juOnBox Music 10: The Carpenters

The Carpenters is one of the best-selling American pop singers in the 70s, reaching stellar proportions in hits such as Top of the World, Close to You, We’ve Only Just Begun, among others. I was exposed to their music through my father, who’s made The Carpenters part of his staple Sunday listening ensemble. And just this morning, my Rafiki and I caught ourselves bursting into Carpenters hits. Wanna join us?

(They Long to Be) Close to You

Why do birds
Suddenly appear?
Every time you are near
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

Why do stars
Fall down from the sky?
Every time you walk by
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

(*) On the day that you were born
The angels got together and decided
To create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair
Of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

(**) That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

Repeat (*)
Repeat (**)

Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

Woo... Close to you...

Yesterday Once More

When I was young
I'd listened to the radio
Waiting 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-wo-wo
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're starting 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
Looking 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 them
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Repeat (*)
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Repeat (*)

Top of the World

Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream
Everything I want the world to be
Is now coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear
It's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
(*) I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world
Something in the wind has learned my name
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me
There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
Repeat (*) twice

Let Me Be the One

Some sleepless night if you should find yourself alone

(*) Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to
Let me be the one

To set things right
When this whole world’s turned upside down

Repeat (*)

For love and understanding, to find a quiet place
For silent understanding, a loving touch
Come to me when things go wrong
And there’s no love to light the way

Repeat (*)

Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to
Need someone to turn to
Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to
Need someone to turn to
Let me be the one you run to
Let me be the one you come to
When you need someone to turn to


For All We Know

Love, look at the two of us
Strangers in many ways
We've got a lifetime to share
So much to say and as we go on from day to day
I'll feel you close to me
But time alone will tell
Let's take a lifetime to say
I knew you well
For only time will tell us so
And love may grow for all we know

Love, look at the two of us
Strangers in many ways
Let's take a lifetime to say
I know you well
But only time will tell us so
And love may grow for all we know

The Carpenters