The Brilliance of Youth: A collection of the Carpenters’ signature and popular songs

Two sidesCarpenters

The Carpenters – Two Sides [1977]

The album Passage is the Carpenters’ eighth release.

The song Two Sides sings about how everyone has a different side to them.

Its unique lyrics convey the theme that understanding one another is not easy.

You will love meCarpenters

The Carpenters – You’ll Love Me [1967]

With vocalist Karen’s confident voice, this is a song that encourages you as you listen.

It sings of a hopeful future with a lover and an unbreakable, strong love.

“You Will Love Me” captivates listeners with its beautiful harmonies with the chorus.

SuperstarCarpenters

Carpenters – Superstar

In the late 1960s, Delaney & Bonnie, a husband-and-wife duo known for their gritty Southern rock, released this song in 1969.

Its original title was “Groupie (Superstar).” The Carpenters changed part of the lyrics and released their version in 1970, and it became a worldwide hit.

Prelude of Love (We’ve Only Just Begun)Carpenters

We've Only Just Begun (Prelude of Love) / Carpenters

The Carpenters were a duo consisting of the sibling pair Richard and Karen Carpenter.

Their sound was characterized by multitrack recording, and Karen’s calm, lower-register voice was captivating.

“(They Long to Be) Close to You” was one of their early hits.

Richard’s piano playing is also very beautiful.

Beachwood 4-5789Carpenters

Beechwood 4-5789

Among the Carpenters’ late-period work, this is their most relaxed, laid-back, and lighthearted song.

As the 1980s began and a wave of new artists emerged, their bold decision to openly express a deep affection for surf music deserves praise.

It’s a superb example of the Carpenters at their best—true to form, always in close harmony with the oldies they cherished.

Carpenters ForeverCarpenters

Wedding Big Band Performance "Carpenters Forever"

When it comes to songs by the brother-sister duo the Carpenters, who debuted in 1969, virtually every track is familiar to a wide range of generations.

A medley of Carpenters songs that strings together only the highlights is nothing short of a feast for the ears.

Classics like “Sing,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Top of the World,” and “(They Long to Be) Close to You” are combined with dynamic contrasts, offering enjoyment from solos to full ensemble.

Bless the beasts&childrenCarpenters

Carpenters film “Bless the Beasts & Children”

The Carpenters’ “Bless the Beasts and Children” was used as the theme song for the 1971 film of the same title.

Animals and children are vulnerable beings; the song brings to the forefront a message of protecting them.

Its appeal lies in a pure image—like a single ray of light piercing through clouds to the earth—and Karen’s warm, heartfelt vocals.