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Title: Carpenters - Now (Karen Carpenter's LAST recording)
Added: Jan 8, 2010
Author: NedNickerson2010
Duration: 4:36
Description:
In June 1981, Karen and Richard released "Made In America" and made a world tour to promote the album with appearances in Brazil and Germany. In November of that year, she and Richard returned home to California. Karen and her husband Tom Burris formally separated that same month. Shortly after Christmas, Karen moved to New York to begin treatment for her anorexia. She sought treatment with psychotherapist Steven Levenkron who was noted for his research into anorexia nervosa and self injury. In April 1982, she took a two-week vacation from her treatment and returned home to California. She and Richard returned to the studio and recorded several songs, including this song, "Now.". At the time of this recording, Karen was heavily anorexic. Richard says she had lost even more weight since the last time he had seen her the year before. Karen returned to New York and stayed there until November 1982. During a two-month stay in a hospital, she was fed intravenously and gained 30 pounds. She returned home for Thanksgiving that year. Although she felt that she was cured, Richard says she just didn't look well and he told her so. The additional weight of 30 pounds added back suddenly on a body that had been underweight for so many years further strained her weakened heart, and she died of heart failure on the morning of February 4, 1983. She was just 32 years old, a month shy of her 33rd birthday. Following Karen's death, Richard returned to the studio and worked on his and Karen's last recordings, including two of the songs she recorded in 1982 as well as other songs from previous recording sessions over the years before. The album, "Voice of the Heart" was released in October 1983, eight months after Karen's death."Now" was a work lead, recorded in one take, and was intended to familiarize the musicians with the song as well as Richard's arrangement of it. After a complete music track had been recorded, Karen would have then returned to the studio and recorded new vocals for the song. But as it was, the work lead turned out to be the last song Karen ever recorded. There's an old legend about the swan's song - how the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) which is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, is said to sing one beautiful song. Over the years, listeners have commented on the lyrics of the song and knowing what we know now, wonder if perhaps Karen had had a premonition of what was to come. Indeed, "Now" can be said to have been Karen's "swan song."NowNow, Now when it rains, I don't feel cold.Now that I have your hand to hold,The winds might blow through me but I don't care.There's no harm in thunder if you are there.And now, now when we touch, my feelings fly.Now when I'm smiling, I know why.You light up my world like the morning sun.You're so deep within me, we're almost one.And now all the fears that I had start to fade.I was always afraid love might forget me, love might let me down.Then look who I found.The winds might blow through me but I don't care.There's no harm in thunder if you are there.And now, now, now when I wake, there's someone home.I'll never face the nights alone.You gave me the courage I need to win, to open my heart and to let you in.And I never really knew how, until now, Until now.No, I never really knew how,until now
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Videos related to 'Carpenters - Now (Karen Carpenter's LAST recording)'
Channel: Music
Tags: carpenters karen carpenter richard now final last recording
carpenters karen carpenter richard now final last recording
Youtube Comments: 363
tenchgirl Says:
Mar 5, 2012 - gets you right in the throat doesn't it.
Laryguy01 Says:
Mar 5, 2012 - Such a beautiful voice.
ndolder93 Says:
Mar 6, 2012 - her voice is just spine tingling, what a waste of a beautiful soul
dltkta Says:
Mar 7, 2012 - lovely, just lovely. Thats all I can say to describe this song.
sefjoseph1 Says:
Mar 8, 2012 - Life is short, so don't waste it in the harshness of filtered light trying to rescue those still in dark cocoons in the shade. They will steal your energy and destroy life. ~sAm bottA from Livefearless.
HausOfAdriiann Says:
Mar 8, 2012 - cant believe she sang this at such a shocking weight.one would think it would take so much energy..so beautiful and such an angelic voice<3
coquihalla1 Says:
Mar 10, 2012 - This was America at it's finest hour. People no matter their peculiarities and human foyables produced. Like others here have suggested...can you imagine the effort it took Karen Carpenter to just stand up, let alone sing? Today no one gives two shits about quality or the effort they put into making something that others are supposed to buy. It'll be interesting to see if Lady Gaga's albums are flying off the shelf long after her demise. Somehow I doubt it.
RCori Says:
Mar 14, 2012 - Such a loss. A little more trivia: Tony Peluso's fuzz guitar solo riff on "Goodbye to Love", a strange place for a solo, is widely recognized as one of the great guitar solos of all time. This was one of the first, if not the first, love ballads to have a fuzz guitar solo.
drobles394 Says:
Mar 30, 2012 - rip Karen. <3
cnjgnd Says:
Mar 31, 2012 - I contacted Richard Carpenter. He was the "backbone" in this wonderful experience. Karen never recorded on CD but her voice is that of an angel. What a loss for all of us. This is my favorite song she ever recorded. I worship her!!
dltkta Says:
Apr 2, 2012 - Just a beautiful video. Karen sings this song just like an angel might sing it. Such a sad ending for a beautiful women. This song is just simply stunning.
gussiegander Says:
Apr 15, 2012 - i might sue youtube. i cannot find the love button!!
Trevor Lambert Says:
Apr 18, 2012 - All I can say is that I love this song and Karen's performance so much, that I have requested that it be played at my funeral service. Hopefully, not for a few years yet though. Bless you Karen...see you later! TBL1943
muddyduck64 Says:
Apr 19, 2012 - { silence and a tear }
hotflash46 Says:
Apr 29, 2012 - PERDIO LA SALUD, PERO LA VOZ HASTA SU ULTIMA CANCION IMPECABLE.
MrJohninphx Says:
Apr 30, 2012 - Ned I applaud all of your Carpenters videos on Youtube for being of top quality and magnificent stereo sound, but also because you take the time and dedication to share the history of these songs with new Carpenters fans, filling in the timeline and fleshing out Karen and Richards hard work and dedication in the studio. I'm a staunce fan from 1970 and have followed everything 'C's' from day one but your liner notes always share something new. Thank you my friend...John in Tucson Arizona
bazalmighty Says:
Apr 30, 2012 - Karen is just angelic. I always loved her and I always will :)
drobles394 Says:
May 1, 2012 - love this song. so heartfelt! <3
ahfaxthis Says:
May 12, 2012 - agree :( BUT on the BRIGHT SIDE - she's still here in voice and images for us to enjoy forever. Afterall, she is now ANGEL KAREN CARPENTER . Much appreciation to Richard for sharing his little sister's voice with the WORLD ! Hugs to Richard ! I miss your new music never sung Karen.
Flower Power Says:
May 13, 2012 - There is nobody like Karen Carpenter!!!! One of the best songs she ever sung, love you Karen!!
bazalmighty Says:
May 22, 2012 - One of my favourite recordings of hers, it's so extra poignant that it's her final recording. If ever there were ever a song I'd love to die to, it would be this one (as well as Yesterday Once More).
LeibBunny Says:
May 22, 2012 - that is absolutely brilliant. you put a huge smile on my face with that one :-)
Sarita Ryan Says:
May 23, 2012 - very sad:( such a talent
hexaflour Says:
May 28, 2012 - Oh wow - what a tribute to Karen -
TheASTRALICO Says:
Mar 5, 2012 - karen beautiful woman!!!!!!