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Best Opening Lyrics: No. 6

"Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?"
--The Carpenters' 'Close to You'

Penned by Burt Bacharach's wordsmith Hal David, this line is still the envy of Hallmark scribes.

Listen to the line!

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43 Comments

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James

i truly miss the voice of Karen Carpenter. so smooth, crisp and clear. someone mentioned 'bubblegum' rock. at the time, that's what was popular. Karen, she shared her gift that will last us for the ages.

November 24 2010 at 4:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
keith chegwin

I didnt partic like the carpenters, but her singing made my hairs stand up on the back of my neck, good music is something that still plays in your head even after its stopped

September 04 2010 at 8:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve

At the time, I thought the Carpenters were rather cheesy and not too hip. Only in retrospect, and with the passing of time, have I come to realize that these were great musicians and Karen Carpenter was a major talent.

"Close to Me" was a very good good song, but my favorite Carpenters' songs were "Yesterday Once More," and their cover of Leon Russell's "Superstar."

I defy anyone to find any songs anywhere, that were better sung than these 2 songs were by Karen Carpenter.

August 22 2010 at 12:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jennifer

I love the Carpenters. The songs are cheesy yes, but her voice more then makes up for that. I have Top Of The World on my iPod! Merry Christmas Darling makes you feel every word. She had a way to make you feel the lyrics. I don't know of many artists today that can accomplish that in one of their songs, let alone an entire catalog of them. She certainly was one of a kind.

March 27 2010 at 9:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David S.

This song isn't my favorite, but Karen Carpenter had a one in a million voice. The Cranberries also did a respectable version of this on The Carpenters tribute album.

March 02 2010 at 5:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
teresa teresa

Karen Carpenter was one of the best singers of all time. I was a fan since a early age. I miss her and her music. Call it sappy, bubble gum etc..But I loved it and still do. I never get tired of Merry Christmas Darling. Or this song.

October 26 2008 at 5:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jess

love this song

June 21 2008 at 9:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Details, Details

@Michelle,

I agree , that comment was so rude and uncalled for. That's the problem with people now. Their emotions are so warped, they think someone trying to show love is "needy". I like this song, because it was a place in time when you could just tell someone how great you thought they were. It's a pure song about a new love, or crush.

March 14 2008 at 2:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Details, Details's comment
Scott Hudson

yes indeed...people are so eager nowadays to appear ironic or cool...what's ironic is that they're not cool...not everybody has to be screaming and spitting in your face to get their point across...sure, this song has that 70's cheesy kinda thing going on, but it's still a beautiful song...karen carpenter had a soft and warm voice, the lyric was great, and that's why we're still talking about it today...LEARN TO LOVE

June 10 2009 at 3:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
WAKIL

16 To assure you, birds do care and share

December 24 2007 at 2:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
applebate

Right on Michelle. As someone who was once suffered from anorexia and thankfully recovered, I agree. . . F*** off Guy!!!!

November 03 2007 at 7:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply