The Carpenters’ ‘(They Long to Be) Close to You’: A Soft Pop Masterpiece

In 1970, The Carpenters released “(They Long to Be) Close to You” as part of their second studio album, Close to You, marking a significant milestone in their musical career. Originally written by the renowned songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song had been recorded by several artists prior, but it was The Carpenters’ rendition that truly resonated with audiences. Their version featured Karen Carpenter’s soothing vocals and Richard Carpenter’s meticulous arrangement, creating a soft pop masterpiece that captivated listeners. The single achieved remarkable success, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks and earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 1970. This accomplishment not only established The Carpenters as a prominent musical duo but also solidified the song’s place as an enduring classic in the pop music canon.

(They Long To Be) Close To You

Chart-Topping Success: “(They Long to Be) Close to You” became The Carpenters’ first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970, staying at the top for four consecutive weeks.

Grammy Recognition: The song earned The Carpenters a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus in 1971, highlighting their exceptional musical talents.

Songwriting Duo: Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the writers of “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” were a prolific songwriting team known for crafting numerous hits during the 1960s and 1970s, collaborating with various artists across genres.

Album Success: The success of “(They Long to Be) Close to You” significantly contributed to the popularity of The Carpenters’ album Close to You, which peaked at number two on the US Billboard albums chart and topped the Canadian Albums Chart.

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