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Solitaire1 · 11-08-2013, 02:40 PM

I just happened upon this thread, decided it looked interesting, so here's my first post here:

"Trying To Get The Feeling Again" by the Carpenters

For a long time the only version of this song I'd heard was Barry Manilow's hit version of the song. It's a song that I liked but it wasn't among my favorites.

Then, I picked up the Carpenters' album "Interpretations" and "Trying To Get The Feeling Again" was on it. The album contained songs that the Carpenters recorded that were written by others.

According to the liner notes, this was a work lead (essentially a vocal draft) of a song that was considered for the album "Horizon" (my favorite Carpenters album) but was not completed. This work lead was lost for over 20 years, and when it was found the production of the song was completed for the "Interpretations" album.

What is striking about this song is the vocal performance, the musical arrangement, and the difference in lyrics between this version and Manilow's version:

THE VOCAL PERFORMANCE: For me, what is incredible about this version is the emotion that Karen reveals as she sings the words, and it's likely that in this version she was just becoming familiar with the song. It's even more amazing considering that this version would normally have never been heard, since it would have been re-recorded for the final version (for various reasons such as the sound of the lyric page flipping at 1:58).

MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT: Added to the vocal performance is the musical arrangement. The often cold and mechanical arrangement drives home the emotions of the song, indicating that the relationship is basically over, nothing else can be done, and she's just going through the motions.

THE DIFFERENCE IN LYRICS: Very striking is the difference between these lyrics and those of Manilow's version. My internet research into this song found that it was originally written for the Carpenters, and this version of the song features the original lyrics. Unlike Manilow's version, which at least gives a sliver of hope that the relationship can be salvaged, in this version there's basically no hope.

For me, this has become one of my favorite Carpenters songs from the time I'd first really heard it (I'd first heard it in a car but I could barely hear it over the ambient noise). In my ranking of their songs it tends to jockey for the number two position with "Goodbye To Love" and "Love Me For What I Am."

An extra mention: This video for the song was done by NedNickerson2010, and he did some excellent work with this video via the use of very striking still images.

Since I compared it to Manilow's version, I thought I'd include it here too so you can view it for yourself:

Thanks for reading, I look forward to commenting on more songs.

11-08-2013, 02:40 PM	#49
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 14,979 Karma: 70029956 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor, Nook Glowlight 4	"Trying To Get The Feeling Again" by the Carpenters I just happened upon this thread, decided it looked interesting, so here's my first post here: "Trying To Get The Feeling Again" by the Carpenters For a long time the only version of this song I'd heard was Barry Manilow's hit version of the song. It's a song that I liked but it wasn't among my favorites. Then, I picked up the Carpenters' album "Interpretations" and "Trying To Get The Feeling Again" was on it. The album contained songs that the Carpenters recorded that were written by others. According to the liner notes, this was a work lead (essentially a vocal draft) of a song that was considered for the album "Horizon" (my favorite Carpenters album) but was not completed. This work lead was lost for over 20 years, and when it was found the production of the song was completed for the "Interpretations" album. What is striking about this song is the vocal performance, the musical arrangement, and the difference in lyrics between this version and Manilow's version: THE VOCAL PERFORMANCE: For me, what is incredible about this version is the emotion that Karen reveals as she sings the words, and it's likely that in this version she was just becoming familiar with the song. It's even more amazing considering that this version would normally have never been heard, since it would have been re-recorded for the final version (for various reasons such as the sound of the lyric page flipping at 1:58). MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT: Added to the vocal performance is the musical arrangement. The often cold and mechanical arrangement drives home the emotions of the song, indicating that the relationship is basically over, nothing else can be done, and she's just going through the motions. THE DIFFERENCE IN LYRICS: Very striking is the difference between these lyrics and those of Manilow's version. My internet research into this song found that it was originally written for the Carpenters, and this version of the song features the original lyrics. Unlike Manilow's version, which at least gives a sliver of hope that the relationship can be salvaged, in this version there's basically no hope. For me, this has become one of my favorite Carpenters songs from the time I'd first really heard it (I'd first heard it in a car but I could barely hear it over the ambient noise). In my ranking of their songs it tends to jockey for the number two position with "Goodbye To Love" and "Love Me For What I Am." An extra mention: This video for the song was done by NedNickerson2010, and he did some excellent work with this video via the use of very striking still images. Since I compared it to Manilow's version, I thought I'd include it here too so you can view it for yourself: Thanks for reading, I look forward to commenting on more songs.