The Carpenters' Stirring Performance On The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson

The Carpenters were a sibling vocal and instrumental duo active from the 1960s through the early 1980s. Over their 14-year career, Richard and Karen Carpenter recorded 10 albums and had several television specials. This Johnny Carson episode from 1973 will bring you right back to their music.

After Johnny introduces them, they perform, ‘Superstar” which was recorded in 1971 on their album, ‘Carpenters.’ ‘Rainy Days and Mondays’ is next, a song also released in 1971. If you were a fan back in the day, you will remember these lyrics:

“What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down”

Next up they sing ‘Goodbye to Love’ which was a 1972 release on the album, ‘A Song for You.’

After those three songs, Johnny Carson interviews Richard and Karen. He starts by talking about all the successes they have had as well as how they are on the road a lot. The duo talk about the time they were on an airplane and they lost an engine as well as whether they are going to have their own television show or not. 

As the interview wraps up, they go back to talking about success, and Karen comments, “Once it happens you never really know how it happens or when but all of a sudden you go from here to here, you're like there’s no stopping.”

They then finish the segment with one more song, ‘Mr.Guder,’ which was written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis in 1967. The song was about their former boss when they worked at Disneyland. 

While the Carpenters are no longer making music together, sadly, Karen passed away in 1983, their songs can still be heard for generations to come. 

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” - Psalm 57:7