Lynch riffs on the fourth studio album from the Carpenters, “A Song for You” from September 1972 (Goodbye to Love / Top of the World / Hurting Each Other / A Song for You). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: main theme from the television series "The Waltons") STAFF PICKS: “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago — Rob. “Rock 'N' Roll Soul” by Grand Funk Railroad — Wayne. “Use Me” by Bill Withers — Bruce. “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O'Sullivan — Lynch. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Popcorn” by Hot Butter. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
While this album is a bit soft for our typical rock and roll podcast, you just can't talk about music in the early 70's without giving some attention to the Carpenters. The dual of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter would have a multitude of hits based on their close harmonies and melodic pop sensibilities. They began as a jazz group in 1966 when Karen was still in high school, and would eventually sign to A&M Records as the Carpenters in early 1969. Richard Carpenter was the keyboardist and primary driver behind the Carpenters' sound. Karen began as the groups drummer, and would continue in this role intermittently, though her distinctive vocals demanded her to often be out front on tour with a touring drummer (Hal Blaine) taking her place behind the kit.
A Song for You was the Carpenters fourth studio album. It featured a mixture of songs written or co-written by Richard Carpenter, and songs from other songwriters adapted to the group by Richard Carpenter. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the US and number 13 on the UK Albums chart. Six of the 12 songs (plus a reprise of the title track) were released as singles.
The Carpenters were careful in managing their image and maintained a wholesome persona throughout their career. Richard Carpenter would balk at the "squeaky clean" image that A&M Records, believing that the focus should be more on the music than their image. Much later the struggles Richard faced with pills would come to light, and Karen's death in 1983 as a consequence of anorexia nervosa would put a much-needed spotlight on the eating disorder affecting countless people.
The Carpenters produced 10 albums over their 14-year career, along with a number of singles and multiple television specials.
Lynch brings us a look at the softer side of rock for today's podcast.
Goodbye to Love
Richard Carpenter and John Bettis wrote this song. Carpenter was inspired to write this track after seeing a 1940 Bing Crosby film called "Rhythm on the River." In the film, the struggling songwriter often refers to his greatest composition being "Goodbye to Love," but the song is never played. Carpenter took this inspiration and created the song.
Top of the World
One of the best known songs from the Carpenters today, this track was not originally intended to be a single. However, after country singer Lynn Anderson had success with a cover, the Carpenters reconsidered and released the song as a single. It would top the US charts in 1973, one of three Carpenters songs to do so.
Hurting Each Other
Gary Geld and Peter Udell wrote the original song which was first performed by Jimmy Clanton in 1965. The Carpenters had the Wrecking Crew as their session musicians on their arrangement which went to number 2 on the U.S. charts.
A Song for You
The title song from the album was originally written and performed by Leon Russell on his 1970 solo debut. Though the Carpenters version was not released as a single, it starts and concludes the album, making the whole a concept reflecting on its plea for understanding and forgiveness.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the television series "The Waltons"
This historical drama set in West Virginia during the depression began in September 1972.
STAFF PICKS:
Saturday in the Park by Chicago
Rob open this week's staff picks with a song penned by Robert Lamm for the album Chicago V. The inspiration was either a walk in Central Park on July 4, 1970, or a compilation of film shot in Central Park in the early 70's. The track reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting single from Chicago at the time.
Rock 'N' Roll Soul by Grand Funk Railroad
Wayne's staff pick is the closing anthem from Grand Funk Railroad's sixth studio album, Phoenix. The lyrics from this Detroit group celebrate the power of rock music as a source of joy, freedom, and self-expression. "Tell everyone you know, you've got some Rock and Roll soul."
Use Me by Bill Withers
Bruce brings us a song that Withers penned as a funny answer to those who thought he was too nice. Bill Withers claimed that he wasn't very popular and had a stutter until his late 20's. This song was basically Withers saying, "OK, you want a nasty boy? Well here I come!" It is his second biggest hit in the U.S. behind "Lean on Me," and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Alone Again (Naturally) by Gilbert O'Sullivan
Lynch closes out the staff picks with an introspective ballad. Despite the upbeat tempo and melody, the lyrics are quite dark. The first verse contemplates suicide after a failed attempt at a wedding, while other verses question the existence of God and lament the loss of parents. Irish singer-songwriter O'Sullivan originally did not include this single on his second album, "Back to Front," but included it on re-issues due to its popularity. It spent six weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Popcorn by Hot Butter
You may not know the name, but you've surely heard this instrumental ditty that went to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and closes out today's podcast.