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{{short description|1970 album by The Carpenters}}
{{short description|1970 album by The Carpenters}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Close to You
| name = Close to You
| type = Studio
| type = Studio
| artist = [[The Carpenters|Carpenters]]
| artist = [[The Carpenters]]
| cover = CloseToYou.jpg
| cover = CloseToYou.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = August 19, 1970
| released = August 21, 1970
| recorded = 1969 – May 15, 1970
| recorded =
| studio = [[A&M Studios|A&M]] (Hollywood)
| studio = [[A&M Studios|A&M]] (Hollywood)
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[easy listening]], [[soft rock]]
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length = 38:37
| length = 38:37
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]/[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]/[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
Line 27: Line 29:
}}
}}


'''''Close to You''''' is the second studio album by American duo [[the Carpenters|Carpenters]], released on August 19, 1970. In 2003, the album was ranked number 175 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|the 500 greatest albums of all time]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071001161741/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599161/175_close_to_you 175) Close to You : Rolling Stone<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/the-carpenters-close-to-you-37096/|year=2012| title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time| publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]| access-date= September 18, 2019}}</ref> The album contains the hit singles "[[(They Long to Be) Close to You]]" and "[[We've Only Just Begun]]". The former was the song which earned the Carpenters an international reputation. The album topped the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] and peaked at number 2 on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' albums chart. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, entering the top 50 of the official chart for 76 weeks during the first half of the 1970s.
'''''Close to You''''' is the second studio album by the American music duo [[the Carpenters]], released on August 19, 1970. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 175 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|the 500 greatest albums of all time]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071001161741/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599161/175_close_to_you 175) Close to You : Rolling Stone<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/the-carpenters-close-to-you-37096/|year=2012| title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time| publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]| access-date= September 18, 2019}}</ref> The album contains the hit singles "[[(They Long to Be) Close to You]]" and "[[We've Only Just Begun]]". The success of the title track earned Carpenters an international reputation. The album topped the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] and peaked at #2 on the U.S. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' albums chart. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, entering the top 50 of the official chart for 76 weeks during the first half of the 1970s.


The album and its singles earned Carpenters eight [[Grammy Award]] nominations including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]. It won the [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus]] for the album.
The album and its singles earned Carpenters eight [[Grammy Award]] nominations including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]. Carpenters won the [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus]] for the album.


==Background and song information==
==Background and song information==
Drummer [[Hal Blaine]] reported that the Carpenters' parents were in the recording studio for the ''Close to You'' album and "You could tell right away they ruled the roost."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jazz|first=All About|title=Jazz news: Hal Blaine on Karen Carpenter|url=https://news.allaboutjazz.com/hal-blaine-on-karen-carpenter|access-date=2021-08-13|website=All About Jazz News|language=en}}</ref> According to Blaine, Karen's mother dictated her singing style and expressed disapproval that she did not perform as a drummer on all the songs. Blaine countered that though Karen was a capable drummer, she was accustomed to playing loudly for live performances and thus was not familiar with the different requirements of recording in a professional studio; however, she had been informed beforehand of Blaine's involvement and indicated her approval.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karen Carpenter 1950-1983|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/may-1983-karen-carpenter-1950-1983/|access-date=2021-08-13|website=Modern Drummer Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>
According to session drummer [[Hal Blaine]], the Carpenters' parents were in the recording studio for the ''Close to You'' album and "you could tell right away they ruled the roost."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jazz|first=All About|title=Jazz news: Hal Blaine on Karen Carpenter|url=https://news.allaboutjazz.com/hal-blaine-on-karen-carpenter|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=All About Jazz News|date=May 7, 2012 |language=en}}</ref> Blaine said that Karen's mother dictated her singing style and was unhappy that Karen did not perform as a drummer for all of the songs. Blaine countered that although Karen was a capable drummer, she was accustomed to playing loudly for live performances and thus was unfamiliar with the requirements of recording in a professional studio. However, she had been informed beforehand of Blaine's involvement and indicated her approval.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karen Carpenter 1950-1983|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/may-1983-karen-carpenter-1950-1983/|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=Modern Drummer Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>


"(They Long to Be) Close to You" was the first [[Burt Bacharach]]/[[Hal David]] composition the Carpenters covered. The song was recorded time and time again during the sixties, but didn't do well at all until the Carpenters version. It became Richard and Karen Carpenter's first RIAA-certified Gold single, as well as their first ''Billboard'' Hot 100 single that reached the Top 10. It stayed at number 1 for 4 weeks, and became the Carpenters' iconic song. Richard devoted the song to Karen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carpenters: The Singles 1969-1973|url=https://www.richardandkarencarpenter.com/Album_Carpenters%20The%20Singles%201969-1973.htm|access-date=2021-08-13|website=www.richardandkarencarpenter.com}}</ref>
"(They Long to Be) Close to You" was the first [[Burt Bacharach]]/[[Hal David]] composition, with some original lyrics by Cathy Steeves, that Carpenters covered. The song was recorded several times by various artists during the 1960s but without popular success. It became Carpenters' first [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]-certified Gold single, as well as their first ''Billboard'' Hot 100 single to reach the top 10. It remained at #1 for four weeks and became one of the Carpenters' most iconic songs. Richard devoted the song to Karen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carpenters: The Singles 1969-1973|url=https://www.richardandkarencarpenter.com/Album_Carpenters%20The%20Singles%201969-1973.htm|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=www.richardandkarencarpenter.com}}</ref>


"We've Only Just Begun" started out as a commercial for [[Crocker National Bank|Crocker Citizen's Bank]] in 1970, composed by Paul Williams and [[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]]. The commercial showed a couple getting married and starting their life together. In August 1970, it became the Carpenters' second RIAA-certified Gold single. Richard regards this as the duo's signature song.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
"We've Only Just Begun", composed by Paul Williams and [[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]], first appeared in a 1970 [[Crocker National Bank|Crocker-Citizens Bank]] commercial that depicted a married couple beginning their life together. In August 1970, it became Carpenters' second RIAA-certified Gold single.


Originally written by [[Ralph Carmichael]] for the early contemporary Christian musical ''Tell It Like It Is'', "Love Is Surrender" was a song Richard and Karen heard during their teen years. Several of the overtly Christian lyrics were changed for this version, notably from "Without Him, love is not to be found" to "Without love you are not to be found" and "You must surrender to His will" to "You must surrender if you care." The arrangement is very similar to an arrangement Carmichael did for the Valentine's Day 1970 broadcast by evangelist Oral Roberts. This version was released, along with other songs for that broadcast, on an album, "Love Is...". The Carpenters' recording is one of only two tracks on the album on which Richard Carpenter performs lead vocals.
Originally written by [[Ralph Carmichael]] for the early contemporary Christian musical ''Tell It Like It Is'', "Love Is Surrender" was a song that Richard and Karen heard during their teenage years.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}


"Maybe It's You" is a song written by Richard Carpenter and [[John Bettis]] for their previous band, Spectrum. It's a very low-key song, with an oboe solo by Doug Strawn.
"Maybe It's You" was written by Richard Carpenter and [[John Bettis]] for their previous band Spectrum. The oboe solo was played by Doug Strawn.


"Reason to Believe" is a song composed by [[Tim Hardin]] in the 1960s. [[Rod Stewart]] made a hit with it in 1971. Karen claimed in a live concert that the reason why they love the song is because it was one of the first songs they performed together as a group.<ref>Live in Budokan, 1972</ref>
"Reason to Believe" was composed by [[Tim Hardin]] in the 1960s, and [[Rod Stewart]] charted with a version of the song in 1971. Karen loved the song is because it was among the first that she performed with Richard as a group.<ref>Live in Budokan, 1972</ref>


"Help!" is a song written by [[John Lennon]] and [[Paul McCartney]] in early 1965. The Carpenters produced four Beatles covers ("[[Ticket to Ride (song)|Ticket to Ride]]", "[[Help! (song)|Help!]]", "[[Can't Buy Me Love]]" from ''Your Navy Presents'', and "[[Nowhere Man (song)|Nowhere Man]]").
"Help!" was written by [[John Lennon]] and [[Paul McCartney]] in early 1965, one of four [[The Beatles|Beatles]] covers that Carpenters recorded; the others were "[[Ticket to Ride (song)|Ticket to Ride]]", "[[Can't Buy Me Love]]" and "[[Nowhere Man (song)|Nowhere Man]]".


"Baby It's You" is a song composed by Burt Bacharach, [[Luther Dixon|Barney Williams]], and [[Mack David]]. It was sung by Richard and Karen in 1970, and performed on their TV show, ''[[Make Your Own Kind of Music (TV series)|Make Your Own Kind of Music]]''.
"Baby It's You" was composed by Burt Bacharach, [[Luther Dixon|Barney Williams]], and [[Mack David]]. It was sung by Richard and Karen in 1970 and performed on their television show ''[[Make Your Own Kind of Music (TV series)|Make Your Own Kind of Music]]''.


"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is the third consecutive Burt Bacharach composition on the album. It was included on their medley the following year, on the album ''[[Carpenters (album)|Carpenters]]''. According to Tom Riddle of ''Your Navy Presents'', there was a 29 part vocal harmony on the song. Originally part of the score for Bacharach and David's 1968 musical ''[[Promises, Promises (musical)|Promises, Promises]]'', the song had provided a top-ten hit for [[Dionne Warwick]] in January 1970.
"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is another Bacharach composition and was included in a [[Medley (music)|medley]] on the following year's album ''[[Carpenters (album)|Carpenters]]''. The song was originally included in the score for Bacharach and David's 1968 musical ''[[Promises, Promises (musical)|Promises, Promises]]'', and [[Dionne Warwick]]'s version hit the top ten in January 1970.


Originally performed by Karen and Richard in the [[California State University, Long Beach]] choir in 1969, "Crescent Noon" is a song composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis.
"Crescent Noon", composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, was originally performed by Karen and Richard when they were members of the [[California State University, Long Beach]] choir in 1969.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}


"Mr. Guder" was dedicated to Richard Carpenter and John Bettis's boss at [[Disneyland]], Vic Guder. It was a bit of a last tease to the man who fired the duo. They were hired to play old-time music on piano and banjo at the park's "Coke Corner" on [[Main Street, U.S.A.]], but they persisted in playing contemporary tunes that the patrons requested. The lyrics say:
"Mr. Guder" was dedicated to Vic Guder, Richard and Bettis's boss at [[Disneyland]] who had fired them. They had been hired to play old-time music on piano and banjo at the park's "Coke Corner" on [[Main Street, U.S.A.]], but they persisted in playing contemporary songs that the patrons requested.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

:You're everything a robot lives for:
::Walk in at nine, and roll out the door at five.
:You reflect the company image;
::You maintain their rules to live by.
:Shine your shoes, let's keep a neat haircut,
::Now that you're wearing a coat and tie.

Many of their later recordings that were composed in the late 1960s were written during their Disneyland career.

"I Kept on Loving You", a song written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, features Richard on lead vocal and despite being uncredited in the album's liner notes, a guitarist is playing on the song, possibly either Gary Sims or a [[Los Angeles]]-based session guitarist.

"Another Song" was another Carpenter/Bettis creation that was very different from the typical Carpenters song and is essentially a suite in three movements: a pop section (0:00–1:45), a baroque-influenced section (1:45–2:28), and a [[jazz]] section (2:28–4:22). The song opens with a short prelude based on the harmony and melodic contour of the accompanied recitative "[[Messiah Part I#15|And, lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them]]" from Part I of [[George Frideric Handel]]'s oratorio ''[[Messiah (Handel)|Messiah]]'' (1742).


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r3358|first=Bruce|last=Eder|access-date=2012-02-02}}</ref>
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r3358|first=Bruce|last=Eder|access-date=2012-02-02}}</ref>
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}}
}}


''Close to You'' was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year at the 13th annual Grammy awards (1970). "Close To You" won the Carpenters a Grammy for Best New Artist and another Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GRAMMY Award Results for Carpenters|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/carpenters|publisher=Recording Academy|access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref>
''Close to You'' was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year at the 13th annual Grammy awards. "Close to You" won Carpenters a Grammy for Best New Artist and another Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus that same year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GRAMMY Award Results for Carpenters|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/carpenters|publisher=Recording Academy|access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>


In their review, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' noted that "Karen and Richard Carpenter have taken the music world by storm with their beautiful "Close to You" million seller and they are on their way to repeating that success with their current "We've Only Just Begun". Their smooth blend of voices is evident throughout this LP which includes both those hits and they should skyrocket up the best selling album charts." <ref name="Billboard19610828">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1970/Billboard%201970-09-19.pdf|magazine=Billboard|title=Album Reviews|issue =19 September 1970 |page=36 |access-date=August 18, 2024}}</ref>
[[AllMusic]]'s retrospective review deemed ''Close to You'' "a surprisingly strong album", particularly praising Richard Carpenter's original compositions "Maybe it's You", "Crescent Noon", and "Mr. Guder", describing them as superlative displays of both Karen Carpenter's vocal work and Richard's arranging talents. They also derided contemporary criticism against the album, insinuating that the negative reaction stemmed from ''Close to You'' being a successful pop record at a time of great political turmoil.<ref name="allmusic"/>

''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' stated that "this is, in fact, the Carpenters' second album. The first, ''Offering'' was released with little fanfare, and so was passed by a lot of people. No one will pass this one by, which just goes to show what a hit single can do. So it goes. A good deck, this one, with the title hit, Tim Hardin's "Reason To Believe," Beatles' "Help," and Bacharach-David's "Baby It's You" and "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." Much of the LP features some fine material penned by Richard Carpenter. All in all this offering is fully as good as the first."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-09-12.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|title=Album Reviews|issue=12 September 1970 |page=33 |access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref>

[[AllMusic]]'s retrospective review deemed ''Close to You'' "a surprisingly strong album," particularly praising Richard Carpenter's original compositions "Maybe It's You", "Crescent Noon" and "Mr. Guder", describing them as superlative displays of both Karen Carpenter's vocal work and Richard's arranging talents.<ref name="allmusic"/>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
All lead vocals by [[Karen Carpenter]] except where noted.
All lead vocals by [[Karen Carpenter]] except where noted.
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| title1 = [[We've Only Just Begun]]
| title1 = [[We've Only Just Begun]]
| note1 = lead vocals: Karen and [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]]
| note1 = lead vocals: Karen and [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]]|[[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]]}}
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]]|[[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]]}}
| length1 = 3:04
| length1 = 3:04
| title2 = Love Is Surrender

| note2 = lead vocals: Karen and Richard Carpenter
| title2 = Love Is Surrender
| writer2 = [[Ralph Carmichael]]
| note2 = lead vocals: Karen and Richard Carpenter
| length2 = 1:59
| writer2 = [[Ralph Carmichael]]
| title3 = Maybe It's You
| length2 = 1:59
| writer3 = {{hlist|Richard Carpenter|[[John Bettis]]}}

| length3 = 3:09
| title3 = Maybe It's You
| title4 = [[Reason to Believe]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|[[John Bettis]]|Richard Carpenter}}
| writer4 = [[Tim Hardin]]
| length3 = 3:09
| length4 = 3:02

| title4 = [[Reason to Believe]]
| title5 = [[Help! (song)|Help]]
| writer4 = [[Tim Hardin]]
| writer5 = [[Lennon–McCartney]]
| length4 = 3:02
| length5 = 3:02
| title6 = [[(They Long to Be) Close to You]]

| writer6 = {{hlist|[[Burt Bacharach]]|[[Hal David]]}}
| title5 = [[Help! (song)|Help]]
| length6 = 4:34
| writer5 = [[Lennon-McCartney]]
| length5 = 3:02
| total_length = 18:50

| title6 = [[(They Long to Be) Close to You]]
| writer6 = {{hlist|[[Burt Bacharach]]|[[Hal David]]}}
| length6 = 4:34

}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| headline = Side two
| title7 = [[Baby It's You]]
| title7 = [[Baby It's You]]
| writer7 = {{hlist|Burt Bacharach|[[Mack David]]|[[Luther Dixon|Barney Williams]]}}
| writer7 = {{hlist|Bacharach|[[Mack David]]|[[Luther Dixon|Barney Williams]]}}
| length7 = 2:50
| length7 = 2:50
| title8 = [[I'll Never Fall in Love Again]]

| writer8 = {{hlist|Bacharach|David}}
| title8 = [[I'll Never Fall in Love Again]]
| length8 = 2:56
| writer8 = {{hlist|Burt Bacharach|Hal David}}
| title9 = Crescent Noon
| length8 = 2:56
| writer9 = {{hlist|Carpenter|Bettis}}

| length9 = 4:09
| title9 = Crescent Noon
| title10 = Mr. Guder
| writer9 = {{hlist|John Bettis|Richard Carpenter}}
| writer10 = {{hlist|Carpenter|Bettis}}
| length9 = 4:09
| length10 = 3:17

| title11 = I Kept On Loving You
| title10 = Mr. Guder
| writer10 = {{hlist|John Bettis|Richard Carpenter}}
| note11 = lead vocals: Richard Carpenter
| writer11 = {{hlist|Nichols|Williams}}
| length10 = 3:17
| length11 = 2:13

| title12 = Another Song
| title11 = I Kept On Loving You
| note11 = lead vocals: Richard Carpenter
| writer12 = {{hlist|Carpenter|Bettis}}
| length12 = 4:22
| writer11 = {{hlist|Roger Nichols|Paul Williams}}
| length11 = 2:13
| total_length = 19:47

| title12 = Another Song
| writer12 = {{hlist|John Bettis|Richard Carpenter}}
| length12 = 4:22
}}
}}


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==Charts==
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
! Chart (1970)
! Chart (1971–1973)
! Peak<br />position
! Peak<br />position
|-
|-
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|align="center"|16
|align="center"|16
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|1|chartid=3735|rowheader=true|access-date=September 21, 2017}}
{{album chart|Canada|1|artist=Carpenters|title=Close to You|chartid=3735|rowheader=true|access-date=February 8, 2024}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[Oricon Albums Chart|Japanese Oricon LP Chart]]<ref name="Jachart">{{cite web|url=http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamag/album/al_carpenters.html|title=– Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Carpenters a-カーペンターズ|language=ja|date=2007-12-30|access-date=2011-09-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071111032840/http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamag/album/al_carpenters.html|archive-date=2007-11-11}}</ref>
!scope="row|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite web|url=http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamag/album/al_carpenters.html|title=– Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Carpenters a-カーペンターズ|language=ja|date=December 30, 2007|access-date=February 8, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071111032840/http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yamag/album/al_carpenters.html|archive-date=November 11, 2007}}</ref>
|align="center"|53
|align="center"|53
|-
|-
{{album chart|UK|23|artist=Carpenters|album=Close To You|rowheader=true|refname="UKchart"|access-date=September 21, 2017}}
{{album chart|UK2|23|date=19730812|rowheader=true|access-date=February 8, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Carpenters|rowheader=true|access-date=February 8, 2024}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US ''[[Cash Box]]'' Top 200 Albums<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-12-05.pdf|title=Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|date=December 12, 1970|page=29|access-date=18 August 2024}}</ref>
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Carpenters|rowheader=true|access-date=September 21, 2017}}
|align="center"| 1
|}
|}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
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!Position
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="USYearend71">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ8EAAAAMBAJ&q=Close+to+You+Carpenters&pg=RA1-PA15|title= 1971 Year-end Albums – The Billboard Pop Albums|date= 25 December 1971|access-date=2011-10-03}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''[[Billboard 200]]''<ref name="USYearend71">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ8EAAAAMBAJ&q=Close+to+You+Carpenters&pg=RA1-PA15|title= 1971 Year-end Albums – The Billboard Pop Albums|date= December 25, 1971|access-date=October 3, 2011}}</ref>
|3
|3
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Close to You|artist=Carpenters|type=album|relyear=1970|region=Australia|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-06-10.pdf|title=Aussie Success|magazine=Cash Box|page=33|volume=33|issue=51|date=June 10, 1972|via=American Radio History|access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Close to You|artist=Carpenters|type=album|relyear=1970|certyear=1972|region=Australia|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-06-10.pdf|title=Aussie Success|magazine=Cash Box|page=33|volume=33|issue=51|date=June 10, 1972|via=American Radio History|access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|certref=<ref name=CB>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1974/CB-1974-07-06-II-OCR-Page-0178.pdf|access-date=20 December 2020|title=great britain's million sellers, 1973-74|magazine=[[Cash Box]]|date=July 6, 1974|page=8, Part II}}</ref>|relyear=1970}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Close to You|artist=Carpenters|type=album|relyear=1970|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1998|access-date=January 29, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Close to You|artist=Carpenters|type=album|relyear=1970|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1998|access-date=January 29, 2020}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Close to You|artist=Carpenters|type=album|relyear=1970|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=4,000,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FAkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA18|magazine=[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]|title=Carpenters|page=18|issn=0006-2510|date=November 17, 1973|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 20:01, 15 October 2024

Close to You
Studio album by
The Carpenters
ReleasedAugust 21, 1970
StudioA&M (Hollywood)
GenrePop
Length38:37
LabelA&M/Polydor
ProducerJack Daugherty
The Carpenters chronology
Offering/Ticket to Ride
(1969) 		Close to You
(1970) 		Carpenters
(1971)
Singles from Close to You
  1. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
    Released: May 15, 1970
  2. "We've Only Just Begun"
    Released: August 21, 1970

Close to You is the second studio album by the American music duo the Carpenters, released on August 19, 1970. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 175 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time,[1] maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list.[2] The album contains the hit singles "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "We've Only Just Begun". The success of the title track earned Carpenters an international reputation. The album topped the Canadian Albums Chart and peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard albums chart. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, entering the top 50 of the official chart for 76 weeks during the first half of the 1970s.

The album and its singles earned Carpenters eight Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Carpenters won the Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for the album.

Background and song information

[edit]

According to session drummer Hal Blaine, the Carpenters' parents were in the recording studio for the Close to You album and "you could tell right away they ruled the roost."[3] Blaine said that Karen's mother dictated her singing style and was unhappy that Karen did not perform as a drummer for all of the songs. Blaine countered that although Karen was a capable drummer, she was accustomed to playing loudly for live performances and thus was unfamiliar with the requirements of recording in a professional studio. However, she had been informed beforehand of Blaine's involvement and indicated her approval.[4]

"(They Long to Be) Close to You" was the first Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition, with some original lyrics by Cathy Steeves, that Carpenters covered. The song was recorded several times by various artists during the 1960s but without popular success. It became Carpenters' first RIAA-certified Gold single, as well as their first Billboard Hot 100 single to reach the top 10. It remained at #1 for four weeks and became one of the Carpenters' most iconic songs. Richard devoted the song to Karen.[5]

"We've Only Just Begun", composed by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, first appeared in a 1970 Crocker-Citizens Bank commercial that depicted a married couple beginning their life together. In August 1970, it became Carpenters' second RIAA-certified Gold single.

Originally written by Ralph Carmichael for the early contemporary Christian musical Tell It Like It Is, "Love Is Surrender" was a song that Richard and Karen heard during their teenage years.[citation needed]

"Maybe It's You" was written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis for their previous band Spectrum. The oboe solo was played by Doug Strawn.

"Reason to Believe" was composed by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and Rod Stewart charted with a version of the song in 1971. Karen loved the song is because it was among the first that she performed with Richard as a group.[6]

"Help!" was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in early 1965, one of four Beatles covers that Carpenters recorded; the others were "Ticket to Ride", "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Nowhere Man".

"Baby It's You" was composed by Burt Bacharach, Barney Williams, and Mack David. It was sung by Richard and Karen in 1970 and performed on their television show Make Your Own Kind of Music.

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is another Bacharach composition and was included in a medley on the following year's album Carpenters. The song was originally included in the score for Bacharach and David's 1968 musical Promises, Promises, and Dionne Warwick's version hit the top ten in January 1970.

"Crescent Noon", composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, was originally performed by Karen and Richard when they were members of the California State University, Long Beach choir in 1969.[citation needed]

"Mr. Guder" was dedicated to Vic Guder, Richard and Bettis's boss at Disneyland who had fired them. They had been hired to play old-time music on piano and banjo at the park's "Coke Corner" on Main Street, U.S.A., but they persisted in playing contemporary songs that the patrons requested.[citation needed]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[8]

Close to You was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year at the 13th annual Grammy awards. "Close to You" won Carpenters a Grammy for Best New Artist and another Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus that same year.[9]

In their review, Billboard noted that "Karen and Richard Carpenter have taken the music world by storm with their beautiful "Close to You" million seller and they are on their way to repeating that success with their current "We've Only Just Begun". Their smooth blend of voices is evident throughout this LP which includes both those hits and they should skyrocket up the best selling album charts." [10]

Cashbox stated that "this is, in fact, the Carpenters' second album. The first, Offering was released with little fanfare, and so was passed by a lot of people. No one will pass this one by, which just goes to show what a hit single can do. So it goes. A good deck, this one, with the title hit, Tim Hardin's "Reason To Believe," Beatles' "Help," and Bacharach-David's "Baby It's You" and "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." Much of the LP features some fine material penned by Richard Carpenter. All in all this offering is fully as good as the first."[11]

AllMusic's retrospective review deemed Close to You "a surprisingly strong album," particularly praising Richard Carpenter's original compositions "Maybe It's You", "Crescent Noon" and "Mr. Guder", describing them as superlative displays of both Karen Carpenter's vocal work and Richard's arranging talents.[7]

Track listing

[edit]

All lead vocals by Karen Carpenter except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We've Only Just Begun" (lead vocals: Karen and Richard Carpenter)
3:04
2."Love Is Surrender" (lead vocals: Karen and Richard Carpenter)Ralph Carmichael1:59
3."Maybe It's You"
3:09
4."Reason to Believe"Tim Hardin3:02
5."Help"Lennon–McCartney3:02
6."(They Long to Be) Close to You"
4:34
Total length:18:50
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Baby It's You"
2:50
8."I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
  • Bacharach
  • David
2:56
9."Crescent Noon"
  • Carpenter
  • Bettis
4:09
10."Mr. Guder"
  • Carpenter
  • Bettis
3:17
11."I Kept On Loving You" (lead vocals: Richard Carpenter)
  • Nichols
  • Williams
2:13
12."Another Song"
  • Carpenter
  • Bettis
4:22
Total length:19:47

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

[edit]

Technical

[edit]
  • Jack Daugherty – producer
  • Ray Gerhardt – engineer
  • Dick Bogert – engineer
  • Tom Wilkes – art direction
  • Kessel/Brehm Photography – photography
  • Bernie Grundman, Richard Carpenter – remastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[19] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[21] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 4,000,000[22]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 175) Close to You : Rolling Stone
  2. ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time". Rolling Stone. 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  3. ^ Jazz, All About (May 7, 2012). "Jazz news: Hal Blaine on Karen Carpenter". All About Jazz News. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Karen Carpenter 1950-1983". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Carpenters: The Singles 1969-1973". www.richardandkarencarpenter.com. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Live in Budokan, 1972
  7. ^ a b Eder, Bruce. Close to You at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  8. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 140. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  9. ^ "GRAMMY Award Results for Carpenters". Recording Academy. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. No. 19 September 1970. p. 36. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. No. 12 September 1970. p. 33. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  12. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  13. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3735". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  14. ^ "– Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) – Albums Chart Daijiten – Carpenters a-カーペンターズ" (in Japanese). December 30, 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "Carpenters Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  17. ^ "Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. December 12, 1970. p. 29. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  18. ^ 1971 Year-end Albums – The Billboard Pop Albums. December 25, 1971. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  19. ^ "Aussie Success" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 33, no. 51. June 10, 1972. p. 33. Retrieved January 29, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  20. ^ "great britain's million sellers, 1973-74" (PDF). Cash Box. July 6, 1974. p. 8, Part II. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "American album certifications – Carpenters – Close to You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  22. ^ "Carpenters". Billboard. November 17, 1973. p. 18. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
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