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Original poster

To think Karen Carpenter was nothing short of extraordinary?

61 replies

CarrotCrusader · 20/10/2025 18:42

What a woman! Her voice gets me everytime. I saw a brilliant documentary a long time ago. Such a sad life but he talents were just incredible.

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GasPanic · 21/10/2025 11:24

She had a very good voice and I like the work she did but I wouldn't say her voice was extraordinary.

There are a number of singers who were/are simply better, both in terms of power and vocal range. I don't think she gets anywhere close to Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey or Aretha Franklin for example.

I think she would make a lot of top 100 singers of all time lists but not a lot of top 10.

BessieBoob · 21/10/2025 11:23

I am a huge fan of The Carpenters and have been since listening to their records as a child. I was gutted last year that Richard cancelled his UK tiur due to ill health. Karen’s voice was truly unique. Absolutely perfection and a huge loss to the world when she died.

KnottyKnitting · 21/10/2025 11:15

Her voice was effortless- beautiful timbre in every single note. Like listening to velvet! Such a talent ( she was also a gifted drummer) and such a tragic end.

AprilinPortugal · 21/10/2025 11:14

OswaldCobblepot · 20/10/2025 19:34

My favourite female vocalist as well. She had a voice like treacle.

It's a shame she was born when she was, I'd like to think the world would have been kinder to her if she was around now. Maybe I'm just being naive.

Her parents didn't seem to appreciate her...they pushed Richard forward as he was the "boy". She was just a girl.

MaloryJones · 21/10/2025 11:11

JustSawJohnny · 20/10/2025 19:55

Never been a voice that sounds anything like hers before or after.

It was so unique and touching.

I love the made-for-tv film about her life. Obviously very sad, though.

Ah Yes, I saw that
Cynthia Gibb played Karen very well I always thought.

thecatneuterer · 20/10/2025 21:49

Dollymylove · 20/10/2025 21:08

I would like to add the late great Judith Durham to the list 🥰

Show quote history

I was coming here to say this. I'm glad someone said it first.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 20/10/2025 21:37

well worth a watch if you have a spare 20 minutes - very technical but great analysis of her vocals

If auto-tune was HUMAN, look no further. Karen Carpenter was on a DIFFERENT PLANET.

RampantIvy · 20/10/2025 21:30

And Sinead O'Connor. Nothing Compares 2U showed off her pure voice so magnificently.

Dollymylove · 20/10/2025 21:27

AzurePanda · 20/10/2025 21:16

@Dollymylove Judith Durham so under appreciated!

Yes!! She had a very unique voice which I didnt appreciate until I listened to some of her music a few years back . She was superb
🥰

AzurePanda · 20/10/2025 21:16

@Dollymylove Judith Durham so under appreciated!

Dollymylove · 20/10/2025 21:08

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/10/2025 19:48

Yes totally agree. Carly Simon, Adele land the ABBA ladies too.

I would like to add the late great Judith Durham to the list 🥰

Pollqueen · 20/10/2025 21:02

Loved Karen Carpenter. Such a sad loss, her voice was sublime 😢 💔

Dollymylove · 20/10/2025 21:01

A huge loss to the world and a voice like melted chocolate
Can't believe she's been gone 43 years 💔

pinkfondu · 20/10/2025 20:56

Phenomenal

PolkaDotPorridge · 20/10/2025 20:52

She really was incredible. I well up the minute I hear her voice. Every single time which is rather annoying but it is what happens.

TowerRavenSeven · 20/10/2025 20:48

Yanbu. My boyfriend at the time that she died said “I can’t believe we won’t hear that angelic voice again”.

RampantIvy · 20/10/2025 20:45

Aagree with all the comments. She also made it sound so effortless as well (as did George Michael) - the sign of true talent.

Iloveadrianmole · 20/10/2025 20:36

She has the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard. Makes me cry every single time, especially Superstar.

NameChangedForThis2025 · 20/10/2025 20:31

Beautiful beautiful voice, phenomenal range. Those deep notes in Lonely Masquerade and Crescent Noon 😍 I adore her.

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/10/2025 20:05

cossette · 20/10/2025 19:54

It's interesting @dizzydizzydizzythat you included the ABBA ladies in your comment because I think they are often overlooked when great female singers are talked about, and Frida's lower registry is, in my opinion, very like Karen Carpenter's beautiful voice.

Well very interesting @cossette I have been thinking exactly the same about Frida and Karen Carpenter!

JustSawJohnny · 20/10/2025 19:55

Never been a voice that sounds anything like hers before or after.

It was so unique and touching.

I love the made-for-tv film about her life. Obviously very sad, though.

cossette · 20/10/2025 19:54

It's interesting @dizzydizzydizzythat you included the ABBA ladies in your comment because I think they are often overlooked when great female singers are talked about, and Frida's lower registry is, in my opinion, very like Karen Carpenter's beautiful voice.

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/10/2025 19:48

Yes totally agree. Carly Simon, Adele land the ABBA ladies too.

Blarn · 20/10/2025 19:46

Her voice makes me cry. Dcs school have a composer/singer/band of the week thing and once when I went to an assembly as one dc was getting an award they were playing Karen Carpenter songs and I had to sit there discreetly wiping away tears!

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