Karen Carpenter: The Unreleased Solo Songs - Jimmy Mack

"Jimmy Mack"

“Jimmy Mack” – Of course Karen Carpenter had to put her solo mark on a Motown tune. With Carpenters she had previously enjoyed huge success with the Motown classic “Please Mr. Postman” and gave a spirited vocal performance.

Karen put a fun spirited upbeat early 80’s spin on “Jimmy Mack” very much in the same vein as Manhattan Tranfer’s “The Boy From New York City” or Diana Ross’ “Why Do Fools Fall In Love.”

"Jimmy Mack" was originally a Top Ten hit in 1967 for Martha and the Vandellas. Just a year earlier Karen (with her brother Richard) recorded a full length studio version of another Martha and the Vandellas hit, "Dancing In The Street," for an album that was to be released in 1979. But due to Richard's stay at Mennengers in Kansas - to treat his addiction to quaaludes - the album was scrapped and was never released. Carpenters' recording of "Dancing In The Street" was fully pop while Karen's solo recording of "Jimmy Mack" contained underlying hints of R&B in both the music and Karen's vocal performance.

"Jimmy Mack"

Jimmy Mack (Lyrics)

Jimmy Mack Jimmy,
Oh Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back.
Jimmy Mack Jimmy,
Oh Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back.

My arms are missing you,
My lips feel the same way too.
I tried so hard to be true, like I promised to do.
But this boy keeps comin' around,
tryin' to wear my resistance down.

Hey Jimmy, Jimmy,
Oh Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back.
Jimmy, Jimmy, Oh Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back.

He calls me on the phone about three times a day.
Now my heart's just listening to, what he has to say
But this loneliness I have within,
Keeps reaching out to be his friend

Hey Jimmy, Jimmy,
Oh Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back.
Jimmy, Jimmy, Oh Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back.
Need your loving, need your loving.

I wanna say I'm not getting any stronger,
I can't hold out very much longer
Trying hard, to be true,
But, Jimmy he talks just as sweet as you.

Hey Jimmy, Jimmy,
Oh Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back.
Jimmy, Jimmy, Oh Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back.

I wanna say I'm not getting any stronger,
I can't hold out very much longer...

Lyrics written by Eddie Holland (and Lamont Dozier)


If you have not yet purchased Karen's solo album it is well worth it... here's a link to purchase it at amazon. com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B008E00706/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20


Please sign the petition to get Karen's unreleased songs completed and released: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/urge-richard-carpenter-to-complete-and-release

JIMMY MACK

Karen Carpenter: The Unreleased Solo Songs - Truly You

"Truly You"

“Truly You” was written by Russell Javors but has remained unreleased to this day.

Karen was obviously impressed with Russell's talent as a musician, arranger, producer and songwriter as she chose four of his songs to record. "Room At The Top" is one of the four, though it's unsure whether or not she recorded it. She also recorded Javors' songs "All Because of You" and "Still In Love With You," both of which made it on to the album. Javors spent more time in the studio than the other Billy Joel band members. He took the time to help Karen learn her vocal parts on the songs he wrote as well as shaping the musical parts of those songs.

"Truly You"

Truly You (Lyrics)

Love when I'm feeling like this
You make me feel alive
You get that look in your eyes every time
And if you find a better way
Have to say that any way you want to play will be alright

Oh it's truly you
Ooh it's truly you
You for me
And it's me for you

Well I was weak and I lost my patience
I put the love on the line
You've got that love on your mind, so do I
It's to the way it seems
I have to say that you're the same
And if you're looking for a fight

Oh it's truly you
Ooh it's truly you
You for me
And it's me for you

If it's too new
Give it time
Yes, it's too soon
Tell the truth
We've got the rest of our lives

Well, I believe that a star will guide us
But there's a star inside
And I've been looking for a light in my life

If you turned and walked away
I'll have to say that if you stay
I'm gonna make it worth your while

Oh it's truly you
Ooh it's truly you
You for me
And it's me for you

Oh it's truly you
Ooh it's truly you
You for me
And it's me for you

Oh it's truly you
Ooh it's truly you
You for me
And it's me for you

Lyrics written by Russell Javors​


If you have not yet purchased Karen's solo album it is well worth it... here's a link to purchase it at amazon. com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B008E00706/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

Karen Carpenter: The Unreleased Solo Songs - It's Really You

"It's Really You"

“It’s Really You” – It’s easy to figure out how this song came to Karen. The song was part of the A&M Records catalog of which Karen had complete access during her solo album sessions.

“It’s Really You” was written by Alan Tarney, Tom Snow and Trevor Spencer and was originally recorded by The Tarney/Spencer Band for their 1976 A&M Records album “Three’s A Crowd.” The song was released as a single by The T/S Band and it was a moderate hit reaching #86 on Billboard’s US Singles chart. This makes one wonder if there were other songs from the same album that Karen may have considered recording.

"It's Really You (Karen Carpenter Solo Unreleased)

It's Really You (Lyrics)

Did you ever have a plan, a dream
And think it would be right for you

For a moment in your life, believe
That Heaven would decide for you

That a feeling deep inside will guide you

To a love you'll treasure it's you and I forever
If you will believe

It's really you, It's really me,
We're all the things we ever wanted to be
The time is right and you're here tonight
So hold my hand and know that you'll understand

If there is something on your mind, a need
And you feel you want to shake it

Let it go let it fall, leave it
You don't have to chase it

'Cos there's a new world all around you that's so good
Darling and it's made for you ther's nothing more you need to do
If you would believe

It's really you, It's really me,
We're all the things we ever wanted to be
The time is right and you're here tonight
So hold my hand and know that you'll understand

Our love, love that I've tasted
Now there is love and I aint gonna waste it
Like I did before
Now I know it's really you it's me

It's really you it's me

It's really you it's me

It's really you
Ah you

Lyrics written by Alan Tarney

KAREN CARPENTER

Karen Carpenter: The Unreleased Solo Songs - Love Makin' Love To You

"Love Makin' Love To You"

“Love Makin’ Love To You” is another Evie Sands song. Obviously Karen had a liking for Evie. Evie co-wrote this song for her 1974 album “Estate of Mind” with Ben Weissman and Richard Germinaro. The song is originally titled “I Love Making Love To You,” Karen changed the title slightly. Evie released the song as a single in 1975 and reached #50 on the US Billboard Top 200 singles chart. Evie’s version is a slower (somewhat) funk and blues sound with a muttled vocal and musical arrangement. It sounds more like a demo than a finished recording. Karen took the song and changed the tempo a bit and added more instruments for a fuller sound including some high stepping horns really giving the song a dark and sultry New York City sound.

Evie Sands had been part of the A&M Records roster from 1968 through 1970. she recorded two singles for the label in 1969 and then recorded her one A&M album "Anyway That You Want Me" at the same time as Carpenters were recording their "Close To You" album. Evie and Karen had many opportunities to meet each other. Karen became a big fan of Evie's music and sound at this time. I feel that early on Karen had this yearning to be a different sort of singer and/or record a different type of music than what was being presented to her.

Love Makin' Love To You - Lyrics

Feel so fine every time

Oh I love makin' love to you

Anywhere, I don't care

Oh I love makin' love to you

Oh the fire in your eyes

Makes my loving temperature rise

Honey sweet ecstasy

Oh I love what your doin' to me

Give me more like before

Oh I love makin' love to you

Makes me feel life is real

Oh I love making love to you

When your heart touches mine

Starts to feel like a natural rhyme

Such a sweet melody

Oh I love when you sing it to me

And there's the lightening and thunder

Any set of wonders

Party on with what you've got

Keep it up forever

No one does it better

Baby get it while it's hot

Oh, I think I'm in love, gonna lose control

Oh I want you to fill me with your soul

When your heart touches mine

Starts to feel like a natural rhyme

Such a sweet melody

Oh I love when you sing it to me

And there's the lightening and thunder

Any set of wonders

Party on with what you've got

Why'd you keep it up forever

No one does it better

Baby get it while it's hot

Lyrics written by Evie Sands

Please sign the petition to get Karen's unreleased songs completed and released (Click Here)

LOVE MAKIN' LOVE TO YOU

Karen Carpenter: The Unreleased Solo Songs - Midnight (Never Lets You Down)

"Midnight (Never Lets You Down)"

“Midnight (Never Lets You Down)” written by Rod Temperton specifically for Karen Carpenter while he was staying in Phil Ramone’s guest house during the time of the recording and production of Karen’s solo album. At this same time Karen was living in Phil main house therefore Rod and Karen were seeing each other on a daily basis. Rod came to know Karen very well and was able to write songs for her that fit her personality and mood at that specific time in her life. “Midnight” reflects the smokey and dark jazz side of Karen’s voice and musical interests.

It's hard to pinpoint the musicians that worked on this song but my guess would be that Rod composed both the musical and vocal arrangements for the song as arrangements were one of his specialties plus he did do the arrangements for the other two songs he wrote; "Lovelines" and "If We Try."

"Midnight (Never Lets You Down)"

Midnight (Never Lets You Down) Lyrics

Used to spend my evenings
Waiting for the sun in the morning
Frightened by the dark
I would always leave lights on to sleep
But darling, I've left all that behind
And nowadays I find

That midnight on
It's a magic moment everyday
When you hold me in that special way
And midnight always comes around
Telling me that I don't need to be blue
Lovin' you

Just a simple girl
But I always seat the world on my shoulder
Life and all its worries
Come tumblin' down on me
From above
But baby
When evening starts to fall
I forget them all

Cause midnight never lets you down
There's a magic moment everyday
When you hold me in that special way
And when midnight always comes around
Telling me that I don't need to be blue
Lovin' you

Hold me warm inside your love
Don't ever let me go
Cause we can ride a dream until tomorrow
And drift upon a star into the sky, tonight

Darlin' I've left all that behind
And nowadays I find

That midnight on
It's a magic moment everyday
When you hold me in that special way
And midnight always comes around
Telling me that I don't need to be blue
Lovin' you

Cause midnight never lets you down
There's a magic moment everyday
When you hold me in that special way
And when midnight always comes around
Telling me that I don't need to be blue
Lovin' you


Lyrics written by Rod Temperton

Karen Carpenter: The Unreleased Solo Songs - Keep My Lovelight Burning (1980)

"Keep My Lovelight Burning"

“Keep My Lovelight Burnin’” was written by Evie Sands and Ben Weissman and is included on Evie’s 1979 album “Suspended Animation.” Evie released the song as a single but failed to chart with it. Sands did an all-out disco recording of the song while Karen Carpenter took the song and added heavy electric guitar and a funk styled bass line turning it into a scorching rocker similar to Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff.” 

"Keep My Lovelight Burning"

"Keep My Lovelight Burning" (2015 Remix)

Keep My Lovelight Burnin' Lyrics

Every night’s the same

Come home feelin’ down

After you’ve been out 

Chasin’ all over town

Do you think that I’ll sit around while you play

If you don’t feed the fire there ain’t no flame

Party lights, empty nights won’t keep my lovelight burin’

I need your body heat next to me

To keep my lovelight burin’

You’ve got to keep my lovelight burnin’ yeah

Used to be we’re out makin’ love in the rain

Come on to me like a hurricane

Now it seems our love isn’t getting’ enough

Baby it much to weak to fill my cup

Party lights, empty nights won’t keep my lovelight burin’

I need your body heat next to me

To keep my lovelight burin’

Party lights, empty nights won’t keep my lovelight burin’

I need your body heat next to me

To keep my lovelight burin’ yeah

keep my lovelight burnin’ yeah

You’ve got to keep my lovelight burnin’

Party lights, empty nights won’t keep my lovelight burin’

I need your body heat next to me

To keep my lovelight burin’ yeah

You’ve got to keep my lovelight burnin’

You’ve got to keep my lovelight burnin’

Lyrics written by Evie Sands 

Karen Carpenter Photos

Please enjoy these photos of the one and only 

Miss Karen Carpenter...

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We Love You Karen Carpenter!

Karen Carpenter - Keep My Lovelight Burning (2015 Daybeat Remix)

Karen Carpenter loved her solo album tremendously. I have made it my mission to bring her solo works to the forefront and develop a strong following for the work she loved and of which she was very proud.

Last week I contacted David Hornos Esteve, a talented remixer about cleaning up and remixing the song "Keep My Lovelight Burning" (one of Karen's unreleased solo songs). David accepted the challenge immediately and in a matter of two days he produced a professional (and outstanding) remix of a favorite Karen Carpenter tune. Thank you David for giving us a new and fresh perspective on this song.

After the remix was completed I went to work on Monday March 2, 2015 (Karen's 65th birthday) and created a video for the song. I spent 8 hours over a span of 14 hours to make the video. I started at 7 am and finished a 9 pm. I used a total of 95 photos for the video which contains 1194 frames to create the motion which stays in tune with the beat of the song.

Please subscribe to my channel on youtube to keep up with the new mixes and videos that will be coming through the year.

You can follow this conversation on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/321040037161/permalink/10153131835917162/

It is now with great pleasure I bring to you "Keep My Lovelight Burning (Daybeat Remix 2015) Unreleased"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeajjyNUWFM&feature=youtu.be

 Karen Carpenter Solo - Keep My Lovelight Burning 

(2015 Daybeat Remix)

In an effort to make this video go viral I ask that you share this video in as many places as possible throughout the internet... your facebook page, forum, blog, website, etc.

Enjoy from Rick Henry!!!

The Carpenters Online Interviews Expanded Edition

 My dear friends my new book "The Carpenters Online Interviews Expanded Edition" is now in complete release. It is available in both paperback and Kindle e-book formats

Click Here to see The Carpenters Online Interviews 

Expanded Edition (Paperback)

This is the link to the Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00SYQIGSK/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

The paperback is a bit pricey, though it is a beautifully designed book and it would be all yours in your own hands.


The Carpenters Online is a book of interviews I conducted primarily between 2004 through 2008 with songwriters, musicians, authors, etc that have been in one way or another connected with Carpenters or Karen Carpenter. The expanded edition includes updated interviews with many of these same people as well as newly done interviews with more songwriters, musicians and engineers.

Some of the best new stuff in the book includes an updated interview with Russel Javors, who wrote a few songs on Karen's solo album and was also a musician and arranger on her album. He shared some great insights on Karen and her album as well as sharing a quite truthful insight about the shelving and viewpoint of her album. Russell Javors shares a great never before seen photo of Karen. There's an all new interview with Glenn Berger, an engineer who worked on Karen's albums, he admits he's never been a fan of Carpenters music but was amazed by Karen's voice while working on the album. One of the co-writers of the song "Prime Time Love", Danny Ironstone​ gave a great and very in-depth interview about this song that until now we knew very little about. Finally, I got an interview with Terry Draper, a founder of the band Klaatu and one of the songwriters of the song "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft," he gives us a never before known fact as to how the song actually made it's way to Carpenters.

Karen Carpenter (solo) Guess I Just Lost My Head

The following are the Worldwide links to the book:

US paperback book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/150777267X/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

US Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00SYQIGSK/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B00SYQIGSK

India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00SYQIGSK

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SYQIGSK

UK: Paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpenters-Online-Interviews-Expanded/dp/150777267X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422686251&sr=1-2

Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00SYQIGSK

German Paperback: http://www.amazon.de/Carpenters-Online-Interviews-Expanded/dp/150777267X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books-intl-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1422686180&sr=1-2

Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00SYQIGSK

Hope you enjoy the book!!!

Photographs from the Carpenters album "Ticket To Ride"

Carpenters - Ticket To Ride: CLICK HERE for more info

"Offering" by Carpenters was released on A&M Records on October 9, 1969. This was the beginning of a new era of sophisticated pop music. With their debut album Carpenters did not leave much of a mark as the album failed to chart anywhere in the world, initially that is. “Offering” was a gem of innovation, which was largely overlooked by the music buying public. The album was, however, repackaged and rereleased as "Ticket To Ride" in 1971 after the huge successes of the singles "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun." Jim McCrary did the fantastic photography work for this album also. This time around Karen and Richard looked more confident as the rising stars they had become. The new album cover was shot in Lake Tahoe.  

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However the album "Offering" showcased a variety of styles and genres that Carpenters had honed over the past three or four years including jazz riffs, folk rock tunes, bubblegum pop and of course the almighty ballad. Some of the songs such as "Your Wonderful Parade" and "All I Can Do" dated all the way back to their days as the band Spectrum in 1967.

--> The album’s standout track is Carpenters’ retooling of the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride.”  The song helped to create a buzz in the entertainment industry.  Industry insiders began to take note of the female drummer who sang like an angel.
The photography for the album was done by A&M staff photographer Jim McCrary. McCrary also shot the photos for the repackaged "Ticket To Ride" album as well as the photos included in the album "A Song For You" and he did the famed "Now & Then" album cover. McCrary is best known for his photography work on Carole King's "Tapestry" album. He also shot album covers and photos for Michael Jackson, Cat Stevens, Flying Burrito Brothers, Peaches and Herb, Billy Preston, Cheech & Chong and others.

Sadly Jim McCrary passed away on April 29, 2012 at the age of 72.

The following photos were contributed by Irene Economou a longtime fan of Carpenters and member of the facebook group Karen Carpenter Avenue!
Thank you for the photos Irene!