Complete List Of The Carpenters Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Kathleen Ballard, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Carpenters originated from New Haven, Connecticut, but their rise to musical prominence began after the family relocated to Downey, California. Siblings Richard and Karen Carpenter both showed exceptional musical ability from a young age. Richard studied piano and composition, while Karen gravitated toward the drums—an unusual choice for a young woman in the 1960s. Their early efforts included forming a jazz trio during high school and later performing in a group called Spectrum while attending California State University, Long Beach. It was through a demo tape of their performances that they caught the attention of Herb Alpert, co-founder of A&M Records, who signed them to the label in 1969.

The Carpenters’ debut album, Offering (later retitled Ticket to Ride), introduced audiences to their blend of soft pop, layered harmonies, and Karen’s strikingly pure contralto voice. While their first single—a cover of “Ticket to Ride”—only achieved modest success, their follow-up release “(They Long to Be) Close to You” in 1970 marked their breakthrough. The song soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for four weeks, launching them into international fame. Their clean-cut image, precision arrangements, and Karen’s emotive vocals quickly set them apart in the era dominated by hard rock and psychedelic music.

Between 1969 and 1981, The Carpenters released ten studio albums, including Close to You (1970), Carpenters (1971), A Song for You (1972), and Horizon (1975). These albums produced a string of hit singles such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Superstar,” “Hurting Each Other,” and “Yesterday Once More.” Their 1973 album Now & Then included the nostalgic “Yesterday Once More,” which became one of their most beloved songs. Richard’s arrangements and Karen’s flawless vocal delivery became the foundation of their artistic identity. Their work combined elements of pop, easy listening, and orchestral styles, winning them both critical praise and commercial success.

The duo earned three Grammy Awards and received multiple nominations throughout their career. In 1970, they won Best New Artist, and “Close to You” earned them a Grammy for Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. They became fixtures on television variety specials and performed around the world. Karen’s voice was praised by musicians and producers alike for its tone, control, and emotional depth, while Richard’s arrangements and keyboard work were widely admired for their sophistication.

Despite their success, the 1970s brought personal and professional challenges. The duo’s demanding schedule and the pressures of fame began to take a toll. Karen struggled with anorexia nervosa—a condition that was little understood at the time—and it affected both her health and their performance schedule. Meanwhile, Richard battled an addiction to sleeping pills, which led to a hiatus in the late 1970s. Despite these challenges, they returned to the studio in the early 1980s and released Made in America in 1981, their first studio album in three years. It featured the single “Touch Me When We’re Dancing,” which became their final Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Karen Carpenter’s death on February 4, 1983, from complications related to anorexia, shocked fans and the broader music industry. She was 32 years old. Her passing brought national attention to eating disorders and marked a tragic end to one of the most recognizable voices in popular music. After her death, several posthumous albums and compilations were released, including Voice of the Heart (1983) and Lovelines (1989), which featured previously unreleased material and demo recordings.

Outside of their music, Karen and Richard maintained a strong bond with their family and rarely courted the celebrity spotlight. Karen, in particular, was known for her humility and reluctance to see herself as a star, despite being one of the most recognizable voices of the 1970s. Richard, following his sister’s death, continued to preserve their legacy through archival projects, compilation albums, and public appearances. He also recorded solo albums and worked with the Carpenters’ original material to remaster and reissue their catalog.

The Carpenters sold over 100 million records worldwide, a testament to the timelessness of their work. Their music remains a staple on adult contemporary and oldies radio, and their albums continue to sell decades after their original release. Their blend of melodic songwriting, emotive performance, and meticulous production has influenced artists across genres. Their songs are frequently covered and sampled, and Karen’s voice is still regarded as one of the finest in pop history.

Their contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. Karen Carpenter has also been praised posthumously as a pioneering female drummer and vocalist, breaking gender norms in both roles. The Carpenters’ enduring appeal lies not only in the beauty of their music but in the emotional honesty and technical excellence that define their body of work.

Complete List Of The Carpenters Songs From A to Z

All I Can Do – Ticket To Ride – 1969
All of My Life – Ticket To Ride – 1969
All You Get From Love Is A Love Song – Passage – 1977
And When He Smiles – As Time Goes By – 2001
Angels We Have Heard On High – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
An Old-Fashioned Christmas – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Another Song – Close To You – 1970
At The End Of A Song – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Aurora – Horizon – 1975
Ave Maria – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Away In A Manger – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Baby It’s You – Close To You – 1970
Baby It’s You – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Bacharach-David Medley – Carpenters – 1971
Because We Are In Love (The Wedding Song) – Made In America – 1981
Beechwood 4-5789 – Made In America – 1981
Benediction – Ticket To Ride – 1969
Bless The Beasts And Children – A Song For You – 1972
Boat To Sail – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
B’Wana She No Home – Passage – 1977
California Dreamin’ – As Time Goes By – 2001
Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day) – Passage – 1977
Can’t Smile Without You – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
Carol Of The Bells – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Carpenters/Como Medley – As Time Goes By – 2001
Christ Is Born – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Christmas Waltz – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Crescent Noon – Close To You – 1970
Crystal Lullaby – A Song For You – 1972
Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home) – Now & Then – 1973
Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairies – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Dancing In The Street – As Time Goes By – 2001
Deadman’s Curve – Now & Then – 1973
Deck The Halls – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Desperado – Horizon – 1975
Dizzy Fingers – As Time Goes By – 2001
Do You Hear What I Hear? – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Don’t Be Afraid – Ticket To Ride – 1969
Druscilla Penny – Carpenters – 1971
The End Of The World – Now & Then – 1973
Eventide – Horizon – 1975
Eve – Ticket To Ride – 1969
The First Noel – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
First Snowfall – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Flat Baroque – A Song For You – 1972
For All We Know – Carpenters – 1971
For All We Know – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Frosty The Snowman – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Fun, Fun, Fun – Now & Then – 1973
Gesu Bambino – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Get Together – Ticket To Ride – 1969
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Good King Wenceslas – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Goodbye To Love – A Song For You – 1972
Goodbye To Love – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Goofus – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
Happy – Horizon – 1975
Happy Holidays – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Christmas Portrait – 1978
He Came Here For Me – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Heather – Now & Then – 1973
Help – Close To You – 1970
Here Comes Santa Claus – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
(A Place To) Hideaway – Carpenters – 1971
Hits Medley ’76 – As Time Goes By – 2001
Home For The Holidays – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Honolulu City Lights – Lovelines – 1989
Hurting Each Other – A Song For You – 1972
Hurting Each Other – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
I Believe You – Made In America – 1981
I Believe You – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
I Can Dream Can’t I – Horizon – 1975
I Can’t Make Music – Now & Then – 1973
I Got Rhythm – As Time Goes By – 2001
I Have You – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
I Just Fall In Love Again – Passage – 1977
I Just Fall In Love Again – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
I Kept On Loving You – Close To You – 1970
If I Had You – Lovelines – 1989
If We Try – Lovelines – 1989
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Christmas Portrait – 1978
I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – Close To You – 1970
(I’m Caught Between) Goodbye And I Love You – Horizon – 1975
I Need To Be In Love – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
I Need To Be In Love – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
I Saw Three Ships – Christmas Portrait – 1978
I Won’t Last A Day Without You – A Song For You – 1972
In Dulce Jubilo – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Intermission – A Song For You – 1972
Invocation – Ticket To Ride – 1969
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
It’s Christmas Time – Christmas Portrait – 1978
It’s Going To Take Some Time – A Song For You – 1972
Jambalaya (On The Bayou) – Now & Then – 1973
Jingle Bells – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Johnny Angel – Now & Then – 1973
Karen/Ella Medley – As Time Goes By – 2001
Kiss Me The Way You Did Last Night – Lovelines – 1989
Leave Yesterday Behind – As Time Goes By – 2001
Let It Snow – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Let Me Be The One – Carpenters – 1971
Little Altar Boy – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Little Girl Blue – Lovelines – 1989
Little Jesus – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Look To Your Dreams – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Love Is Surrender – Close To You – 1970
Love Me For What I Am – Horizon – 1975
Lovelines – Lovelines – 1989
Make Believe It’s Your First Time – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Man Smart, Woman Smarter – Passage – 1977
March Of The Toys – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Maybe It’s You – Close To You – 1970
Medley – Now & Then – 1973
Medley – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Medley: Close Encounters/Star Wars – As Time Goes By – 2001
Medley: Superstar / Rainy Days And Mondays – As Time Goes By – 2001
Merry Christmas Darling – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Merry Christmas, Darling – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Mr. Guder – Close To You – 1970
My Favourite Things – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes – Now & Then – 1973
Nowhere Man – As Time Goes By – 2001
Now – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing – Ticket To Ride – 1969
O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) – Christmas Portrait – 1978
O Come, O Come Immanuel – Christmas Portrait – 1978
O Holy Night – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
O Little Town Of Bethlehem – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
On The Balcony Of The Casa Rosada / Don’t Cry For Me Argentina (From The Opera “Evita”) – Passage – 1977
One Fine Day – Now & Then – 1973
One Love – Carpenters – 1971
One More Time – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
Only Yesterday – Horizon – 1975
Ordinary Fool – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Our Day Will Come – Now & Then – 1973
Overture – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Overture – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Overture – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Overture Minature – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Piano Picker – A Song For You – 1972
Please Mister Postman – Horizon – 1975
Prime Time Love – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
The Rainbow Connection – As Time Goes By – 2001
Rainy Days And Mondays – Carpenters – 1971
Rainy Days And Mondays – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Reason To Believe – Close To You – 1970
Remember When Lovin’ Took All Night – Lovelines – 1989
Road Ode – A Song For You – 1972
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Sailing On The Tide – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Sandy – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Saturday – Carpenters – 1971
Selections From “Nutcracker” – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Silent Night – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Silver Bells – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Sing – Now & Then – 1973
Sleep Well, Little Children – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Sleigh Ride – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Slow Dance – Lovelines – 1989
Solitaire – Horizon – 1975
Somebody’s Been Lyin’ – Made In America – 1981
A Song For You – A Song For You – 1972
A Song For You (Reprise) – A Song For You – 1972
Someday – Ticket To Ride – 1969
Sometimes – Carpenters – 1971
Strength Of A Woman – Made In America – 1981
Superstar – Carpenters – 1971
Superstar – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Sweet, Sweet Smile – Passage – 1977
(They Long To Be) Close To You – Close To You – 1970
(They Long To Be) Close To You – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
There’s A Kind Of Hush – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
This Masquerade – Now & Then – 1973
This Masquerade – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Those Good Old Dreams – Made In America – 1981
Ticket to Ride – Ticket To Ride – 1969
Ticket To Ride – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Top Of The World – A Song For You – 1972
Top Of The World – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Touch Me When We’re Dancing – Made In America – 1981
Touch Me When We’re Dancing – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Trepak – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
Turn Away – Ticket To Ride – 1969
Two Lives – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Two Sides – Passage – 1977
The Uninvited Guest – Lovelines – 1989
Valse Des Fleurs – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
(Want You) Back In My Life Again – Made In America – 1981
We’ve Only Just Begun – Close To You – 1970
We’ve Only Just Begun – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – An Old-Fashioned Christmas – 1984
What Child Is This – Christmas Portrait – 1978
What’s the Use – Ticket To Ride – 1969
When I Fall In Love – Lovelines – 1989
When It’s Gone (It’s Just Gone) – Made In America – 1981
When You’ve Got What It Takes – Made In America – 1981
Where Do I Go From Here? – Lovelines – 1989
White Christmas – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Winter Wonderland – Christmas Portrait – 1978
Without A Song – As Time Goes By – 2001
Yesterday Once More – Now & Then – 1973
Yesterday Once More – Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – 2018
Yesterday Once More/Reprise – Now & Then – 1973
You – A Kind Of Hush – 1976
You’re Enough – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
You’re Just In Love – As Time Goes By – 2001
You’re The One – Lovelines – 1989
Your Baby Doesn’t Love You Anymore – Voice Of The Heart – 1983
Your Wonderful Parade – Ticket To Ride – 1969