Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters

Karen's sweet voice singing the sweetest Christmas song.

Richard Carpenter composed the music for this song in 1966 when he was 19 years old. Frank Pooler wrote the lyrics twenty years earlier, in 1946, when he also was only 19 years old. The song Pooler had written was to be a Christmas gift for his girlriend, whom he was missing while being away from her during a visit with his parents at Christmas time. Sadly, their relationship ended before he could present it to her.

Twenty years later, Pooler was the choir director at California State University in Long Beach, when both Karen and Richard Carpenter were members of the choir. Richard and Karen were performing locally and had tired of playing the usual Christmas fare. Richard asked Pooler, their favorite professor, if he had any ideas for different songs.

Pooler remembered the Christmas song he had written many years before and mentioned it to Richard, adding that he didn't think much of the melody anymore. Richard said he would try his hand at writing new music for the lyrics. Within about 15 minutes he was finished creating a song, written by two teenagers who were a generation apart, that was destined to become a Christmas classic.

The song was first released as a single (yes, a 45) on November 20,1970, and earned gold record status. This song sparked the idea of a Christmas album by The Carpenters, and on October 13, 1978, "Christmas Portrait" was released with this newly recorded version of the song. Karen re-recorded her vocals for the album version as she felt that she could give the vocals a more mature treatment. This newly recorded version was presented on their TV Christmas special in 1978, as seen here, and became a hit all over again.

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[Jay Engel]

Bless the Carpenters for all the gifts they have given us and continue to give us every time we hear Karen's incredible voice. My thoughts go out to Richard at the loss of his sister as I, too, lost my sister 17 years ago.... This song is such a great gift anytime...Bless you bth,,,,and Frank Pooler too...

[animangafan342]

listening ot this in May!!!!! =D

[Roger Mccloughan]

I am dedicating this to my girlfriend Patty (1970). This was our special song.

[Janie Louis]

Those HARMONIES ! 2:54 GOSHH

[john chakarian]

It may be March 25th 2013 but anytime I can listen to karen sing it feels like Christmas.Karen was a gift like no other before or after.

[Wesley Moore]

I just wanted to take out today to wish you all a very Merry Christmas in March on 274 days from today and holiday season yet to come.

[Shanna Mac]

Such a sweet, heartfelt and beautiful song!!!! Makes me INSTANTLY think of my 1st love! I still miss him 17 yrs later!

[Zeppolino100]

I will also associate this poignant song with Christmas of 1968, for just two months later she passed away from cancer at age 43. We sensed it would be her last with us, so we kept the lights on extra long on the night of January 6. It was this way until 1994, when the wife I still dearly loved called to tell me she was gong to divorce me, a message that came a week before Christmas. And since we had had 15 beautiful Christmas' together, each of the years since I now also think of her.

[arfies]

Sadly, Mr. Pooler has now passed away.

[choosing2lookeast]

This has got to be my favorite Carpenter song of all time. I could listen to it year round. RIP Karen, and RIP Frank Pooler, the song's writer. May God make their memories eternal.