Introduction

“The Carpenters – Yesterday Once More” is a musical gem that transcends time, instantly whisking you away to an era of cherished memories. This iconic song, performed by the legendary sibling duo Karen and Richard Carpenter, has held a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts since its release in 1973. Let’s delve into this timeless melody, its captivating story, and the remarkable artist behind it.A magical night at Hollywood Bowl honoring The Carpenters, Donna Summer and  Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Did You Know?

  • Karen Carpenter’s mesmerizing voice, often described as one of the purest in music history, is the centerpiece of “Yesterday Once More” Her vocal prowess and emotional depth left an indelible mark on the music industry.
  • Released as a single from The Carpenters’ album “Now & Then,” “Yesterday Once More” became an instant classic, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
  • The song’s nostalgic lyrics, penned by John Bettis and Richard Carpenter, beautifully capture the essence of longing for the good old days, making it relatable to audiences across generations.
  • Karen Carpenter’s untimely passing in 1983 was a profound loss to the music world, but her legacy lives on through songs like “Yesterday Once More,” which continue to inspire and uplift.Carpenters (the Band) Songs, Music, and History

Video

Lyrics: Yesterday Once More

When I was young
I’d listen to the radio
Waitin’ for my favorite songs
When they played I’d sing along
It made me smile

Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they’d gone
But they’re back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

When they get to the part
Where he’s breakin’ her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more

Lookin’ back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed

It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I’d memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

You Missed

SOME FRIENDSHIPS ARE WRITTEN IN SONGS… BUT ONLY A FEW BECOME FOREVER. There was something truly magical about the friendship between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton — a bond that went far beyond the stage, the spotlight, and the music. In country music history, few duos ever captured the beauty of genuine connection the way they did. Their voices blended perfectly, but it was their friendship, respect, and love for each other that made every performance unforgettable. In 2013, they gave the world one final reminder of that special bond with “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” Nearly three decades after “Islands in the Stream” became a timeless classic, Kenny and Dolly returned together to create a song that felt less like a performance and more like a heartfelt conversation between two lifelong friends. Now, that song carries an even deeper meaning. Kenny Rogers left us in 2020… and today, the world says goodbye to Dolly Parton — two extraordinary souls who brought warmth, comfort, and joy to millions through their music. They were more than country music legends. They were storytellers, dreamers, and reminders that the greatest treasures in life are the friendships we build along the way. You can create many songs. You can create many memories. But **you can’t make old friends.** Some friendships are too special to disappear. They live forever in the melodies, the memories, and the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to witness them. Rest peacefully, Kenny. Rest peacefully, Dolly. Thank you for giving us a lifetime of music, love, and unforgettable moments. The harmony you created together will continue to play forever.

Before he ever stepped up to center stage under his own name, Cal Smith spent years standing quietly in the shadows as a sideman, playing guitar behind country legend Ernest Tubb. Born Calvin Shofner in Oklahoma and raised in California, he paid his dues in clubs and on radio before joining the Texas Troubadours in the early 1960s, watching other stars soak up the applause while his own solo ambitions moved at a crawl. By 1972, Smith was well into his late thirties with little more than modest chart placings to show for his efforts. Everything flipped when fellow songwriter Bill Anderson handed him “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” a sharp track about a man taking heat from a churchgoer whose own hands weren’t exactly clean. The single struck a nerve, shooting straight to No. 1. The true lightning strike arrived soon after. In December 1973, Smith walked into Bradley’s Barn to lay down Don Wayne’s “Country Bumpkin.” Tracing an ordinary man’s journey through marriage, children, and the devastating loss of his wife, the song packed an entire lifetime into a few poignant verses and climbed to the top of the charts in 1974. The accolades poured in, sweeping Single Record and Song of the Year at the ACM Awards, alongside a CMA Song of the Year honor for the writing. Smith quickly proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder by following up with another chart-topper, “It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler.” After more than a decade of holding down the rhythm section for everyone else, Cal Smith’s long-delayed moment in the sun finally arrived—forever stamping his voice onto one of the defining country anthems of the 1970s.