The Carpenters – 10 of the best | Pop and rock | The Guardian

About the song: 

“Superstar” is a song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. It was originally recorded by Delaney & Bonnie and released on their 1969 album, Home. The song was a hit for the Carpenters in 1971, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their version of the song is characterized by Karen Carpenter’s soft, angelic vocals and Richard Carpenter’s lush orchestration. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a woman who is infatuated with a famous person. She sees them as a superstar, but they are unaware of her existence. The song is a beautiful and haunting ballad that has become a classic of soft rock.

Here are some additional facts about the song:

  • The Carpenters’ version of “Superstar” was produced by Jack Daugherty.
  • The song was arranged by Richard Carpenter.
  • The song was recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California.
  • The song was released as the second single from the Carpenters’ album, Close to You.
  • The song was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
  • The song has been covered by many artists, including Luther Vandross, Bette Midler, and Sonic Youth.

“Superstar” is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by listeners around the world. It is a beautiful and haunting ballad that tells the story of unrequited love. The song’s soft, angelic vocals and lush orchestration make it a truly unforgettable listening experience.

Video 

Lyrics: Superstar

Long ago and oh so far away
I fell in love with you before the second show
Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear
But you’re not really here
It’s just the radio[Chorus:]
Don’t you remember you told me you loved me baby
You said you’d be coming back this way again baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby, I love you I really doLoneliness is such a sad affair
And I can hardly wait to be with you againWhat to say to make you come again
Come back to me again
And play your sad guitar

[Chorus x2]

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Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.