I woke up this morning with a memory of my mom singing The Carpenters. Yes, The Carpenters, that treacly, smiley duo who gave us the immortal (and by immortal I mean really, really awful) "Calling Occupants from Interplanetary Craft."
I don't remember my mom singing that, but she did use to sing "Yesterday Once More." Some of my happiest car memories are of my super-cute, frosted-haired, mini-skirted mom singing to me in her little red 1968 Mustang. (The little red Mustang looked like this, for you car geeks.)
We played radio station KUUU 1590 AM Seattle as we tooled around in the 'Stang. The station has changed call letters several times over the years, and tragically, it's now a conservative talk station. But back then, it played stuff like The Carpenters. And like a cheesy family movie, we sang along. At least, Mom and I sang. I'm pretty sure Dad, being tone-deaf and rhythm-deficient, didn't sing, and my brother was just a baby in his (probably useless) car seat, waving his arms and smiling.
I'll now destroy any musical credibility I've had with you, my dear readers: I like The Carpenters. Karen's voice shimmered--don't tell me she couldn't sing. And she was a fellow LBHG, too. Give a listen and offer Karen's spirit some love.
Don't worry LBHG, Karen Carpenter is hands down the best female singer of all time. Look at her vocal range in "Top of the World".
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to think that her flame burned out at such an early age.