Carpenters "Nowhere Man"

[skystarless]

I really love this arrangement; I think the melody is much prettier at this slower tempo and Karen delivers it sincerely as always. I feel the same way about their version of Ticket to Ride. But then again, I got into the Carpenters way before I really listened to the Beatles, so maybe I'm a little biased. :)

[BilJacobson]

the original is much better

[ricocchet]

WOW what a rare gem, thanks for uploading :)

[beatlestoneful]

i use to listen to pink floyd,zepp,areosmith,but secretly on the side i loved the carpenters...Karens voice was like pure gold..rainydays and mondays and so many others. the carpenters should have their rightful place in music history.

[TomHelmar66]

@beatlestoneful wow! just like the movie Tommy Boy, me too, I was a closet Carpenters and ABBA fan, back in the day if I was listening to the aforementioned and someone knocked on the door, off came the Carpenters or ABBA record and on went Black Sabbath or Zep... happy to say I'm out of the closet now...

[cheechnig]

screw advertisements!

[WRsweetness]

well, i wasnt feelin a thumbs up, id give it a thumds up, but i dont call my weiner a thumb. sooo, one firm ass weiners UP from this guy.

sincerly kyle keeler

[ChipsAplentyBand]

I'm in exactly the same boat as Herb Alpert…having heard Karen sing in the studio one day he wiped away a tear and told her: "You got to me again." She ALWAYS gets to me, every single time.

[parachuteboi]

omg this is a real gem.

[MrLinoventura]

j'aime beaucoup ....Karen chante bien ....avec beaucoup d'ame .

[Pakorro68]

I still miss you Karen.

[mayakane]

Not a bad version at all.

[bazmitch]

As John Lennon famously said to Karen

"I just want to tell you, love, that I think you've got a fabulous voice"

[cornwallthedragon]

Sounds similar to the version done by Randy Travis on America Salutes The Beatles.

[MegaSmud]

This is the best cover version of that song.

[monicapo2k6]

¡Qué pérdida con Karen...!.

Una voz maravillosa y una baterista fenomenal.

Esté donde esté, siempre la tendremos presente.

[crowley24]

Brian and i did not give them permission to cover this song exclusively

[MrBuc128]

I think they might be on the pot

[MARIELAPEREZ112010]

ME FASCINA CARPENTERS PERO LA MEJOR VERSION DE ESTA CANCION ES LA DE NATALIE MERCHANT....

[sandwichmn1]

Karen was awesome.....Such a velvet voice......I miss her

[diator]

That was a rare treat, thanks a lot. Great cover, love it when Karen sings in a deeper voice, it carries so much more emotion.

[justinjameswest]

Howard Banister. thank you again for these rare gifts. thank you.

[improvguru]

She's freakin' 17, people! 17! Nobody sounds that good or mature at her age.

[BigRockMusicFan]

Oh my god!!!! The Carpenters!!!!!!

[robertrobin10]

another great beatles song ruined by the carpenters!!

[TopTenCrew]

Beatles version is so much better.

[roscoegino]

No telling what KC would've done with this if her and her brother remade it a few years later when her voice peaked

[Afranta]

HAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAA FAIL

[justinjameswest]

nice. perfect. original. clean. Karen's voice can be always the best version.

[germino777]

i dont hate it but it sounds really good

[Tammicat21]

I love Karen Carpenter but this stinks..pu

[cybercop112]

damn what a terrible version of this classic beatles song what the fuck are they thinking they are just ruining good beatles song i dont know y they became famous

[greenwich1754]

@cybercop112 Why does everyone consider this as "ruining" a classic Beatles song? The original is still there (and much more known/played)! Richard & Karen were both big Beatles fans, and like countless others, were inspired into the music world by them. Richard has said he never would, or could "copy" the Beatles, so he put his own stamp on it. At least it's very classy, not like a Lady Agag, or some modern tripe...and if you can't appreciate Karen's vocals, then I don't know what to say.

[haematube]

For those people saying the Carpenters ruined the Beatles, John Lennon personally told Karen he loved her voice!

[TopTenCrew]

@haematube

He also said he loved the song why dont we do it in the road =/

[No1KCfan6]

just when i thought i'd found every beautiful carpenters' song! I can't believe that voice is coming out of a 17-year-old girl! incredible

[BillyDaMountain]

I am perplexed by the haters...this is beautiful. The turnaround before the second verse is freakin' brilliant. John and Paul were pioneers when it came to using a 'C' chord in the key of 'E' in pop music, and Richard's lush arrangement pays homage to that. I love the cinematic feel, too.  And Karen, well...even as a teenager she had a wonderful voice...just enchanting.

[Coelacanth1938]

She and her brother had a "safe house" in my neighborhood when I was a kid. They went there to get away from all the craziness of Hollywood. I remember that she was fond of cats and she always left food out for the strays. She must've adopted at least half a dozen.

[JP5466]

@Coelacanth1938 What neightborhood was that? She had several dogs while living at Newville Ave, but I don't think she ever had cats.

[Coelacanth1938]

@JP5466 That was one street east from Massachusetts street in Long Beach, California. Nearest cross street was Roswell.

[JP5466]

@Coelacanth1938 I've followed the Carpenters very closely for many years and I don't remember ever reading/hearing about a "safe house" in Long Beach. I am very interested in hearing more about this house and your experiences/interactions with Karen during this time. Please send me a PM.

For short time Richard and Karen lived together in their own Downey house (away from their parents) just about 1.5 miles from the Newville Ave house. Karen also purchased a condo in Century City in 1976.

[Coelacanth1938]

@JP5466 I think the neighborhood became aware of them in 1970? My family moved away in 1974. She lived on E. Colorado between Roswell & Termino on the west side of the street. I "think" it was 4046 E Colorado. Both Carpenters were just nice folk, limited to saying hello and goodbye. Sometimes we did hear piano music and singing in the afternoon. But back then, you didn't bother people much like they do today. That's all I have for you.

[jeffohnj]

Gorgeous.

[Berenueve]

is amazing how many songs the carpenters cover from the beatles, THEY REALLY LOVE THEM!!!!!!!

[mmorpgman101]

FUCKING RUINED THE BEATLES

[Stepper11]

Love the Carpenters. Karen was a gift and we were blessed to have her as long as we did.

[sk8terafl]

i like it but the beatles was a little bit better

[improvguru]

17 and already an accomplished drummer. And that voice! The most important female artist of her generation: it's too bad that she never recognized her greatness. She didn't want the spotlight so kept trying to deflect it onto Richard.

[Bobalithmiss1]

I have respect for the Carpenters but seriously... this is a crappy cover

[robinbrl]

I love this. Another great job by Karen.

[musicdream822]

WoW--Karen is even better than I remember!!

[improvguru]

This is quite gorgeous. Karen! Wow! If she were starting out today, the world would be dumbfounded at her voice and drumming skills

[modelquinn]

So again you might have your opinion if you do not agree but its the opinion of an

untrained musician. Karen has Perfect tone, incredible intonation, perfect vibrato, amazing use of dynamics. Her tone is truly whats sets her apart from ALL others in the World!

The BEST female vocalist EVER is none other than

Karen Carpenter

[modelquinn]

For Everyone Who debates Karen Carpenter as being the Best or Not. May I ask what your credential are? The ONLY true validity should to the Highest authority of Music judges. To That you Must look to the most authoritative institution in the WORLD for the Answer. It is Julliard.

This is what was asked to a prestigious group of the BEST music talent.

Who Is The Very BEST female vocalist EVER?

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM ANSWERED.........

Karen Carpenter

.

[caldragon7]

I was like sooo in love with Karen. That voice and what a beautiful woman!

[monkeyman66ify]

beatles are way better by far

[popomaniac1]

@monkeyman66ify wtf dude

so someone cant make a remake?

[sometimesoonfan]

Karen, in my opinion, is one of the best female vocalists to grace this planet. But i am not gonna lie, this cover ain't happenin.

[CarpentersFanForLife]

WOW,,,, LOVELOVELOVE

RestInPeace Karen <3

[VolcomThe1337]

Beatles did it better. Period.

[M0r3Lik3HERthanME]

Her voice is so pretty! Im almost 17 and my voice is No where like this, I still have this squeeky middle school sounding voice lol. She sure had talent!

[eowyn1964]

Ohhh.....what a mature voice for a teenage girl. I was blessed to be a teenage girl back then, too, and got to spend my HS years listening to the C's.

[lemons999999999]

horrible

[benhotahot]

I"am beatlesfan no.1. But this is not horrible, it is just an other song. When she sings, it gets something wonderful beautiful sadness in it. Like how she sings Ticket to ride. You Lemon don't be so sour. The beatles were positive alsoo

[demyxgurl]

Shes good.

But come on

The Beatles did a better job.

[Blues353]

Karen, the best female vocalist of the 70's by far. We all miss ya babe.

[faithcesari]

Karen was one of a kind i dont think we will ever hear such a beautiful haunting velvet voice such as hers

[NSBUD420]

i dont like it

[faithcesari]

The carpenters version made the song more meaningful,That voice so haunting,like velvet

[gerardocarloselloco]

after the time i´M still in love whit their music and her voice..she lives in our hearts.

[reymansd]

Wow it just breaks your heart how amazing her voice was -- I think she was still in her teens when this was recorded...

[motobmwr756]

I was gonna leave a smart-ass comment. It is sad what happened to Karen Carpenter so I won't.

[R0bbiam]

her take_awesome, as usual.

[dburr13]

What i heard was a very different version of one of the best songs Tbe Beatles ever recorded....The Beatles captured the irony of the song perfectly...But The Carpenters version brought out the sad inner heart of the song.

A great song can be performed in many different ways to provide many different results...It only adds to the value of a song to hear what other minds can add to it.

[afterraincomessun]

i have all carpenters numbers

just sold my elpees never knew of this song

!

[LuneKeltkar]

Always the voice,

She wasted herself for something that we never saw. Always the voice came to our minds and hearts, and we never saw the fat that she tried to carve from her body. Whenever I hear Karen Carpenter, that's it exactly. I hear Karen Carpenter.

Lune

[TomEd1171]

fat bitch.

[afterraincomessun]

get lost

[TheSanturi]

Well, you're entitled to your opinions(as wrong as they may be) ! Again, as stated before, karen carpenter had a beautiful voice but to say the beatles were not the best singers or musicians is simply "ignorant' ! They were only the best band that has ever existed, thats all !

[afterraincomessun]

nothing ever heard like HER

[HabeasCorpus2]

The Beatles were not the best singers nor the best musicians in the world, but they were definitely the best songwriters ever.

I think "Nowhere Man" is one of the most beaultiful songs ever, but i particularly don`t like the Beatles` arrangement, probably the reason why it`s so underrated.

The Carpenters` version shows us the beaulty of this song better.

[HergleBergle4]

No harmonies? Really?

[TheSanturi]

1 last observation, how can anyone say that none of the Beatles can sing nearly as well as karen carpenter ?? Are u kidding me ?? That, my friend, is a matter of preference. What u may think sounds nice, I may not......

[orangequartermusic]

NO SHIT! I agree!!!!! This guy has to be kidding. 1st of all....who wrote this song? It wasn't Karen Carpenter. John Lennon My friend, The Carpenters are followers. The Beatles were leaders. No one can outshine the Beatles.

[TheSanturi]

As beautiful as karen carpenters' voice was, im sorry, but the Beatles will always be the best band that has ever existed ! And like skullyboy said, this is/was a Beatles song ! The original will always be favored !!! Long live the Beatles ! By the way, I grew up in Downey, Ca. (the carpenters' hometown)........

[mcasidis]

danieldoscher: None of The Beatles could sing nearly as well as Karen, and their arrangements didn't come close to the sophistication of Richard's; even admitting that The Beatles had considerable talent, there's just no comparison. This version is simply exquisite.

[ScullyboyDX]

now dont be going down on the fabs , remember , this is their song , so the original will always be favored. But yes this is a great rendition. love the carpenters.

[wandererintime]

This song is so beautifully sung bij Karen.

I love her voice.

I like this version better than the one by The Beatles! (sorry John, sorry Paul)

There's a guy I know who really IS a nowhere man. Wish I could make him hear this song...

[TheBeatlesShop]

A classic song written by John Lennon in 1965.

[jzoom45]

who is original author of this song? the beatles?

[sunriseRISE]

john lennon wrote the good ones

[ostinatus]

I don't think they ever released this song.

To me, it sounds like a demo.

What my trained ears can say, this is a guide vocal track

that she did for the musician, and they probably decided

to skip the song later on.

But it's good to hear this non polished take of Karen

[roboeclipse]

That last elongated "Nobody" always gives me chills down my spine everytime....pure perfection! No one will ever match Karen...ever!

[soulshinz]

even in her later years..young as it was...she held an unmatched purity in her voice. a great loss

[Supernap1]

we did our version too..check it out!!!

[kboyzrock]

Well even then at this young age you could hear the natural talent in her voice, which did change later to a more richer tone as she matured to one of the best female voices in pop music.

[eclecticfire73]

i must admit that song was atiny bit creepy..like Eve. Sometimes she can sound like a ghost.

[PatOShea]

Karen Carpenter gives me the creeps, I'm sorry.

[eclecticfire73]

why tho?

[Dreed122]

She sung it nice but they covered lots of Beatles songs.

[roscoegino]

Lennon stopped in his tracks and told her she had a marvelous voice but as he walked away she asked "Do you think he really means it?"

[Dreed122]

He did.

[faithcesari]

Her voice here is so haunting yet so clear and pure.I think this is the best song she ever sang even better than for all we know.

[georgebur]

Faith I think that here we have the young singing student so you have a formality in the sound that gradually disappeared as she immersed herself in the world of popular entertainment. I too like the robustness of the natural voice, far preferable to all that double tracking that they used to bolster the thinner voice. A nice contrast with the breezier Beatles original! Hugs!

[TheBeatlesfan1991]

you know the beatles harminized everything with John taking the bass notes george taking the mid section n paul taking the higher section there was no double tracking on that songs at all

[georgebur]

Note however that this would have depended on who was on the melody line. I am pretty sure that George was on highest part too and that would make sense if Paul on melody.

[TheBeatlesfan1991]

your prob right george and paul would normally sing harmony together, and rarly would john sing with george i think

[TimCarrie]

@TheBeatlesfan1991

Yes, there was double tracking on this song.

[6t9dom6t9]

can i ask do the carpenterss take the songs from the beatles or the other way

[LoveHowardBanister]

Yes, they copied the Beatles, Karen and Richard were both Beatles fans

[faithcesari]

i think i love more the voice of the younger karen.i think it is one of the best song she has ever sang.

[kboyzrock]

I still can't get over at how mature and rich her voice was at that age, truly one of a kind in this day and age. Fantastic rare photos too I've never seen before! Thanks for sharing this.

[roscoegino]

Thanks Judy. You rock. And she was just seventeen? (no Beatles pun intended) LOL. But yeah, such a mature voice. Perhaps the sweetest alto of all-time.

[steveatl40]

This is Karen from around 1968 - her very early, young deep voice - which pretty much faded by 1973 to her signature sound. By 1976 her voice became more whispy and "thinner", for lack of better words.

I love how the very young Karen sounds. Richard pulled this off an old recording and re-orchestrated/mixed all the instrumentation around the vocal lead. There are no backup vocals.

[roscoegino]

There's certainly a difference betwn young and older KC. But I think it was her just expanding her skill set. On some later songs she sounds like she did on this.

[steveatl40]

I have listened to every track by the Carpenters countless times and the best she ever sounded post '75 is Leave Yesterday Behind and LIttle Girl Blue in 78. However, her later sound is scratchier. She doesn't even sound like Karen in the 76 TV special, for example. By the time she sings "Now" you can hear the wear on that crystal clear voice she had in her healthier early 20s.

[faithcesari]

I think that cyrstal clear voice didnt exactly disappear.Her voice came with her age.Even with women our voices also changes.The talent was still there and Karen was trying to do a bit of a change in her sounding.

[eclecticfire73]

Yes..even on Now, as much as richard beefed the sound with overdubs and instruments to make it sound "fuller" as tho to compensate as her voice sounds thinner/tired..this song reminds you how vibrant and youthful it once sounded. After Post 75 it wasnt the same.. Probably singing whilst starving would affect the vocl chords/lung capacity etc, afterall, singings a physical task...how torturous...the poor love.

[steveatl40]

Absolutely agree with you. Richard said she lost this "voice" around 1972. Her early sound was very unique.

[kro0089]

so beautiful! thanks for posting

[henrygloria]

im an avid fan of karen carpenters actually i make a revival cd most of her song i revive it

[OceanKingNY]

They also did a slow version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" around the same time as this recording, but it hasn't been released (yet).

[LoveHowardBanister]

Oh wow, I'll have to request for Richard to release that, it's my fav Beatles song.

[fanofewan]

whenever the carpenters copy the beatles song they always make it so depressing!

[MelvM]

Fanofewan, check out the Caprenters covers of "Help!" and "Can't Buy Me Love". LoveHowardBanister has kindly uploaded videos for both, neither are depressing!

[LoveHowardBanister]

Thanks so much!!

[Sandmello80]

Try listening to it when you are sad. Its soothing!

[LoveHowardBanister]

Yes, it's soothing whether you're sad or no.

[no1cfielder]

Unfortunately, the entire video jumps up and down as it plays.

[LoveHowardBanister]

It's supposed to. I wanted it to look kind of like an old-time film.

[Gwenster11]

i can't stop listening to this!

i love their version better than the beatles, their sound was always perfected.

thanks for posting

[LoveHowardBanister]

You're welcome!

[drbcook]

This grips my heart,the Beatles would be proud of Karen ,for singing with this feeling.

[Gwenster11]

how'd you find this song?

[LoveHowardBanister]

It's on the As Time Goes By cd.

[sisterlead02]

Her voice here is really matured,,,Great!

[groovyray]

Just purchased the carpenters as time goes by cd.Thanks for that.Lovely rare carpenters gems on that i tell ya.

[CMCHRYSLERVALIANT]

This is one Carpenters song I have never heard before, she sounds wonderfull.

[BeatlesSuperstars]

ahhhhhh lalala ahhhhhh lalala ahhhhh ahhh la la la la la, it is my favorite beatles's song!!!!!! in rubber soul, also i love that version thank u girl!!

[LoveHowardBanister]

You're welcome!

[calnybspa]

Amazing how Karen could already sing when she was only 17. She sounds so matured and soothing.

[LoveHowardBanister]

I know! I was so impressed.

[Gwenster11]

hey where did you get this song from? wasn't it a demo? how'd you get it? lol

[LoveHowardBanister]

It's available on the CD As Time Goes By.

[BestKacFan]

So moving. Karen really could sing it all. She is so young when she sings this Beatles hit. Thanks you Judy for posting. You are amazing.

All my love,

Robs

[karencarpenterfan]

Yeah, this is my personal fave from the "As Time Goes By" album (with the exception of "And When He Smiles").

[Solitaire001]

Thanks for posting. This is one of my

favorite songs from the album

"As Time Goes By" and a very nicely

done video.

[LoveHowardBanister]

Thanks very much.