Mondays"Rainy Days and Mondays" is a 1971 song by The Carpenters that went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It was also the duo's fourth #1 song on the Adult Contemporary singles chart...
(1971) - SuperstarSuperstar (Delaney and Bonnie song)"Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell that has been a hit for many artists in different genres and interpretations in the years since; the best known version is by the Carpenters in 1971.-Original Delaney and Bonnie version:Accounts of the song's origin vary...
(1971) - Bless the Beasts and ChildrenBless the Beasts and Children (song)The theme song to the 1971 film Bless the Beasts and Children was performed by The Carpenters, and was featured on the B-side to their then-recent hit, "Superstar". The B-side charted on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually topping out at #67. In order to promote it, The Carpenters performed it on...
(1971) - Hurting Each OtherHurting Each Other"Hurting Each Other" is a song popularized by the Carpenters in 1972. It was originally written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell in 1965, and was recorded multiple times by artists from Ruby and the Romantics to Rosemary Clooney.-Previous versions:...
(1971) - It's Going to Take Some TimeIt's Going to Take Some Time"It's Going to Take Some Time" is a song written by Carole King and Toni Stern for her 1971 album, Music. It was redone by the Carpenters in 1972 for their fourth album, A Song for You. According to Richard Carpenter, he had to choose which songs he wanted to remake, and there was a big pile of 7"...
(1972) - Goodbye to LoveGoodbye to Love"Goodbye to Love" is a song composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis. It was released by the Carpenters in 1972. On the "Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters" documentary, Tony Peluso stated that this was one of the first, if not the first, love ballads to have a fuzz guitar solo.Upon...
(1972) - Top of the WorldTop of the World (The Carpenters song)"Top of the World" is the name of a 1972 song by The Carpenters. Originally recorded for and released on the duo's 1972 studio album A Song for You, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late 1973, becoming the duo's second U.S. number-one single...
(1973) - I Won't Last a Day Without YouI Won't Last a Day Without You"I Won't Last a Day Without You" is a song composed by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols. Williams released his version as a single in 1973, but garnered only minor success. Maureen McGovern recorded the song and also released it as a single in 1973 , with results similar to those of Williams...
(1974) - Sing (1973)
- Yesterday Once MoreYesterday Once More (song)"Yesterday Once More", written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, is a hit song by The Carpenters from their 1973 album Now & Then. Composed in the key of E, "Yesterday Once More" preceded an "Oldies Medley" on the album, consisting of nine songs from the 1960s. At the end of the song a...
(1973) - This MasqueradeThis Masquerade"This Masquerade" is a song written by Leon Russell. The song appeared on the B-side of the single for Russell's 1972 hit "Tight Rope."The song has also been recorded by many other artists. Helen Reddy included it on her 1972 I am Woman album, and also included a live version on her 1978 Live in...
(1973) - Jambalaya (On the Bayou)Jambalaya (On the Bayou)"Jambalaya " is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music singer Hank Williams that was first released in July 1952...
(1973) - Please Mr. PostmanPlease Mr. Postman"Please Mr. Postman" is the debut single by The Marvelettes for the Tamla label, notable as the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. The single achieved this position in late 1961; it hit number one on the R&B chart as well. "Please Mr...
(1974)
1975-1995
- Desperado (song)Desperado (song)"Desperado" is a soft rock song by the Eagles, an American rock band, written by group members Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It first appeared on the 1973 album Desperado, and has later appeared on numerous compilation albums although it was not a single....
(1975) - Only YesterdayOnly Yesterday (song)"Only Yesterday" is a song recorded by The Carpenters in 1975. It was released on March 14, 1975, and was the Carpenters' last top-ten single in the United States. Composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, it peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the easy listening...
(1975) - Solitaire (1975)
- There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)There's A Kind Of Hush"There's a Kind of Hush" is a popular song written by Les Reed and Geoff Stephens which was a hit in 1967 for Herman's Hermits and again in 1976 for the Carpenters.-First recordings:...
(1976) - I Need to Be in LoveI Need to Be in Love"I Need to Be in Love" is a song written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis. It was released as a single on May 21, 1976. It was featured on the "A Kind of Hush" album, which was released on June 11 of the same year. The single featured a version without the piano lead-in and starts immediately...
(1976) - Goofus (1976)
- All You Get from Love Is a Love SongAll You Get from Love Is a Love Song"All You Get from Love Is a Love Song" is a song composed by Steve Eaton. It was popularized by the Carpenters in 1977. It was released to the public on May 2, 1977. Its B-side was "I Have You", a song released on the A Kind of Hush album in 1976...
(1977) - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary CraftCalling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft " is a song by Klaatu, originally released in 1976 on their first album 3:47 EST. The following year, The Carpenters covered the song, using a crew of 160 musicians...
(1977) - Sweet Sweet Smile (1977)
- I Believe You (1978)
- Touch Me When We're DancingTouch Me When We're Dancing"Touch Me When We're Dancing" is a song written by Terry Skinner, J. L. Wallace and Ken Bell. Skinner and Wallace headed the Muscle Shoals, Alabama session group Bama, who first recorded this song and released it as a single in 1979 reaching the Billboard Easy Listening chart at #42 and ranking on...
(1981) - (Want You) Back in My Life Again (1981)
- Those Good Old Dreams (1981)
- Beechwood 4-5789Beechwood 4-5789"Beechwood 4-5789" is a 1962 single released by Motown girl group The Marvelettes on the Tamla record label.-Original version:Written by Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson and George Gordy, the lyrics are about the narrator wanting a man she just met to call her number in order to "have a...
(1982) - Now (1982)
- Make Believe It's Your First Time (Recorded in 1980 - Record released in 1983)
- Trying to Get the Feeling Again (Recorded in 1975 - Released on CD in 1995)
Bonus songs: 1979-1997
- Lovelines (Recorded in 1979 - Released on CD in 1989 and 1996)*
- If I Had You (Recorded in 1979 - Released on CD in 1989 and 1996)*
- Still Crazy After All These Years (Recorded in 1979 - Released on CD in 1996)*
- When Time Was All We Had (ca. 1985)**
- Calling Your Name Again (ca. 1985)**
- Sandy (1997)***
- Karen's Theme (1997)***
Karen Carpenter (album)
Karen Carpenter is a solo CD released by A&M Records in 1996. All of the songs on the album were from the New York solo sessions recorded with producer Phil Ramone in 1979 and 1980. During this time, her brother Richard was being treated for an addiction to Quaaludes and Karen wanted to remain...
Time (Richard Carpenter album)
Time is the first solo album by American musician Richard Carpenter. Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield sang on the album, on the songs "In Love Alone" and "Something in Your Eyes", respectively. The song "When Time Was All We Had" is dedicated to Richard's sister, Karen...